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After a varied 25-year career in holistic health, studying to become an acupuncturist and Chinese herbal medicine practitioner was a natural next step for Henri-Noel Venturini.
He has a four-year bachelor’s degree in acupuncture and herbal medicine, and is now operating his business out of Clinic 38 in Ōrewa every Thursday and Friday.
Henri says the combination of the right herbs and acupuncture can help with a wide range of health issues, from muscular to gut problems.
“Western culture can learn a lot from the practice of Chinese medicine,” he says.
“During China’s old days, people would visit an acupuncturist every week to prevent getting sick, rather than only seeking help once they were already ill.”
Taking inspiration from ancient Asia isn’t new for Henri. He has practiced and taught Martial Arts for almost 30 years, and teaches Tai Chi and Qi Gong classes on Whangaparāoa Peninsula.
He also enjoys singing in local choirs, the Hibiscus Coast Singers and Gotta Sing, and is taking part in an upcoming show at Centrestage Theatre.
“Taking time to de-stress is really important for our overall health, and doing things you enjoy, despite what others think, is a big part of this,” he says.
Living stress-free is a skill Henri learnt following a 25-year career as a head chef in several restaurants in his homeland of Australia.
“Working as a chef requires a lot of energy, and is very much a work-hard, play-hard environment, so when I turned 40, I gave it up,” he says.
A unique opportunity to travel the world soon followed, when one of Henri’s clients gave him payment by way of a round-the-world ticket. His first stop was Waiheke Island – and he never left to see out the rest of the trip.
It was here that Henri started his natural healing business Balanced Energy, which was later based in Coast Plaza. He is still a director of that business, which now primarily operates online.
Henri says becoming an acupuncturist and herbalist brought all of his natural heath knowledge together.
“It is something I would eventually like to take further by hosting community clinics that encourage people to maintain their wellbeing, for a better quality of life.”
