Today we’d like to introduce you to Shamiso Mucherera.
Hi Shamiso, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, how can you bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I always knew I wanted to be a healer and work in the healthcare field. I started school back in 2010 on track for the pre-med program. The more classes I took, the more I questioned what I was learning and thought to myself, “we should focus on keeping people healthy before they even get sick.” After completing my AA degree, I switched majors to Public Health and had a focus on Epidemiology and Women’s and Maternal Health. Before finishing my first Bachelor’s degree, I started looking at other alternative healing methods. I began studying books on herbal medicine and started practicing meditation. In 2013, I received my first crystals and was introduced to working with energy as a healing therapy. The year after graduating from school, I knew I wanted to continue with my Master’s Degree. Once I finished my Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, I realized that I would not work directly with patients in a clinical setting. With epidemiology, I would have to focus on research. My increased interest in natural and herbal medicine led me to look at Alternative Medicine careers. I came across Acupuncture and Herbology, and after a week of researching the field further, I set up appointments to visit three Acupuncture schools in the Central Florida area. Within a month, I applied to school. Before starting school, I was introduced to the healing arts of Reiki. Reiki means universal life force and is an energetic laying of the hands healing art. In 2016 I took my Reiki Level 1 certification class and became a certified level 1 Reiki practitioner. While in Acupuncture school, more opportunities opened for me to expand my knowledge and training in western and eastern medicines. 2017 was a year of expansion. I became a Registered Yoga Teacher and a CPR/First Aid Instructor and started practicing medical Qi Gong.
In 2018 I completed all four levels of my Reiki training and became a Certified Reiki Master-Teacher. I graduated with two degrees from the Florida College of Integrative Medicine in 2018. A Bachelor’s degree in Professional Health Studies and a Master’s in Oriental Medicine (Acupuncture and Herbology) now have two Bachelor’s degrees and one Master’s degree. I got my Acupuncture License in June 2021. Currently I’m employed in Daytona, I give Acupuncture and Reiki sessions, sometimes in combination. I have joined Spectrum Performance & Physical Therapy as the onsite Acupuncturist under my business, Shamiso Smiles Acupuncture, in Baldwin Park. Opening day was October 24, 2022!
I am currently in school to complete my second Master’s Degree in mental health counseling at Asbury Seminary. My goal is to be a pioneer in the field of psychotherapy and alternative medicine. My vision is to have a practice that provides counseling services in adjunct to acupuncture. Healing people’s minds and bodies and thus helping to bring spiritual healing and peace as well.
Personally, I love the outdoors, music, and dancing. My favorite author is Paulo Coelho. All this information and more can be found on my website: www.shamisosmiles.com.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been smooth?
When I needed to move in a new direction, the doors opened, and people were always willing and looking to help me. When I needed a mentor to study under after school, my first choice was excited and eager to teach me—Dr. Howard Kim in Winter Garden at Howard Kim Acupuncture. At my first acupuncture job in Daytona, I was hired during the first interview and started working just a week later. Spectrum Performance was the only place I met with to inquire about space for acupuncture, and it was recommended to me by my sister. Finding The Urban Ashram was a divine blessing, and instantly visiting the area and meeting the owner, I felt right at home, and there were no issues with booking dates. The hardest part of my journey was completing my board exams. I have never experienced mental fatigue and drain as I did going through that program. I had four board exams I had to sit for. It took me about 3 years to complete them. I was very close to giving up many times. When COVID hit, I was set to take an exam during the lockdown, and I had to wait months to sit for that exam. That was also when they decided to change the content and format of the exam. So what I had been studying for the last year and a half changed me, and I had to change my entire study strategy. I had many breakdowns and calls to family and friends, wanting to give up, but they kept me going and supported me unconditionally. It all paid off in the end. So I encourage anyone who has to repeat a test, or it takes you years to complete something that some completed in mere months. I say go for it and do not stop. I am finally living in my purpose and helping so many people who would otherwise not be helped if I had given up.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Shamiso Smiles?
Shamiso Smiles offers numerous services: Acupuncture, Yoga, Reiki, Workshop classes, and CPR/First Aid Training services with American Heart Association.
The Acupuncture I focus on are Women’s and Men’s reproductive health, Women’s health issues, Sports Medicine, varying Neurological Issues, Stress, Anxiety and Insomnia, Depression and PTSD, Wellness and Balance issues, Colds/Flu Recovery, Wellness and Balance issues, Colds/Flu Recovery, and much more. As a Certified Reiki Master-Teacher, I find more amplified and faster healing with my clients who combine their Acupuncture treatments with Reiki treatments.
The workshops Shamiso Smiles offers are AcuYoga Classes, Reiki Practitioner Levels 1-4, and Chakra and Crystal Energy Healing classes which are hosted at The Urban Ashram in Ivanhoe Village. AcuYoga is a unique opportunity to meet yourself in the deepest state of Zen fully. Aligning yourself physically, energetically, and spiritually! Experience a custom acupuncture session, a chakra yoga flow, and sound bowl meditation! In the Chakra, Crystals, and Energy class, I teach you how to align your chakras with crystals and pendulums, explain how energy healing works, and add my knowledge of the Traditional Chinese energy systems as well and tie it with the scientific understanding of all these concepts.
Shamiso Smiles is known for her intoxicating smile (hence the name of the business, she is her brand). Her willingness to help people. Her drive is to continually find new ways to integrate many wonderful modalities and combine them into a new and special experience for people. She is known for being well-rounded and multi-talented. She is a lifelong learner and will more than likely look to complete more courses in the future.
Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share? We’re always looking for lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis.
Even if the world stops, that shouldn’t stop you from pursuing your dreams. The world is ever-changing; stay your course, and don’t sway with the winds of change. Stick to your path and purpose; that is always the right way.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shamisosmiles.com
Image Credits
Kelly A Bailey Photography (for the first headshot photo) Shani Lynn Art (action photos)
