EMILY MORRISON, LAc, MAOM

Emily Morrison is a licensed acupuncturist, educator, bodyworker, herbalist, and founder of Valley Spirit Acupuncture & Internal Arts in Beacon, New York. Her work is rooted in Chinese medicine and the understanding that the body is continually expressing and adapting to our lived experience, environment, and internal state.

For more than twenty years, Emily has studied and practiced bodywork, Chinese medicine, herbal medicine, qigong, and the internal arts. She holds a Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and is a licensed acupuncturist, with an earlier foundation in therapeutic massage and bodywork.

Her work has been deeply shaped by fifteen years of training with the North American Tang Shou Tao Association, where she studied classical and traditional Chinese medicine, Gongfu medicine, internal martial arts, qigong, and an integrated approach to Western craniosacral therapy and Chinese medicine. She is a certified instructor of Shenlong Xingyiquan and Li Ding Jingluo Qigong and a disciple of the late Dr. Vince Black.

In clinical practice, Emily integrates acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Tuina and Chinese orthopedic bodywork, craniosacral therapy, cupping, gua sha, therapeutic movement, and hands-on assessment. Her approach combines the framework of Chinese medicine with a strong foundation in anatomy, biomechanics, palpation, and nervous-system awareness. Rather than relying on a single modality or protocol, she works collaboratively with each person, listening to what the body is communicating and responding to what is present.

Alongside her clinical work, Emily teaches qigong, Chinese medicine, internal arts, and hands-on therapeutic practices. Her teaching emphasizes direct experience: learning to perceive more clearly, develop skill through practice, and understand the body not only conceptually but through sensation, movement, touch, and relationship.

Emily facilitates classes, workshops, practitioner trainings, and retreats locally and internationally and is available to retreat communities as both an educator and clinical practitioner. Her work in these settings may include qigong and movement, Chinese medicine education, craniosacral and hands-on training, acupuncture, bodywork, herbal support, and individualized treatments.

Whether working one-on-one, teaching, or facilitating a group, Emily’s approach begins with careful attention—listening to what is present before determining how best to respond.