Maryland University of Integrative Health

I have been going to MUIH for the last 8 months for acupuncture treatment. It’s a bit of a trek (Laurel is 35 min from DC in no traffic) but I go weekly because it’s worth it! My acupuncturist is Kaiya Larson (M.Ac, L. Ac). She is far more than an acupuncturist; she is a healer. She practices 5 Elements acupuncture. I don’t know how she does what she does but I do know that it works. When I have to skip a week or two, I miss it because I can feel the difference, both physically and spiritually/​emotionally. A few times, I have inadvertently referred to Kaiya as my therapist. We do talk (that’s how she knows what to focus on during the treatment) but I think that’s also because when I leave, I just feel lighter, as if I’ve left all my stress and worries on the table. Going to Kaiya is one of the best things I have EVER done for myself. If you go to her, I’m sure you’ll say the same.

Visited the acupuncture clinic and saw Laura. It was a great appt. She listened to my concerns and knew exactly the right treatment. I felt so peaceful after. I will definitely be going back.
Also, it means a lot as to how the place is decorated and staffed. Beautiful campus and facility.

I am a recent graduate of Tai Sophia’s master’s in acupuncture program so I have spent the better part of the last 3 ½ years at this school. I will start off by saying that for comparable programs across the country, Tai Sophia is by far the most expensive. Because of this, I made the assumption that it would be a high quality school. I know that quality is subjective. With that being said, I feel that I was a bit ripped off in regards to the acupuncture program.
The school tries to maintain an image having faculty and staff that are all enlightened open-​minded and loving people but in reality, a large percentage of them are hypocritical arrogant individuals who have minimal training outside the small Tai Sophia community. Throughout my time here, I was always baffled as to how some of the most despised teachers remained a part of the faculty for so long. The school is small enough that students within a program pretty much all get to know each other so when a teacher is disliked, everyone hears about it.
I would also like to add that the business side of this institution was in shambles while I was there. I could write a book about all the shortcomings of this school but the top of my list is the fact that they raised our tuition by nearly 30% after the first year when it was already the most expensive acupuncture program in the country, hence the bad business side of this place. Transferring credits is difficult with schools of this sort so most of us were either stuck paying more than we had initially agreed to upon our acceptance or in worse cases, people had to drop out and essentially lost the money they had already paid, in some cases being upwards of $ 20,000!
Another devastating aspect of my whole experience was when I was nearing graduation and realized that they had not prepared us AT ALL for the NCCAOM exam (national exam that most states require for acupuncturists) because they mainly teach a unique style of acupuncture that is basically not practiced by most other acupuncturists in the country. Maryland doesn’t require the exam for those who attend Tai Sophia so for many students this was not an issue. However, for those of us planning to leave Maryland one day, we have to spend months studying for this extensive exam after graduation! That’s like going to law school and not being even remotely prepared to take the bar exam upon graduation.
Another piece worth noting is the severe lack of experience of a large portion of the faculty. While most educational institutions require extensive experience for professors in order to teach a particular subject (especially in a Master’s degree program), my fellow students and I were often being supervised in clinic by acupuncturists who had only graduated a few years prior with no thriving practices of their own and very minimal experience!
If you have taken one of Tai Sophia’s many workshops or weekend classes, don’t be fooled by the initial loving, caring façade that Tai Sophia attempts to project. Like all cults, Tai Sophia seems like wonderful bubble of «oneness» for many, with a wonderful sense of community. But after they swindle you out of $ 60,000+ for a basic master’s degree and upon completion you are left wondering why you weren’t taught even the most basic concepts of Chinese Medicine, you may reconsider the motives of this institution. Don’t be fooled by their «non-​profit» status!

I have a few people in my life that I truly trust and one of them, a dear caregiver told me about a weekend workshop called «Redefining Health». I was not sure what I was in for but since she told me I needed to go I did not question it.
So I am writing this after the first day of the workshop since I feel so strongly about it. Tai Sophia is a wonderful place where caring and loving people work to help you through the cycle of life. I could write here for days but instead I will talk about my experience and then update it with tomorrow’s session.
Upon arrival I signed in and within 5 minutes I received a big kiss from one of the most wonderful and unconditionally loving people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Form that point on it was all good.
During the class the presenters worked through the cycle of life. I cannot really do it any justice here so I will not go too deeply into it. I would expect anyone that is interested in simplifying their life and rediscovering what it means to be human that they head to the school’s website and sign up for the next session (I think it is Feb 2009, I will be there).
A huge thanks to a great friend and caregiver who told me that I need to hop on the train since it is in the station. I cannot thank her enough for all of her support, love and caring. So if you want to take the next step look up this class and make a real and meaningful change in this world.
As for me, I am working on a new path in life. It will take some time but it is time for me to leave the corporate world behind and follow my calling. Sounds hokey but I sleep well at night knowing somehow I will pay the bills.