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When we look at pathways and points, we move from a theoretical understanding of the five elements to an embodied one. The main acupuncture pathways and points reveal a sacred geometry of who and how we are: sentient beings with conscious awareness capable of manifesting our entire potential. And they do so in an astonishingly sophisticated and complex manner. 

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In addition to the rather theoretical and functional way we are taught about pathways and points – a means to correct energetic imbalance and affect health outcomes – the 12 main acupuncture pathways and points reveal the nature and function of the elements themselves – as we embody them - and the inherent relationships between the elements as we experience them in our body. One might say our physical body is an magnificent form that manifests and expresses the breadth and depth of the elements themselves. 

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For example, the Bladder pathway of energy, or meridian, manifests the entirety of Bladder nature and function as we experience it. Where this pathway begins and ends and where it travels reveals the complexity of the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual yang aspect of our water function. The bladder pathway begins deep within our mind and opens at our eyes, the emissary of our heart. It then travels up and over our head, activating rational mind and opening to intuition, or heavenly wisdom, before traveling down the length of our back empowering the entirety of who we are. Together with the Kidney pathway and where it travels, these two meridians manifest our nature, the function of the water element. The same insights are unique and true for the remaining 10 pathways of energy. When we add the two main pathways of energy, the Conception and Governing vessels, we can understand and access the entire embodied nature and function of who we are on every level. In this workshop we move from a theoretical to a much deeper, embodied understanding of the elements themselves. 

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Acupuncture points along each pathway of energy describe and access the particular nature and function of what is happening at that point along the pathway. Rather than thinking of points from their pathological function (fixing this, balancing that), we will look at their inherent function. When we know the inherent function of the pathways and points, we possess an embodied knowledge of the elements that brings our understanding of our medicine to a profound depth.

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Pathways and Points: Water and Fire (weekend one)

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In this first weekend course, we will build an understanding of the 14 main pathways from the ground up on day one. Continuing to draw on the integration of Daoist and Buddhist insights, we will look at where they are on our body as an expression of the nature and function of the element itself. We will examine the inherent relationships between heart and mind, yin and yang, as the pathways reveal these dynamics. We will also look at the relationships between pathways as they occur within our body, and therefore reveal an understanding of the complex relationships between the elements as we embody them. 

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On day two, we take a deep dive into the six water and fire pathways and points. We will focus particularly on the nature and function of the points along each pathway. Rather than discussing the points from a pathology perspective, we will look at each point's signature function within its pathway.

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Pathways and Points: Wood, Metal, and Earth (weekend two)

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During this weekend, on day one, we will review the basics of our overall energetic architecture. Then we will look in a similar manner at the pathways and points of the wood, metal, and earth pathways. On day two, we will incorporate the Conception and Governor vessel points. We will also look at the inherent relationships between points within body regions thereby understanding more deeply the energetic nature of body regions.

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I will teach somatic meditation practice both days as a means of deepening our experience of pathways of energy. 

It will be very helpful for participants to have taken my course, The Five Elements - Going Deeper, where I articulate the nature and function of each of the elements in depth. I will draw on that body of knowledge and incorporate it into these weekend courses. 

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NCCAOM ceus will be available for all classes.

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Resources

If you are not familiar with five element acupuncture theory, and are committed to learning more, I suggest you purchase and read Nourishing Destiny, by Lonny Jarrett.

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Fees and cancellation policy

More details coming soon.

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Class Location

This class will be available via zoom in 5 hour segments. More details coming soon.