Broaden The Path:
Practice Beyond the Movements

The magic of Taiji and Qigong is found deep in the philosophies they were born from. One of those philosophies is the Five Elements.

The Five Elements are intuitive guides for life witnessed and was honored long ago. This philosophy, rooted in the rhythm of nature, shows us how to maintain a balanced, thriving life! It shows us the path away from depression and anger, overdoing and underdoing, and into presence, peace, and equanimity. It truly is that powerful.

There are 5 Elements that match with the seasons we live through in a year, but also the rhythm in our lives. Summer is the Element of Fire. This is the highest season for yang energy! We have taken the ideas from Water, the planning from Wood, and now the show of Fire begins. Think about what it feels like to gaze at a campfire. Notice the smells. The gentle warmth. This is gentle joy, a calm, warming flame. We know internally what this feels like. It's passionate but grateful.

Imagine a fire burning out of control. We know what that feels like internally as if we have no choices, we rush into things like fire spreads. This is fire out of control. It's manic. Impatient. Obsessive.

This is a journey into creating balance in the characteristics that the Element of Fire draws into our lives: drawing in joy, releasing control, bringing into focus our potential and celebrating it with a curve of a smile at the heart, balancing 'being' with 'doing', easing our impatience and manic feelings when we become too attached to an end result. Fire teaches us to practice trusting the path, and not become addicted to success or failure.

You'll come with me through an exploration behind the eastern philosophies that deeply link to our practices - but are overlooked due to our overfocus on the physical movements.

In this first course, we will begin by exploring the broader philosophies that become fluid guides in daily life. You'll learn deeper techniques for sensing qi, discover how our Western view of the 

During this month-long session,  you'll learn the Fire Element's perspective on:

• The element of Fire expresses itself climatically in terms of heat. The heat of passion, the heat of anger, the heat of the moment. How can we balance this heat and maintain an easy consistent warmth without becoming an enraging fire? This element represents our ability to express joy, happiness, but also anxiety and obsession. Learn tools to build awareness of how these emotions stimulate the Heart Organ System so that you can keep it in balance.
• Heat speeds our heart rate, promotes chemical changes in the body, helps break down foods, but too much heat creates dryness, inflammation, headaches, fevers, and infection. Learn how we balance the element of fire in the body to maintain wellness.
• Acupressure - The Fire Element has four meridians associated with it: Heart, Small Intestine, Pericardium, and the Sanjiao. Learn about these meridians and specific points that will balance qi flow in the body.
• Shen - The Spirit of The Heart - Taiji and Qigong practitioners may know about  Shen, but in reference to the Fire Element, this Shen is a part of the overall Shen. Similar to when parents give their daughter or son their name. The Shen of the Fire Element is quite sensitive and becomes disturbed and imbalanced easily manifesting anxiety, insomnia, or mania. If it is not attended to it can turn into serious mental illness. 
• Sensing and Directing Qi - Learn practices to enhance awareness of your internal qi highways to help clear stagnation and direct flow for the Fire Element.

ALL COURSE MATERIAL - All course material will be online for review and access after our live sessions together for 3 months

• Videos of weekly presentations
• Acupressure and meridian theory recordings
• Acupressure point location videos
• Meditations
• Reading materials
• Qi practices and information