About > Our Story

Our Story

~ Supporting the weaving of wholeness, one person at a time ~

Rooted in Tradition, Guided by Compassion

At Tsumugi Healing Arts, we honour the ancient wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to support your journey toward holistic well-being. Founded by Akari, a practitioner born and raised in Japan, our practice is deeply influenced by her cultural heritage and commitment to reconnecting the body, emotions, and spirit.

Our name, Tsumugi (紬/紡), refers to a traditional Japanese silk fabric used in kimono-making—woven slowly and intentionally by hand. It also means the art of weaving. This name reflects our belief that healing is a gentle, intricate process—one of reweaving body, mind, and spirit with care. At Tsumugi, we see healing as softening what’s been held and rediscovering the wholeness that’s always been within.

The Tsumugi Approach: No Fixing, Just Healing

We believe no one is broken—so our role isn’t to fix people.

At Tsumugi Healing Arts, we see our work as healthcare, not disease care. We don’t pathologize you or medicalize your experience. Instead, we walk alongside you—supporting your journey toward wellness while honouring your innate ability to heal.

We aim to offer transformative care—a partnership that empowers you, rather than a transaction that leaves you feeling disconnected and disempowered.

Our Mission & Vision

  • Mission: To offer thoughtful, collaborative care rooted in Chinese Medicine, supporting individuals as they reconnect with their rhythms, restore balance, and reclaim agency in their healing.

  • Vision: To inspire a world where health is seen as a personalized, empowering journey, with the integration of physical and emotional healing through Chinese Medicine as the foundation for long-lasting wellness. 

Tsumugi’s Focus: Who We Serve

At Tsumugi, we view health as a personalized, empowering journey. We offer care for those who:

  • Feel out of sync with their body

  • Are healing from physical or emotional pain

  • Are navigating hormonal transitions, cycles, or pelvic concerns

  • Are seeking grounded, whole-person support that honours both science and soul

Our approach integrates physical, emotional, and spiritual healing through:

Our Commitment To Wellness & Integrity

We are dedicated to supporting your healing journey with integrity and care that embrace inclusivity and honours the unique experiences of every individual. These pillars guide how we operate and connect with our community:

  • Feminism in Practice: We believe in the inherent worth of every individual. Our work is rooted in inclusivity, respect, and creating space for all people to access care safely and equitably.

  • Trauma-Informed: We offer trauma-informed care that honours your pace, your boundaries, and your inner wisdom.

  • Neurodivergent-Informed: Our care is neurodivergent-informed, creating a space that is flexible, sensory-considerate, and respectful of diverse ways of being.

  • LGBTQ2SI+ -friendly: We affirm and support the full spectrum of sexual and gender identities. Our care respects each person’s lived experience and creates space for healing that is safe, inclusive, and free of judgment.

  • Scent-Free Policy: We avoid synthetic fragrances and harsh chemicals. While we use essential oils therapeutically, we maintain a natural, calm environment that supports your healing.

  • Supporting Local: Whenever possible, we source from Canadian companies and partner with small businesses, especially those involved in herbal medicine and eco-friendly supplies.

  • Privacy & Security: We take your privacy seriously.

    • Charting, Booking & Invoicing: We use JaneApp, a Canadian platform that complies with Canadian privacy laws and stores all data on Canadian servers.

    • Email Communication: We use Proton Mail, a Swiss nonprofit offering end-to-end encryption. Your email data is stored on servers in Switzerland, where privacy laws are among the strongest in the world.

    • Business Administration: Some internal administrative tasks are managed using Google services (e.g., Drive or Docs, Forms etc.). These forms do not collect health information, and no clinical or private data is stored on Google platforms.

We believe that healing should be accessible—not reserved for the few. We run our practice in a way that is sustainable for both you and us, and rooted in shared responsibility.

  • Boundaries & Respect:
    We walk beside you, but we don’t — and can’t — walk for you. We ask for mutual respect: this includes arriving on time, honouring the scheduled session length, and observing our Cancellation Policy. At times, emotions may surface or intensify during your healing journey. While we offer space to process together, your emotional responses are ultimately yours to take care of. We are here to support, but not to take over.

  • Keeping Fees Reasonable:
    To keep care affordable and equitable:

    • We keep advertising to a minimum. Instead, we grow through trust and word-of-mouth—if you know someone who may benefit, we’re grateful when you share our work.

    • We operate without administrative staff or virtual assistants. You are encouraged to manage your own bookings and cancellations through our online system.

    • We uphold a clear Cancellation Policy to protect everyone’s time and keep fees stable.

    • Herbal prescriptions are given in small quantities only to those who are ready to commit—this prevents waste and keeps costs down.

Accessibility & Fairness

Community Care

Chinese Medicine is a People’s Medicine

Chinese Medicine has always lived in the hands and hearts of everyday people—woven into daily life, passed from one generation to the next, and shaped by shared experience. You don’t have to be Chinese, or even familiar with its roots, to find something meaningful in this way of living. At Tsumugi, we see care as something that goes far beyond the treatment table, because it lives in how we learn together, support one another, and stay connected along the way.

Community Support Through Education & Shared Knowledge

We believe in the power of knowledge and community. Chinese Medicine lives within each person, and we’re here to share it with you. While this website introduces our practice, we hope to expand it into a resource for everyone—not just those seeking one-on-one care. Whether you're here to explore wellness or discover healing tools, we aim for you to leave with something valuable, supportive, or inspiring.

Growing Through Relationships, Not Algorithms

At Tsumugi, we intentionally keep advertising to a minimum. Rather than relying on algorithms, we choose to grow through real, human relationships. Healing is a deeply personal process—and we believe the way it's shared should be just as personal. We hope to nurture genuine connection between people. That might look like talking about wellness over tea, or checking in with someone you care about. Sometimes, the most powerful medicine is simply being seen and heard. And if our work resonates with you, we’d be honoured if you passed it along to someone who might find it helpful.