Merging Eastern and Western Medicine at BiAN

Merging Eastern and Western medicines has become a big movement in wellness, as the industry looks to fully encompass whole health for the mind, body and spirit. Chicago-based BIÂN has brought this concept to life, and Mar Soraparu was a key player in its creation. As partner and chief wellness officer at BIÂN, Soraparu is well acquainted with the wellness industry, and she tells us all about what wellness truly means to her in our exclusive interview.

How did you get started in the industry?

My journey after leaving financial services was a combination of teaching yoga, training for life coaching, running yoga events and consulting in a couple of different areas for consistent income—all while I built my wellness brand.

It was a fun hustle!

What is your favorite part about working in wellness?

I love the impact that we have on the well-being of those we serve. Our health is everything, and it takes a custom strategy to keep it thriving.

What inspired the creation of BIÂN?

My partners and I each had our own unique inspiration behind our shared vision. Well all understood the need for one place with the most effective wellness and social wellness practices and philosophies. Such a space didn’t exist yet, but we knew we could create it.

What is your greatest accomplishment?

Having a child in general, and having a child and building BIÂN at the same time.

What wellness treatment do you prefer the most?

A beautiful meal, an IV session, a nap and a massage. That is bliss.

What can’t you live without?

I try to not become attached to material things, but I if I had to choose, it would be a great pair of athletic shoes. They allow me to do the things that I love out in the world we live in, safely.

What is your best piece of wellness advice?

What goes into your body and mind matters. What you do with your body and mind matters. What surrounds you matters. It all contributes to your outcomes. Your choices are your superpower.

What wellness trends do you see emerging?

I have really noticed the wellness industry shifting away from focusing on the physical being to more of an energetic focus that incorporates recovery, mental health and the environmental, social and physical simultaneously. This is wonderful to see, because each of these parts contributes to our overall well-being in a very powerful way. This is exactly our goal at BIÂN.

What are the benefits of merging Eastern and Western medicine styles?

Both are critically important and can really complement each other. Integrative care allows for the entire person to be cared for in a preventive manner, which can reduce the amount of reaction that is needed.

What does wellness mean to you?

It is a standard of living for me. The way I think, act and react all contribute to my well-being and health, and this is a momentary focus—not just a checkpoint. I value and focus on my micro-choices and over time have figured out a formula that works for me. With that said, I always leave room for adjustments as my life evolves (such as becoming a momma and then getting pregnant with number two!). Staying flexible but focused is key.

What’s your favorite healthy recipe?

My favorite salad dressing! Olive oil, fresh lemon juice, ginger, apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, oregano, garlic, sea salt, pepper and paprika. Dressing this over any vegetable, salad or protein is perfection to me! My second favorite would be roasted sweet potatoes with garlic salt and pepper.

What is in the future for BIÂN?

We are seeing beautiful growth in our membership and are evolving to serve our members in the most effective ways. We have our eyes set on a second location of BIÂN, which we are excited about continuing to explore and develop.