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Electives Department
One of the unique attributes of the master’s program at Emperor’s College is its broad range of elective classes, a feature not common to most acupuncture schools. Throughout the curriculum, students are encouraged to explore the wide array of Oriental medical thought such as classical Chinese medicine, five element theory, Korean acupuncture and others.
Each of the elective courses provides students the opportunity to master advanced and specialized clinical skills and nurtures versatility of the practitioner by learning how to draw from a diverse understanding of Eastern medical concepts that integrate the mind, body, and spirit. Electives in meditation, and Tai Chi?… Emperor’s College is the only college in the region to teach multiple styles of –Yang, Sun, Hao and Qi Gong.
| Title | Course Descriptions |
| Art of Meditation | Study the fundamental philosophy, form and practice of meditation. Learn how to foster increased awareness of internal qi, yin and yang organs, and the meridian system. |
| Medical Qi Gong II | Medical Qi Gong II continues to teach students how to apply qi gong techniques to their daily lives and in a clinical setting. |
| Jade Goddess Qi Gong | Jade Goddess qi gong is a beautiful and flowing form of movement therapy that addresses the special needs of physical and emotional health. Although designed for people with female biology, Jade Goddess qi gong can benefit anyone who suffers from circulation problems, seeks enhanced energy, and is interested in learning about and/or treating people with female anatomy and its pertaining health conditions. |
| Flying Phoenix Qi Gong | Flying Phoenix Qi Gong is an extraordinary medical chi kung (qigong) system that promotes healing and rejuvenation, bolsters immunity- thereby extending longevity, and ultimately imparts profound healing ability in the practitioner. |
| Korean Six Energies | This elective course describes the theory and practice of Sa Am acupuncture, a unique Korean style traditional acupuncture system. [Wǔ yùn liù qì] is one of the important concept described in Neijing. More than 1/4 of Neijing, Sù wèn contents are about Wǔ yùn liù qì. This course will discuss Wǔ yùn, which has direct relationship with Five Phases Theory, and its relationship with the liù qì, Six Energies. Then how the concepts of Wǔ yùn liù qì are applied to Korean Acupuncture theory developments throughout the history of Korean Traditional Medicine |
| Korean Four Needle Technique | This course covers Korean four-needle acupuncture techniques which emphasize the interrelationship between the Five Elements. Students will be introduced to the different theories and diagnostic methods developed in Korea. |
| Korean Constitutional Acupuncture | Korean Acupuncture and Practice is based on understanding the constitutional energy traits of the patient which are considered as a main element in Sa Am and the basic Four Constitutions. |
| Korean Hand Acupuncture | This course will delve into the Korean DASARI hand acupuncture system developed by Jae Hoon Kim. Students will learn to diagnose and treat patients based on this renowned microsystem. |
| Korean Five Elements | Based upon the 17th century protocol created by the Sa Am Korean Monk's insights on the Nan Jing (Book of Difficulties), the Korean Five Elements class will demonstrate the use of the antique points in this tradition |
| Korean 8 Constitutions | This Korean elective course presents the theories and clinical approaches based upon the classical Korean understanding and history of one’s constitution, and the 8 aspects of one’s constitutional foundations. |
| Advanced Moxibustion | In this course, students will delve into the clinical practice of moxibustion, learning different moxibustion techniques and examining methods of moxibustion use in a clinical setting. |
| Esoteric Acupuncture | Esoteric acupuncture combines the Chinese five element theory with the Hindu chakra system. In-depth discussions on acupuncture points as they relate to each system and detailed presentations of the theory behind esoteric shaoyin treatments. |
| Adv. Clinical Nutrition | This course presents advanced concepts and applications of Western clinical nutrition for the practicing acupuncturist. |
| Traditional Herbal Preparations | In each class, students will learn how to make a different form of medicine with a combination of ancient ways and modern labor-saving equipment. |
| Plant Medicines of the West | This class will cover the main principles and philosophy of Western herbology, including adaptogens and tonifications. Students will learn the criteria for choosing specific herbs and receive scientific data and present research on Western herbal medicines. |
| East/West Spices and Plants | This course will cover herbs and spices used all along the Silk Road; From Europe through Asia. Students will learn the therapeutic properties of herbs and spices commonly used both in cooking and for medicinal purposes in various cultural traditions. |
| Jin Gui Yao Lue | Jin Kui Yao Lue was a classic in traditional Chinese medicine. It mainly discussed the disease mechanisms, pattern identifications and treatment principles of formula of 44 miscellaneous diseases. |
| Advanced Pharmacopeia | This review course provides an in-depth study of the functions, indications and clinical applications of single herbs, with a particular emphasis on the 250 "A" herbs emphasized by the California Acupuncture Board as important to the practice of Oriental medicine. |
| Chinese Medical Classics | This class investigates classical texts from a variety of authors and time periods so students can broaden their knowledge of the classical application of Oriental medical thought. |
| Eight Extra Ordinary Vessels | The course is a comprehensive study of the eight extraordinary channels. The history, theory, pathways, points, and clinical applications are presented. Emphasis is placed on clinical applications. |
| Advanced Diagnosis | This course presents the information required to make accurate and reasonable diagnoses in difficult and complicated cases. This information will be fully grounded in practical hands-on experience. |
| Tai Chi II-Yang Style | Building on the introductory Yang style class, Tai Chi II-Yang Style further focuses on the history, theory and practice of tai chi chuan and will complete the classical Yang style long form set. |
| Tai Chi II – Sun Style | This course expands the knowledge and skills of Tai Chi I- Sun Style presenting advanced movements and theory. |
| Advanced Anatomy & Physiology | This course offers a broad-spectrum study of human anatomy and physiology to serve as a review for second, third and fourth year students. |
| Ayurvedic Nutrition | In this module students will be introduced to Ayurveda – the sience and art of conscious living. Students will learn about general concepts of Ahaara Dravyas (diet substances) in structuring a diet. |
| Tao te Ching | The Tao Te Ching/Daodejing (the Book of the Way and the Virtue) is a text that no practitioner of Chinese medicine can ignore. It is arguably the most important text of Daoism and its foundation. But beyond the Daoism itself, this book greatly shaped the Chinese approach to life, the vision of the human being as part of the cosmic life, and Chinese thought and the philosophy which form the basis of the medicine. |
| Sports Nutrition | Learn about many different diets and advantages and disadvantages as they relate to athletic performance, as well as the value of nutraceuticals in the field of performance and recovery. Learn about the power of lifestyle factors that can support the athlete in managing stress and handling overtraining. |
| Meridians Palpation | This course builds upon skills achieved in the introductory level Meridian and point location courses, through didactic and hands-on practice in palpation and location of meridian channels and acupuncture points of energy and their functions. |
| Shiatsu | An introductory elective exploring the practical methods and theories behind this Japanese style of body work and |
| Neigong | This elective introduces students to the art and practice of Neigong or “internal skill” through breath and movement methods, through both its mystical essence as well as the physics, physiology and biomechanics of the practices. |
| East/West Nutrition | This elective builds upon an understanding of Basic Nutrition, comparing and contrasting how each system of nutrition and food contribute to health at a macro and micro level of biology and function. |
| Mind Body Medicine | This class focuses on using all aspects of the human experience - physical, emotional, behavioral, cultural, sensorial, mental- in order to achieve long-lasting balance on all levels. It investigates, among other things, the effects of different ways of thinking, the impact of stress factors, and conditioning, and their relation to the immune system and the imbalance of the body and disease. Students will learn about and explore many age-old tools which have been used in various traditions to promote health on a holistic level: yoga, tai chi, meditation, chanting, relaxation, hypnosis, visual imagery, biofeedback, cognitive-behavioral therapies. Students will understand the modern scientific research that is beginning to explain the biochemical mechanisms behind these ancient modalities from various traditions. |
| Five Elements | This survey course will cover the various systems and philosophies of the “five elements” of wood, fire, earth, metal/air and water, through their historical and cultural origins, and how the Chinese and other cultures view the universe, nature, health, and one’s constitution through these elemental lenses. |
| Yang Style Tai Chi Sword | An extension of yang style tai chi and how these practices incorporate the introduction and safe use of sword practice to tai chi. |
| Anatomical Palpation | This course offers an opportunity for a more advancing level of palpation, sensing, location and identification practice, based upon the physical western anatomy and its structure and functions, for improvement in identifying and treating musculo-skeletal conditions. Structural Integration is a physical therapy technique used to promote and enhance the existing flow of Qi in the connective tissue. |
| Ayurvedic Health | In this elective, students will learn both the ancient history and modern science of Ayurveda, which began around 1500 BC as part of the Hindu tradition of health and medicine. The course will explore the constitutional foundations and basic tenets of Pitta, Vatta and Kapha, and the ideas about the preventative and curative aspects and methods of Ayurvedic approaches. |
| Mind Body Acupuncture | Through a more specific focus than the Mind Body Medicine class, this course will explore, through didactic and practical means, the nature and energetics of acupuncture and its function and effects on the neuro-bio-energetics of the mind body connection. |
| Physiological Basis for Acupuncture | This elective course dives deeper into the science and research available behind the physiological, biological and neurological mechanisms that describe how and why acupuncture works. Students can become more adept at translating acupuncture itself to the western medicine model and to your potential patients. |
| The Emotions in Classical Chinese Medicine | Based on the Chinese classical and medical texts, the class discusses the general vision of the emotions. From where they are surging; for what reason they start; how they are seen as movements of qi; how they disturb the regulation of life from the very inside; how they proceed to damage the health and to shorten life; how we can qualify and classify them, for instance according to the five phases or elements, and how we can treat. The role of the heart is described: it is the center of an individual and personal life; it is the place where spiritual, intellectual, mental, emotional aspects of life are unified and ruled. Each of the emotions is discussed in detail, showing how each may injure the organ it is related to and what is the mechanism for the symptoms and pathologies they cause; also, since all the relationships which exist between the various functions of the body may be involved, how an organ may be affected by various emotions and how an emotion may affect different organs. During the presentation, the Chinese characters for each of the emotions are explained, allowing a deeper understanding and a better approach of what they are in Chinese thought. |
| Environmental Toxicology | This course is designed to give students an overview of the most common environmental toxins that affect human health as well as the methods used in integrative practice to assist patients with safe and effective detoxification. Because this course is an elective, it will not be conducted in the “standard” course format. Instead, the course will be taught in a grand rounds type format using a combination of lecture, case studies, live Q&A, reverse teaching and more. |
| Acupuncture Point Names | This series looks at the Chinese names of points, using the Chinese characters to reach a deeper understanding of the point's function within the energetic framework of the body. Blending the rich poetic quality of the point names with their practical application, this lecture presents an in-depth study of the points into both the classical and medical Chinese literature. The quality of this lecture is the result of years of research in the Chinese classics as well as work and discussion with practitioners of Chinese medicine. The insight it provides will improve the clinical use of these points and deepen the understanding of their function. We will address all kinds of questions as: What is the origin of these names ?Are they reflecting a systematic vision of the world, the body as a microcosmos. Why can a point have several names? Are they all from the same period of time or from the same origin? Are they linked to a meridian from the beginning or only later? We will see what kind of relation between the point’s name and its location as well as its functions. How they are related to the human body, the cosmos, the architecture of cities and palaces, the heavenly bodies, the earthly features (rivers, mountains), the nature, the folklore, the rituals, and so on. |
| Yi Jing Medicine | This course provides students with analysis and synthesis of Yijing theory and its application to the practice of Chinese medicine. Students will be able to differentiate, compare, and contrast the eight gua and their correspondences, including yin-yang and five element relationships. Differentiate, compare, and contrast the 64 gua and their meanings. Differentiate, compare, contrast, and perform several Yijing divination techniques, including their medical interpretation. Discuss the history, development, and philosophy of the Yijing in regard to medicine. Discuss the relationship of Yijing and medicine. |
| Structural & Postural Integration | We will study basic fascia and structural anatomy, tissue layers, and their importance to change texture and shape of tissue, and various techniques for achieving the desired goal. This course will give the student the basic foundations of Structural Integration and hands on treatment for whole body. A deeper understanding of the functionality of connective tissue, where the Qi flows, is important to determine where the depth of stroke, weight to be leaned into to reach a specific depth, angles and choice of hands, fists, forearms and elbows to use appropriately, the duration of treatment, etc. Connective tissue anatomy lets us know the tools that are preferred to work with for desired results. Musculoskeletal anatomy allows us to look for asymmetries and corrections to be made to the physical structure of the patient. |
| Yang Shen Nourishing Life | Aging is part of life; but it can be normal or premature; it can be either a gentle decline with no serious unbalance or to start a succession of unbalances which trigger or aggravate a pathological condition. The Kidneys - and the fire of Mingmen - are basic in the process of aging; but emotions and psychology as well as the conduct of life play also an important role. We present how the classical texts (mainly Daoist texts before C.E.) consider the longevity and the art of become old without losing the quality of vitality. This art of nurturing life (yang sheng) is concerned with the various aspects of life, particularly adaptation to the moments of time and synchronicity with the season for action, food, activities and movements of the mind as well as of the body, ruling emotion and sexuality. Nurturing life is a true understand of Qi. Its principles result in good health, preventing diseases and longevity. Then we look how the classical medical texts - specially Suwen and Lingshu - see aging and how they describe the cycles of its coming and manifestation. We show how the organs preside over aging but also how aging can harm them. We study the effects on blood and qi, on the fluids and the different qi of the body. We examine some pathologies, some due to the organic decline caused by old age, some aggravated by it and developing complications which are characteristic of aging. For instance: phlegm, loss of memory, loss of sleep, somnolence, dementia, exhaustion. |
| Advanced Anatomical Palpation | This course offers a second advanced level advancing of practical skill development using palpation, sensing, location and identification practice, based upon the physical western anatomy and its structure and functions, for improvement in identifying and treating musculo-skeletal conditions. Structural Integration is a physical therapy technique used to promote and enhance the existing flow of Qi in the connective tissue. |
| Integrative Long Covid | The post-pandemic disease and economic burden of Long COVID is expected to reach at least 15 million cases. Integrative therapies including nutritional supplements, herbal compounds, and acupuncture can address the complex clinical needs of these patients. This course provides the practitioner with the clinical tools to respond holistically, and effectively, to the challenge of Long COVID. |
| Tonics, Adaptogens & Immunity | From ancient times to modern science, herbal formulas have been used to strengthen one's constitution. Learn how to choose specific herbs, teas, spices, and foods for the treatment of diseases and emotions. This course will introduce the principles and theories of Western Herbology, including the use of Adaptogens and Tonic Herbs that support immunity. Dive into the scientific data and present research on Western Herbal Medicines. |
