Dr. Dawn Arredondo Sanchez, DTCM, MTCM, L.Ac.

Dr. Dawn Arredondo Sanchez completed over 3,500 hours of training in the healing art of  Traditional Chinese Medicine as part of a dual Masters and Doctorate program at Five Branches University in Santa Cruz, California. She has also completed training with the Neuro-Acupuncture Institute under the direction of Dr. Jason Hao in New Mexico. She has amassed several years and thousands of hours of hands-on clinical experience. Her clinical focus is based on treating disorders of the central nervous system and the difficult physical and emotional side effects created from various forms of stress related conditions.

 

While completing her Doctorate degree at Five Branches University, Dr. Sanchez conducted extensive research while treating patients who suffered head injuries from car accidents, playing soccer and football. The focus of this work demonstrated the efficacy of acupuncture, herbal medicine, qi emission treatments, and qigong therapy prescription exercises to help alleviate several of the secondary symptoms commonly suffered as a result of head trauma. Some of the most common symptoms included chronic headaches, insomnia, cognitive difficulties, personality shifts, increased stress, and digestive disorders. 

 

She also researched the effects of chronic stress on the body's systems. Stress initiates and maintains the sympathetic fight or flight response of the involuntary nervous system. Maintaining this state shuts down a multitude of endocrine, digestive, and neurological functions. Acupuncture, herbal medicine, and qi emission treatments can all be used to effectively relax, re-harmonize and reboot the parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous system, thus improving a person’s recovery time, immune response, response to additional treatments, and overall health and well-being.

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In addition to her acupuncture training, Dr. Sanchez has additionally pursued training  that directly focuses on uncovering the mystical aspects and the hidden deeper spiritual teachings of Chinese Energetic Medicine. This unique approach was taken from a more traditional Chinese martial arts perspective, which began when she was only 14 years old.

 

Inspired by the teachings and philosophy of Kungfu Master Bruce Lee, Dr. Sanchez's quest for knowledge lead her through various martial arts and spiritual trainings. Finally, she found her true passion in the study of the ancient Wudang martial art traditions of Chinese Kungfu, Daoist Internal Arts, and Transformational Daoist Mystic Training.

 

She studied with her first master, Sifu Terry Li in San Francisco for over a decade until he passed away in 2011. He introudced her to the connection between internal martial arts and spiritual Daoism. It would be four years before she found another teacher who taught all traditional aspects of Tai Chi Chuan’s martial, energetic and spiritual teachings.

 

She met and began training under Dr. William Welch Jr, a senior disciple of Professor Jerry Alan Johnson. Dr. Welch has been Dr. Johnson's most senior disciple for over 43 years and is a doctor of Chinese Energetic Medicine, Sifu in the Shaolin art of Mizongquan, Taijiquan, and Baguazhang. He was ordained in China's Long Hu Shan Temple as an 81st generation Daoist Bishop. Dr. Johnson is Internationally known for introducing Chinese Energetic Medicine to the United States, as well as having established a reputation in the martial arts world as a Grandmaster of Baguazhang and Taijiquan. He is renowned for his fighting ability and for his Crushing Palm technique.

 

Dr. Sanchez earned the title of “Sifu” (Master Instructor) in Yang Family Taijiquan in 2020. She is continuing her energetic education by learning all aspects of Chinese internal medicine, martial arts, spiritual studies, and energetic training as a “Closed Door” disciple under Dr. Welch. She has also been training and preparing to be ordained as a Daoist Priest. 

 

Her areas of expertise and continuing education include Chinese Energetic Medicine, Yang Family Taijiquan, Daoist Baguazhang (Eight Trigram Palm), Yiquan (Mind/Intent Boxing), as well as the ancient Qigong (energy skill), Shengong (spirit skill), and Neigong (inner skill) trainings associated with these different combat traditions.

 

She is a lineage holder and senior disciple of Dr. William Welch Jr., who is the Senior Abbot of the Temple of the Celestial Fire located in Salinas, California. 

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Dr. Dawn Sanchez began teaching in 2018 and founded the Joyful Tiger Daoist Arts in 2020 to finally combine her medical, martial, and spiritual practices.  Book your appointment today or feel free to give her a call to learn more.