Manu is the sole proprietor of Agape Acupuncture, has studied Chinese medicine and Chinese martial arts for more than 30 years, and been in practice for 25 years. He became interested in the field of acupuncture through his practice of Tai Chi Ch’uan (with Sifu Maurice Haltom, currently with Sifu Andrew Dale), other martial arts like Aikido, and the study of ancient Chinese philosophy while at Cornell University. Manu also earned a Master’s degree in philosophy from the University of Washington, where he was an instructor for several years.
Manu began studying acupuncture in Seattle at the Northwest Institute of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in 1993. He is a licensed acupuncturist and East Asian Medical Practitioner in the state of Washington and nationally certified by the NCCAOM. He has also studied and received certification in Toyohari acupuncture by the international Toyohari Association.
Manu studied Toyohari in Tokyo, Japan and received certification as an instructor of the Toyohari style (the type of training we experience is illustrated in this video). He has served on the national board of the North American Toyohari Association, taught acupuncture in Seattle, Colorado, Texas, Chicago, and Florida, and served as a member of the Japanese acupuncture faculty at the Northwest Institute of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Manu has taught Ethics for Acupuncturists at Bastyr University, making use of both his philosophical training as well as his training in Chinese medicine.
He is well versed in three different styles of acupuncture: traditional Chinese acupuncture, Manaka-style acupuncture (another Japanese style of acupuncture), and Toyohari Meridian-style acupuncture. In addition, Manu has experience with craniosacral therapy and various massage techniques, including Shiatsu and Chinese Tuina, is a Reiki master, and has training in Richard Bartlett’s unique method of Matrix Energetics. Like many Toyohari practitioners, Manu is trained in and uses a gentle method of treatment especially for children called Shonishin, which is entirely painless and non-invasive, and yet very effective.
From Manu: “I feel blessed to be of service to the wonderful Seattle community. Of course like most practitioners I often treat pain, especially things like back pain or shoulder pain, but also emotional pain like from anxiety or depression. I also specialize in treating insomnia, people suffering from fatigue and low energy, and children for many common childhood disorders.
“The patients I most enjoy working with are those who are excited about taking charge of their own health, and who see me as someone who can help them achieve their health goals. I assist this process in the context of their own holistic plan of self-care and healing that we can work on developing together.”
Manu’s Mission: “In my practice, it’s my goal to help people nourish their destiny, to help them to re-acquaint and re-align themselves with their inner spark. Whether it’s some simple back pain that’s keeping you from doing what you love or something more emotional in nature, whatever’s holding you back from expressing yourself completely or experiencing life fully, my mission is to help you overcome it. That’s why I do acupuncture.“
Agape Acupuncture in Seattle 
Manu, your work is incredible! It’s Natalie. The blog is astonishing. Thank you for sharing this with me.
Thank you, that’s very kind! 🙂
Manu, I am so grateful for your work. Thank you for helping me to nourish my destiny and re-align myself with my inner light. With love and so much appreciation!