peak venus
Hello beauties,
Happy Fall and welcome to the season’s first instalment of Venus and the Pearl.
We’re throwing it back to the early days of VATP when this newsletter was a eclectic collection of travel tips, restaurant recommendations, and other delightful flights of fancy.
Why? Well, dear reader, it’s Libra season and my Venusian tendencies are flowing full force. I just came back to Victoria after a short trip to Los Angeles for business and pleasure, and I’d love to tell you all about it.
Also, I just ran my very first 8km race at the Royal Victoria Marathon on Sunday October 13th, and it was amazing. More on that below.
As always, I see patients at Spring Wellness Clinic in Quadra Village and have been recently supporting quite a few people going through fertility and IVF journeys, menstrual imbalances, mental health challenges, insomnia, and chronic pain. We’re nearing the end of the year, so take advantage of your insurance benefits and book in for acupuncture.
I’ve also been working virtually with folks throughout California, notably helping a handful of patients successfully avoid antidepressant medication with Chinese herbal formulas. I work remotely with a range of ailments like depression, anxiety, burnout, fertility challenges, menstrual imbalances, and respiratory issues with herbs, supplements, and lifestyle recommendations (plus energy work, if requested). Book an online herbal consult or distance Reiki session here.
Thank you for your readership, and I hope you enjoy this edition of Venus and the Pearl.
Yours in Venusian joy,
Andrea Penagos, R.TCM.P, L.Ac.
Registered TCM Practitioner (BC) + Licensed Acupuncturist (California)
Follow me on IG at @andreapenagos.wellness
letting go
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, autumn is the season of grief and letting go, and the associated organs are the lungs and the large intestine. Both of these organ systems must fill and empty in a regular rhythm for proper function. Psychologically, we must also regularly let go of our past experiences in order to fully receive the new.
This theme is all too familiar as I returned to Los Angeles, the place I called home for so long. This time around, I finally arrived at a sense of acceptance about moving to Victoria and, four years later, the decision has integrated itself into every aspect of my life. While a piece of my heart will always belong to LA, I found myself missing my dog Archer, my daily Gorge walks, the community I work out with, and the convenience of living in a smaller city with less people, less traffic, and more trees.
Letting go of places, people, and things doesn’t mean we forget or abandon them, it just means we’ve chosen to move forward into the unknown with courage and curiosity about what lies ahead.
What are you letting go of this season?
What are you ready to welcome into your experience?
never say never
Ever since I can remember, I’ve held on tightly to the belief that I couldn’t run. But when I started working with holistic nutritionist Daryl Bouchard in January, running 5-8km twice per week was non-negotiable. Daryl is a life-long competitive runner and, I didn’t know it at the time, but she has a special talent for converting non-runners into runners.
The truth is, I could barely run 2 blocks before getting winded, but Daryl gave me no choice but to trust the process. Treadmill run-walks became full-on runs, which turned into outdoor runs as the weather got warmer. To celebrate my birthday, I ran 10km for the first time ever.
Yesterday, I ran my first race - 8km at the Royal Victoria Marathon (RVM). The weather was perfect, the vibe was high, and the sun began to rise as we ran along the waterfront. Pure magic.
Plot twist: I heavily depend on music to run (or so I thought), but somewhere between the car and the starting line, I dropped my ear buds and was forced to run without music.
Listen to the sultry, Venusian playlist I prepared for my run here:
Despite major hiccups, I managed to run faster than ever, kept a steady pace, and finished 4 minutes before my target time. The run felt amazing and when I reached the finish line, I realized - it’s not the music, IT’S ME. I CAN RUN. I’M A RUNNER.
Babes, never say never. When we lock ourselves into limited beliefs about what we can and can’t do, we limit our experiences in this lifetime. I don’t know who needs to hear this, but give yourself permission to let go of who you thought you were and step into who you want to be.
Shout out to the Coaches who got me here:
Daryl Bouchard, Team D Nutrition: I would have not started running without Daryl, and to say she has changed my life is an understatement. But perhaps her most meaningful contribution to my healing process was how she managed to completely transform my relationship to running and movement overall. She continues to be supportive of my journey and encourages me to go beyond my perceived self-limitations. If you’re considering working with Daryl, don’t think twice. She’s incredible at what she does.
Andrew Shelleau, Red Seal Carpenter + Runner: My fiancée and builder baddie Andrew Shelleau has been incredibly supportive of my fitness journey, especially my runs. He rocks steady alongside me during my long runs (which are his recovery runs) and keeps my pace even though he could dust me if he wanted to. His encouragement and companionship continue to push me towards new goals as I work on my pace and stamina. He just ran his first marathon at the RVM and crushed his sub-4hr goal. LFG!
Jenny Higgins, Jenny Fit: Meeting fitness coach Jenny Higgins on Dallas Road bordered on the miraculous. She single-handedly dragged me to Panthera Performance class (mentioned below), and has since become my personal trainer, keeps me accountable with nutrition, and is the kindest running cheerleader I could ask for. She herself is a runner and former body builder, and has an amazing way of balancing knowledge, personal experience, humour, and kindness into her training style. Everyone deserves a coach like Jenny in their life.
Cody Sahlstrom, Panthera Performance: Even by LA standards, Coach Cody’s 6am strength and conditioning class is elite. As a professional triathlete (who just completed a sub-3hr marathon at the RVM), the calibre he brings to class is unmatched and he is constantly raising the bar on group fitness. Everything about Panthera - the programming, the music, the community, and the location - is a vibe. While the learning curve has been steep, the level up is real and the impact of this class has reverberated through my running, my work, and overall mindset. I never thought I’d look forward to getting my ass kicked so early in the morning.
Rev. Syd Yang, Blue Jaguar Healing Arts: Ordained Buddhist minister, Reiki teacher, and running enthusiast Syd Yang shared their wisdom on running over a meal at Pine and Crane during my trip to LA. When I mentioned that I felt scared about the upcoming race, they reflected on experiencing running as a meditative practice, one that we do as a celebration of the body and its ability to move vs. it being a purely competitive act. The memory of that conversation reassured me when I lost my ear buds and was forced to follow my breath and the energy of the group, which arguably took me farther and faster than music ever could. So grateful for Syd, their queer ministry, and our longtime friendship (they also happen to be my Reiki teacher).
“What if my body—this body—is the path to liberation? What if being fully in this body is how I’ll get free?” - Rev. Syd Yang in “How I Reclaimed by Body” for Lion’s Roar
travel different
On this trip to LA, I decided to travel differently. I knew there would be a quick turnaround between my return to Victoria and the 8km race (less than 12 hours), so I kept up my nutrition and conditioning by packing ingredients for protein shakes and scheduling workouts with friends alongside meals at my favourite spots.
Movement highlights on this trip:
Weight-lifting at Alliance Krav Maga with fellow Latina acupuncturist Jessica de Leon, L.Ac. of Ayamluz Wellness. Jessica and I were classmates in acupuncture school and we actively support each other’s fitness journeys through IG. It was so sweet to lift alongside her, and I can confirm - she’s strong af!
Pilates TRX Fusion at West Adams Pilates with my poet bestie Sofia Rose Smith. Half core-strengthening Pilates, half TRX hellscape, this conditioning class checks off a lot of boxes: Pilates burn, body weight strength training, and dynamic HIIT-style cardio. Owner Lulu dePina taught the class (or shall I say, cracked the whip) alongside her French bulldog babies Pepper and Bullet.
Running at the LA Athletic Club with justice and equity consultant (and fitness enthusiast) Krystal Torres-Covarrubias. Established in 1880, LAAC is a hidden gem in Downtown LA located alongside a hotel, co-working spaces, bars, and eateries, all decorated in a distinguished Beaux-Arts style. Just being in the building feels like a luxe experience. Highly recommend (if the commute from your neighbourhood isn’t too long).
Alliance Krav Maga, West Adams Pilates, and LA Athletic Club
Prioritizing wellness while on vacation can be an exciting way to explore a city, connect with friends, and keep committed to your fitness goals. Challenge yourself to find new ways to stay healthy while travelling!
mid-city faves
I’m a Mid-City girl, born and raised. I’ve been rocking the Mid-City, K-Town, West Adams quadrant since 1987, and I plan to be connected to this neighbourhood for life.
Every time I visit LA, I find myself orbiting around Mid-City and returning to the same places over and over again. I’ve highlighted these places before, so I will mention them again here briefly along with a few new favourites.
Highly Likely Cafe, West Adams: $10 Chagaccinos, minimalist design, + vibes. I usually order the Pibil Bowl, Mediterranean Eggs, or Kyoto Bowl, and the food is consistently good. They also have a location in Highland Park.
Olympic Spa, Korea Town: The Korean Spa and a Himalayan salt room are the way to my soft, Venusian heart, and Olympic Spa is arguably the best K-Spa in LA. Insider tip: they brought back the day passes, so you can soak all day for $60!
Pine and Crane, Silverlake + DTLA: This Taiwanese spot might be my favourite restaurant in all of LA. I highly recommend the wood ear mushrooms, lotus root salad, spicy peanuts, and Jidori Three-Cup chicken or mushroom dish. Honestly, everything on the menu is amazing and I always leave feeling nourished and satisfied.
Johnny’s, West Adams: This historical pastrami shop was converted into one of the neighbourhood’s coolest hangout spots. They kept pastrami on the menu and added a variety of sandwiches, salads, soups, and house-made sodas, plus a beautifully lit outdoor patio and a full indoor bar next door. The vibe is Americana meets backyard BBQ, which feels both laid back and elevated. The space easily accommodates large groups and all my friends love going there!
Shiloh Tea House, DTLA: This space is what my femme, Venusian dreams are made of. Herbal tea on tap, live music, mood lighting, ambience, a rotating schedule of workshops, and overall, a creative vision that’s been executed to perfection. Shiloh needs to be experienced to truly understand the brilliance of this project and the team behind it. 12/10
Word to the wise: When you visit Los Angeles, have a plan or local guidance on what to do. LA is massive, and activities, restaurants, and vibes are very neighbourhood-specific. Where you stay, choose to eat, and whether or not you have a car can make or break your trip. When everything aligns, LA offers a surprisingly magical, eclectic, delicious, nurturing, and high-quality experience.
peak venus
Libra season has me vibrating with Venusian impulses and desires. I mentioned that my trip to LA was for both for business and pleasure. The business was an inconvenient mail incident where my P.O. box was mysteriously locked and I had to go figure it out in person. It handled it as soon as touched down at LAX, then focused on enjoying the rest of my vacay.
The pleasure part of the equation is what actually convinced me to book a flight. When I heard that three of my favourite pole dancers, Cami Árboles, Eb, and Mackenzie Palmer, were performing together alongside cello player Brianna Tam at Shiloh Tea House, I knew I needed to be there.
The event description for House of Damiana read, “… we honor our femininity, sensuality, and sexuality with an evening dedicated to the sacred herb, Damiana. This potent herb has been classified as an aphrodisiac and has been long associated with sex and romance, supporting in dropping out of the mind and into the pleasure of the body. This night is about stepping into our sexuality in a safe space surrounded by the Femme.” SAY LESS.
In one of my most impulsive moves to date, I blocked off my clinic schedule and booked a flight to LA. Unexpectedly, the event sold out before I could get a ticket (*cries in Spanish), but when a second night was added, I bought a ticket immediately alongside aforementioned poet bestie Sofia Rose Smith and songstress/Ayurvedic practitioner Sheila Govindarajan (both sensual, Taurean Queens).
Flying out for House of Damiana was the RIGHT choice. Cami Árboles opened the show with a tear-inducing opera number, followed by the most skillful, graceful, sensual display of Venusian prowess I have ever seen. Just so you can envision the level I’m talking about: Cami taught SZA how to pole dance, and Eb and Mackenzie have performed together alongside world-renowned entertainers like Snoop Dogg and Lana del Rey. The chemistry and fluidity between all three women reflected both their deep connection and their command over the pole.
In case you weren’t aware, pole dancing is an art requiring incredible athleticism, proprioception, flexibility, coordination, musicality, and stage presence, and all three women GOT IT. Watching this trio dance together in such an intimate setting was truly soul-snatching and jaw-dropping.
The whole night was a spell-binding ritual of Venusian devotion and magic. If heaven exists, I hope it’s as good as House of Damiana.
“For me, working and connecting with Venus has REALLY supported the realizations and revealments of what my deep feminine wisdom has always known - the fact that so much magic, art, beauty, romance, and poetry is always available; that life wants to romance me/you/us.” - Lisa Lister in Venus: A Sacred Path. A Feminine Frequency. A Sensual Love Affair with Life
work with me
I offer acupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping, gua sha, moxibustion, and Reiki treatments at Spring Wellness in the Quadra Village neighbourhood (Quadra + Kings) on Wednesdays and Fridays from 3pm-8pm. I bill insurance directly for acupuncture and accept policies from insurers like Pacific Blue Cross, Green Shield, Sun Life, Canada Life, Manu Life, and more. I also take ICBC patients.
I treat a range of conditions in my practice including acute injuries, chronic pain, back pain, sciatica, headaches, fatigue, anxiety, depression, digestive disorders, hormonal imbalances, and fertility challenges. I’m bilingual and offer services in Spanish when requested.
Online herbal consults are available for patients in the US & Canada on Thursdays from 11am to 4pm. You receive a custom herbal protocol along with holistic tools like supplement recommendations, nutritional support, movement protocols, and/or meditations depending on the concern being addressed.
Thank you for your readership and stay tuned for the next fall-themed volume of Venus and the Pearl.