“David Ford has given me a most demonstrative lesson of love, truth, and the beauty of life. And with that a reconnection to nature that cultivates the importance of healing and harmony through shamanism.”
–Mary Huang

Multi-Day Wilderness Series
Awakening to the Elements Within with David Ford, L.Ac.

To truly understand how the 5-elements work in our clients and ourselves, we need to immerse ourselves in the elements. Through multi-day wilderness adventures, participants will deepen their appreciation for the natural world and its healing wisdom. Acupuncturists will enhance their understanding of how to clinically integrate the energetic dynamics of the elements in their work.

Facilitated by David Ford, L.Ac., we will explore the natural world through energetic practices, art, poetry, sharing with the community and personal reflection. Participants will experience the elements, the points, and a deep resonance with the natural world, heaven, earth and the Tao.

Alaska: Glacier Bay
From Gustavus, Alaska we will travel by boat to a 14 square-mile island at the mouth of Glacier Bay in Southeast Alaska. We will spend nine days in a cabin surrounded by rainforest, which we will explore by day. Many mornings we will be greeted by humpback whales feeding in the kelp bed in front of the house, followed by sea lions, otters and a variety of sea birds.

During our daily hikes and evening gatherings, we will deepen our understanding of the elements on a vibrational level. The power of the water will always be present, as the powerful tides of Southeast Alaska create deep movement. The trip will have ample opportunity for personal time, as well as gathering time to share our inspiration and learning. Returning home, your life will be infused with greater insight into the five elements. Healing professionals will discover new ways to apply this profound medicine to their clinical practice.

Course fee includes:

Alaska Backpacking: Wilderness Trips
We will explore a beautiful section of the Alakan wildreness. The emphasis of this journey will be deepening our relationship with the wilderness within us and outside us – and learning to tread softly and respectfully on it.

Two experienced wilderness guides (both of whom are also 5-element acupuncturists) will be helping you become proficient in safely living out of your backpack in the back-country. We will travel by foot and establish camps for 2-3 nights as we explore the spirit of the elements that surround us. Each of us will have an opportunity to share in the creation of community while sharing the fire’s warmth. We will bring this nourishment home, to infuse our lives. For healing professionals, this journey will deepen your appreciation of how to bring 5-elements into your clinical practice.
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Spirit of the Points Series
Each point has a name with spiritual, physical and emotional qualities. Spirit of the Points (SOP) intensives are designed to bring you experientially into the points and the medicine to expand your clinical approach to healing.

Spirit of the Points 1: Pericardium, Heart and Small Intestine Officials
This intensive will give you a foundation of knowledge about the essence of the major points on the meridians included in SOP1.

Spirit of the Points 2: San Jiao, Liver, and Gallbladder
In this intensive, David Ford continues with the illumination of the essence of points. Instruction will focus on expanding your clinical tools to promote greater healing in your clients.

Spirit of the Points 3: Lung, Intestine, and Kidney
In this intensive, David Ford continues with the illumination of the essence of points. Instruction will focus on expanding your clinical tools to promote greater healing in your clients.

Spirit of the Points 4: Bladder, Spleen, and Stomach
In this intensive, David Ford continues with the illumination of the essence of points.Instruction will focus on expanding your clinical tools to promote greater healing in your clients.

Five Element Series

5E-1: 5 Elements and Causative Factor Diagnosis
During these three days, David Ford will use slides, stories and theoretical concepts to introduce you to the 5E theoretical framework and CF diagnosis, including the 12 officials. This is the foundation from which to expand in future courses.

5E-2: Blocks to Wellness
(Prerequisite: 5E-1 or Wilderness Trip 1)
Blockages often lead to chronic long-term illness. With this fourday discovery will provide you the tools to accurately diagnose and treat blockages that prevent client wellness. During this four-day intensive, you will learn how to accurately diagnose and treat:

5E-3: Pulse Diagnosis
Prerequisite: 5E-2)
These three days will be spent focusing on experientially learning how to get the information you need from the pulse to make effective treatments. You will learn:

5E-4: Treatment Planning, Rapport Development, Clinical Concepts
(Prerequisite: 5E-3)
Learn how to integrate this series effectively in a clinical setting.  During this four-day intensive, you will: