An Inspired Chat with Elena Beltran of Golden, CO

We recently had the chance to connect with Elena Beltran and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Elena, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
Love this question! I like to think I am both wandering and walking a path. I have a destination in mind, and sometimes I find myself walking on a well-defined path. At other times, I may be drawn off the path to explore a different way, yet I continue to head in the general direction of my goals. There’s a quote from Rumi that says, “As you start to walk on the way, the way appears.” For me, this quote blurs the concept of walking and wandering, and maybe in the end, it’s all the same thing.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Elena, and I am the founder and acupuncturist of Graceful Healing Acupuncture & Wellness. We offer patient-centered healing practices rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), including acupuncture, cupping, and herbal medicine. I created Graceful Healing Acupuncture & Wellness to provide a safe and patient-centered space for those in need of holistic healthcare. This aspect is often missing in the busy, insurance-driven medical system we have today. My goal is to make sure that every patient feels heard, valued, and respected. You are not simply a number or a set of letters on a clipboard. The beauty with TCM is that everyone is treated differently, and my intention is not only to relieve symptoms but also to uncover the root of every imbalance.

Each treatment is unique to the individual and may involve not only acupuncture (the insertion of tiny needles into specific points throughout the body) but also other modalities such as acupressure, guasha/scraping, cupping, or electrical stimulation. Additionally, I aim to provide personalized insights and recommendations on movements, breathing patterns, and dietary modifications tailored to each individual’s specific needs. Whether it’s to bring balance to someone’s life or to journey together to uncover the root of a chronic health issue, I am excited to help. I treat a wide range of disorders, but have a special affinity for treating digestive disorders, women’s health, nervous system dysregulation, such as stress and anxiety, sleep disorders, headaches/migraines, sinus issues, and pain.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Growing up, I was a whimsical little girl with my head in the clouds, believing in magic, fairies, and hoping to receive a letter to Hogwarts at age eleven. I never did receive a letter to Hogwarts, perhaps it got lost in the owl post. Nevertheless, this whimsy has helped sustain my natural curiosity and allows me to continuously expand and push the boundaries. At this point in my life, I have a good balance of keeping my head in the clouds, but my feet stay firmly rooted to the earth.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Take one day at a time and keep moving forward. When I’ve been in low places like recovering from serious injuries or trudging through the grind to make ends meet, I persevere by taking one thing at a time, and eventually things do get better. You are stronger than you might believe, and patience and perseverance can take you to remarkable places.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
I try to be authentic in all aspects of life, including what I share publicly, so yes, the public version of me is the real me. That being said, I believe in the value of privacy and prefer to share little about my personal life on social media. I think it’s important to remember that most public versions are not the complete truth about someone. It’s easy to see these amazing pictures or stories, and your mind will fill in the gaps, creating an idyllic image of someone that could be far from the truth. I try to keep that perspective in mind and recognize that the public versions we see are just one facet in a multifaceted life.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I find myself most at peace when I can disconnect from technology and bring my attention back to my mind and body. Physically, this looks like escaping to the mountains or finding refuge in the green spaces within the city. Feeling the sun on my skin, the fresh air in my lungs, and being surrounded by nature recharges me. Movements such as yoga, climbing, hiking, qigong, or simply walking keep me grounded and remind me to slow it down and breathe. With life, there is breath, and to breathe is to expand. Keep moving, keep consciously breathing, and keep learning. These things bring me peace.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gracefulhealingacu.com
• Instagram: #gracefulhealingacu

Image Credits
Mary Brand Danser