Five Elements Practicum: An Oriental Holistic Approach to Energy

Oriental Medicine Philosophy, particularly Five Element Theory, is a rich and truly holistic model of viewing ourselves, our world and our process of change and stuckness.

Its vivid imagery, born out of Taoism, has a very broad scope, applicable in our daily lives, far beyond the obvious “treatment” aspect.

This program is an advanced, hands-on practicum for people who have prior knowledge of traditional Chinese Medicine or have taken New Horizons (Phase III) at The Haven. Through the lens of the 5 elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water) and the life force that flows through them, we will examine harmony and disharmony within each of us. This rich holistic model incorporates emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual aspects into how we view and assess ourselves, our world, and processes of change. In this program, we will use methods such as pulse-taking and acupuncture points to facilitate the movement of Qi to restore harmony. 

This program focuses on the emotional, mental and spiritual aspects or the Tradition, offering a grounding in how to use the model as an alternative to other psychological models of change and development. We will focus on our relationship with ourselves and the nature of Harmony/Disharmony within us, recognizing the crucial component of contact with others in any change/healing process. We will review how to assess disharmony, including through pulse taking, and how to apply acupuncture points to facilitate Qi movement.

Prerequisites:

Living Alive Phase III: New Horizons or some prior knowledge of Chinese Medicine

Suggested reading:

Traditional Acupuncture: The Law of the Five Elements by Dianne Connelly

Between Heaven and Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine by Beinfield and Korngold