Five Elements – the Soul of Chinese medicine

This three hour session introduces the Five Elements – Soul of Chinese medicine! Book here or down below.

The Five Elements system has a crucial role in the traditional medicines of many East Asian countries, particularly those influenced by Chinese culture. The ancient healing traditions of Japan, Korea, and Vietnam have their footing in China.

This system of understanding health and disease emerged alongside another of China’s great contributions to medicine. That was the yin-yang philosophy derived from the I Ching, or the Book of Changes.

Many Western acupuncture colleges were inspired by the Five Element system. They often taught it as the foundation of practice. However, the system nearly disappeared in China during the 1950s when Mao Zedong “modernized” Chinese medicine.

Interestingly, it’s now being reintroduced to China by Western practitioners!

Much to teach old and young!

Despite this, older generations in China never truly abandoned the Five Elements, as they are deeply embedded in life. In recent years, younger generations are rediscovering their significance and value for health and happiness.

This introductory session will show how the Five Element system connects your health, life, and actions. It aligns with the seasons and explains how different parts of your body are influenced by them. It also explores the impact of your emotional state on your overall well-being how chronic pain or health issues may indicate an underlying emotion, behaviour, or dietary cause.

Food plays a significant role in the Five Elements. You’ll learn which foods benefit specific organs and systems, though we also have a separate, more detailed, session dedicated to Chinese ideas on nutrition.

Much more to find out when you’re ready!

There is plenty of information available online, such as at 5 Elements Acupuncture: The Five Phases (Acupuncture Points) and in numerous books, but this session will bring these ideas to life in a way that reading alone cannot.

The Five Elements Soul of Chinese medicine also form a continuous cycle, with each element nourishing the next—just as your own health should function.

Your lecturer, Jonathan, learned the Five Element system in the 1970s at his first acupuncture college. He has since applied it with almost every patient he treats. This system often helps him identify any emotional or energetic patterns behind health issues.

Jonathan guarantees that by the end of this session, you’ll begin to apply these insights to the lives of those around you – and yourself!

Please be prepared to engage in some group sharing during the session. While participation is optional, it will greatly enrich your learning experience!

Handout notes will be available for those attending. But bring pen and notepad!

(We have other sessions explaining Chinese medicine, such as on Cupping (November 16th 2024), Food Energy (December 14th 2024), the Chinese Medicine Body Clock (February 22nd 2025), and in a way the most interesting subject of all, what Chinese medicine means by Blood (March 22nd 2025).

Date: Saturday 18 January 2025

Place: 1 Cockburn Halls, Ormiston, East Lothian, EH35 5LS

Time: 10am – 1pm

Book: HERE!

or here:

https://buytickets.at/scottishcollegeforchinesemedicine/1425858

Access: plenty of free car parking spaces nearby, and Lothian Bus 113 comes direct from Central Edinburgh twice hourly.