our practitioners

Illya Levi Borreson R.Ac

Owner and operator of VCA

"A fine doctor acts before there is anything wrong". 

Huangdi Neijing, The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon, Chapter 2, Suwen, 200BC

Illya obtained his Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine Diploma at the International College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Victoria, B.C. (2002).  He concluded his studies with an internship at Tianjing Second University Hospital in Tianjing, China.  His intensive experience there sparked a profound appreciation for Chinese culture, philosophy and tradition.  Illya’s residency in China also fostered a strong commitment to Chinese Medicine and he has been devoted to his practice ever since.

Upon his second trip to China in 2006, he worked at the reputable Shanghai East International Medical Center.  After a year and a half of observing a wide variety of health modalities at the hospital in Shanghai - including physiotherapy and chiropractic medicine - he then moved to southeast Thailand where he joined the team at Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa.

Recognized for its outstanding Traditional Chinese Medicine department and signature health retreats, Kamalaya is regarded as one of the leading medical spas in Asia.  While practicing in Koh Samui, Illya worked in a holistic capacity together with doctors from Naturopathic, Ayurvedic, and Western medical backgrounds and other health modalities to achieve the health goals of his clients.  Illya also trained under his esteemed colleague and mentor Dr. Bruce Song (OMD, China), specializing in Weight Loss and Body Reshaping Acupuncture.

Since returning to Canada in late 2008, Illya has brought this special technique of cosmetic acupuncture that he learned in Asia to Victoria and has achieved excellent results at Sapphire Day Spa where he practiced for over one year.  In addition to offering clients a diverse range of TCM therapies including herbal formulas, diet therapy, Tui Na massage, cupping and acupuncture, Illya also practices 'community acupuncture', a style of acupuncture that caters to a high volume of clients in a supportive group setting. From 2008 - 2011, Illya worked in this capacity at Hemma. There, he treated 30 - 50 clients per week. It was this effective model of health care that would later inspire the name for his own practice, Victoria Community Acupuncture (VCA).

Illya is recognized for his gentle needling technique and immediate results. He gives credit to his experiences in Asia and his fourteen year practice of Tai Chi. He also trained with Denver based cosmetic acupuncturist, Martha Lucas, and is certified in Mei Zen -- a specialized protocol for cosmetic acupuncture.  Blending together his comprehensive training and background, Illya has developed his own unique protocol for cosmetic acupuncture which he is known in the community for.

Illya is pleased to open up his own TCM spa blending together his  practice of community acupuncture and specialized cosmetic acupuncture in a beautiful space. "I look forward to treating my clients holistically under one roof; I am also pleased to offer herbal formulas and to introduce an outstanding traditional oriental skin care line, Jade Spa, to Victoria. Working in this capacity together with certified Estheticians is a really exciting opportunity and I look forward to creating an inspiring and healing sanctuary for the community. "