Circle of Life ~ Outline and Logistics
LOGISTICS:
This is a self-paced, recorded course with an optional monthly live Q&A session on the 3rd Saturday morning of each month; in addition, you will have continuous support for questions, case studies questions, and discussion via our Canvas classroom online forum.
Classes each are approved for 3.5 CEUs category 1 (CAB provider #1005, Between Heaven & Earth Acupuncture and Herbs), and 3.5 PDAs (NCCAOM provider #1134, Between Heaven & Earth). The whole program adds up to 45.5 units. The CEU's and PDA's are awarded per class after completion of each module quiz and worksheet.
You will have open access to the classroom for 9 months after signing up.
COST AND CANCELLATION POLICY:
Regular cost (course available for 9 months after signing up): $1,200. Pay all at once or in 2 installments.
Graduates or currently enrolled in the Jin Gui Yao Lue or Tang Ye Jing Fa courses: $250 off, as the first five modules of the series are the same as the first three in the Circle of Life. ($900 total, can cumulate with early bird special))
Graduates or currently enrolled in Shang Han Lun course: $175 off, as the first three modules of the series are the same as the first three in the Circle of Life. ($1025 total, can cumulate with early bird special).
Repeating auditor (no credits): $500
Cancellation policy: full refund if cancelled within 24 hours after registration. 50% refund if cancelled within 5 days. No refunds will be given after 5 days.
This is a self-paced, recorded course with an optional monthly live Q&A session on the 3rd Saturday morning of each month; in addition, you will have continuous support for questions, case studies questions, and discussion via our Canvas classroom online forum.
Classes each are approved for 3.5 CEUs category 1 (CAB provider #1005, Between Heaven & Earth Acupuncture and Herbs), and 3.5 PDAs (NCCAOM provider #1134, Between Heaven & Earth). The whole program adds up to 45.5 units. The CEU's and PDA's are awarded per class after completion of each module quiz and worksheet.
You will have open access to the classroom for 9 months after signing up.
COST AND CANCELLATION POLICY:
Regular cost (course available for 9 months after signing up): $1,200. Pay all at once or in 2 installments.
Graduates or currently enrolled in the Jin Gui Yao Lue or Tang Ye Jing Fa courses: $250 off, as the first five modules of the series are the same as the first three in the Circle of Life. ($900 total, can cumulate with early bird special))
Graduates or currently enrolled in Shang Han Lun course: $175 off, as the first three modules of the series are the same as the first three in the Circle of Life. ($1025 total, can cumulate with early bird special).
Repeating auditor (no credits): $500
Cancellation policy: full refund if cancelled within 24 hours after registration. 50% refund if cancelled within 5 days. No refunds will be given after 5 days.
SYLLABUS:
Class 1: Tenets of Classical Chinese Medicine
3.5 CEUs category 1/PDAs, CAB provider #1005, NCCAOM provider #1134
Cost and cancellation policy above
This class introduces the students to classical Chinese medicine and its relationship to a greater understanding of the cosmos and time keeping, and how this relationship determines proper diagnosis and treatment. Classical Chinese herbalism, especially that of the Shang Han Za Bing Lun and Tang Ye Jing, can be understood by grasping the essence of the 4 directions, 5 phases and 6 conformations, and the correspondences which tie them to a patient’s symptoms and the directional actions of the herbs. The class will explore these notions in detail, as a preparation for subsequent classes.
Learning objectives:
• Students will understand the relationship of health and disease to time and cardinal directions
• Students will learn the meaning of the 4 directions according to the Nei Jing
• Students will learn the meaning of the 5 Phases according to the Nei Jing
• Students will understand 6 Conformation theory and Biao Ben Zhong Qi
• Students will understand the nature of Qi and Ying and the merging of Yin and Yang to create Fire and Water
Class 2: Flavors and the Universe - Part 1
3.5 CEUs category 1/PDAs, CAB provider #1005, NCCAOM provider #1134
Cost and cancellation policy above
This class presents the 5 flavors as they are exposed in the Nei Jing, their cosmological correspondences, and the classification of the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing. Students will learn the art of combining flavors to achieve certain therapeutic movements within the patient, and how to match herbs to a patient’s particular constitution or pathological picture. We will study in detail the first 10 archetypal herbs of the Tang Ye Jing, giving examples of their various uses in formulae, thus giving an introduction to the art of composing formulae.
Learning objectives:
• Students will understand flavors as movements of Qi
• Students will become familiar with the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing
• Students will understand how to combine flavors to achieve a certain therapeutic result
• Students will learn the first 10 of the 25 archetypal herbs of the Tang Ye Jing and their uses
• Students will understand how classical formula architecture works
• Students will understand the difference between cosmological/archetypal formulae and therapeutic prescription
Class 3: Flavors and the Universe - Part 2
3.5 CEUs category 1/PDAs, CAB provider #1005, NCCAOM provider #1134
Cost and cancellation policy above
This class continues to present the 5 flavors as they are exposed in the Nei Jing, their cosmological correspondences, and the classification of the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing. Students will learn the art of combining flavors to achieve certain therapeutic movements within the patient, and how to match herbs to a patient’s particular constitution or pathological picture. We will study in detail the next and final 15 archetypal herbs of the Tang Ye Jing, giving examples of how their various uses in formulae, thus giving an introduction to the art of composing formulae.
Learning objectives:
Class 4: Formulae of the Tang Ye Jing ~ Part 1
3.5 CEUs category 1/PDAs, CAB provider #1005, NCCAOM provider #1134
Cost and cancellation policy above
Students will be introduced to Tao Hong Jing’s version of the lost Tang Ye Jing. We will start with its history, and begin in-depth study of all of its chapters and formulae. We will analyze each formula and discuss its therapeutic indications. In this class we will study the Two Dawn and Six Spirits formulae, as well as start studying the Minor and Major Organ Supplementing and Draining formulae (to be continued in the next class). We will look at the whole corpus of formulae in the Tang Ye Jing as a cyclical whole, and consider the latter as a metaphor for elemental processes and the passing of time through a year, or a life cycle. Each formula relates to a constellation or quadrant in the sky. As such, the Tang Ye Jing’s formulae are a beautiful template of life on this Earth, and are an important tool of Daoist study. Because they get to the very fabric of life, they are also highly effective medicines when prescribed in harmony with the right diagnosis.
Learning objectives:
• Students will learn the history of the lost Tang Ye Jing and how it affected the reliability of the composition of its formulae; this will provide perspective on therapeutic freedom in the art of prescription writing
• Students will understand the physiological and cosmological meaning of Dawn, and how to manipulate physiology using the 4 Dawn formulae
• Students will learn about the 6 Spirit Constellations which relate to the 6 Conformations: the Blue Dragon, the White Tiger, the Red Bird, the Dark Warrior, the Yellow Unicorn, and the Flying Serpent decoctions
• Students will analyze the composition and related symptoms of the 6 Spirit formulae
• After the study of formulae using the number 6, students will begin the study of the 5 Organ formulae
Class 5: Formulae of the Tang Ye Jing ~ Part 2
3.5 CEUs category 1/PDAs, CAB provider #1005, NCCAOM provider #1134
Cost and cancellation policy above
It is the sequel to the previous class, Formulae of the Tang Ye Jing ~ Part 1. In this class, we will continue to analyze the composition and the related symptomology of the Minor and Major 5 Organ Draining and Supplementing formulae, followed by the Formulae of Consumptive Damage of the 5 Organs, Formulae to disperse the 5 Organs, and Life-Saving Formulae to Rescue from Evil Strike and Sudden Death. As we analyze the formulae and symptoms for each of them, a more precise understanding of the organs will emerge, which will bring into therapeutic focus the cosmological correspondences previously discussed.
Learning objectives:
• Students will learn the Minor and Major Organ draining and supplementing formulae
• Students will lean to use the Taiyang/Shaoyin, Jueyin/Yangming, and Shaoyang/Taiyin axes to drain or supplement
• Students will expand their knowledge of the classical functions of the 5 organs
• Students will refine their formula analysis skills
• Students will learn to see physiology as a microcosm of the Universe, and equate pathology with the need to return to right timing, and to use herb flavors and directions to that end
Class 6: Classical Physiology of Pregnancy
3.5 CEUs category 1/PDAs, CAB provider #1005, NCCAOM provider #1134
Cost and cancellation policy above
This class is a presentation of the creation of life and the physiology of pregnancy as they are described in the Tai Chan Shu and the Mai Jing. The growth of the baby during the 10 lunar months of gestation follows a quicker rhythm than the mother’s change and development during the same span of time, and the intersection of their unique beings into a dyad is one of the great mysteries of life. We will examine the difference between the mother’s energetic cycles and the baby’s, through the detailed study of each of the 10 lunar months of gestation and their relation to the 6 Conformations. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of blood, and how to use the right side of the TaiJi circle to achieve the merging of yang into yin so as to engender it and foster abundant nourishment for mother and baby.
Learning Objectives:
• Students will become acquainted with the 10 lunar months of gestation and their associated channels
• Students will learn about fetal development from a classical perspective
• Students will understand the processes undergone by the mother in terms of the 6 Conformations
• Students will understand the intersection of fetal and maternal life via blood
• Students will grasp the importance of using right side of the circle methods to bolster pregnancy
Class 7: Classical Pathology of Pregnancy
3.5 CEUs category 1/PDAs, CAB provider #1005, NCCAOM provider #1134
Cost and cancellation policy above
After reviewing the classical physiology of pregnancy in the previous class, we will now turn to pathology. This class will present the various ailments of pregnancy and their symptoms, differential diagnosis and herbal treatment from a classical perspective. We will follow a loosely chronological order, starting with the beginning of pregnancy and ending just before labor, which will be covered in the next class. Herbal safety and proper diagnosis using the 6 Conformation system and the 10 lunar months principles will be emphasized.
Learning objectives:
• Students will become familiarized with common ailments of pregnancy
• Students will become acquainted with the possible differential diagnoses for each
• Students will learn treatment for each pathology, drawing from classical sources (Jin Gui Yao Lue, Tang Ye Jing, Shang Han Lun, Sun Simiao)
• Students will learn how to recognize red flags and when to refer out
• Students will learn to integrate treatment with Western medicine when applicable
Class 8: Pathology of Birth, Postpartum, and Lactation
3.5 CEUs category 1/PDAs, CAB provider #1005, NCCAOM provider #1134
Cost and cancellation policy above
This class is the continuation of the previous; it presents the common pathologies of the intrapartum and postpartum periods from the perspective of the classics, including stalled labor, back labor, retained placenta, tears, exhaustion, shock, excessive bleeding, proper expelling of the lochia, lactation issues, general recovery and mental emotional issues. For each pathology, possible differential diagnoses will be explored, as well as their associated treatments drawing from the Shang Han Za Bing Lun, Tang Ye Jing, and Qian Jin Fang. We will examine our role as Chinese medical practitioners in the birth room and beyond. Newborn care in the immediate postpartum period will also be covered, including how to treat infants with herbs either directly or via the mother’s milk.
Learning Objectives:
• Students will become familiar with the common pathologies of birth and postpartum
• Students will become acquainted with the possible differential diagnoses for each
• Students will learn treatment for each pathology, drawing from classical sources (Jin Gui Yao Lue, Tang Ye Jing, Shang Han Lun, Sun Simiao)
• Students will learn how to recognize red flags and when to refer out
• Students will learn the rudiments of herbal newborn care, especially via the mother’s milk
Class 9: The Jin Gui Yao Lue Chapters Clause by Clause
3.5 CEUs category 1/PDAs, CAB provider #1005, NCCAOM provider #1134
Cost and cancellation policy above
In this class we will go through the Pregnancy and Postpartum chapters of the Jin Gui Yao Lue (chapters 20 and 21 respectively), and analyze each clause and their relevancy in modern clinical practice, often drawing on case studies. Comparative formula analysis will be emphasized, so as to engender precise understanding of the applications of formulae.
Learning objectives:
• Students will understand the meaning of each clause in chapters 20 and 21 of the Jin Gui Yao Lue
• Students will understand the uses and applications of the formulae therein
• Students will be introduced to uses of these formulae in contexts other than obstetrics
• Students will deepen their understanding of blood as the vessel of ministerial fire
• Students will deepen their familiarity with the process of comparative formula analysis
Class 10: Case Studies for the First and Second Trimesters
3.5 CEUs category 1/PDAs, CAB provider #1005, NCCAOM provider #1134
Cost and cancellation policy above
This class is entirely devoted to the study of case studies from Genevieve Le Goff’s practice, focusing on the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. We will analyze patients’ signs and symptoms, formulae, and discuss outcomes for each case. The cases are chosen in such a way that they illustrate the various differential diagnosis case scenarios discussed in the previous pathology classes, and the use of classical formulae in modern clinical practice.
Class 11: End of Pregnancy and Birth Case Studies
3.5 CEUs category 1/PDAs, CAB provider #1005, NCCAOM provider #1134
Cost and cancellation policy above
This class is entirely devoted to case studies of the end of pregnancy in the period leading up to the birth, and the birth itself. We will look at many different scenarios from normal labor to postdates, pre-eclampsia, stalled labor of various etiologies, back labor, malpresentation, etc. For each case study, we will analyze symptoms and formulae, emphasizing safety and integration with the OB or Midwife. We will compare similar cases to one another, in order to refine precise differential diagnosis skills. Birth stories will be shared with the dual purpose of sharpening clinical skill and acquiring the humility necessary for the safe practice of this kind of work.
Class 12: Postpartum Case Studies
3.5 CEUs category 1/PDAs, CAB provider #1005, NCCAOM provider #1134
Cost and cancellation policy above
This class will present case studies of the postpartum period. Various lactation issues will be presented (insufficient lactation, engorgement, cracked nipples, mastitis, etc). Recovery of energy, blood, and healing of physical trauma will be illustrated. We will also delve into emotional and mental well-being after birth, and their relationships to blood and Yang. Edema and postpartum pre-eclampsia will be discussed in detail, as well as the treatment of newborns via the mother’s milk, especially in cases of colic. The postpartum period is crucial in determining the future well-being of the mother, with consequences as far reaching as her subsequent menstrual health and menopause. The well-being of the mother also affects her ability to rear the child and help it thrive. With all this in mind, these case studies serve to illustrate what a positive impact classical herbal treatment can have on the rest of both mother and child’s lives.
Learning objectives for case studies classes (#9, 10 and 11):
• Students will see how the principles discussed in previous classes are applied in modern practice
• Students will refine comparative analysis skills, both in the realm of symptoms and formulae
• Students will learn the impact of correct dosage in outcome
• Students will get to see the breadth of scope of certain formulae, seeing them used in very different contexts with equally good results
• Students will be given examples of how to integrate herbal treatment with modern obstetrical practice, and of when to refer out
Class 13: Closing Thoughts on the Circle of Life
3.5 CEUs category 1/PDAs, CAB provider #1005, NCCAOM provider #1134
Cost and cancellation policy above
In this class we will address any special topics that were not previously covered, such as the safe use of aconite, and ancient Chinese lore surrounding the placenta. The bulk of the class will be spent on discussing case studies that the students will have submitted ahead of time via the course discussion forum. We will analyze each case and discuss possible treatment strategies for each. Some time will be devoted at the end of class to discuss any pre-approved special topics brought up in the course of the program, that students want further clarification on.
Learning objectives:
• Students will learn how placenta disposal related to cosmological understanding in ancient China
• Students will further engage in case and formula analysis through the presentation of their own cases
• Students will demonstrate ability to apply the concepts discussed in the 11 previous classes
• Students will get a chance to get clarification on any topics they feel unsure about
• Students will leave with a clear vision of how classical Chinese medicine relates to the Cosmos, and how to refine this esoteric understanding into sharp, accurate and effective clinical skills
For more information, please email [email protected] or call (415)250-8508.
Class 1: Tenets of Classical Chinese Medicine
3.5 CEUs category 1/PDAs, CAB provider #1005, NCCAOM provider #1134
Cost and cancellation policy above
This class introduces the students to classical Chinese medicine and its relationship to a greater understanding of the cosmos and time keeping, and how this relationship determines proper diagnosis and treatment. Classical Chinese herbalism, especially that of the Shang Han Za Bing Lun and Tang Ye Jing, can be understood by grasping the essence of the 4 directions, 5 phases and 6 conformations, and the correspondences which tie them to a patient’s symptoms and the directional actions of the herbs. The class will explore these notions in detail, as a preparation for subsequent classes.
Learning objectives:
• Students will understand the relationship of health and disease to time and cardinal directions
• Students will learn the meaning of the 4 directions according to the Nei Jing
• Students will learn the meaning of the 5 Phases according to the Nei Jing
• Students will understand 6 Conformation theory and Biao Ben Zhong Qi
• Students will understand the nature of Qi and Ying and the merging of Yin and Yang to create Fire and Water
Class 2: Flavors and the Universe - Part 1
3.5 CEUs category 1/PDAs, CAB provider #1005, NCCAOM provider #1134
Cost and cancellation policy above
This class presents the 5 flavors as they are exposed in the Nei Jing, their cosmological correspondences, and the classification of the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing. Students will learn the art of combining flavors to achieve certain therapeutic movements within the patient, and how to match herbs to a patient’s particular constitution or pathological picture. We will study in detail the first 10 archetypal herbs of the Tang Ye Jing, giving examples of their various uses in formulae, thus giving an introduction to the art of composing formulae.
Learning objectives:
• Students will understand flavors as movements of Qi
• Students will become familiar with the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing
• Students will understand how to combine flavors to achieve a certain therapeutic result
• Students will learn the first 10 of the 25 archetypal herbs of the Tang Ye Jing and their uses
• Students will understand how classical formula architecture works
• Students will understand the difference between cosmological/archetypal formulae and therapeutic prescription
Class 3: Flavors and the Universe - Part 2
3.5 CEUs category 1/PDAs, CAB provider #1005, NCCAOM provider #1134
Cost and cancellation policy above
This class continues to present the 5 flavors as they are exposed in the Nei Jing, their cosmological correspondences, and the classification of the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing. Students will learn the art of combining flavors to achieve certain therapeutic movements within the patient, and how to match herbs to a patient’s particular constitution or pathological picture. We will study in detail the next and final 15 archetypal herbs of the Tang Ye Jing, giving examples of how their various uses in formulae, thus giving an introduction to the art of composing formulae.
Learning objectives:
- Students will understand flavors as movements of Qi
- Students will become familiar with the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing
- Students will understand how to combine flavors to achieve a certain therapeutic result
- Students will learn the remainder of 25 archetypal herbs of the Tang Ye Jing and their uses
- Students will understand how classical formula architecture works
- Students will understand the difference between cosmological/archetypal formulae and therapeutic prescription
Class 4: Formulae of the Tang Ye Jing ~ Part 1
3.5 CEUs category 1/PDAs, CAB provider #1005, NCCAOM provider #1134
Cost and cancellation policy above
Students will be introduced to Tao Hong Jing’s version of the lost Tang Ye Jing. We will start with its history, and begin in-depth study of all of its chapters and formulae. We will analyze each formula and discuss its therapeutic indications. In this class we will study the Two Dawn and Six Spirits formulae, as well as start studying the Minor and Major Organ Supplementing and Draining formulae (to be continued in the next class). We will look at the whole corpus of formulae in the Tang Ye Jing as a cyclical whole, and consider the latter as a metaphor for elemental processes and the passing of time through a year, or a life cycle. Each formula relates to a constellation or quadrant in the sky. As such, the Tang Ye Jing’s formulae are a beautiful template of life on this Earth, and are an important tool of Daoist study. Because they get to the very fabric of life, they are also highly effective medicines when prescribed in harmony with the right diagnosis.
Learning objectives:
• Students will learn the history of the lost Tang Ye Jing and how it affected the reliability of the composition of its formulae; this will provide perspective on therapeutic freedom in the art of prescription writing
• Students will understand the physiological and cosmological meaning of Dawn, and how to manipulate physiology using the 4 Dawn formulae
• Students will learn about the 6 Spirit Constellations which relate to the 6 Conformations: the Blue Dragon, the White Tiger, the Red Bird, the Dark Warrior, the Yellow Unicorn, and the Flying Serpent decoctions
• Students will analyze the composition and related symptoms of the 6 Spirit formulae
• After the study of formulae using the number 6, students will begin the study of the 5 Organ formulae
Class 5: Formulae of the Tang Ye Jing ~ Part 2
3.5 CEUs category 1/PDAs, CAB provider #1005, NCCAOM provider #1134
Cost and cancellation policy above
It is the sequel to the previous class, Formulae of the Tang Ye Jing ~ Part 1. In this class, we will continue to analyze the composition and the related symptomology of the Minor and Major 5 Organ Draining and Supplementing formulae, followed by the Formulae of Consumptive Damage of the 5 Organs, Formulae to disperse the 5 Organs, and Life-Saving Formulae to Rescue from Evil Strike and Sudden Death. As we analyze the formulae and symptoms for each of them, a more precise understanding of the organs will emerge, which will bring into therapeutic focus the cosmological correspondences previously discussed.
Learning objectives:
• Students will learn the Minor and Major Organ draining and supplementing formulae
• Students will lean to use the Taiyang/Shaoyin, Jueyin/Yangming, and Shaoyang/Taiyin axes to drain or supplement
• Students will expand their knowledge of the classical functions of the 5 organs
• Students will refine their formula analysis skills
• Students will learn to see physiology as a microcosm of the Universe, and equate pathology with the need to return to right timing, and to use herb flavors and directions to that end
Class 6: Classical Physiology of Pregnancy
3.5 CEUs category 1/PDAs, CAB provider #1005, NCCAOM provider #1134
Cost and cancellation policy above
This class is a presentation of the creation of life and the physiology of pregnancy as they are described in the Tai Chan Shu and the Mai Jing. The growth of the baby during the 10 lunar months of gestation follows a quicker rhythm than the mother’s change and development during the same span of time, and the intersection of their unique beings into a dyad is one of the great mysteries of life. We will examine the difference between the mother’s energetic cycles and the baby’s, through the detailed study of each of the 10 lunar months of gestation and their relation to the 6 Conformations. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of blood, and how to use the right side of the TaiJi circle to achieve the merging of yang into yin so as to engender it and foster abundant nourishment for mother and baby.
Learning Objectives:
• Students will become acquainted with the 10 lunar months of gestation and their associated channels
• Students will learn about fetal development from a classical perspective
• Students will understand the processes undergone by the mother in terms of the 6 Conformations
• Students will understand the intersection of fetal and maternal life via blood
• Students will grasp the importance of using right side of the circle methods to bolster pregnancy
Class 7: Classical Pathology of Pregnancy
3.5 CEUs category 1/PDAs, CAB provider #1005, NCCAOM provider #1134
Cost and cancellation policy above
After reviewing the classical physiology of pregnancy in the previous class, we will now turn to pathology. This class will present the various ailments of pregnancy and their symptoms, differential diagnosis and herbal treatment from a classical perspective. We will follow a loosely chronological order, starting with the beginning of pregnancy and ending just before labor, which will be covered in the next class. Herbal safety and proper diagnosis using the 6 Conformation system and the 10 lunar months principles will be emphasized.
Learning objectives:
• Students will become familiarized with common ailments of pregnancy
• Students will become acquainted with the possible differential diagnoses for each
• Students will learn treatment for each pathology, drawing from classical sources (Jin Gui Yao Lue, Tang Ye Jing, Shang Han Lun, Sun Simiao)
• Students will learn how to recognize red flags and when to refer out
• Students will learn to integrate treatment with Western medicine when applicable
Class 8: Pathology of Birth, Postpartum, and Lactation
3.5 CEUs category 1/PDAs, CAB provider #1005, NCCAOM provider #1134
Cost and cancellation policy above
This class is the continuation of the previous; it presents the common pathologies of the intrapartum and postpartum periods from the perspective of the classics, including stalled labor, back labor, retained placenta, tears, exhaustion, shock, excessive bleeding, proper expelling of the lochia, lactation issues, general recovery and mental emotional issues. For each pathology, possible differential diagnoses will be explored, as well as their associated treatments drawing from the Shang Han Za Bing Lun, Tang Ye Jing, and Qian Jin Fang. We will examine our role as Chinese medical practitioners in the birth room and beyond. Newborn care in the immediate postpartum period will also be covered, including how to treat infants with herbs either directly or via the mother’s milk.
Learning Objectives:
• Students will become familiar with the common pathologies of birth and postpartum
• Students will become acquainted with the possible differential diagnoses for each
• Students will learn treatment for each pathology, drawing from classical sources (Jin Gui Yao Lue, Tang Ye Jing, Shang Han Lun, Sun Simiao)
• Students will learn how to recognize red flags and when to refer out
• Students will learn the rudiments of herbal newborn care, especially via the mother’s milk
Class 9: The Jin Gui Yao Lue Chapters Clause by Clause
3.5 CEUs category 1/PDAs, CAB provider #1005, NCCAOM provider #1134
Cost and cancellation policy above
In this class we will go through the Pregnancy and Postpartum chapters of the Jin Gui Yao Lue (chapters 20 and 21 respectively), and analyze each clause and their relevancy in modern clinical practice, often drawing on case studies. Comparative formula analysis will be emphasized, so as to engender precise understanding of the applications of formulae.
Learning objectives:
• Students will understand the meaning of each clause in chapters 20 and 21 of the Jin Gui Yao Lue
• Students will understand the uses and applications of the formulae therein
• Students will be introduced to uses of these formulae in contexts other than obstetrics
• Students will deepen their understanding of blood as the vessel of ministerial fire
• Students will deepen their familiarity with the process of comparative formula analysis
Class 10: Case Studies for the First and Second Trimesters
3.5 CEUs category 1/PDAs, CAB provider #1005, NCCAOM provider #1134
Cost and cancellation policy above
This class is entirely devoted to the study of case studies from Genevieve Le Goff’s practice, focusing on the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. We will analyze patients’ signs and symptoms, formulae, and discuss outcomes for each case. The cases are chosen in such a way that they illustrate the various differential diagnosis case scenarios discussed in the previous pathology classes, and the use of classical formulae in modern clinical practice.
Class 11: End of Pregnancy and Birth Case Studies
3.5 CEUs category 1/PDAs, CAB provider #1005, NCCAOM provider #1134
Cost and cancellation policy above
This class is entirely devoted to case studies of the end of pregnancy in the period leading up to the birth, and the birth itself. We will look at many different scenarios from normal labor to postdates, pre-eclampsia, stalled labor of various etiologies, back labor, malpresentation, etc. For each case study, we will analyze symptoms and formulae, emphasizing safety and integration with the OB or Midwife. We will compare similar cases to one another, in order to refine precise differential diagnosis skills. Birth stories will be shared with the dual purpose of sharpening clinical skill and acquiring the humility necessary for the safe practice of this kind of work.
Class 12: Postpartum Case Studies
3.5 CEUs category 1/PDAs, CAB provider #1005, NCCAOM provider #1134
Cost and cancellation policy above
This class will present case studies of the postpartum period. Various lactation issues will be presented (insufficient lactation, engorgement, cracked nipples, mastitis, etc). Recovery of energy, blood, and healing of physical trauma will be illustrated. We will also delve into emotional and mental well-being after birth, and their relationships to blood and Yang. Edema and postpartum pre-eclampsia will be discussed in detail, as well as the treatment of newborns via the mother’s milk, especially in cases of colic. The postpartum period is crucial in determining the future well-being of the mother, with consequences as far reaching as her subsequent menstrual health and menopause. The well-being of the mother also affects her ability to rear the child and help it thrive. With all this in mind, these case studies serve to illustrate what a positive impact classical herbal treatment can have on the rest of both mother and child’s lives.
Learning objectives for case studies classes (#9, 10 and 11):
• Students will see how the principles discussed in previous classes are applied in modern practice
• Students will refine comparative analysis skills, both in the realm of symptoms and formulae
• Students will learn the impact of correct dosage in outcome
• Students will get to see the breadth of scope of certain formulae, seeing them used in very different contexts with equally good results
• Students will be given examples of how to integrate herbal treatment with modern obstetrical practice, and of when to refer out
Class 13: Closing Thoughts on the Circle of Life
3.5 CEUs category 1/PDAs, CAB provider #1005, NCCAOM provider #1134
Cost and cancellation policy above
In this class we will address any special topics that were not previously covered, such as the safe use of aconite, and ancient Chinese lore surrounding the placenta. The bulk of the class will be spent on discussing case studies that the students will have submitted ahead of time via the course discussion forum. We will analyze each case and discuss possible treatment strategies for each. Some time will be devoted at the end of class to discuss any pre-approved special topics brought up in the course of the program, that students want further clarification on.
Learning objectives:
• Students will learn how placenta disposal related to cosmological understanding in ancient China
• Students will further engage in case and formula analysis through the presentation of their own cases
• Students will demonstrate ability to apply the concepts discussed in the 11 previous classes
• Students will get a chance to get clarification on any topics they feel unsure about
• Students will leave with a clear vision of how classical Chinese medicine relates to the Cosmos, and how to refine this esoteric understanding into sharp, accurate and effective clinical skills
For more information, please email [email protected] or call (415)250-8508.