AUTHENTIC HEALING TRADITIONS
Acupuncture, Herbs, Qi Gong
Robert Hoffman, DAOM, L.Ac.
Researcher, clinician, producer, musician, Robert is currently the President and CEO at Yo San University in Los Angeles where he also serves on both the master’s and doctoral faculties. In these roles, Dr. Hoffman is responsible for curriculum development, faculty recruitment, assessment of accreditation standards, strategic planning, marketing and branding. In addition to his work at the university, Dr. Hoffman serves on the board of the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM), responsible for the creation of standards and accreditation for all Chinese medicine schools in the United States.
Prior to his career in research and Chinese medicine, Dr. Hoffman spent over 30 years in the music industry as a producer, songwriter and recording engineer working with artists such as Christina Aguilera, Michael Jackson, and Quincy Jones. His music and productions have been featured in numerous commercials for clients like Mercedes and Pepsi, and in video game titles such as Def Jam Vendetta and Turok. He is a frequent guest lecturer at Skidmore College in the music department for recording and production arts classes, and still produces and writes music as time allows.
Dr. Hoffman has written numerous articles on Daoism and Chinese medicine (see publications), and serves as editor and peer reviewer for several integrative medicine journals. He received his master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Yo San University, and completed his doctoral degree (DAOM) at Five Branches University in San Jose.
In addition, he is currently a PhD candidate at Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University in Hangzhou, China. Dr. Hoffman travels to China several times a year for additional study and clinical rotations at the Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University Hospital and other area out-patient clinics. His current research is in the use of mushrooms as adjuvant therapy in cancer treatment, and the role of Chinese herbs in T cell regulation. In addition to his formal education, Dr. Hoffman is an ordained 23rd generation Daoist Priest in the Quanzhen, Longmen tradition studying with Josh Paynter, Jack Schaefer and Ross Rosen of Parting Clouds.
Melody Zara Hoffman, MATCM, L.Ac.
Melody Zara Hoffman is a California licensed acupuncturist and clinical herbalist with a master’s degree from Yo San University, currently practicing in the greater Los Angeles and San Diego areas. She has treated patients at the Yo San Community Clinic and the Venice Family Clinic, and has studied with master herbalist Ron Teeguarden at Dragon Herbs in Los Angeles.
Melody believes in a harmonious approach to health, trusting the intelligence of the body to heal itself with help from acupuncture, herbs and a healthy lifestyle. She believes her role as a primary care physician is to assist her patients’ body's in their own inherent healing processes.
As the daughter of Persian parents she was brought up to believe that the body can heal itself with natural elements, she was raised with a holistic approach to health—relying on food, diet, herbs, exercise, balanced lifestyle and acupuncture.
Melody believes Eastern medicine complements Western medicine. Both can be powerful tools, and one should use all the tools available to them. Western medicine saved her mother’s life twice when she went through a battle with cancer, and a near death spinal virus with subsequent reconstructive spinal surgery. She witnessed how Eastern medicine and a healthy lifestyle accelerated her mother’s recovery and own healing abilities after such physically damaging illnesses. Sharing that journey with her mother solidified her commitment to practice Chinese medicine with compassion and consideration for the unique needs of every patient.