TCM II: Hands-On Healing Using Traditional Chinese Medicine
(Suitable for students who have completed TCM I or who possess the equivalent knowledge)
Taught by Frederick Ward.  Click here for Frederick's profile.

According to principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, qi is the energy or "life-force" which runs through all living things.  When emotional or physical pain is present, this represents a blockage or "stuck qi" somewhere in the system.  This course will focus on the skills and techniques involved in identifying and alleviating these qi traffic jams, as we engage in a variety of diagnostic and observational techniques, body movements, breathing exercises, and hands-on acupressure which can be practiced on the self and loved ones in everyday life.  Each lesson will be divided approximately in half, dedicating 50% of the lesson to understanding the principles behind the practice, and the other 50% to practical hands-on application.  We will learn to assess ourselves and others and to provide thoughtful and supportive acupressure for symptomatic relief.  Since there is no division in TCM between the body and the mind, we will approach both the psychological and physiological causes of the disharmonies underlying headache, back pain, digestion and elimination, pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) and menopause, sleep and fatigue, and stress management.  The overriding goal of this course is to literally look, listen, and feel (palpate the body) with respect, focus, humility, and caution.  Since this course is intended as a follow-up to our TCM I course, prior TCM study is required to enable more-efficient practice of the techniques.  Please note, this class should not be considered a replacement for professional medical assessment or treatment.  If you have a condition which is either recent or chronic, if you are struggling with a serious condition, or if you are attempting to become or are currently pregnant, it is essential that you consult with your health-care provider before participating in this course.

Week 1
The Root: Diagnostic Patterns
Qi is the underlying principle of traditional Chinese medicine.  It is the life force which enables Yin to become Yang and which allows the internal organs to function and to interrelate with one another.  The flow of qi is responsible for everything from blood production and circulation to emotional change.  For this reason, qi disharmonies underlie all illnesses and conditions.  In this lesson, we will explore important qi patterns and the links between anatomy, physiology, and spirituality.  As a group, we will engage in activities and exercises in order to locate, cultivate, and exchange our qi. 
Exercises:
1. Creating and exchanging "Qi ball", a focused quantity of the body's internal Qi.
2. Sensing an area where the Qi is stuck; receiving Qi on the affected area.
3. Sharing and discussion the sensations.

Week 2
Tongue and Pulse Diagnosis
In this lesson, we will review the Five-Element system of TCM, which maps internal organs to the tongue.  The shape, color, and coat of the tongue offers important diagnostic clues.  How are you managing their energy level as well as the physical and emotional stressors of everyday life?  Do they have any digestive concerns?  We will look for a few key signs in each other’s tongues and pulses and discuss complicating factors.
Exercises:
1. Viewing each other's tongues; drawing quick sketches of observations.
2. Palpating each other's pulses; writing quick impressions of sensations.
3. Combining the data into a portrait of Yin and Yang, Qi, and Blood.

Week 3
Body and Face Types
The shape of the body and head and the features of the face can give clues as to which of the Elements are dominant or valued, which organs or acupuncture meridians may be vulnerable, and what style of interaction individuals prefer.  Do they you respond to respect or comfort, entertainment, or philosophy?  We will practice "reading" each other and delivering appropriate messages of health and healing.
Exercises:
1. Review of celebrity photographs as basis for group discussion
2. Demonstration of how to use brief one-on-one interviews to gain diagnostic clues before making physical contact; weaving spoken/verbal clues with visual/facial and clothing cues
3. Individual practice in pairs

Week 4
Point Location and Acupressure
Many acupuncture points have documented anatomical locations between muscles, tendons, and bony landmarks. Still others are "啊是 / A shì" points, tender spots which are unique to each individual and their disharmony.  We will compare the process of locating points and providing therapeutic pressure for these two styles of points; discuss "patient" feedback; and provide recommendations for usage.
Exercises:
1. Palpation of textbook SP 6 and search for nearby A shì points
2. Notation of tongue and pulse before and after palpation

Weeks 5-10
Please note, the following practice sessions are intended to provide symptomatic relief for pain conditions which are not a serious medical illness or a medical emergency.  Individuals experiencing any of these symptoms should be evaluated by a professional healthcare practitioner BEFORE participating in this class.

Week 5
Headache
Within the spectrum of Yin and Yang, the head is the most Yang part of the body.  Yet the front, sides, and back of the head represent different proportions of Yin and Yang, as well as different Elements.  We will discuss the diagnostic implications of headaches and practice acupressure at local (near the site of discomfort) and distal (far from the affected area) points.
Exercises:
1. Location and palpation of local and distal textbook points for front, side, and back headaches.
2. Discussion and brief practice of locating A shì points.

Week 6
Back Pain
Whereas some back pain feels worse with pressure, other pain patterns are relieved with strong force.  While some back pain covers a specific muscle group, other pain patterns map to a specific group of acupuncture points.  We will discuss these possibilities and practice providing local and distal acupressure as well as Gua Sha, a friction massage technique which can improve qi flow and deconstrain muscles.
Exercises:
1. Practice of local and distal acupressure for back pain relief.
2. Practice of Gua Sha, friction massage.

Week 7
Digestion and Elimination
We will translate such Western conditions as Irritable Bowel Syndrome / IBS and indigestion into TCM patterns involving the Five Elements, Qi, and Yin and Yang. We will also explore abdominal palpation as an assessment tool.  We will pay close attention to tongue and pulse changes, as they can be quite noticeable during these types of disorders.
Exercises:
1. Determining the Five-Element origin of digestion / elimination disharmony; providing appropriate acupressure.
2. Evaluating the contribution of Qi, Blood, Yin and Yang; providing acupressure.

Week 8
Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Menopause
Every woman has a unique experience of menstruation and menopause.  Still, there are key theoretical concepts in TCM regarding Qi and Blood flow which we can use to provide calm and ease discomfort during these turbulent times.  Since men experience hormonal changes on hourly/daily/seasonal basis, they can also benefit from this discussion and acupressure practice.
Exercises:
1. Utilizing a checklist, palpation of pulse; observation of tongue.
2. Providing guided stretches which nourish the Yin.
3. Providing acupressure on specific textbook points.

Week 9
Sleep and Fatigue
Whereas Yang pertains to activity, Yin corresponds with rest and sleep.  We will discuss ways of bringing Yin and Yang into closer balance, assessing the tongue and pulse for clues to Yin and Yang disharmonies, as well as ways of providing acupressure to encourage rest, relax, and sleep soundly. We will also practice stretches and breathing exercises which can be used before and after sleep to improve circulation.
Exercises:
1. Practice dialoging about emotional health, eating habits, and substance use
2. Acupressure using textbook points to encourage relaxation and to quiet the mind

Week 10
Stress Management
The primary clinical goal of TCM is to enable individuals to be more flexible and dynamic in response to their changing environments.  Yin and Yang will always change into one another, but the rate and speed of change can become more regular and smooth.  In this final class, we will consider both acute and chronic stress and practice interventions and long-term support for a more peaceful existence.
Exercises:
1. Acupressure using textbook points to relieve emotional stress
2. Group deep breathing exercise

Course Title: TCM II
Tuition Fee: RMB 3200

Spring Session 2013: March 7th to May 11th

Section A: Thursday mornings (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)   Registration Closed
10 weeks from March 7th to May 9th (Course Code: CM203)
Location: ELC Learning Center

Section B: Thursday afternoons (1:00 PM - 3:30 PM)   Registration Closed
10 weeks from March 7th to May 9th (Course Code: CM204)
Location: ELC Learning Center

Section C: Thursday evenings (6:30 PM - 9:00 PM)   Registration Closed
10 weeks from March 7th to May 9th (Course Code: CM205)
Location: ELC Learning Center

Section D: Saturday mornings (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)   Registration Closed
10 weeks from March 9th to May 11th (Course Code: CM206)
Location: ELC Learning Center

Fall Session 2013: October 10th to December 14th

Section A: Thursday mornings (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
10 weeks from October 10th to December 12th (Course Code: CM203)
Location: ELC Learning Center

Section B: Thursday afternoons (1:00 PM - 3:30 PM)
10 weeks from October 10th to December 12th (Course Code: CM204)
Location: ELC Learning Center

Section C: Thursday evenings (6:30 PM - 9:00 PM)
10 weeks from October 10th to December 12th (Course Code: CM205)
Location: ELC Learning Center

Section D: Saturday mornings (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
10 weeks from October 12th to December 14th (Course Code: CM206)
Location: ELC Learning Center

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS COURSE

Registration Procedure:
First register online to reserve your place.  You will receive a confirmation email with further details and instructions.  Payment must be made on site at the ELC Learning Center during the payment dates shown below (you can come in person or send someone).

Tuition fee payment for the Fall Session 2013 will take place Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, September 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th.  The payment hours are 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  Payments will be received in the Registration Office at the ELC Learning Center.  Payment must be received on time to complete your enrollment and maintain your reservation in the class(es) for which you have registered.

Register early to reserve your place, as many classes fill up quickly.  If the course for which you are registered does not reach the minimum enrollment requirement, you will be notified of the cancellation before the payment dates.  As such, we receive payments only for courses which are proceeding as scheduled.  Please note, we do not offer trial lessons or discounts of any kind.  Refund Policy: No refunds will be issued after the start of the term.