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We had an exam in Biology this session covering the subjects of
mitosis, cell anatomy--stuff I learned way back in time but didn't mind
reviewing. I like it best when we discuss the science in relation
to eastern medicine energetics, which we don't much do in class, the
bioloby, chemistry, and physics classes being proscribed by law as
strictly basic science. Nonetheless, this session when our
physics instructor didn't show up for class after our bioloby exam;
Matt , who is a physics buff, reviewed the physics notes with us and we
discussed them in some relation to eastern energetics theory.
LaGrange theory in relation to the yuan points, etc.
Next month we have a midterm exam in Energetic Anatomy, my favorite
class. This session we covered 8 extraordinary meridians and
curious points: conception vessel, governors vessel, chong, dai
mai, yin quiao, yang quiao, yin wei and yang wei. It's awesome to
understand finally the basis for these meridians. When I had the
classes with Van Gui and Tran years ago I didn't take the time to
really study what they talked about; and when I studied for the
acupuncture board exams, I learned just enough to get through the tests
because it was all so new and because I didn't have to understand it
all in order to pass the tests. I don't mean to denigrate the
value of taking and passing the tests, however--for many people it's a
starting point, as it was for me. That's why our lives are
consumed by practice. I'm grateful to have this chance to learn
it and to be tested on a deeper level of understanding.
Next month we'll be tested on Tai Qi as well--the test will
consist of us performing the form to our understanding, one by one in
front of everyone. We've gotten to the second brush knee after
the first crane's beak formation and I feel like I'm getting it down,
although as one observer noted, it is rough. I'd really like to
find a group here in Chapel Hill area to practice with. Debbie C.
who went with me to the mountains this time, and Sam C. a 4th year
student, may be people to practice with.
Homework consists of: continuing to take pulses, observe at
Lori's clinic as well as reviewing the general pathway of several
meridians (Lu, LI, He, SI); and study for Energetic Anatomy test (notes
from Smart Path), and complete the Physics take-home test (obstensibly
having read the physics notes beforehand). We also need to read
through the Tao de Ching 16-30; I'm to summarize #21 in one word.
Interesting. So far I like #8 the best and am thinking to post it
in my office, possibly with copies behind it for patients to take home
if they wish.
As well as this, I'm in charge of my condominium association's website so I need to get that up and running.
Not too much...
David revived me with a walk Friday night after I got back from class,
and we saw a movie: `Running with Scissors` which I wouldn't
recommend to anyone who's interested in trusting their
psychiatrist. I spent yesterday driving the kids to their various
activities: Ashley, Cory and I observed a few debates at her
school's debate club contest and had lunch. Afterwards, she had
Art's Conservatory class in Carrbor; Cory and I walked all over
Carrboro, went to the Totally Free market and got some artwork and
comic books. Then Cory's last soccer game; good way to end--they
won. Then back to pick Ashley up and take her back to the school
to watch Meredith's debate and spent the night with her...Next to a
birthday party at Cory's friend's farm--complete with go carts,
fireworks, lots of food and the movie `Blair Witch Project`. When
Cory came home this morning, he went right to sleep, I'm told.
Meanwhile, Ashley and I were off shopping. Today's dedicated
otherwise to house stuff: planting flowers, cooking, helping with
homework. Next week is very busy--lots of patients M-W, and the
kids are off school Thursday and Friday. This might be a good
time to practice our new song: `My Pancreas` by Weird Al`.
Next weekend we're going camping with a bunch of folks at Vista
Point. I like life when it's busy with interesting stuff.
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Posted by LisaOm at
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School is great. We had two exams this week: Energetic
Anatomy (wuxing, liu qi, san jiao energetics); and Chemistry/Organic
Chemistry. We learned more Tai Qi--through the `old man playing
guitar` portion. We're learning the extraordinary
meridians this week and starting to learn points. I like the pace
we're going--not too fast so that people feel at ease and the ideas
sink in. We have another new student who appears to be set to
stay with the class. If she has a good background in the basic
sciences, I think she'll be able to learn the energetics material
pretty easily, even being 2 months behind.
2 women stayed in the condo this time with me which worked well
space-wise; it's good to have people to study with a little, too.
I planted mums and pansies in the front, in lieu of studying I must
admit. Had to do a little bit of back-porch raccoon-in-the trash
pick-up as well. The trials of homeownership.
I talked to the kids and David every day (3 days). Ashley is
enjoying high-school and loves her friends--ran the mile in 7"17
secs. , Cory is Mr. Social himself and very disciplined about his
schoolwork. David took a day off work in order to be able to
handle the schedule of the kids getting home before he does.
Hopefully we'll have some help in the near future, or something; he
doesn't have enough vacation for that 3x every month. Frankly, I
think he just enjoyed having the time off, in the house all by himself
as much as he 'needed` to do it. Can't say I blame him--I enjoy
the space to myself as well, even if it is full of studies.
The leaves are changing more rapidly in the mountains this
time--glorious colors! As a family we'll all be going up there
next week for a condo association meeting (another aspect of home
ownership) and it will be more lovely yet. It's not even cold,
either. Hopefully we'll get to do something fun, too. For
me, just walking around the beautiful outdoors is fun.
Homework for this month includes: continuing with the pulse
journal and observing at Lori's; studying energetics and
biology...taking photos for the photo journal project upcoming.
Til next time.
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Posted by LisaOm at
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| I returned from school at JTS last Friday night. The traveling is easy-- route 421 off 40 into Boone is wide and fast, the leaves are just getting ready to turn. Note to self: next month give it 3.5 hours to make the 170 mile trip and ascertain the location of Dunkin Donuts--a fresh cup of coffee would be nice.
Downtown Boone/ASU is just 8 miles from JTS which makes going to lunch easy. Lots of good restaurants: Earth Fair, Angelicas...and it's a great place to walk and window shop. I went there several times with my weekend housemate Michelle.
Treatment at the clinic costs us students $10. This visit my two year 4 clinicians determined that my wei qi was activated because I was on the verge of getting sick which was accurate and they may have determined this from what I told them, too. Apparently my kidney pulse was slippery as well, and my tongue's coat indicated that my condition is chronic rather than acute. Pretty cool from my standpoint. Under the auspices of the clinic director, they determined a treatment protocol, located points which were checked, then inserted 4 needles on each side at the following points: LI4, LU7, SP3, Liv3. The treatment was concise and afterwards I felt it had been effectivie and energizing.
Classes involve a lot of sitting and taking notes. Great material: expounding on the wuxing, liu qi, san jiao energetics. We discussed Porkert's views on the world, saw a movie on Einstein, learned about the associations of the elements, re-did the wuxing, practiced taking pulses and clarifying levels/depths/meanings etc..
Homework: gather seasonal photos for the photo essay on the seasons and the elements that's due end of year, determine a location and dates/times to observe in a clinic and start that process, re-create 10x the charts mentioned above (wuxing, liu qi, SJ), prepare for the organic chemistry test next month, take pulses and record in the pulse journal. I'm fortunate in the regard that I have a steady stream of people whose pulses I can take so getting pulses on 100 different people isn't too difficult, plus I've been taking pulses for a long time.
Tai qi 2 hours a week during classes is a nice break, and I enjoy practicing it, too. We've learned the first few steps of the yang style short form--after the formation of the first `beak` and the turn after that.
I arrived home in Chapel Hill Friday night and David and I took a long walk up Franklin Street that night. The next day, my son and I took a long bike ride to do some shopping, that evening we walked up Franklin St. again, the next day we bike road again. I got very sore from all that post-sitting activity, but needed it. Ashley got together with her musician buddies and that was fun to hear about. I'm also glad she's doing `Journey in Faith` at church.
all for now.
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Posted by LisaOm at
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My webpage is: www.acupractic-healing.com
The webpage of the ski lodge in Banner Elk next to our condo on Seven Devils mountain is www.hawksnest-resort.com
The webpage associated with renting our condo directly from us is: www.easyrentaweek.com
The webpage of Jung Tao School of classical chinese medicine is: www.jungtao.com
These webpages are provided because they're intereszting and because I can't post photos on this blog. |
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Posted by LisaOm at
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| It's pretty intense--from day 1 we started learning the basics of oriental medicine. I arrived 1.5 hrs. late because I took Rt. 321, the windy one-laned route with lots of construction on it rather than 421, the more direct, two-laned road. The school day goes from 9 am to 6, 7 or 8 pm each day, however, and I'm told we'll be expounding daily on the basics we were taught the first few days. There's lots to memorize. I've seen a lot of it before, having taken the NCCAOM exam in 2000; I look forward to appreciating the background of it now.
The JTS itself is located in a beautiful old stone building; it has great wood floors and long hallways that you can get lost in.
There's a Tai Chi classroom in the center where we learn one of the forms as part of our curriculum. We spent 1.5 hrs. Monday night learning the first few steps of this form.
Our class has about 18 people, mostly women, almost half left-handers. Many students are massage therapists. I'm the only DC this year, although in years past we're told there was a surgeon from Russia, several DCs, etc.
Another student and I took and passed the a/p exam between Tuesday and Wednesday and so will be allowed to skip that part of the curriculum the first year, leaving Saturday and Sunday clear. There's a new instructor for a/p after this week, too.
Another student shared my condo with me this week. I'm hoping to rent the condo out to JTS students as exclusively as possible during my four years here. The condo, located to Ski Hawksnest in Seven Devils/ Banner Elk, is 15 miles from the school, has a great view from the back deck to do Tai Chi practice, plenty of room for 4 students at a time, space for students to store a few items from month to month, and a comparable price to houses in the area that rent to students and with all the comforts of home: kitchen, laundry, etc.. I'd like to hang some posters in the in the condo that reflect our teachings at JTS, as well. |
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Posted by LisaOm at
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