iris Martin, L.ac, dipl.om (Carlsbad)
Hi! I am a Licensed Acupuncturist, Certified Yoga Instructor, and the founder of VIM. It is my passion to help others feel their best.
I have a background in social services, psychology, and education. After working for nearly a decade with special needs children, I began studying and teaching yoga with the hopes of bringing more balance and peace into my life. Since 2008, I have been teaching a variety of yoga classes from Prenatal to Vinyasa flow in studios as well as in private settings. I have always been an athlete, and played volleyball year-round growing up. My love of movement and sports was a natural precursor to my fascination with and study of the body.
I became inspired by personal experiences receiving acupuncture and decided to go back to school for my Masters in Traditional Chinese Medicine. In acupuncture I have found my true calling and I am blessed to be able to draw from knowledge gained in all parts of my personal and professional life. I focused on pain relief and pain management in school and received an additional certification in Sports Medicine. I studied under amazing teachers learning how to apply different techniques to speed healing time, increase range of motion, and decrease and eliminate pain. This medicine is such a practical tool for athletes and should be incorporated into training plans for optimal performance, injury prevention, and recovery. I love treating pain related to postural issues, ergonomics, and repetitive stress injuries as well.
I graduated from Five Branches University in Santa Cruz and worked for many years in Los Gatos, CA at a family-centered practice treating the full gamut of imbalances such as allergies, migraines, pain, digestive issues, etc. As our lives tend to inform our practices, this clinic also focused on fertility, prenatal, and postpartum care and I was fortunate to be a part of this group throughout my own fertility struggle and IVF pregnancy. Acupuncture was an integral part of my journey and this experience added a layer to my learning and expertise that I didn’t anticipate but am so grateful for. Being able to help patients facing similar challenges is one of the many silver linings of my personal journey. I will forever be passionate about helping women conceive and care for their bodies before, during, and after pregnancy.
In 2021, I was diagnosed with cancer and underwent chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. I found myself facing a new set of obstacles and an opportunity to blend my knowledge of eastern medicine with the aggressive but life-saving approaches of western medicine. I am now cancer-free and even more grateful for each day that I am here to love and serve. These “accidental” specialties have expanded me in ways that weren’t accessible before and have blessed me with the ability to more compassionately care for my patients.
In my spare time I relish the young years with my rainbow baby and seek out new adventures. I love reading, exercising, traveling, and enjoying nature.
Amalia Gardner, DAOM, L.ac. (Pasadena)
Dr. Amalia Gardner is a Doctor of Chinese Medicine, clinical herbalist, and integrative health practitioner with over a decade of clinical experience. She graduated from Emperor's College with her masters in TCM in 2014 and completed her doctorate in Chinese Medicine and Integrative health in 2018. Her work is rooted in a functional medicine approach, combining systems-based assessment with traditional East Asian medicine to uncover and address the root causes of imbalance. She specializes in pain management and whole-body regulation, using acupuncture, herbal medicine, and somatic therapies to support both acute and chronic conditions.
Her clinical approach emphasizes nervous system regulation, inflammation reduction, and restoring physiological resilience. Dr. Gardner also incorporates functional nutrition and, when appropriate, lab-informed insights to create personalized, sustainable treatment plans. In addition, she has advanced training in cosmetic acupuncture, and micro-needling offering natural, non-invasive treatments that support both aesthetic health and internal balance.
Dr. Gardner's work is deeply holistic and individualized, grounded in the understanding that true healing requires attention to the interconnected physical, emotional, and environmental aspects of health. She is known for her compassionate, attuned presence and her ability to create a safe, supportive space for patients navigating complex or longstanding conditions.
In addition to her broader clinical focus, Dr. Gardner specializes in women’s health and reproductive care, including hormone regulation, menstrual health, fertility, pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and perimenopause. She integrates acupuncture, herbal medicine, and nutrition to support these transitions with care that is both evidence-informed and rooted in traditional wisdom. Her work in the perinatal space is guided by a commitment to physiologic birth, informed consent, and continuity of care, supporting individuals and families through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum with grounded, compassionate support.