New CEU Programs Coming Up

We have several programs that are now in progress or coming up that provide Acupuncture CEUs (Continuing Education Units - a requirement by the state acupuncture board for re-licensure) for practitioners. These classes are also open to anyone that has an interest in classical Chinese medicine and Chinese philosophy and the direct application of that philosophy in daily life. 

The underlying aim of these classes is to explore the wisdom of the classics and apply this wisdom to our lives and work. A deeper understanding of the classics brings a richness to the practice of Chinese medicine, that results in greater insight and clinical effectiveness, a deeper relationship to our patients and a practical, meaningful way of relating to ourselves, our community and the natural world. We work closely with Elisabeth Rochat de la Vallee on many of these classes and some of her presentations here are part of the Teaching from the Roots program that Elisabeth and Ken Rose have developed. Please see http://www.teachingfromtheroots.com for more information.

Classes include:

March 21 Workshop  

Treating the Spirits

Please see the post below for full details.

Monthly Suwen Series -  Study Group

This is an ongoing study group of fundamental chapters of the Suwen. We take the format of a collaborative group with each participant becoming familiar with the text and presenting and participating in the discussions. This series provides 3 CEUs per meeting. Our group is currently full but if you are interested in the next series, we will have an open meeting with Elisabeth Rochat de la Vallee on May 8, and then a new series starting in June.

Elisabeth Rochat de la Vallee Programs in May and November

Elisabeth Rochat de la Vallee, a leading international teacher and scholar of the Chinese classics and the author of many books on Chinese medicine will be teaching in Petaluma Friday May 8 and Friday November 6,  2015.  The topic for May 8 is Tian, Heavan, Nature, Natural Order.  These classes can be taken individually, but are also part of the Teaching from the Roots program. Following each Friday class in Petaluma there is a full weekend program in Berkeley with Elisabeth Rochat and Ken Rose on a related topic.

October Workshop

Sean and Ian will be teaching another one-day workshop in October on Treating the Emotions with Chinese Medicine. Contact us if you would like details.

Again, for more information on any of these programs please feel free to call Sean at (707) 763-8040 or email sean@traditionalhealtharts.com.

Thank you,

Sean Fannin and Ian Rawlinson

Treating the Spirits CEU program

A one day workshop exploring the wisdom of

Chinese Medicine with

Sean Fannin & Ian Rawlinson

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Petaluma, CA

9:00 AM to 5:00 PM 

7 hours acupuncture CEU’s pending

For thousands of years Chinese medicine has recognized the importance of treating the spirits. The Chinese classics frequently mention the importance of the spirits.

When spirits are overwhelmed they leave; when left in peace they remain. Thus the most important thing in the conduct and treatment

of a being is maintenance of the spirits.

Su Wen Chapter 13

In Chinese medicine the concept of the spirits is not a vague or ill-defined idea, but one which is described extensively and in detail in the Chinese classics. Developing a deeper understanding of these ideas has great benefit to anyone interested in gaining a full understanding of Chinese medicine.
In this workshop through lectures, experiential exercises and discussions we will explore ways we can understand these important ideas. Emphasis will be placed on practical ways to apply these ideas to our own lives and helping our patients maintain the benefits of treatment.

Acupuncture
A large number of acupuncture points include reference to the spirits in their name. Points such as Spirit Store- house, Heavenly Spring and Receiving Spirit are a few of many important points that help support the spirits. In
this part of the workshop we will examine some of these acupuncture points and explore their clinical application.

Chinese Herbs & Qi Gong
Within Chinese herbal medicine, one of the primary ways that we can focus on addressing the spirit is through the blood. The blood is the material basis and root or anchor for the spirit, in particular the relationship of the blood to the heart and liver. In this part of the workshop we will focus on engaging the spirit through the blood from our initial interactions with the patient all the way through our specific choice of herbal strategies.

Ian Rawlinson B.A. B.Ac. LicAc. has studied Oriental healing traditions for 40 years. In 1980 he began his studies of Five Element Acupuncture. What led him to study this tradi- tion of Chinese medicine was the emphasis it places on treating not only the body, but also the emotions and the shen or spirit. Working with patients with this integrated approach
has absorbed him for over 30 years.
Sean Fannin, CH, Dipl.CEM is a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine, specializing in traditional Chinese herbalism, Medical Qigong, and client education. He has worked in a clinical practice that is based on the Chinese medical and philosophical classics since 1992. Sean’s primary interest is in classical Asian philosophy and its application to modern life. This has formed the basis for his clinical practice, teaching and writing.

For general questions and information contact: Sean Fannin: sean@traditionalhealtharts.com 707.763.8040

For enquires about the class content contact:
Sean sean@traditionalhealtharts.com 707.763.8040 or Ian: ian90@sonic.net 707.762.4309

Space for the class is limited and preregistration is required

Fees: General public before March 4, $115. After March 4, $130. Fees for acupuncturist wanting CEU’s before March 4, the fee is $150.

After March 4, the fee is $170

Cancellations made before March 14 will result in a full refund, less a $50 administrative fee. No refunds will be made for cancellations after March 15, 2015

Happy New Year

Happy New Year

from the Center for

Traditional Health Arts!

Wishing you health and happiness in 2015!

An Invitation to Tea

We have a lot coming up in 2015 with new classes, programs and more, all of which I'll email you about soon.

First though, I would like to invite you to share some tea with us.

Tea is important to me, as part of my daily life and as part of traditional Chinese culture and medicine. For me, it ranges from the simple daily ritual of puerh in the morning, to the social aspects of sharing tea, to the therapeutic use of specific teas for specific individuals at the office.

A couple of months ago I had the good fortune to have tea with Tommy Smith, Beth Meredith and Eric Storm. I’ve known Tommy for years and greatly respect his knowledge of tea (and coffee!). I was meeting Beth and Eric there for the first time, and over several pots of wonderful oolongs we chatted in the rambling way appropriate to tea. We discussed tea culture, our work (Beth and Eric are the owners of the business Create the Good Life and Tommy has over 10 years experience in tea, including being a tea consultant to the Zu Chang Tea Company) and the benefits that come from sharing tea.

Out of that afternoon comes this tea-talk on the Way of Tea and Health. It is an overview from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine combined with a tea-tasting and discussion of three important types of tea: green tea, oolong (wulong) and puerh. I have all of the information below. Please note that there is no charge for this, but we are limited by space to 12 participants. Let me know if you can make it!

All my best,

Sean

The Way of Tea and Health within

Traditional Chinese Medicine

January 31st, 2:30-4:30

at the Center for Traditional Health Arts

5 Keller Street, Suite A • Petaluma CA 94952

A tea talk and tasting with Sean Fannin of the Center for Traditional Health Arts, Tommy Smith, tea consultant with Zu Chang Tea Company and Beth Meredith and Eric Storm of Create the Good Life.

We will be discussing the Way of Tea as a method of cultivating health in the greater sense as well as the specific usage and properties of green tea, oolong (wulong) and puerh within traditional Chinese medicine. We will be tasting a representative tea from each group as we discuss them.

Please RSVP to me sean@traditionalhealtharts.com or call (707) 763-8040.

Space is limited to 12 participants.

Please note that the tea talk and tasting is now full. Let me know if you would like to be on our waiting list. Thank you!

Ming with Elisabeth Rochat de la Vallee

A Special Presentation with Elisabeth Rochat de la Vallee on: 

MING
Thursday November 13 from 1:30-5:30 pm

in Petaluma

MING 明 :  the perfect understanding for a Confucian and enlightment for a Daoist. 

MING is a notion dealing with accurate perception and true knowledge as well as results in the actual life of oneself and others.

The meaning of MING is explained through Chinese classical texts that present its diverse aspects. Far from an abstract and intellectual concept, Ming involves the control of the passions, quietness and the nourishment of life.  

Elisabeth Rochat de la Vallee

 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. Elisabeth’s passion for classical Chinese medicine and philosophy, her dedication to teaching and her insight make her lectures a truly inspiring experience! 

Tuition: $55 prior to November 1st or CTHA members

$65 after November 1st

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

The Art of the Heart

Courage & Stillness

Embodying the Power of Winter
a one-day workshop exploring the wisdom of
Acupuncture, Aikido, Chinese Herbs & Qi Gong with
Sean Fannin • Grayson James • Ian Rawlinson
Saturday, November 1st 2014
9:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
840 Western Avenue, Petaluma
Acupuncture CEU’s pending for 6 hours
Winter is a time of hidden power. Within nature it is the season of rest and consolidation and yet for many of us it is often one of the busiest and most stressful times of the year. In this class we will present practices and principles that cultivate inner quiet and harmony with the season that enable us to face the challenges of the holidays with courage and skill. This is the Art of the Heart in the win- tertime. Through short lectures, experiential exercises and discussions we will examine ancient concepts and see how these ideas can be applied to our lives today.

Acupuncture
Winter, in Chinese thought, is a season for rest and renewal. It is the most yin time of year when nature is dormant. Just as nature rests, it is also a time for us to be quiet so our reserves are restored and we can meet the coming spring with renewed vitality. In this part of the workshop we will examine how we can live in a way that is in harmony with winter, with particular reference to managing of our reserves of qi and cultivating stillness. With simple experiential exercises we will explore how to apply these ideas to our lives.

Aikido
The term Aikido is often translated as “the way of harmonizing with the universal energy of life.” Aikido is a Japanese martial art that aims to protect oneself from harm while also protecting the opponent. The principals of Aikido are universal and can be readily applied and practiced in our daily lives without any martial arts training. In this work- shop, we will cultivate both our power and our stillness, as we practice centering, relaxing and listening with our whole bodies to the challenges unique to the winter and holiday season.

Chinese Herbs & Qi Gong
In this program Sean will cover traditional Chinese medicine principles and exercises to cultivate quietness and encourage restoration within the challenges of the winter season. This will include practical exercises for trans- forming seasonal stress and in-depth instruction and group practice of some of the most fundamental exercises within medical qigong.

Ian Rawlinson B.A. B.Ac. LicAc. has studied Oriental healing traditions for 40 years. In 1980 he began his studies of Five Element Acupuncture. What led him to study this tradition of Chinese medicine was the emphasis it places on treating not only the body, but also the emotions and the shen or spirit. Working with patients with this integrated approach has absorbed him for over 30 years.
Grayson James holds a 5th degree black belt and teaches the martial art of Aikido at Two Rock Ai- kido in Petaluma. He applies principles of Aikido in his organizational consulting work to develop strong collaboration, alignment and leadership performance with executives and their teams across diverse industries throughout the U.S. and internationally.
Sean Fannin, CH, Dipl.CEM is a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine, specializing in tradi- tional Chinese herbalism, Medical Qigong, and client education. He has worked in a clinical practice that is based on the Chinese medical and philosophical classics since 1992. Sean’s primary interest is in classical Asian philosophy and its application to modern life. This has formed the basis for his clinical practice, teaching and writing.
Location: the class will be held at: 840 Western Avenue Petaluma CA 94952

For inquiries about the class content contact: Sean sean@traditionalhealtharts.com 707.763.8040 or Ian: ian90@sonic.net 707.762.4309 or Grayson: grayson@gjamesconsultants.com 707.696.8167

Space for the class is limited and preregistration is required
Fees: Before October 15 the fee is $130. After October 15 the fee is $165
Cancellations made before October 21 will result in a full refund less a $50 administrative fee. No
refunds will be made for cancellations after October 21. 

The Foundations of Medical Qigong Workshop

Foundations of Medical Qigong

with Sean Fannin

Saturday, August 23rd

from 10 am to 4pm

Tuition:$100

Member Rate: $90

Our morning session of this workshop will include detailed instruction on the practices of Quiet Qigong and discussions on medical qigong and the philosophy of quietness and efficiency within daily life.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.

In the afternoon session we will cover the philosophy of movement within Medical Qigong, and detailed instruction of the Three Gates Gong, First Full Moving Qigong (Taiji Dongzuo Gong) of Comprehensive Medical Qigong, and the Second Full Moving Gong parts 1 & 2.

This comprises the fundamental practices of this system of Medical Qigong. On completing this workshop students will be able to begin a daily practice on their own and to attend our ongoing monthly group. 

This is the only Foundations of Medical Qigong Workshop that I am planning on teaching for the remainder of the year. 

Please call me at the center (707) 763-8040 or email me for more details or to register.

Presentation with Elisabeth Rochat: The Emotions within Chinese Medicine

An Introduction to the Emotions

within classical Chinese thought

and Chinese Medicine

with Elisabeth Rochat de la Vallee 

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. Elisabeth's passion for classical Chinese medicine and philosophy, her dedication to teaching and her unique insight make her lectures a truly inspiring experience!

Tuesday April 29 from 2-5 pm

in Petaluma

Tuition: $45, $40 for CTHA members

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

Medical Qigong Workshop

The Fundamental Exercises of Medical Qigong

with Sean Fannin, CH, Dipl.CEM

Saturday February 8 from 10am to 3pm

Tuition: $80, $65 for members of the Center for Traditional Health Arts
class size is limited • (707) 763 8040 • www.traditionalhealtharts.com

Our morning session of this workshop will include detailed instruction on the practices of Quiet Qigong and discussions on medical qigong and the philosophy of quietness and efficiency within daily life. 

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.

In the afternoon session we will cover the philosophy of movement within Medical Qigong, and detailed instruction of the Three Gates Gong, First Full Moving Qigong (Taiji Dongzuo Gong) of Comprehensive Medical Qigong, and Second Moving Gong parts 1 & 2. 

Holiday Newsletter

Our Holiday Newsletter is out! I've included a free download to our nutrition booklet (Nourishing Life), information on our free 12 week email series and the feature article "Obstacles." If you haven't subscribed, you can use the link below to get a PDF version of it.

Happy Holidays!


http://p0.vresp.com/fRUGU4

Chinese Medicinal Plant Walk at Quarryhill Botanical Garden

We (Peg Schafer and I) are doing our annual Chinese Medicinal Plant Walk at Quarryhill Botanical Garden in Glen Ellen on Sunday September 29! We will meet at 10 and walk until noon in the beautiful gardens, looking at the plants, discussing medicinal use and talking about cultivation.
The cost of the walk is $15 and goes to benefit the Botanical Garden.
This walk fills up every year so if you are interested you can reserve a spot by calling Quarryhill Botanical Garden directly at (707) 996-3166.

Environment Based Movement - new class dates open!

Environment Based Movement Class

Nature is wherever you are. 

Develop balance, strength, coordination and flow while learning to move comfortably in your environment, whether at home, on the street, in the park, or out in the wilderness. These basic movement skills and awareness practices form the basis of traditional Chinese movement and martial arts as well as being common to most traditional cultures.

This program will be 3 meetings, one Saturday morning a month for three months. It includes a specific movement program and exercises to train throughout the month to prepare the students for each subsequent session.
Session dates are: August 24, September 28, October 26.

The cost for the program is $120. The member's rate is $108. The class size is limited due to the nature of this program.
Class location will vary as we will be going to different environments to practice nature awareness and train our movement skills. This class is for all ages and abilities.

Have fun and enjoy moving freely as part of your environment!

Contact us for more information or to reserve a spot.


Feedback from a participant in our last session:

"I really enjoyed your Environment Based Movement class...

It was so helpful and non-threatening the way you tailored the class to fit each persons ability level, and showed us exercises and ways of moving that I could actually practice and do. You showed us all that we don't need a gym or fancy equipment, that wherever we are can be a practice area: stairs for the quadrapedal crawling, both forward and backwards; sidewalks for blind walking; curbs and benches for balancing; and door frames and wall for push-pull strength building. What amazes me is how quickly I see improvements in my balance and movements.

You also showed us that being aware of our environment is not just appreciatng the grand scheme of nature - trees, clouds, sky, etc, (which is important and relaxing), but also cultivating our sensory perception for the little things. Becoming familiar with our norm and then being aware of small changes in it that can trip us up. That was very important for me!

The simple daily routine you gave us was very helpful and manageable. I really like the balance exercises and how to "bounce off" obstacles to minimize injuries from falls. I am more conscious of walking in a balanced way, and it feels good!One of the most important lessons for me was changing my mind-set from "I can't" to "I can take small steps and move forward." Hopefully with practice I can recapture some of that freedom and joy in movement that every child is born feeling!"

Archive of a Guest Blog from 2009 - Qigong: Rhythm and Movement

I just found this guest post that I did for a health related blog in 2009.

Qigong - Rhythm & Movement

It was evening and my 10 week old daughter was starting to cry. Without thinking, I began to rock and sway as I held her.  After all, rhythmical, gentle movement is something that we all intuitively do to soothe and calm. 

From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Qigong, all of life alternates in rhythmical movement. Within the body the most fundamental rhythm of the heart and lungs forms the basis for our individual life. Within all of nature, we can find a similar, familiar rhythm. The activity of the day quiets at night, and the exuberance of summer is internalized and nurtured during the stillness of winter. All of these fundamental rhythms and movements, both within us and within all of nature, are described as “qi.”

Qi can be translated as energy, influence, vital function and breath. Within nature the transformations of qi can be seen in the cyclical movement of day and night, the phases of the moon, and the changing seasons. Within the body, qi is the energy that allows the functioning of life through warmth, movement, transformation, containment and defense. It is the energy that maintains and safeguards the integrity of the body and mind, containing and preserving what is necessary to our life and repelling what would be harmful to us. The attributes of qi within the body can be seen in the energy, warmth and vital movement of life. From this perspective, all transformations and movements within the body, whether physical or emotional, depend on the correct and balanced movement of the qi.

Medical Qigong is a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine, like acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Medical Qigong consists of traditional therapeutic exercises used to support the correct movement of qi and address specific health issues. These are relatively simple, gentle exercises that are consist of what are traditionally referred to as the “Three Regulations,” the regulation of the body, breath and mind. Through specific methods of regulating the body, breath and mind we can enter into a rhythm that is in harmony with the greater movements and rhythms of nature. This process can be likened to rocking a baby to calm and settle the little one, helping them to enter into a deep and restorative sleep (at least that’s an analogy that I’ve been thinking about these days).

Traditionally, Medical Qigong has three interrelated goals: to enhance the body's self healing abilities, to increase vitality, and to cultivate skill in adapting to change. These three goals contribute to the process of promoting health and nourishing life. All of this through integrating body, breath and mind in a way that helps us to participate more fully in the movements of life. 

Oh, and it really is very good at calming babies. 

Newsletter Archive Part 2

Here are links to PDFs of recent newsletters:

June 2013 "Why it All Matters: An Engaged Life"

April 2013 "What is normal?"

March 2013 "Environment Based Movement"

February 2013 "Developing Confidence and Results"

December 2012 "Transforming Seasonal Stress, winter recipes" 

If you would like to sign up to receive our newsletter, scroll down to the box on the right.

Moving in Accordance with Nature

Normal physiology and health within traditional Chinese medicine. 

A unique class meeting in 6 afternoon sessions, one meeting a month, covering health and the normal functioning of the body, mind and energetics within TCM. 

This program emphasizes understanding  and recognizing the normal movements of life as the basis for qigong, bodywork, acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutrition, and so on. 

In this program we'll move from the more general view of qi within nature and humanity to the specifics of how we grow, develop, renew and maintain ourselves. The core of this is based on step by step progressions for building an understanding of the normal processes of human life. 

This course is for: 

Those interested in understanding their own health 

Qigong and taiji practitioners and teachers 

Those thinking of going to acupuncture school 

Current students in acupuncture school Acupressure and bodywork professionals and students 

Acupuncturists who would like to study the norm vs pathology 

Other medical professionals who would like to understand the theoretical basis of TCM.

The fee for the course is: $180, $153 members, fee includes audio downloads of each lecture. 

This course consists of six afternoon lectures. Each lecture expands on the previous, making it important to attend all six meetings. However, if a lecture is missed, it can be downloaded and listened to prior to the next class. 

Meeting Dates: May 25, June 22, July 20, August 24, September 28, October 26 All meetings are from 1pm to 3pm. 

First Meeting May 25, 2013

 In our first meeting we'll focus on qi and the symbolic use of numbers traditionally used to describe the processes of nature and of life. This is a particularly important topic that is often left out of modern traditional Chinese medicine education. It provides a key of sorts for understanding the underlying logic of Chinese medicine. We'll also discuss the context of human life between heaven and earth and what we can do to begin nourishing life within us by moving in accordance with nature.

Environment Based Movement

Environment Based Movement Class

Nature is wherever you are. 

Develop balance, strength, coordination and flow while learning to move comfortably in your environment, whether at home, on the street, in the park, or out in the wilderness. These basic movement skills and awareness practices form the basis of traditional Chinese movement and martial arts as well as being common to most traditional cultures. 

This program will be 3 meetings, one Saturday morning a month for three months. It includes a specific movement program and exercises to train throughout the month to prepare the students for each subsequent session.

Session dates are: April 27, May 25, June 29.

The cost for the program is $120. The member's rate is $108.

This first program is limited to 5 students. Class location will vary as we will be going to different environments to practice nature awareness and train our movement skills. This class is for all ages and abilities. 

Have fun and enjoy moving freely as part of your environment! 

Contact us for more information or to reserve a spot.

Flourishing Growth: Spring Program

Sunday February 24, 9:30-11:30

$25, Free to CTHA members!

At our Springtime Program we will enjoy flowering tea and discuss the quality of qi and the liver in the spring and their traditional associations, including utilizing the emotions, muscular force, movements and appropriate exercises for the season.

Changing as the seasons change is one of the fundamental methods of restoring and maintaining the health in traditional Chinese medicine. In this program we'll have a relaxed setting to talk about these processes and how they relate to modern life.

Space is limited. Please contact us to reserve a spot.

CTHA Facebook page is up

We have the Center for Traditional Health Arts Facebook page set up now. We'll have class updates, links, and extra posts there (we're still using this page as well).

 You can check it out here:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Center-for-Traditional-Health-Arts/420968284649408?ref=hl

Five Tastes - Chinese Herbal Medicine for the Lunar New Year

San Francisco Botanical Garden

February 9th 10am-12 noon

With Sean Fannin and Peg Schafer

Traditional Chinese Medicine may seem exotic and esoteric, but it is deeply rooted in an awareness of nature and our own sensory experiences. In this presentation we will discuss nature and health and how traditional Chinese medicinal herbs are selected and used.This will include tasting different forms of Chinese herbs.

This session will also cover Chinese herb cultivation illustrating locally suitable Chinese medicinal plants with 40 samples.Students will be sowing Chinese herbs in 6 packs to take home and grow in pots or in the garden.

The regular cost of the program is $60. I have a special discount code that you can apply to get the SFBG member rate of $50. The code is "Five Tastes 202013"

To get more information or to order tickets please visit the San Francisco Botanical Garden website here:

http://www.sfbotanicalgardensociety.org/sfbgs_course_template.cfm?s=5330

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.