Newsletter Archive

I am starting an archive for our newsletters -  here are links to the past 6 months:

April 2012 "Inspiration and Energy" 

May 2012 "Movement of Life Part 2: Exercise"

June 2012 "The Regulation of the Heart and Mind"

July 2012 "Cultivating Qi"

August 2012 "Vision and Awareness"

September/ early October "Free & Easy Movement"

We'll have the November newsletter out soon! If you have not signed up yet you can scroll down and do so with the box on the right hand side.

"Fasting of the Heart/Mind" with Elisabeth Rochat de la Vallee

The Fasting of the Heart/Mind in the Zhuangzi • Monday November 12, 2012 

with Elisabeth Rochat de la Vallee in Petaluma

Elisabeth is an internationally renowned scholar and translator of classical Chinese medical and philosophical texts. This is a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in classical Chinese philosophy with one of the most well respected scholars in the field.

“May I ask what the fasting of the mind is?”
Confucius said, “Make your will one! Don’t listen with your ears, listen with your mind. No, don’t listen with your mind, but listen with your spirit. Listening stops with the ears, the mind stops with recognition, but spirit is empty and waits on all things. The Way gathers in emptiness alone. Emptiness is the fasting of the mind.”
-from Zhuangzi Ch.4, Burton Watson trans.

“The Fasting of the Heart/Mind”is the topic of Chapter 4 of the Zhuangzi, which along with the Daodejing, is one of the most well known and loved daoist texts. The afternoon session will focus on an overview of the Fasting of the Heart/Mind brought to life in Elisabeth’s fantastic style. and the evening session will provide a detailed and animated analysis and discussion of the afternoon’s material, including the Chinese text.

The study group is an ongoing program that meets monthly - with twice a year meetings with Elisabeth. Those interested in exploring Chinese medicine through the classical Chinese medical texts are welcome to come to this meeting with Elisabeth and the group.

Schedule for 11/12/2012
• Classical Chinese Medicine Study Group - Suwen Chapter 5
10am -12 noon
• The Fasting of the Heart/Mind within the Zhuangzi
1:30pm-4:30pm and 5pm-7pm

•The tuition for the Study Group Meeting from 10am-12noon is $25 ($22 for CTHA members) 

•The tuition for the “Fasting of the Heart” presentation from 1:30pm-7:00pm is $75 ($63.50 for CTHA members). To attend only the afternoon presentation 1:30pm-4:30pm is $50 ($ 42.50 for CTHA members). To attend only the evening presentation 5pm-7pm is $35 ($29.75 for CTHA members). 

• To attend the entire day including the morning study group, the afternoon session and the evening session, is $90 ($76.50 for CTHA members). This option is highly recommended as a chance to spend the day with one of the most well-respected and inspiring teachers in the field of Chinese medicine and philosophy!

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Please call (707) 763-8040 or email us to reserve your space.

Chinese Medicinal Plant Walk

Chinese Medicinal Plant Walk at Quarryhill Botanical Garden

with Peg Schafer and Sean Fannin  

Sunday October 28th 10am-12.

Located in Glen Ellen, Quarryhill is one of the pre-eminent Asian botanical gardens globally, featuring one of the largest collections of documented, wild-collected Asian plants in the world. This is a great opportunity to see important Chinese medicinal herbs growing in a beautiful natural setting.

All proceeds from this walk go to benefit  the Garden. Cost for the walk is $15.

Space is limited, please call 707-996-3166 to reserve yours in advance.

Visit Quarryhill Botanical Garden's Site here.

Harvesting the Inspiration of the Spirits

Late Summer and Early Autumn in Classical Chinese Medicine: 
Harvesting the Inspiration of the Spirits

August 25th from 10:00am-11:30am

Free for Members

non-members: $25
registration fees of non-members support our low income programs

Jade Cloud Green Tea will be served along with a presentation on the qi of the summertime and early autumn, including the nature of the heart and the lungs, the shen (spirits), hun ("ethereal soul") and po ("corporeal soul")  the relationship between joy and grief, and simple, traditional guidelines for the upcoming season.

Please email or call (707) 763-8040 for more information or to confirm your place in the program.

Natural Action with Elisabeth Rochat, July 18, 2012

Elisabeth Rochat de la Vallee in Petaluma, Wednesday July 18, 2012

 Elisabeth is an internationally renowned scholar and translator of classical Chinese medical and philosophical texts.  This is a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in classical Chinese philosophy with one of the most well respected scholars in the field.

                       Wednesday July 18, 2012  Schedule

Classical Chinese Medicine Study Group - Suwen Chapter 5 

10am - 12 noon

Natural Action: non-action as natural action within the Daodejing

2pm-5pm

(1 hour break)

6pm-8pm

The study group is an ongoing program that meets monthly - with twice a year meetings with Elisabeth. Those interested in exploring Chinese medicine through the classical Chinese medical texts are welcome to come to this meeting with Elisabeth and the group. We are continuing Suwen Chapter 5, one of the most important chapters on theory within the Suwen at this meeting.

The main program is “Natural Action: Non-action as Natural Action.” This is a key theme within the Daodejing and the presentation will focus on the concept of wu-wei within the Daodejing, brought to life in Elisabeth’s fantastic style.  The afternoon session will focus on an overview of natural action within the Daodejing and the evening session will provide a detailed and animated analysis and discussion of the afternoon’s material.

•The tuition for the Study Group Meeting from 10am-12noon  is $25 ($22 for CTHA members)

•The tuition for the “Natural Action” presentation from 2pm-8pm is $70 ($60 for CTHA members).

    To attend only the afternoon presentation 2pm-5pm is $45 ($40 for CTHA members).

    To attend only the evening presentation 6pm-8pm is $35 ($30 for CTHA members).

• To attend the entire day including the morning study group, the afternoon session and the evening session, is $90 ($76.50 for CTHA members). This option is highly recommended as a chance to spend the day with one of the most well-respected and inspiring teachers in the field of Chinese medicine and philosophy!

Pre-registration is required. Please contact us for more information  (707) 763-8040.

Quiet Action: Quiet Qigong Workshop June 23rd

Within traditional Chinese medicine and qigong, quietness is not so much the lack of movement as it is the beginning of the proper movement. Developing quietness and the consequent rhythm of movement and stillness in life provides a powerful basis for cultivating health.
One of the simplest to learn yet most profound qigong practices, Quiet Gong forms the basis for all other practices within Medical Qigong. It trains the body, breath and mind to adapt to change and face challenges with inner stability and clarity. This is the exercise that is most commonly used by my teacher as well as in my practice to help people restore their health.
This workshop will include discussions on the philosophy of quietness, applying yin yang (quietness/activity) principles to daily activities and detailed instruction on the practices of Quiet Qigong.
The workshop will be on Saturday, June 23rd at the Center for Traditional Health Arts from 1:30-3:30. $35, $30 for members. Registration fee includes a CD with audio instructions and a follow-along practice session and follow-up articles. Please contact me for more information (707) 763-8040.

Elisabeth Rochat de la Vallee Program in Petaluma

Elisabeth Rochat de la Vallee with be doing a special two-part program in Petaluma at the end of the month!

The two-part program consists of an afternoon session on Monday April 30th and a morning session on May 1st. The first session will be "The Way of the Feminine and Suppleness within the Daodejing." Then, instead of our normal study group meeting, she is going to do a special session looking at the key chapters of the Daodejing discussed, with a character by character analysis. The ideal would be to attend both sessions if possible.

Dates and times are:

Monday April 30th from 3pm to 6pm: "The Way of the Feminine and Suppleness within the Daodejing"

Tuesday May 1st from 9am to 12 noon: "Character by character discussion and analysis of the key chapters presented"

The cost of the programs is $45 for one session ($40 for members) or $80 for both sessions ($75 for members). 

This is a fantastic opportunity to spend time with Elisabeth here in Petaluma. Elisabeth is an internationally renowned scholar and translator of classical Chinese medical and philosophical texts.  Elisabeth has been a major influence on my practice and philosophy - before I met her in San Francisco I seriously considered traveling to Europe to study with her. Now, here she is in Petaluma again! 

Last time we sold out ahead of time and I have already had people contacting me for this next presentation, so please contact me at (707) 763-8040 if you are interested in this great opportunity. 

Springtime Member Tea: The Movement of Life

April 7th from 1:30 -3:00

The Movement of Life: The Liver, Springtime, Movement and Growth

I am excited to hold our Springtime Member Tea in early April. We will discuss the Traditional Chinese Medicine views on the spring and the liver, particularly as it relates to movement and growth at all levels. We'll talk about the emotions, foods, and activities associated with the season as well as enjoy a Bao Zhong Tea and tea snacks.

This program is free for members.

Foundations of Medical Qigong Workshop

February 11th, 2012 from 9:30 - 3:00

Workshop Fee: $75, Special Member rate: $55

This workshop will cover the fundamental exercises of Medical Qigong, including the 
Quiet Qigong, Three Gates Gong, First Full Moving Qigong and Guan Qigong (Closing 
Gong). We will discuss the philosophy and theory of qigong as well to provide a context
and foundation for ongoing practice.

I only teach the foundation exercises a couple of times a year and it has been quite awhile 
since I covered this material in one day rather than two. This class is a prerequisite for
joining the ongoing Medical Qigong group that meets monthly.

I am pleased to offer a special discount rate for members as another benefit of membership 
(which will cover your membership for the month - a way to thank you again for your
support!). If you are not yet a member, joining when you sign up for this class will give
you the greatest benefit from your membership. 

Space is limited for this class. Please email or call me for more information.