Classical Homeopathy in San Francisco, CA

Elena Kotenkova - Classical Homeopath

When I was thinking about what brought me to homeopathy, I realized that everything I have done in my life has taught me something that brought me closer, prepared me, and helped me to discover and understand homeopathy.

Beginnings

I was born and raised in Russia. After graduating from the Moscow State Historical and Archive Institute, I worked as an engineer in the department of Scientific and Technical Information at the State Architect Firm, in Moscow. Through my husband, I became interested in T’ai Chi Ch’uan, a beautiful form of martial art that helps one to achieve balance, health, and ancient wisdom. We longed to learn more about this art and sought out experienced teachers.

T’ai Chi Study and Healing Arts

In 1991, at the invitation of Martin and Vanessa Inn, my husband and I came to San Francisco, California, to study T’ai Chi Ch’uan at the Inner Research Institute (IRI). I’m so grateful to my teachers; studying T’ai Chi literally changed my life. I spent fourteen years in concentrated internal training at the IRI. During this time, I became interested in Chinese philosophy and the concept of holistic healing. I studied Chinese herbology at the Institute of Chinese Herbology in Oakland, California. This study was fascinating, very interesting, and beneficial, but it wasn’t my path.

Finding Homeopathy

Then I found a book written by a great homeopath of the nineteenth century, James Tyler Kent. Lectures on Homoepathic Philosophy. I was deeply moved by Kent’s wisdom and by the healing abilities of homeopathy he described. Finally, I had found a healing art that rang true, made absolute sense, and touched my heart. I applied to the Institute of Classical Homoeopathy (ICH) in San Francisco; after being accepted, I immersed myself in the ICH’s rigorous four-year training program.

Homeopathy is an art and science of healing, which if practiced correctly, can help an individual on all levels: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Observing homeopathy at work, both in the teaching clinic at the ICH and in my own humble practice, I have seen profound changes in the lives of many patients. Homeopathy brings about a process of healing that not only removes physical symptoms, but also allows a patient to let go of and heal even the oldest emotional wounds that inhibit, restrict, and hold that person back from achieving his or her highest potential.

My Practice

Homeopathy can treat a wide variety of acute and chronic ailments. In my practice I routinely treat such things as colds, flu, injuries, fatigue, anxiety, irritability, depression, menstrual and menopausal symptoms, gynecological disorders, skin conditions, inflammation, allergies, sleep problems, and chronic pain. I have clients in  San Francisco, the Bay Area and in Russia.

In addition to my homoeopathy practice, my husband and I received certification from the IRI to teach T’ai Chi Ch’uan. In 2005, we established our own school—the Attaining Harmony School of T’ai Chi Ch’uan—where we currently teach beginning classes, advanced form correction and push hands. T’ai Chi practice makes me more grounded, observant, and flexible in both body and mind. By practicing homeopathy and teaching T’ai Chi, I strive to help everyone who is looking for health, balance, and harmony.