Acupuncturist in Austin

Ashtau Gabriela is a licensed acupuncturist and a natural born healer from Quito, Ecuador, who moved to Florida at a young age. Her diverse cultural upbringing ignited a passion for exploring foreign lands and embracing new cultures. Graduating Magna Cum Laude from the University of South Florida with a degree in French and International Studies, she became fluent in three languages: Spanish, English, and French. Since then, Ashtau has explored many places around the world  and within the United States, embodying a deep respect for the sanctity of the earth. 

Following her university studies, Ashtau delved into the intricate realms of energy and the origins of illness. Immersing herself in the practice of yoga, she devoted herself to Ashtanga Yoga, eventually becoming a teacher in New Orleans, where she shared her expertise for six years. In the Ashtanga Yoga tradition, a teacher guides his/her students through their own personalized practice through the six series. During this time, Ashtau provided individualized guidance to her students, allowing her to cultivate a profound understanding of both the musculoskeletal system and the energetic dimensions of the body. Ashtau began to discern correlations between mental states and physical practice, observing how a student’s strengths and weaknesses on the mat mirrored their corresponding energetic imbalances.

Driven by a desire to facilitate deeper healing, Ashtau pursued Traditional Chinese Medicine, enrolling in a four-year master’s program at the AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine. Witnessing firsthand the transformative effects of acupuncture and herbal medicine on her own health—improving menstrual cycles, digestion, balancing emotions and reducing stress—she delved into treating a diverse range of conditions during her clinic rotation at AOMA. To enhance her learning while in school, she shadowed Stefanie Dwyer, one of her renowned professors. 

With time and practice, Ashtau’s focus gravitated towards neurological issues including neuropathies and paralysis, pain management, stress reduction, balancing emotions, hormone support and cosmetic acupuncture. To enhance her expertise, Ashtau has attended workshops on these topics, she is part of a monthly acupuncture meet up group, and she is constantly learning and finding innovative ways to get the best results for her patients.  

All of Ashtau’s life experiences have placed her on the path to help people heal at a deeper level. This means addressing physical, emotional, and mental imbalances to pave the way for extraordinary health that surpasses the realm of disease.

Ashtau’s legal birth name is: Gabriela Fernandez