With the five elements in the changing seasons — Five-Element Days

When we live with the energy of the seasons, it promotes health and well-being. The old Daoists knew this. The five-element system of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) originated from their observations of nature. This systematises the interplay between nature, the human body and the soul, in order to obtain knowledge of psychological and physical well-being.

These five-element days have fascinated me since I first experienced them, 25 years ago, in my medical training for Chinese medicine. For me, they have become tangible and perceivable. As a result, I can live with them in everyday life, put them into practice, and integrate them. These basic principles of the fiveelement doctrine, which are ultimately quite straightforward and comprehensible, have become a very helpful part of my life. These basic principles are also found in Daodejing, the oldest book of wisdom of the Daoist doctrine, which also explores the complex intertwining of the basic principles of nature and our human nature. There will be small meditations on individual verses and images from the Daodejing as part of the five-element days.

I am really looking forward to returning to the Element Days, after a long break. The seminar room at the front in the Bamboo Garden Practice will be adorned with the respective element, and experienced with all our senses. Additionally, our food on this day will be coordinated. The focus will be on the sensory exercises and experiences. No prior knowledge is required.

Training takes the form of an annual group, but visitors can be accommodated on individual days, if there are still vacancies. This course will also be continued in the coming year. Therefore, individual element days can also be prepared. The five-element experiences are held as open evenings and as an entry into the element days.

The number of participants is limited.

Introduction Evenings and Seminar Days

Order of events

Individual evenings and days are organised and coordinated according to the seasons, which can be experienced individually or as a series. If the elementary courses have all been fully attended, there is a fiveelement training certificate. The courses are suitable for beginners and advanced.

Course content

All units consist of a combination of theory and practice, sensual-emotional experiences and physical exercises. We become familiar with the meridians and organs, and with the respective elements to which they belong, and learn about acupressure and stretching exercises. Through dream travels to the individual aspects and emotions of the elements, we connect among other things with supporting spirit animals and plants. Emotional and mental exercises such as counseling (heart-to-heart communication), Qi Gong, bodywork and rituals deepen our experience. You will get diet tips appropriate to the time of year, and guidance for mindfulness exercises that are easy to integrate into everyday life. In this way, you can find and deepen your own connection to the elements. In addition, there will also be plenty of useful tips from my many years of practical work, for example simple massages or acupressure points to strengthen the immune system, reduce pain, promote restful sleep, or attain emotional fulfilment.

You can find up-to-date articles on the individual elements according to the Chinese Healing here:

Wood
The wooden element: freedom also needs clear boundaries

Fire
The fire element - nourish vitality and the energy of the heart energy

Earth
The earth element in the changing of the 5 seasons

Metal
The metal element - Strengthen inner knowledge and intuition

Water
The water element. The source of courage and life-force

Costs

Introductory evening 25 €
Element-Days 90 €
Early booking discount of 20% for the entire course until 5 February.

Course location: The Bamboo Garden Practice, Diedenhoferstr.4, 10405 Berlin

Course dates

Registration is requested.

2020

  • Fire elements evening on July 2nd 2020, 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Fire elements day on July 7th 2020, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Earth elements evening on August 27th 2020, 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Earth elements day on August 29th 2020, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Metal elements evening on October 30th 2020, 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Metal elements day on October 31st 2020, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

2021

  • Water elements evening on January 29th 2021, 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Water elements day on January 30th 2021, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Wood elements evening on March 19th 2021, 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Wood elements day on March 20th 2021, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.