The Yinova Center — Local services in New York

After well over a decade of living in NYC, I can say this is one of my favorite businesses. Probably because it doesn't feel like a business.

Summary: Warm, expert practitioners who go far beyond expectations to make you feel taken care of and looked after Outstanding treatment Lovely facility

More detail about my experience: I usually prefer that service providers (doctors, spas, restaurants) be within walking distance of my apartment, but I happily subway it down to Union Square every week to the YinOva Center.

I first went because I was having a health challenge and two different (unrelated) friends BOTH recommended that I go see Jill Blakeway, who founded the YinOva Center. She is renowned for her dedication and work on women's health issues.

The facility is lovely. The waiting room in the back is like an oasis, but don't expect to be there long, as I have never waited more than 5 minutes for my appointment...never enough time to finish my herbal tea. It is the kind of place where even the hand soap smells nice.

Jill doesn't do initial consultations, so I booked with someone else. I recommend looking through the online profiles of the practitioners and choose someone who you relate to. It is a very detailed first assessment; they ask you all kinds of questions, and take notes on iPads.

I could not be happier with my treatments. Every issue I have had has been resolved. I truly looked forward to my weekly appointments. I did a combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbs. I was skeptical at first of the herbs, but they actually seem to have helped.

Most importantly, I feel like Yinova and Jill are really looking after me and cares about my ongoing health. This is not just due to how warm and attentive she can be during our sessions, but lots of other things as well. For example, immediately following Hurricane Sandy, when all my other appointments were cancelled, YinOva stayed open, even without power (they operated by candle light), so that they could treat the women who were on weekly schedules. I rollerbladed 60 blocks just to get there! Another time, I was having some separate problems and had to cancel two appointments in a row, and Jill personally contacted me to check if everything was ok. In this big city, knowing that someone is thinking of you and looking after you is rare and very special.

I have already recommended YinOva to dozens of my friends, and I recommend it to you without reservation.

*Update: I originally wrote this review around 2014. Since then, I feel like Yinova has only improved. I still try to visit around once a month, and I've always walked out feeling much better than when...

I began seeing Mary at Yinova Center in October of last in the hopes of becoming pregnant naturally without the aid of fertility drugs. From our very first meeting, I knew I was in good hands. She is truly amazing. Before every session, she talks to me about how I am feeling both physically and mentally, and from day 1, she told me that our sessions would be a safe space for me to talk about the journey of becoming pregnant and that she was there to help me every step of the way. And she was. I felt that there was someone who understood and supported me every step of the way. When I first began going to her for fertility, I was having problems with urination, which were cured after 1 session! After a couple months, we became pregnant. I credit it to the acupuncture and the herbs which she prescribed. During my pregnancy, I had total insomnia which our work together cured. My pregnancy was a complicated one, and I had bleeding a couple times throughout, which resulted in miscarriage at 12 1/2 weeks. But after each bleeding scare, Mary was there for me, via email and phone, cheering me on, assuring me that she had seen many other women who had dealt with the same thing and have gone on to have healthy babies. After my miscarriage, she was unbelievably supportive in every way, helping me to see that this is a journey, and that I will heal. For several weeks following my miscarriage, the Yinova center and our sessions were my lifeline. Mary was there for me emotionally, with encouraging words and recommendations of great books to help me heal. 4 months after my miscarriage, I am not yet pregnant, and she has recommended an amazing Reproductive Endochrinologist for me to work with. My doctor was very pleased that I was working with Mary, and that I will be continuing acupuncture during IVF. My miscarriage was 4 months ago, and I am on a definite road to recovery and hopefully pregnancy soon. But I wouldn't be as far along as I am without our work together. I can't say enough amazing things about Mary!! If what you want is to become pregnant, and to be supported throughout the entire journey, no matter where it takes...

My Secret Weapon: From allergies to babies to weight loss, and everything in between

Jill Blakeway and the Yinova Center are my secret weapon to everything health related. Anything and everything ever going on, you name it, and they have helped me with it. Allergies, check. Weight loss, check. Energy levels, check. Getting over mono, the flu, colds, check. Getting pregnant at 37 (without drugs or trying for that matter), check. Post partum recovery and weight lost, check.

Yes I eat healthy. Yes I exercise and take good care of myself. But going to Jill and the Yinova center have gotten my health to a place that I wouldn’t have been able to attain without acupuncture. I’ve been going to Jill for over a decade now and her magic doesn’t cease to amaze me. Jill and the Yinova center pick up where regular medicine leaves off. My recovery periods are less than half what they used to be. Plus when I got pregnant, which happened in the blink of an eye, I had a pretty easy pregnancy minus some 1 st trimester morning sickness, but if I hadn’t been going to the Yinova Center I would have probably been a complete mess during the pregnancy or have never been pregnant in the first place.

Jill and her staff are genuinely caring, warm and trustworthy. Whenever I’m there I feel like I’m being taken care of by my friends or family.

They are skilled professionals I would not hesitate to recommend to anybody, including my closest friends. I couldn't be happier with their services.

A happy customer for...