Bridging Ancient Wisdom and Modern Practice
In today’s healthcare landscape, traditional East Asian medicine faces a fascinating paradox. As we embrace scientific literature and evidence-based approaches in our training, we must ask: Are we unintentionally distancing ourselves from the profound philosophical foundations that give these healing traditions their power? This workshop explores how the rich ethical frameworks of Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism remain vitally relevant to contemporary healing practices.
The Ethical Dimensions of Traditional Healing
East Asian medicine is not merely a collection of techniques but embodies complete systems of ethics and ways of understanding the human experience. We’ll examine how the Daoist principles of non-interference (wu wei) and harmony with nature, Buddhist concepts of compassion and interdependence, and Confucian values of relationship and social harmony create a holistic ethical framework for the healer-patient relationship. These philosophies don’t just inform treatment strategies—they shape our understanding of what healing truly is.
Transformation Through Reconnection
When a patient experiences reconnection with their own Qi during treatment, something remarkable happens—a space opens for transformation and self-knowing. This workshop explores how to cultivate and honor this sacred healing space. We’ll discuss practical approaches to guide patients toward self-care and preventative practices rooted in these philosophical traditions, empowering them to become active participants in their healing journey rather than passive recipients of care.
Understanding Disease Through East Asian Philosophical Lenses
What constitutes disease in the East Asian philosophical tradition? If health represents balance and harmony—homeostasis and equilibrium—then disease emerges from disharmony and disconnection. We’ll explore the traditional understanding of illness as disruptions in the natural flow of Qi, imbalances between yin and yang, and disharmonies among the Five Elements. More importantly, we’ll discuss how these frameworks offer insights into psychological, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of health often overlooked in conventional medicine.
Who Should Attend
This workshop is ideal for practitioners of traditional East Asian medicine modalities, healthcare professionals interested in integrative approaches, and students of East Asian philosophy seeking to understand its practical applications in healing contexts. Participants will gain a deeper appreciation for how philosophical principles can enhance clinical practice and patient outcomes while reconnecting with the spiritual heart of these ancient healing traditions.
Join us for this thought-provoking exploration of how ancient wisdom continues to illuminate our understanding of healing, ethics, and the nature of health and disease in the modern world.
Blended Learning Experience
This transformative workshop offers a blend of self-paced online learning followed by an immersive in-person experience.
Participants will first engage with foundational concepts through pre-recorded video content delivered via our learning management system. This content explores the ethical frameworks of Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism as they relate to healing practices.
This preparatory phase allows for deep reflection on complex philosophical principles before joining together for a powerful day of connected learning and collaborative exploration. Participants are expected to complete all online components before attending the in-person workshop, ensuring everyone arrives with a shared foundation of knowledge ready for deeper exploration.
Our one-day in-person workshop creates a sacred space for collective dialogue, experiential learning, and the co-creation of knowledge. Building upon the concepts introduced online, we’ll engage in:
- Facilitated discussions exploring how philosophical principles inform our understanding of disease as disruptions in natural harmony
- Contemplative practices that cultivate the practitioner’s capacity to hold space for transformation
- Collaborative exploration of how to integrate these ethical frameworks into modern clinical settings
Join us for this unique opportunity to explore how ancient wisdom traditions continue to illuminate our understanding of healing, ethics, and the nature of health and disease in the modern world.
Who Should Attend
This workshop is ideal for practitioners of traditional East Asian medicine modalities, healthcare professionals interested in integrative approaches, and students of East Asian philosophy seeking to understand its practical applications in healing contexts.
About the presenter
Angela is a clinician, teacher, avid walker and gardener. She has run a multimodality practice, treating a wide range of health conditions for 40 years. Angela has post-graduate qualifications in Health Sciences and Philosophy and brings together a broad range of knowledge. She is a senior supervising Acupuncturist in the Southern School of Natural Therapies Clinic and teaches Philosophy and Ethics at the Australian Shiatsu College.
Cost
| Full price | Early Bird * | |
|---|---|---|
| Practitioner | 450 | 400 |
| Student | 400 | 360 |
Deposit
$100 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your place.
Refund policy
The deposit of $100 is non-refundable.
Balance refundable if cancellation is given 14 days before workshop commencement.
Location
AKA Studios 130C Nicholson St, East Brunswick
Pre-requisite
Shiatsu practitioner, student, bodyworker, or movement therapist.
CPD&E points
10
Should you have any questions about this workshop please contact the college directly.