Course Overview

In Chinese Medicine, which works with Energy or QI, the Five Element paradigm is used to help balance the body, mind & spirit. This segment will focus on the Water Element, and acupuncture and acupressure strategies. It is geared towards Acupuncturists and Bodyworkers, though anyone interested in learning hands-on ways to balance yourself or your pets, is welcome.

Massage is well known amongst humans for it’s health benefits including, but not limited to relaxation, stress reduction and pain relief. It is also effectively used as part of postpartum support, as it benefits hormones, reduces swelling, enhances sleep and improves lactation. Several sessions often help the human or animal mother return to her pre-pregnant self. The skills I honed practicing bodywork with humans, easily transfer to dogs and cats.

Acupressure, a hands-on massage, is used to stimulate acu-points and move energy in the body. The end goal is to help the animal heal and rebalance itself. I call it Acudog Wellness: a service I provide onsite and online for dogs of all ages.

Course Objectives

• Using the Five Element paradigm, we will begin by exploring the Water Element, Yin and Yang, and the energetics of the Kidneys and Bladder Meridians. A five element canine chart will be a handout, to examine the various elemental associations.
• Since the Water Element is associated with Reproduction and Birth, a Case study of a post-partum dog will be presented. Using touch and acupressure points, students will learn how to do a post-partum canine massage.
• A second Case study : a quadriplegic man and his service dog, will be presented. Students will study the Governing Vessel and Conception vessel, as well as visualization, to help the patient practice a meditation of the "Microcosmic Orbit".
• Join in for a short "Do-In" session. "Do-In" is a Japanese self massage that wakes up the whole body . Students will use their hands, palms, and fingers to move energy, use massage and specific acupressure points on themselves.
• By the end of the two hour session: students will be able to connect with their own body and that of a dogs' through touch and acupressure and be able to use the kidney, bladder and extraordinary meridians to balance energy.

Course Outline

0 hrs - 30 minWater makes up about 75% of the human and animal body. We will be focused on the Water Element and its associations.

30 min - 1 hrsA hands-on case study of a post-partum dog will be presented with illustrations and a gentle "Hara" massage. 30 minutes.

1 hrs - 1.5 hrsA second case study or approach to treating a paralysed man his service dog, the extraordinary vessels and visualization.

1.5 hrs - 2 hrsA Japanese meridian massage and summary of uses of energy medicine: acupressure massage, yin/yang and the elements.