Sacred Acupuncture Elective Program

Sacred Acupuncture is still being taught at Five Branches Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, but only one class per semester, as I am focussing on developing seminars, DVD's and online course material.

The next elective course offered at Five Branches will be on the Eight Extraordinary Channels
It will be in the Spring 2009 Semester on Wednesday mornings from 9:30 - 12:30. It is only available to students of Five Branches University.

 Descriptions of Courses offered:

MEL 460 An Introduction to Sacred Acupuncture

In this course we examine the process of conception and embryological development as the arising of the universe. We will examine how the underlying geometrical and mathematical forces of the universe unfold and can be discerned in the architecture of the embryo and the subtle bodies - the Qi body, the Shen body and the ancestor body. This leads to an exploration of the three Dan-Tian, the five forces, the Zang-Fu organ system, the six phases, the seven chakras, the Eight extraordinary channels, the ten heavenly stems, the 12 Earthly branches and the formation of the regular acupuncture channels. These unfolding systems will be related to contemporary TCM and Nei JIng / Nan Jing information.

3 units 48 hours
prerequisites: acupuncture I-III

MEL 461 The Eight Extraordinary Channels

We will review the TCM historical view, the Nei Jing and Nan Jing information and contemporary usage of these channels, The Eight Extraordinary channels are a kinetic / structural matrix which move essential substances between the physical, Qi, Shen and spiritual bodies. Knowing which of the Eight Extraordinary channels is affected can help us to understand the Qi movement dynamic of any particular imbalance or illness - which can then lead to improved choice of regular acupuncture channel points, herbal treatment strategies and life recommendations. In this course we will explore the Eight Extraordinary channels via the core emotional propensities, the eight trigrams, the eight auspicious objects, the eight immortals, the eight Celtic calendric gods, the Eightfold path of the bhudda and other cross-cultural perspectives. and we will practice diagnostic techniques and treatment methods to access and influence these deeper channels.

3 units 48 hours
prerequisites: acupuncture I-III

 

MEL 463 Working with the Shen

In this course we will Define the term Shen in TCM and as it is used in the Nei Jing. We will explore constitutional typology in TCM and the emotions and the Zang Fu organs. We will explore the ethical and spiritual growth edge of each of the Five forces, and the mental and emotional processes and archetypes of the regular acupuncture channels and each of the Eight Extraordinary channels. Other topics covered will include the Shen in trauma, the process of suppressed memory, post-traumatic stress and methods to work with the major afflictive mental and emotional processes, awareness release technique, variations of EFT, and breathwork for the Shen, Through Shen clearing exercises, we will contact the redemptive and afflictive Shen in the essential organ / anatomical structures. There will be demonstrations and practice of tracing the Shen components of illnesses, symptoms, accidents etc and self reflection processes to deepen our contact with the essential nature that underlies all manifestations of Shen.

3 units 48 hours
prerequisites: acupuncture I-III

MEL 464 The Organ Systems

An organ by organ Review of the Zang-Fu Organ system, including the modern TCM view, the Nei JIng / Nan Jing perspective, modern anatomy and physiology, embryology, the innate five element Qi, the kinetic and relational energetic propensities of the Organ Qi, the emotions, personalities and archetypes associated with each organ, The Zang Fu interrelationships based on the 12 Hour cycle, the phase of the Liu Jing, the 12 Chinese zodiac animals, the 12 earthly branches influences. for each organ We will also explore bodywork , Qigongs, awareness, dialog, mudras, sounds, colors etc. We will explore dagnostic signs and indicators of organ dysfunction, and acupuncture treatment and food cures for each organ. In addition we will examine the energetics and meaning of the Curious Organs and various non-TCM organs defined by modern medicine, as well as organ systems defined from the perspective of the Qi body and the Shen body.

3 units 48 hours
prerequisites: acupuncture I-III

MEL 465 The spirit of the 12 Channels

This course will examine the modern TCM architecture and the Nei Jing / Nan Jing, architecture of each of the 12 primary channels. In relation to each channel we will also examine: the energetic tropism; the Five Forces the six phases, the 12 hour clock cycle; The personality of the 12 regular channels based on the animals of the Chinese zodiac and the twelve earthly branches; an examination of the 12 channels in relation to the numerical symbolism of 12 fold systems and European medieval mysticism. We will explore methods of diagnosing the channels by palpation, Qi examination, muscle testing, Qigong practice; logical methods of constructing balancing treatments and Treatment methods employing needles, moxa, channel massage, tapping, breathing, affirmation and visualization.

3 units 48 hours
prerequisites: acupuncture I-III

 

 

More detailed information is available for some of these courses:

EIght Extraordinary Channels                    

The Energetics of the Acupuncture Channels

The Zang Fu Organ systems in Sacred Acupuncture