Five-Element Theory for Horses; Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water

Lesson 1
Introduction to the Five-Elements
Provides the historical context for the Five-Element Theory, explores the environmental roots of the elements as well as the creation and control cycles.

Lesson 2
The Wood Element
Provides an understanding of the Wood Element. Gives students a working knowledge of this element's responsibilities within the body, the parts of the body it governs, the time of year it influences, its predominant sense organ, color and smell. This understanding provides the student with tools to assess and determine which element is displaying an imbalance within the horse.

Lesson 3
The Fire Element
Provides an understanding of the Fire Element. Gives students a working knowledge of this element's responsibilities within the body, the parts of the body it governs, the time of year it influences, its predominant sense organ, color and smell. This understanding provides the student with tools to assess and determine which element is displaying an imbalance within the horse. Charts are provided for each meridian.

Lesson 4
The Earth Element
Provides an understanding of the Earth Element. Gives students a working knowledge of this element's responsibilities within the body, the parts of the body it governs, the time of year it influences, its predominant sense organ, color and smell.

Lesson 5
The Metal Element
Provides an understanding of the Metal Element. Gives students a working knowledge of this element's responsibilities within the body, the parts of the body it governs, the time of year it influences, its predominant sense organ, color and smell.

Lesson 6
The Water Element
Provides an understanding of the Water Element. Gives students a working knowledge of this element's responsibilities within the body, the parts of the body it governs, the time of year it influences, its predominant sense organ, color and smell. This understanding provides the student with tools to assess and determine which element is displaying an imbalance within the horse.

Lesson 7
The Five-Elements, Theory and Assessment
Provides an understanding of how to use your observation of the horse's presentation to determine patterns of harmony and disharmony. Use of the Correspondence Chart and Element information are combined to determine application activities.

Lesson 8
The Creation and Control Cycle of the Five-Elements
Provides students with an understanding of the two dynamic cycles of the Five-Elements, their laws of movement that both promote growth and define the boundaries of growth. Students learn how to use the creation and control cycles to best balance the horse.

Lesson 9
The Command Points
Students gain an understanding of the use of the 60 Command points and their ability to assist in maintaining the dynamic energetic balance of the horse. Creation and Control cycles are further discussed and excess and deficient conditions are detailed. Point selection formulas are presented for both of these situations.

There will be a two part exam at the completion of the course.

This course provides students with an in-depth description of the correspondences and officials of the five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. It discusses how the theory is applied to Chinese Medicine for both assessment and application purposes. Additionally, the course demonstrates a point selection technique that can be used during the "point work" segment of the acupressure application sequence.

Students will learn how to identify and distinguish element imbalances, patterns of harmony and disharmony and learn one of the most important acu-point selection plans to help energetically balance the horse.