Foundations Level I Mentorship Training
Curriculum
Explore the 2024/26 curriculum
The program is taught over 2 years, with seasonal breaks. The lecture content has been refined continually over 18 years of teaching this material. Breaks are comfortably built into the schedule to give students time for reflection and integration into their practice and lives. Mentorship and office hours are also offered during those times.
Study Block | Course Content |
|---|---|
AUTUMN 2024 SEMESTER |
|
| NNBM 101 Study Block #1 Introduction to Neijing Medicine | Begins the study of the Huangdi Neijing and Neijing Nature–Based Medicine. |
| NNBM 101 Study Block #2 History of Early China/Chinese Language | Discusses the history of Ancient China and the Ancient Chinese language. |
| NNBM 101 Study Block #3 Introduction to Classical Text Scholarship (CTA) | Discusses the practices of Classical Text Archeology (CTA) and classical text scholarship. |
| NNBM 101 Study Block #4 A History of the Neijing Text | Reviews of the history and development of the Neijing text. |
| NNBM 101 Study Block #5 Introduction to Neijing Classical Space-Time Theory | Discusses the basic theories and principles of Neijing space–time theory—the theoretical basis of Chinese medicine. |
| NNBM 101 Study Block #6 The Celestial Base Patterns: Part A | Discusses the basic patterns of the celestial heavens and the Universal Base Patterns (Part A) |
| NNBM 101 Study Block #7 The Celestial Base Patterns: Part B | Continues the discussion of the celestial heavens and the Universal Base Patterns (Part B) |
| NNBM 101 Study Block #8 The Terrestrial Local Patterns: Part A | Discusses the basic patterns of the natural world and the Terrestrial Local Patterns (Part A) |
| NNBM 101 Study Block #9 The Terrestrial Local Patterns: Part B | Continues the discussion of the celestial heavens and the Terrestrial Local Patterns (Part B) |
| NNBM 101 Study Block #10 Nature’s Loom: Axial and Radial Patterns | Discusses Nature’s axial and radial weaving patterns, the pattern design for nature and the human body. |
SPRING 2025 SEMESTER |
|
| NNBM 102 Study Block #11 Introduction to the Human Body | Introduces the study of the human body by describing its basic features and processes. |
| NNBM 102 Study Block #12 Structural Design of the Human Body | Discusses the basic architecture of the human body as created by the patterns of nature’s design. |
| NNBM 102 Study Block #13 Rivers and Watersheds | Discusses basic principles of the body’s watershed ecology and rivers. |
| NNBM 102 Study Block #14 The Primary Watersheds | Provides overview of the twelve major watersheds of the body, the ecological basis for human existence. |
| NNBM 102 Study Block #15 The Collateral Rivers | Discusses the collateral beds of the body and reviews the unique role they play in human health and illness. |
| NNBM 102 Study Block #16 The Zang Organs | Discusses the five zang organs and the central role they play human health and illness. |
| NNBM 102 Study Block #17 The Fu Organs | Discusses the six Fu organs and the central role they play in human digestion and nutrition. |
| NNBM 102 Study Block #18 Roots, Crowns, and Thatching Regions | Discusses the role of the primary and seasonal roots, upper crowns and thatching regions of the body. |
| NNBM 102 Study Block #19 Surface Caverns | Discusses the numerous surface caverns of the body, the later basis for the acupuncture point regions. |
| NNBM 102 Study Block #20 Sinews and Membranes | Discusses the connective tissue (musculoskeletal) body, and examines the critical role it plays in human health and illness. |
AUTUMN 2025 SEMESTER | |
| NNBM 103 Study Block #21 Shen | Introduces the essential concept of Shen, the primary determinant in human health and illness. |
| NNBM 103 Study Block #22 Introduction to Directional Medicine | Discusses the theories of directional breath medicine, the theoretical basis of Neijing Nature–Based Medicine. |
| NNBM 103 Study Block #23 The Primary Causes of Human Illness | Introduces the seven primary causes of human illness according to the theories of Neijing Nature–Based Medicine. |
| NNBM 103 Study Block #24 Disease Pathology: Obstruction Patterns | Discusses the basic pathological processes involved in the creation and maintenance of fixed–pattern (chronic) illnesses. |
| NNBM 103 Study Block #25 Introduction to Physical Diagnosis | Introduces the fundamental techniques of Neijing Nature–Based Medicine physical diagnosis. |
| NNBM 103 Study Block #26 Mai River Assessment: Part A | Introduces Neijing pulse diagnosis by discussing their basic techniques and seasonal assessments. |
| NNBM 103 Study Block #27 Mai River Assessment: Part B | Continues the discussion of Neijing pulse diagnosis with a discussion of Renying/Cunkou and Sanbu/Jiuhou pulse assessment. |
| NNBM 103 Study Block #28 Facial Diagnosis and Directional Colors | Discusses the practice of assessment through the examination of the directional colors and facial diagnosis. |
| NNBM 103 Study Block #29 The Nine Ancient Needles: Part A | Discusses the Neijing Nine Ancient Needles, their history and general principles. |
| NNBM 103 Study Block #30 The Nine Ancient Needles: Part B | Continues the discussion of the Neijing Nine Ancient Needles, their unique qualities and specific indications. |
| NNBM 103 Study Block #31 Neijing Traditional Needle Techniques: Part A | Introduces Neijing traditional needle techniques and discusses their background and general principles. |
| NNBM 103 Study Block #32 Neijing Traditional Needle Techniques: Part B | Continues the discussion of Neijing traditional needle techniques by discussion their unique qualities and specific indications. |
SPRING 2026 SEMESTER | |
| NNBM 104 Study Block #33 The Physician–Patient Relationship | Discusses the special qualities of the physician/patient relationship and the special role this plays in Neijing Nature–Based Medicine |
| NNBM 104 Study Block #34 The Medical Interview | Introduces the Neijing Nature–Based Medicine comprehensive medical history. |
| NNBM 104 Study Block #35 Clinical Decision Making | Introduces the techniques of Neijing Nature–Based Medicine clinical decision making by examining how a comprehensive plan is created. |
| NNBM 104 Study Block #36 Treatment of Guest–Host Diseases | Discusses the topic of Guest–Host Illnesses, including the areas of infectious disease and environmental pathogens. |
| NNBM 104 Study Block #37 Treatment of Emotional Diseases | Discusses the treatment of emotional illness according to the principles of Neijing Nature–Based Medicine. |
| NNBM 104 Study Block #38 Neijing Ancillary Therapies | Reviews ancillary Neijing techniques, including moxa therapy, medical ironing, external poultices, and daoyin. |
| NNBM 104 Study Block #39 The Medical Bazi | Introduces Medical Bazi forecasting; a traditional divination system used to assess yin yang cycles in the patient’s body. |
| NNBM 104 Study Block #40 Heaven and Earth Interactions | Discusses the Neijing understanding of heaven and earth interactions (i.e., the Wuyun Liuqi, or ‘five celestial turnings and six terrestrial qi’). |
| NNBM 104 Study Block #41 Climate Change Medicine | Discusses special aspects of practicing Neijing Nature–Based Medicine in times of climate change and environmental instability. |
| NNBM 104 Study Block #42 Clinic Management | Discusses basic aspects of practicing Neijing Nature–Based Medicine and running a clinical practice in the real world. |
Foundations Level I Training
Curriculum
Explore the 2024/26 curriculum
The program is taught over 2 years, with seasonal breaks. The lecture content has been refined continually over 18 years of teaching this material. Breaks are comfortably built into the schedule to give students time for reflection and integration into their practice and lives. Mentorship and office hours are also offered during those times.
Study Block | Course Content |
|---|---|
AUTUMN 2024 SEMESTER |
|
| NNBM 101 Study Block #1 Introduction to Neijing Medicine | Begins the study of the Huangdi Neijing and Neijing Nature–Based Medicine. |
| NNBM 101 Study Block #2 History of Early China/Chinese Language | Discusses the history of Ancient China and the Ancient Chinese language. |
| NNBM 101 Study Block #3 Introduction to Classical Text Scholarship (CTA) | Discusses the practices of Classical Text Archeology (CTA) and classical text scholarship. |
| NNBM 101 Study Block #4 A History of the Neijing Text | Reviews of the history and development of the Neijing text. |
| NNBM 101 Study Block #5 Introduction to Neijing Classical Space-Time Theory | Discusses the basic theories and principles of Neijing space–time theory—the theoretical basis of Chinese medicine. |
| NNBM 101 Study Block #6 The Celestial Base Patterns: Part A | Discusses the basic patterns of the celestial heavens and the Universal Base Patterns (Part A) |
| NNBM 101 Study Block #7 The Celestial Base Patterns: Part B | Continues the discussion of the celestial heavens and the Universal Base Patterns (Part B) |
| NNBM 101 Study Block #8 The Terrestrial Local Patterns: Part A | Discusses the basic patterns of the natural world and the Terrestrial Local Patterns (Part A) |
| NNBM 101 Study Block #9 The Terrestrial Local Patterns: Part B | Continues the discussion of the celestial heavens and the Terrestrial Local Patterns (Part B) |
| NNBM 101 Study Block #10 Nature’s Loom: Axial and Radial Patterns | Discusses Nature’s axial and radial weaving patterns, the pattern design for nature and the human body. |
SPRING 2025 SEMESTER |
|
| NNBM 102 Study Block #11 Introduction to the Human Body | Introduces the study of the human body by describing its basic features and processes. |
| NNBM 102 Study Block #12 Structural Design of the Human Body | Discusses the basic architecture of the human body as created by the patterns of nature’s design. |
| NNBM 102 Study Block #13 Rivers and Watersheds | Discusses basic principles of the body’s watershed ecology and rivers. |
| NNBM 102 Study Block #14 The Primary Watersheds | Provides overview of the twelve major watersheds of the body, the ecological basis for human existence. |
| NNBM 102 Study Block #15 The Collateral Rivers | Discusses the collateral beds of the body and reviews the unique role they play in human health and illness. |
| NNBM 102 Study Block #16 The Zang Organs | Discusses the five zang organs and the central role they play human health and illness. |
| NNBM 102 Study Block #17 The Fu Organs | Discusses the six Fu organs and the central role they play in human digestion and nutrition. |
| NNBM 102 Study Block #18 Roots, Crowns, and Thatching Regions | Discusses the role of the primary and seasonal roots, upper crowns and thatching regions of the body. |
| NNBM 102 Study Block #19 Surface Caverns | Discusses the numerous surface caverns of the body, the later basis for the acupuncture point regions. |
| NNBM 102 Study Block #20 Sinews and Membranes | Discusses the connective tissue (musculoskeletal) body, and examines the critical role it plays in human health and illness. |
AUTUMN 2025 SEMESTER | |
| NNBM 103 Study Block #21 Shen | Introduces the essential concept of Shen, the primary determinant in human health and illness. |
| NNBM 103 Study Block #22 Introduction to Directional Medicine | Discusses the theories of directional breath medicine, the theoretical basis of Neijing Nature–Based Medicine. |
| NNBM 103 Study Block #23 The Primary Causes of Human Illness | Introduces the seven primary causes of human illness according to the theories of Neijing Nature–Based Medicine. |
| NNBM 103 Study Block #24 Disease Pathology: Obstruction Patterns | Discusses the basic pathological processes involved in the creation and maintenance of fixed–pattern (chronic) illnesses. |
| NNBM 103 Study Block #25 Introduction to Physical Diagnosis | Introduces the fundamental techniques of Neijing Nature–Based Medicine physical diagnosis. |
| NNBM 103 Study Block #26 Mai River Assessment: Part A | Introduces Neijing pulse diagnosis by discussing their basic techniques and seasonal assessments. |
| NNBM 103 Study Block #27 Mai River Assessment: Part B | Continues the discussion of Neijing pulse diagnosis with a discussion of Renying/Cunkou and Sanbu/Jiuhou pulse assessment. |
| NNBM 103 Study Block #28 Facial Diagnosis and Directional Colors | Discusses the practice of assessment through the examination of the directional colors and facial diagnosis. |
| NNBM 103 Study Block #29 The Nine Ancient Needles: Part A | Discusses the Neijing Nine Ancient Needles, their history and general principles. |
| NNBM 103 Study Block #30 The Nine Ancient Needles: Part B | Continues the discussion of the Neijing Nine Ancient Needles, their unique qualities and specific indications. |
| NNBM 103 Study Block #31 Neijing Traditional Needle Techniques: Part A | Introduces Neijing traditional needle techniques and discusses their background and general principles. |
| NNBM 103 Study Block #32 Neijing Traditional Needle Techniques: Part B | Continues the discussion of Neijing traditional needle techniques by discussion their unique qualities and specific indications. |
SPRING 2026 SEMESTER | |
| NNBM 104 Study Block #33 The Physician–Patient Relationship | Discusses the special qualities of the physician/patient relationship and the special role this plays in Neijing Nature–Based Medicine |
| NNBM 104 Study Block #34 The Medical Interview | Introduces the Neijing Nature–Based Medicine comprehensive medical history. |
| NNBM 104 Study Block #35 Clinical Decision Making | Introduces the techniques of Neijing Nature–Based Medicine clinical decision making by examining how a comprehensive plan is created. |
| NNBM 104 Study Block #36 Treatment of Guest–Host Diseases | Discusses the topic of Guest–Host Illnesses, including the areas of infectious disease and environmental pathogens. |
| NNBM 104 Study Block #37 Treatment of Emotional Diseases | Discusses the treatment of emotional illness according to the principles of Neijing Nature–Based Medicine. |
| NNBM 104 Study Block #38 Neijing Ancillary Therapies | Reviews ancillary Neijing techniques, including moxa therapy, medical ironing, external poultices, and daoyin. |
| NNBM 104 Study Block #39 The Medical Bazi | Introduces Medical Bazi forecasting; a traditional divination system used to assess yin yang cycles in the patient’s body. |
| NNBM 104 Study Block #40 Heaven and Earth Interactions | Discusses the Neijing understanding of heaven and earth interactions (i.e., the Wuyun Liuqi, or ‘five celestial turnings and six terrestrial qi’). |
| NNBM 104 Study Block #41 Climate Change Medicine | Discusses special aspects of practicing Neijing Nature–Based Medicine in times of climate change and environmental instability. |
| NNBM 104 Study Block #42 Clinic Management | Discusses basic aspects of practicing Neijing Nature–Based Medicine and running a clinical practice in the real world. |
The Neijing Nature-Based Medicine program has transformed my view of the human body all together and how truly revolutionary the practices of ancient Chinese medical physicians are for modern day society.
Stephanie H.
ACUPUNCTURIST
