I Tried Ora Space, the Luxury Acupuncture Studio
Ora Space offers ancient acupuncture practices in a modern spa-like atmosphere
Ora Space was founded in 2020 by Kimberly Ross and combines the ancient practice of acupuncture with a modern spa-like atmosphere. Ross was diagnosed with Type-1 Diabetes at age 11 and for years, failed to find relief for many of her health issues.
“I started my career journey with the NFL doing fan strategy, marketing, and business development and later became a real estate development analyst,” Ross told ATN. “It was then that I began experiencing my own health and digestive issues and was introduced to acupuncture. I began going regularly and my digestive issues had resolved entirely.” Ross paused her treatments upon beginning her MBA at Havard Business School, and her symptoms returned. “It was then when I realized how much acupuncture was helping heal my body and I wanted to find a way to share the amazing benefits with others by creating a trusted and approachable space – that’s when I conceptualized ORA Space.”
The flagship location opened in March 2020 in NoHo, right before the pandemic lockdowns. Since then, the business has come back stronger than ever, offering acupuncture, massage, and facial services. “As a brand, we want to recognize the ancient roots of the treatments we’re providing and educate our clients on the deep history, tradition, and overall well-being benefits. We are providing acupuncture, massage, and facial services with a holistic and personalized approach, tailoring the treatment to each client’s unique needs. That’s what differentiates ORA Space – the quality and personalization of our services.”
Kimberly Ross, founder of Ora Space.
I noticed this personalized approach when I tested Ora Space. My acupuncturist spent time before my services making sure I understood the process. He asked in-depth questions about my pain points and informed me about the years of training he underwent to become specialized in the practice. As someone new to acupuncture, he spent extra time helping me prepare for the needles. My acupuncturist then left the room as I undressed and lay on the table.
The room was dim and warm, with a soothing meditation playing throughout the treatment. While I did not count the exact number of needles placed in me, I estimated around 15-20. The needle insertion process was most painful in my tightest muscles, which was where I was seeking relief. In other areas, I barely noticed their insertion. Overall, the most painful insertion felt like little more than a pinch due to the small size of the needles.
The environment was so relaxing that I did find myself drifting off during the meditation recording, which was a nice touch to combine mindfulness with acupuncture. My acupuncturist also provided a red light therapy enhancement to my treatment, which has proven benefits for recovery.
Adding meditation and red light therapy was an important way for the brand to provide additional customizable services to customers. “We now live in a time where wellness is a priority but time is invaluable so the goal was to create a bespoke experience attuned to each client’s unique needs and offer one comprehensive treatment with multiple benefits,” Ross explained. Beyond just acupuncture treatments, Ora also offers facials, massages, and cupping services.
Ross noted that the studio plans to continue innovating on their services and treatments. “Our plan is to continue to evolve and roll out additional facial services, meditation programs, and products to enhance overall well-being,” she said. With wellness clubs on the rise in New York City, Ora is joining a competitive but growing space.
Ora offers a new guest introduction to acupuncture treatment that costs $250 and includes a specialist consultation. 50-minute acupuncture treatments beyond the introduction cost $225. Ora currently has two locations: Noho and the Upper East Side in NYC.