Presents
The Five Element Acupuncture Symposium 2012
Continuing the Journey™
October 5 - 7, 2012

"In a word... Awesome!"

The fourth annual Symposium, featuring another stellar cast of senior practitioners,
teachers, and leaders in the field, received rave reviews from participants.
We were all grateful for our beautiful, spacious, waterfront facility, the Marina del Rey Hotel.

The Invitation Videos, Speaker Bios, Topics, and Symposium Schedule are archived here.

Click here for more on the success on this year's Sympsosium

Click here to assure your invite to next year's
Five Element Acupuncture Symposium 2013

Symposium 2012 Participants

Here are a few video invitations from presenters at this year's Symposium:


Lynn Schwartz


Chuck Graham


David Goodell


Linda Simons

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Symposium Speakers and Topics

Niki Bilton, M.Ac. (UK), MBAcC., L.Ac.
Niki Bilton holds 3 degrees from the College of Traditional Acupuncture (UK) and served on its faculty from 1988-1999, holding the positions of Clinical Supervisor, Advanced Training Tutor, and Dean of Post Graduate Studies. Niki has offered/taught seminars and clinical events throughout Europe and North America since 1995. She is President of Tending Shen Inc., providing treatment and graduate education, and Academic Dean of Ongiara College of Acupuncture and Moxabustion, Ontario, Canada

Topic - The Diagnostics of Odor and Sound
This presentation will review the five odors and five sounds of the Five Elements, using olfactory experiences in dedicated tents and auditory experiences of live readings/voices. Participants will deepen their practical grasp of the examination skills through experiential exercises and discussion. The aim of the session is to encourage mastery of smelling, listening, and observing, leading to greater efficacy of clinical diagnosis and treatment assessment.


Roy Capellaro, P.T.
Roy began working within the healing traditions in 1973. Licensed as a physical therapist in 1978, he has been on the vanguard of his profession working within the realm of subtle energetic forces interfacing the body's structure. He is a certified practitioner/teacher of Zero Balancing and is skilled in manual based healing systems including Cranial Fluid Dynamics, CranioSacral Therapy, osteopathic and advanced manual therapeutics. He is a long time student and teacher of T'ai Chi Chuan.

Topic - Zero Balancing and Acupuncture: Secrets of the Skeleton
This presentation will be a journey into deeper significance of our bones and how Zero Balancing supports our health and healing. We will cover the inner anatomy of bone, some physiology and a bit of physics, bringing science to the energetic experience. There will be an exposé on how these forces act to increase bone density. The skeletal forces' involvement in the making of chi will be addressed as well as the function of the skeleton on our psyche. Experientially, we will learn ways to sense these forces and how to amplify them via our hands and the use of posture. We will discuss how Zero Balancing can be useful in support of acupuncture treatment and when and how to refer patients to a Zero Balancer or other touch-based or movement practitioner that utilizes these amplified fields in their workings.


Stephen "Tuna" Flores, L.Ac., M.Ac., Dipl. Ac.
Stephen "Tuna" Flores, graduated from the Worsley Institute of Classical Acupuncture (WICA III), received his Advanced Lic.Ac at the College of Traditional Acupuncture (UK) and his Masters from The Academy for Five Element Acupuncture. He was a member of MAP™ and is a Worsley certified Advanced Teacher. He trained as a shaman and practices "Plant Spirit Medicine." He has worked extensively with traditional healers in Fiji, the Amazon, Mexico, and the American West. Stephen has been teaching and practicing with wife Pat Gorman in New York for nearly 20 years.

Pat Gorman, M.Ac., B.Ac., (UK), L.Ac., Dipl. Ac
Pat Gorman holds degrees from the College of Traditional Acupuncture (UK) and Tai Sophia, was a member of MAP™, and is a Worsley certified Advanced Teacher. Her work with the Classics includes study with Pere Larre, Jeffrey Yuen, and Giovanni Macciocia. She has been teaching T'ai Chi for over 40 years and is the developer of Roots and Branches Five Element Qi Gong. Pat is a legacy holder of Yang style T'ai Chi for the T'ai Chi Foundation.

Topic - Mastering Pulse Diagnosis: From Volumes to Qualities
Using new approaches to pulse reading, including "T'ai Chi Touch'" group and triangular feedback, developed over our 15 years of teaching Five Element skills, we will explore what it takes to master this skill. Many of us received little pulse feedback in our undergraduate studies, and often got very different readings than our teachers and classmates. In this presentation, we will explore subtle, yet simple, clear techniques like: "becoming the drum," "compartative finger sensitivity," and "gathering, not hunting" which will give us consistent readings on which we can rely. We'll work with feedback on pressure, receptivity of touch, and T'ai Chi techniques of listening with the whole body. We'll look at Plus, Check, and Minus in a new way, learning to feel the appropriate and inappropriate qualities that can accompany each element. Our goal is a transformation we can bring home and continue to develop,expanding our abilities to accurately comprehend both volumes and quality.

Topic - Roots and Branches Five Element Qi Gong: Medical Massages and Deep Energy Repair,
Medical Qi Gong is classically within the acupuncturist's scope of practice. Roots & Branches FIve Element Qi Gong is based on the work of Professor Cheng Man Ching, Master of the Five Excellences, including Classical Five Element Chinese Medicine. It has been specifically designed by Tai Chi legacy holder and acupuncturist Pat Gorman to complement Five Element treatments. Qi Gong is an excellent form of patient homework, sustaining our treatments until the patient returns. This year, our Qi Gong programs will focus on 5 powerful and gentle self-massages for healing, calming, and invigorating the Qi of Body and Spirit. We will also teach several postures for the restoration of deep reserves, especially effective for overcoming long-term illness.


Ian Florian, M.Ac. (US), M.Ac. (UK), L.Ac., Dipl. Ac., PhD.
Ian has practiced acupuncture for 29 years, in the US and UK. She holds two M.Ac. degrees: from Traditional Acupuncture Institute (MD) and the second, representing 5 years of post-graduate study with J.R. Worsley, from the College of Traditional Acupuncture (UK), and a PhD. (Holistic Nutrition) from Clayton College. She served as teaching faculty at CTA (UK) and AFEA (FL), has taught at Tai Sophia, and is co-principal of Harmony Gate Advanced Training (NC).

Topic - The Essential Role of Nutrition in the Practice of Five Element Acupuncture
Based upon the principles of nutrition as described in the Nei Jing, as well as modern research, this workshop will demonstrate how holistic nutrition can play an essential role in our body/mind/spirit approach to the healing process, and fit seamlessly into the system of Five Element acupuncture. Beyond simple dietary prescriptions, we will explore food energetics, based on the Five Elements, to address such issues as energy blocks, deficiencies, and excesses.


David Goodell, L.Ac., M.Ac., Ac.M.(UK), Dipl. Ac.
David Goodell holds a B.I.S. in Chinese Civilization from George Mason University, earned his Certificate of Competence from the Traditional Acupuncture Institute, Columbia MD in 1985, B.Ac. from CTA (UK), M.Ac. from TAI in 1990, and his Ac. M. (UK) from J.R. Worsley in 1996. He organized and attended numerous clinical seminars with J.R. and J.B. Worsley between 1987 and 2008, was a clinical supervisor at TAI from 1995-97, and attended and helped coach participants in the Worsleys' Master Apprentice Program™ from 1997-2007. David was a founding member and President of the Worsley Institute from 1998-2008. He studied meditation with Arica Institute from 1974 to the present, and studied and taught Tai Chi with The School of T'ai Chi Chuan from 1976 to the present.

Topic - Health Beyond Treatment: Cultivating Your Chi
We know that our treatment can help bring about a better balance within our patients, often helping overcome even serious and/or longstanding illness that other systems of healing were not able to resolve. More often than not, however, the way we live each day makes the difference between regaining our health or becoming progressively more ill. There is no question that it determines how well we feel over the long run. This presentation will help dispel some of the cultural myths we harbor and examine how we can help ourselves and our patients more closely follow the Tao, cultivate chi, and gain the full measure of health and well being that is every person's birthright.


Chuck Graham, M.Ac., L.Ac., Dipl. Ac.
Chuck Graham is a licensed acupuncturist in the State of Maryland since 2001. He holds the degree of Master of Acupuncture from the Academy for Five Element Acupuncture in Gainesville, FL where he is also the Academic Dean. He asserts, "The traditional Five Element acupuncturist must understand each client as a whole being with unique aspects." It is this inherent dimension of caring that brought Chuck to Classical Five Element Acupuncture.

Master of Ceremonies


Neil R. Gumenick, M.Ac. (UK), L.Ac., Dipl. Ac.
Neil Gumenick is Founder and Director of The Institute of Classical Five-Element Acupuncture Inc. and has been in practice since 1981. He holds a Masters degree from the College of Traditional Acupuncture (UK) and an Advanced Teacher certification awarded by Professor J.R. Worsley. Neil has written and taught extensively on the spirits of every point. He was a 10-year participant and senior coach in MAP™, has taught at numerous Oriental medical schools and symposia internationally, and is a longstanding columnist for Acupuncture Today.

Topic - Patients on Video: Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
In this presentation, Neil will present a variety of patients on video from his clinical practice. You will see excerpts of each patient interview prior to treatment. Following the video, Neil will lead a discussion on each patient, including the Causative Factor, points that were treated, with what moxa and/or needle actions, and with an explanation of each point used and the rationale of the order of points chosen. Following this, you will see the patient post-treatment on video with a discussion of suggested future treatments.


Eliot Ivanhoe, M.D., M.Ac. (UK)
Eliot Ivanhoe received his M.D. from NYU School of Medicine, completed a residency in neurology at NYU-Bellevue Medical Center, and studied Classical Five Element Acupuncture with J.R. Worsley in Leamington Spa. These studies continued in the Master Apprentice Program™ with J.R. and Judy Worsley until 2005. Eliot is a certified Advanced Teacher of CF-EA, a practitioner of the Arica way of enlightenment, and serves on the faculty of The Institute of Classical Five-Element Acupuncture Inc.

Topic - Breaking the Cycle of Suffering: A Deeper Look at Recurring Entry/Exit Blocks
We all treat entry-exit blocks, but also - in some patients - we treat them repeatedly. The situation of recurring entry-exit blocks can be frustrating, disheartening, or embittering for patient and practitioner alike. We will explore the nature of entry-blocks in an effort to better understand what they are, what they mean, why they recur, and what - if anything - is to be done about them.


Khosrow Khalighi, M.Ac. (UK), L.Ac., Dipl. Ac.
Founder and Director of Five Element Trainings, Khosrow Khalighi has been practicing and teaching Classical Five Element Acupuncture since 1979. He has trained a number of leading medical practitioners who have incorporated this approach into their practices. He has lectured and taught extensively in medical and acupuncture schools such as the University of California Medical School in San Francisco, Traditional Acupuncture Institute in Maryland, Worsley Institute, American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and California Institute of Integral Studies.

Topic - Causative Factor: A View Beyond Right and Wrong
In Five Element Acupuncture, "Causative Factor" is the primary path to diagnosis. How we as practitioners are trained to understand this method of diagnosis influences our ability to recognize the elemental core of each person's imbalance. In this presentation alternative approaches are proposed and practiced to help us increase our proficiency in discerning CF and consequently cultivating our mastery of this art of diagnosis.


Lynn Schwartz, M.Ac., L.Ac., Dipl. Ac.
Lynn Schwartz has devoted the past two decades of her life to practicing and teaching the healing art of Classical 5-Element Acupuncture . She graduated TAI (Tai Sophia) in 1994 and has been a faculty member and creator of the ethics curriculum. She participated in the MAP II Program with Professor JR Worsley from 2002 to 2005. Lynn is the co-founder of the Classical Acupuncture and Healing Center where she leads PDA courses.

Topic - Ethics: A Necessity in the Transformational Art of 5-Element Acupuncture
We are routinely presented with ethical dilemmas and one must know how to navigate the sometimes confusing situations and shades of gray that may arise. We will explore how to address ethical issues by classroom lecture, role playing exercises, and discussing actual questions that have arisen from your practices. We will make distinctions between our morality as distinct from ethics and have an opportunity to examine our own belief systems.


Linda Simons, M.Ac., L.Ac., R.N.
Linda Simons is Program Manager for the Post-Master's Certificate in Woman's Holistic Health program and an esteemed member of the teaching faculty at Tai Sophia Institute in Maryland. Her professional career has been dedicated to woman's health issues. As a practicing acupuncturist, registered nurse in obstetrics, and a seasoned instructor, she brings more than 30 years of practical experience and broad knowledge to her work.

Topic - The Practical Application of the Laws of Nature in Women's Health.
One of the greatest gifts Five Element Acupuncture gives us is an understanding of Nature of which we are all a part. In this session we will explore the practical application of the Laws of Nature in women's health. We will learn how the simple utilization of these basic principles can create a profound experience of wellbeing and empowerment for patients who are motivated to become their own best practitioners.


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Continuing the Journey™
Symposium Schedule


Friday October 5, 2012


8:00AM - 8:30AM Registration

8:30AM - 9:00AM Welcome and Orientation
Neil R. Gumenick, M.Ac., (UK), L.Ac., Dipl. Ac., Director
David Goodell, L.Ac., M.Ac., Ac. M. (UK), Dipl. Ac., Symposium Co-Chair
Eliot Ivanhoe, M.D., M.Ac. (UK), Symposium Co-Chair
Chuck Graham, M.Ac., L.Ac., Dipl. Ac., Master of Ceremonies


9:00AM - 10:30AM Ethics: A Necessity in the Transformational Art of Five Element Acupuncture
Lynn Schwartz, M.Ac., L.Ac., Dipl. Ac.


10:30AM - 11:00AM Break

11:00AM - 12:30PM Causative Factor: A View Beyond Right and Wrong
Khosrow Khalighi, M.Ac. (UK), L.Ac.


12:30PM - 2:00PM Lunch

2:00PM - 3:30PM Mastering Pulse Diagnosis: From Volumes to Qualities
Stephen "Tuna" Flores, M.Ac., L.Ac., Dipl. Ac.
Pat Gorman, M.Ac., B.Ac. (UK), L.Ac., Dipl. Ac.


3:30PM - 4:00PM Break

4:00PM - 5:30PM Patients on Video: Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
Neil R. Gumenick


5:30PM Social: Marina del Rey Hotel Waterfront Bar and Grill


Saturday October 6, 2012


7:30AM - 8:45AM Roots and Branches 5 Element Qi Gong: Medical Massages and Deep Energy Repair
Stephen "Tuna" Flores and Pat Gorman


9:00AM - 11:00AM The Diagnostics of Odor and Sound
Niki Bilton, M.Ac. (UK), MBAcC, L.Ac.


11:00AM - 11:30AM Break

11:30AM - 12:30PM The Diagnostics of Odor and Sound (continued)
Niki Bilton


12:30PM - 2:00PM Lunch

2:00PM - 3:30PM The Practical Application of the Laws of Nature in Women's Health
Linda Simons, RN, M.Ac., L.Ac.


3:30PM - 4:00PM Break

4:00PM - 5:30PM Breaking the Cycle of Suffering: A Deeper Look at Recurring Entry/Exit Blocks
Eliot Ivanhoe


Sunday, October 7, 2012


7:30AM - 8:45AM Roots and Branches 5 Element Qi Gong (Part II)
Stephen "Tuna" Flores and Pat Gorman


9:00AM - 10:30AM Zero Balancing and Acupuncture: Secrets of the Skeleton
Roy Capellaro, P.T., Certified Practitioner/Teacher of Zero Balancing


10:30AM - 11:00 Break

11:00AM - 12:30PM Health Beyond Treatment: Cultivating Your Chi
David Goodell


12:30PM - 2:00PM Lunch

2:00PM - 3:30PM The Essential Role of Nutrition in the Practice of Five Element Acupuncture
Ian Florian, M.Ac. (UK), L.Ac., PhD.


3:30PM - 3:45PM Break

3:45PM - 5:15PM Practitioner Panel
Symposium Presenters

Participants will have opportunities to openly discuss, with senior practitioners and teachers, issues about which they have concerns or questions.

5:15PM - 5:30PM Closure
Chuck, David, Eliot, and Neil

Click here to assure your invite to next year's
Five Element Acupuncture Symposium 2013

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THE INSTITUTE OF CLASSICAL FIVE-ELEMENT ACUPUNCTURE INC.
2926 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica CA 90404-9900
www.5elements.com
(310) 453-2235