Acupuncture Sanctuary

Workshops

The Ecstatic Pulse, painted by Ann Cecil-Sterman (2015), acrylic on linen, 40 × 30 inches.
Published in: Cecil-Sterman, A. (2016). The Art of Pulse Diagnosis: A Step-by-Step Exploration of Method, Directionality, Organ Energetics, Complement Channel Pulses, Textures, and Images

Ann Cecil-Sterman Pulse Diagnosis Workshop

18–19 October 2025 | Auckland, New Zealand

Location: 717 New North Rd, Mount Albert, Auckland 1022

Tuition: $800 NZD

An Extraordinary Opportunity


I’m so thrilled — Ann Cecil‑Sterman is coming all the way from New York to New Zealand to teach for the first time, and she’s going to be teaching the first chunk of the complete system of acupuncture. We start with the most valuable and precious gem within Chinese medicine, the jewel — the pulses. The pulse offers a window into everything unfolding within the body. It is the foundation for diagnosis that is at once accurate and profoundly discerning. If you have ever found pulse taking daunting, longed to deepen your skill, or wished to rediscover its boundless potential with each patient—this course is for you.

An Embodied Practice


This is going to be an extraordinary weekend. The skills you learn will enable you to go into clinic on Monday with a depth of practice that I know many of you have been seeking — because this level of teaching is rarely available. This is not medical acupuncture. This is acupuncture at its roots. This is where we talk about acupuncture as an energetic medicine, and all that means is that anyone can learn this. You place your fingers upon the pulse, and you listen. It’s an embodied practice, and I’m so excited that Ann is coming to teach us how to do this.

What You Will Learn


From a very practical point of view, you will learn dynamic pulse diagnosis. You’ll learn to recognise all pulse textures — depth, width, tempo, and tone — and how to recognise the resonance of all the channels of the body: the Sinews, Luo, Extraordinary Vessels, Primaries, and Divergents, as they are manifest through the pulse.

A key feature of this class is learning how to apply and release pressure on the radial artery to feel the directional pulses — revealing how qi moves between organs. Each organ expresses itself along one or more vectors: for example, the stomach’s vector is downwards, while the spleen’s is upwards. When these vectors are disrupted, such as in cases of rebellious stomach qi or blocked spleen-lung movement, the pulse makes this clear. Directional pulse diagnosis offers precise insight into the movement of qi and is invaluable in guiding treatment.

For instance, a patient with temporal headaches may actually need the spleen’s blood nourished so the gallbladder can ease its tight holding — rather than focusing on the gallbladder alone. In chronic bronchitis, the lung might appear strong, but without the spleen-lung vector’s activity, lung qi treatments alone may fail. Even with night sweats, the pulse may show the real cause is lung qi failing to descend, rather than a deficiency of kidney yin. In each case, the pulse reveals what is truly needed.


What You’ll Come Away With

  • A step‑by‑step exploration of method
  • Directionality — determine where an organ is expressing its intrinsic function or if there is interference to that expression
  • Organ energetics — distinguish between the organ pulse and the channel pulse
  • A deep dive into pulse textures — including depth, width, tempo, and tone, and how to interpret their clinical significance
  • Historical context — understanding where these frameworks come from and how they’ve evolved
  • Dynamic pulses — understand the interrelationship of the organs across the three levels of the pulse (Wei, Ying, and Yuan) in the Cun, Guan, and Chi positions
  • Pulses of the acupuncture channels — including the Sinews, the Luo, the Extraordinary Vessels, the Primaries, and the Divergents

Ann Cecil‑Sterman’s Lineage and Training


Ann began studying to become an acupuncturist as a student of Jeffrey Yuen, 88th‑generation lineage holder of the Yu Qing Huang Lao Pai (Jade Purity Yellow Emperor Lao Zi School), when he first established an acupuncture school in Manhattan in the 1990s. She was one of the lucky few to have learned from him at a time when he was teaching every subject at the school. After graduating, Ann went on to run the school’s teaching clinic, where she developed the early protocols that would later form the foundation of her seminal text, Advanced Acupuncture: A Clinical Manual.

Over the next ten years, Ann followed every course Master Yuen offered — covering Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Stone Medicine, Essential Oils, Qi Gong, Meditation, Nutrition/Dietetics, and Cultivation to name a few — all taught with the same principles. Ann has had a classical training, which means through all of the classical texts such as — the Ling Shu, the Su Wen, the Nanjing, and the Shang Han Lun — and she has been immersed in the teachings of other masters in the lineage like Ge Hong, Sun Simiao, and Li Shizhen.

What is truly extraordinary is Ann’s ability to embody this knowledge and share it with us, at a time when embodied practice and heart‑centred practice are more important than ever.


Since publishing her first book in 2012 (and subsequently The Art of Pulse Diagnosis and Tongue Diagnosis with many more to come), Ann has been teaching across four continents, gaining a reputation as an extraordinary teacher and a gifted communicator of complex ideas. Building upon the foundation laid by Jeffrey Yuen, she has evolved and refined the material, making it her own and sharing it with remarkable clarity and depth. Ann is truly a teacher who knows how to hold space, making profound knowledge accessible to all.

Who This Is For


What’s truly incredible is that this teaching will meet you wherever you’re at. It will be deeply valuable for beginners, providing a strong foundation, as well as for seasoned practitioners, offering new depth and richness to their existing knowledge.

As Ann says:


“This class starts at the very beginning and becomes advanced, without losing a single student along the way.”

I’m so excited that Ann is coming, and I warmly invite you to join us on this journey back to the roots of classical acupuncture.

Ready to Join Us?
Spaces are limited to ensure a hands-on learning environment.
Registration is now open.

Contact: Ada Sobieszczuk – info@acupuncturesanctuary.co.nz (send an email to get registered)

Date: 18–19 October 2025
Location: 717 New North Rd, Mount Albert, Auckland 1022
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM each day
Tuition: $800 NZD
Lunch: Included both days (warm, nourishing meals)
Parking: Free street parking available
Accommodation: A few rooms available on‑site. More details below.

Follow Ann on Instagram: @anncecilsterman she’s active there with videos, Q&As, and it’s a great way to get a feel for her and her work.

Getting Here

From Auckland Airport

Unfortunately, public transport from Auckland Airport to the venue is limited and typically requires three separate buses, which isn’t ideal. I highly recommend taking an Uber or taxi instead.

  • From the Domestic Terminal: Taxis and rideshare pickups are available outside Door 4.
  • From the International Terminal: Head to the Transport Pick-Up Zone (Lanes 2 & 3), located outside Door 11 of the arrivals area.

The drive from the airport to central Auckland or to Mt Albert takes around 25–35 minutes, depending on traffic.

The SkyDrive Airport Express is a direct bus between Auckland Airport and the city centre, costing NZ$20 one way. The trip takes around 40 minutes, though longer during peak hours (8–10 AM, 3–6 PM). You must pre-book a specific date and time, but it can be changed in advance by email. The bus drops off at SkyCity, a 3–7 minute walk to bus stops where you can catch the 209 or 22R to the venue (approximately 20–30 minutes travel time).

Public Transport in Auckland

Auckland’s public transport is managed by AT (Auckland Transport). You can download the AT Mobile app to plan your trip, check real-time bus/train times, and pay with your phone. Most buses accept Paywave (Visa/Mastercard debit or credit cards), so you don’t need a local AT HOP card for occasional travel. And ofcourse there is Google Maps.

E-scooters are available for hire on the street via apps Lime and Beam. Car hire is widely available, and ride-share options only include Uber and DiDi.

Bus Route 209 – Your Main Link

The 209 bus is the most direct and convenient public transport option to reach the venue.

It stops right outside the centre, or just 300 metres away in front of Mt Albert New World supermarket if you’re coming from the city side.

This route passes through some of Auckland’s most vibrant suburbs:
Mt Albert → Morningside → Kingsland → Ponsonby → CBD (downtown).

Bus route 20 runs directly from St Lukes to Wynyard Quarter, passing through Morningside, Kingsland, and Ponsonby Road. It operates daily, with buses every 15–20 minutes and takes around 25 minutes to reach the city. You can pay onboard using Paywave or an AT HOP card.

Bus route 65 connects Mt Eden (via Balmoral and Greenlane) through St Lukes Road making it a useful option if you’re staying near Mt Eden and want to reach the venue nearby.

Where to Stay

We recommend staying in the surrounding central suburbs for ease of access, local character, and good food options. All of the following are along or near the 209 bus route:

Kingsland

A lively, inner-city suburb with a village feel.

  • Great cafes, bars, and restaurants
  • Home to Eden Park Stadium
  • Just a few minutes by bus to the venue
  • Accommodation options include The Convent Hotel and various boutique stays

Mt Eden

A leafy suburb with historic charm and a volcanic summit (you can walk to the top for stunning views).

Mt Albert

Closest residential suburb to the venue.

  • A mix of character homes and quiet streets
  • 20-minute walk or a short bus ride via St Luke’s Road
  • Great for Asian cuisine and budget-friendly eats
  • Less touristy, more local feel

Ponsonby

Trendy and stylish, with a bustling café culture and boutique shopping.

  • Only 10–15 minutes by bus (209) to the venue
  • Excellent nightlife, restaurants, and character villas
  • Boutique hotels like The Ponsonby Manor or stylish Airbnbs

Auckland CBD (Downtown)

Ideal if you want to explore the city on foot.

  • Central to most tourist attractions
  • Direct bus access via 209 to the venue
  • Hotels in all price ranges (from backpacker hostels to 5-star stays)

Local Amenities

The venue is just 850 metres from Westfield St Lukes, one of Auckland’s largest shopping centres. You’ll find:

  • Major supermarkets (Countdown)
  • Food court and cafes
  • Pharmacies, banks, and general shopping

Things to Do in Auckland

Auckland is a sprawling city, often compared to Los Angeles in its layout, so it’s worth planning your movements in advance. It’s very much a car-centric place, with many areas best accessed by driving — though e-bikes are becoming an increasingly popular and practical way to get around, especially with the hills (Auckland sits atop more than 50 volcanoes!). Here are some highlights:

In the CBD

Nearby

  • Auckland Museum & Auckland Domain: Located near Newmarket, this iconic museum overlooks the city and offers Māori cultural performances and exhibitions.
  • Mt Eden Summit: A short drive or bus ride to walk up a dormant volcano with panoramic views. A 2.1km walk from the carpark.
  • Ponsonby Road: A must-visit for foodies, with vibrant dining and nightlife.

Day Trips / Nature

  • Piha Beach: Famous for its dramatic black volcanic sand and surf.
    • About 45 minutes west of the city
    • The Piha Store & Café and local RSA are nearby.
  • Bethells Beach (Te Henga): Rugged and wild – great for a walk or beach picnic
    • No shops – bring water/snacks. Toilets available
  • Muriwai Beach: Known for its gannet colony and long coastal views
  • Rangitoto Island: A volcanic island in the Hauraki Gulf.
    • Accessible via ferry from the CBD
    • Walk to the summit through lava fields and bush
  • Waiheke Island: Just a short ferry ride from downtown Auckland. Famous for its beaches, art galleries, and a wide selection of wineries and vineyards.
  • Tiritiri Matangi Island: A must-visit for bird lovers. This predator-free wildlife sanctuary is home to some of New Zealand’s rarest native birds. Ferries depart from the city, and guided tours are available.

Don’t forget to bring your sunglasses! The sun is sharp!