Five Elements Workshop (Fall 2023)
Five Elements Theory: Five elements theory is the principle underlying Eastern cosmology. According to the theory, all things in the natural world are derived from wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Life is an expression of the qualities and interplay of all five elements and harmony is maintained through constant inter-promotion and inter-restraint. The theory explains the cyclical transformations that occur in nature and in ourselves. These transformations govern all aspects of the world. Practices including I-Ching divination, acupuncture diagnosis, and Feng shui all use five elements theory to understand and navigate the universe, including ourselves.
Six-Session Five Elements Theory Workshop: This Five Elements Theory Workshop will provide participants with a lens with which to examine themselves anew, and may assist those seeking more emotional and physical balance and harmony. The instructor will present practices to nurture healthy awareness and embodiment of each element. Each class will begin with a period of Qi Gong instruction/practice for each of the elements to ground in physical experience before studying theory. Qi gong will be followed by lecture, including worksheets summarizing information presented, and a period for Q&A.
Topics covered in this class:
The foundations of five element theory;
The essential qualities of and theory behind each element in nature;
How the elements express emotionally, both in one’s constitution and in one’s experience of the world;
How the elements express bodily in physical imbalances, or in “dis-ease;” and
How to experience and work with the five elements through Qi Gong practice.
This class requires no previous experience of five element theory. Those with a traditional Chinese medicine and/or acupuncture background may benefit from the class by deepening their understanding of the theory. Remote and in person learning options available.
This six-session course will take place Sundays from 1:00 to 3:30 EST from October 15, 2023 through November 19, 2023:
Class 1- Water Element
Class 2 - Wood Element
Class 3 - Fire Element
Class 4 - Earth Element
Class 5 - Metal Element
Class 6 - Specific relationships between paired elements within the cycles.