The Earth element asks: what truly nourishes you?
This two-hour workshop is part of a five-session series marking the turning of each season through the lens of Chinese medicine and Daoist philosophy. Each gathering weaves together teaching, qigong movement, journaling, and guided meditation.
Late Summer belongs to the Earth element — the season of the Spleen and Stomach, of nourishment, digestion, and the capacity to receive. In Chinese medicine, late summer is a pivot point, the center that holds the wheel of the other four seasons. The Earth element governs how we take in what life offers: food, thought, experience, relationship. When Earth is balanced, we feel grounded, at ease in our bodies, capable of genuine care without losing ourselves. When it's dysregulated, we see worry that circles without resolution, an inability to feel satisfied, or a compulsive need to tend to others at the expense of self.
Participants will explore:
The Five Element framework and late summer's place within it
Spleen and Stomach: the officials of transformation and transportation
The relationship between worry, nourishment, and the capacity to receive
Qigong movement practices for the Earth meridian
Guided reflection and journaling on what sustains you
Seasonal recommendations for food, sleep, and daily rhythm
This workshop is accessible to anyone curious about their own nature and the rhythms of the natural world. No background in Chinese medicine required.
What To Bring
A journal
Comfy clothes
Water
Admission:
$40.00
About Your Facilitator
Christopher Miller, L.Ac. has practiced acupuncture and Daoist medicine in Portland since 2012, with a focus on Alchemical Acupuncture. He practices at Miller Acupuncture in Portland's Pearl District, integrating Medical Qigong, bodywork, and rites of passage work into his clinical and teaching practice. He holds a Master's in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Five Branches University with additional training at the Academy of Classical Oriental Sciences in Nelson, BC and clinical training in China, and has been teaching Daoist wisdom workshops since 2018.