Our story
Be Zen was founded by multidisciplinary holistic medicine practitioner and licensed acupuncturist Audra Whatley.
Audra first began practicing acupuncture in 2003, working as a solo practitioner and operating out of other people’s offices. As Audra continued to grow her practice and explore other healing modalities, she began to dream about opening a healing space of her own, where she could offer more treatments, serve more people, and work with other passionate practitioners.
In 2015, she began taking steps to turn that dream into a reality. Be Zen opened its doors in April of that year, and has since become a cherished space for health-minded people who appreciate a warm personal touch over clinical chill when it comes to their health care (we really do believe that laughter is the best medicine!). Our practitioners are highly trained in multiple modalities and deeply invested in helping our clients — we’re here to listen, understand, commiserate, celebrate, support, and cheer you on!
Our Approach
As a woman-owned and women-run center, Be Zen is intimately connected to the flow of the feminine Yin energy. We have an ‘Above, Below and Within’ philosophy when it comes to wellness, and our empathic, full-person approach looks beyond just the physical body — in order to achieve your optimal health, we need to address your body, mind, and spirit! Our holistic offerings include functional medicine, acupuncture, energy healing, holistic nutrition coaching, and no-needle allergy treatments.
Our Team
Audra Whatley
L.Ac., CFMP
Owner, Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner, Licensed Acupuncturist, and Doctoral Candidate in Integrative Medicine.
Audra Whatley is a multidisciplinary medicine practitioner, wellness speaker, and author of If I’m Not Hypothyroid, What’s Wrong?: The Multidimensional Approach to Getting Your Energy Back. She received her Bachelor of Science in genetics from Texas A&M University, after which she worked in medical research facilities creating diagnostics and vaccines for allopathic medicine. Her interest in alternative medicine grew from her struggle to find effective treatments for her allergies, sinus problems, hypothyroid symptoms, and hormonal imbalances. Through herbal medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine, she finally experienced real improvement in her symptoms and overall feeling of wellbeing, and this led her to choose a school for alternative medicine instead of a traditional medical school.
Audra has been a practicing licensed acupuncturist since 2003, and earned her Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine degree from the American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Houston, Texas. She is a Nationally Board-Certified Diplomate in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine as well as a Diplomate in Chinese Herbology by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).
Since her research years, Audra has remained fascinated with and kept an eye on new research that integrates genetics, nutrition, and holistic healing. She has a postgraduate certification in Functional Medicine and enjoys the broader range of practice that this allows! Audra currently has completed the coursework and is a doctoral candidate in integrative medicine at Quantum University and working on her second book.
Alicia Martin
Certified Life and Wellness Coach and Dancing Hearts Certified Partnership Coach
After spending 15 years in the corporate arena and experiencing a life-changing motorcycle accident, Alicia started her journey of holistic living with essential oils, and is a strong believer in the power of healthy eating and lifestyle. She holds a BS in Sociology which goes hand in hand with her certifications in Wellness Coaching, Life Coaching and Dancing Hearts Partnership Coaching.
Alicia offers coaching for the individual as well as an alternative to traditional dog training that is based on partnership, communication, and connection — she can actually teach you how to hear what your dog is telling you, as well as how to emotionally support your canine friend and promote their overall wellness. When Alicia isn’t working at Be Zen, she and her husband are a sanctuary home for dachshunds who needed another chance at a happy life after being surrendered to a rescue they previously fostered for.
Mayza Clark
Energy Healer and Certified NLP coach
Mayza Clark is highly trained in a number of diverse and amazing energy modalities that are directed to uplift and connect her clients to their authentic selves, allowing them to release energetic blocks, realize their full potential, and thrive in life and in their careers!
Trained in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Mayza is passionate about helping people move beyond their challenges in order to become more empowered and connected in their lives, and she approaches her work from a state of joyful contribution.
Mayza is a very involved mom of three teenage boys, wife, and entrepreneur. She loves growing things in her garden and sharing good conversation over a cup of coffee with friends and family.
Mico
Greeter, Treat Taster, and Team Manager
Mico (short for Mi Corazon – “my heart”) is a valued and much-loved member of our team, both by our practitioners and by our clients! We call her our quarter hound because she is “quarter this and quarter that” according to her genetics — beagle, dachshund, Brittany spaniel, and Jack Russell. Mico has been coming to the office since she was about 10 weeks old, interacting with our patients, and using her sweet doggy energy to help reduce stress and make them feel better. She loves ‘going to work’ and will show people which room they should go in after greeting them, and even sit with them until it’s time for their treatment. Always cheerful and ready to share a smile, Mico is responsible for keeping us on task and scarfing down the delicious dog treats that many of our clients bring along just for her.
Mico has graduated from Pet Manners 1-3, participated in Barn Hunt, and is AKC Trick Dog Certified. When she’s not at work, she loves to walk, cuddle, play with her doggy friends, help in the garden, run the fields at Grandma’s ranch, as well as travel everywhere with Audra. She has been to East Texas, the Gulf Coast, Colorado, New Mexico, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.
Our Clinic
We offer an oasis of peace, calm, and healing right in the heart of Allen, Texas! Conveniently located on the northbound service road of 75 just north of McDermott, our homey and comfortable clinic offers a safe and welcoming atmosphere to our clients from Allen, Dallas, Plano, McKinney, Richardson, Anna, Van Alstyne, Lucas, Frisco, Fairview, Sherman, and Dennison. We have clients that come in from all over north and east Texas — and even see clients from southern Oklahoma and Louisiana!
Upon arriving, you’ll be personally greeted by our friendly receptionist and our office pup, Mico. If you require any accommodations regarding Mico, please let us know before your appointment by calling 214-551-4734.
Address:
Allen, TX, 75013
