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NEIJING NATURE-BASED MEDICINE: 1st SEMESTER OPTION

Principles of the Cosmos

Join us as we delve into the Neijing‘s depictions of the cosmos and nature in the ‘Introduction to the Neijing’ class.

This course is designed for those with a general interest in the deeper aspects of Chinese history, Chinese cosmology, and the principles of nature, but who do not have a healthcare background or are unsure if the full program is right for them. It allows students to participate in the first semester of the Level I Foundations training as a standalone option. At the end of the first semester, students have the option to continue with the 2-Year Mentorship if they wish.

NEIJING NATURE-BASED MEDICINE: 1st SEMESTER OPTION

How this Course is Structured

A one semester course option for the Online Lecture Series that is contained in the complete Foundations Level I program

The course is the first semester of the complete program and will introduce you to the Huangdi Neijing and Neijing Nature-Based Medicine (NNBM), with an introduction to the history, language, and culture of ancient China, as well as the practices of Classical Text Archaeology (CTA). This is followed by a discussion of Neijing space-time theory, which are the theoretical principles that have guided the practice of Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years.

Each topic is presented in a module format in our Canvas online classroom environment and consists of a 1-hour recorded lecture, a weekly discussion forum, and a live Sunday class to review the week’s material. Beginning in week three, an additional week is added for reflection and synthesis, followed by a Sunday class to gather and share and insights. All course material is recorded for those who cannot attend live sessions.

Speaking or reading Chinese is not a requirement for this course.

CANVAS LMS ONLINE CLASSROOM

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Course Content

  • Introduction to the Neijing and the practice of Nature-Based Medicine
  • Introduction to the History of Early China and the Chinese Language
  • Introduction to Classical Text Scholarship
  • The History of the Neijing Text
  • Introduction to Neijing Space-Time Theory
  • Descriptions of the Celestial Heavens: Part A
  • Descriptions of the Celestial Heavens: Part B
  • Descriptions of the Terrestrial Heavens: Part A
  • Descriptions of the Terrestrial Heavens: Part B
  • Nature’s Loom: Axial and Radial Patterns

Read more about the Curriculum and Schedule on the Foundations Level I program course page.

Course Content

  • Introduction to the Neijing and the practice of Nature-Based Medicine
  • Introduction to the History of Early China and the Chinese Language
  • Introduction to Classical Text Scholarship
  • The History of the Neijing Text
  • Introduction to Neijing Space-Time Theory
  • Descriptions of the Celestial Heavens: Part
  • Descriptions of the Celestial Heavens: Part
  • Descriptions of the Terrestrial Heavens: Part
  • Descriptions of the Terrestrial Heavens: Part B
  • Nature’s Loom: Axial and Radial Patterns

Read more about the Curriculum and Schedule on the Foundations Level I program course page.

This course is ideal for practitioners, students, and non-medical professionals who would like an introduction to Neijing Nature-Based Medicine and the Neijing and/or who are considering the full program.

Tuition Cost


1st Semester Option tuition cost is approximately ¼ of the cost of the 4-semester Online Lecture Series (only).
Curriculum
Type
Length
Professional
Student*
Auditing Non-Medical
Online Lecture Series & Mentorship TrainingOnline (live & recorded)4 months (Online)$2,400 1,2$1,850 1,2$1,850 3

* Student rate is for students currently enrolled in an accredited medical institution, or practitioners in their first two years of practice.

NOTE: Tuition must be Paid in Full at the time of registration. There are no options for payment plans, country parity discounts, or other scholarships available for this course.

1 PDA/CEU available
2 Cost is 25% of the tuition for the complete Foundations Level I program
3 Cost is reduced to approximately 45% of the tuition for the complete Foundations Level I program to make this course accessible to patients and non-medical professionals. Those who decide to continue with the full program will be required to make up the additional $175 + the pro-rated tuition for the remaining 3 semesters.

Course Specifics for the 1st Semester Option

  • Register directly for this online course without an application process.
  • Upon completion, students who are interested in enrolling in the remaining three semesters of the 2-year Foundations Level I program can apply for the program at the pro-rated standard tuition rates.
  • CEU/PDA credit available for Professionals, Students, and Returning Participants who successfully complete the course.
  • The Non-Medical Audit is available only for those who are not medical professionals or students in accredited institutions.

Compare to the Full Program

Explore the full Foundations Level I Program to better determine if this course or the complete program is a better fit for you.
Neijing Nature-Based Medicine | The Apricot Grove

Watch a Sample Lecture

The following are example lectures from our online classroom.

Lecture #25 Excerpt
Physical Diagnosis and the Artist’s Eye

Lecture #26 Excerpt
Physical Diagnosis and the Artist’s Eye

Lecture #30 Excerpt
Obtaining the Qi

Still Have Questions?

Explore the Complete Program

We highly recommend you consider the Full Program or the Online Lecture Series!

FAQ’s

Read the FAQ page to answer any lingering questions.

I am so grateful to have found Neijing Nature-Based Medicine! It brings me so much joy to know that this medicine exists, that it is practiced and that there is an opportunity to learn ancient medicine based from nature! My heart feels tingly warm knowing that the earth has people (Dr Edward Neal) that teach this knowledge and share. The teaching and learning style is especially cherished as it is long learning! It gives me time to soak it in, take it in and feel it for my own experiences. I also love the artists approach style, because it gives space for interpretation and perception.

Kanisha T . Ancestral Skin Marker/Quyanaa Practitioner (birth & maturation) Cordova, AK USA

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Hours of Continuing Education

The Apricot Grove Project Programs & Courses

Advance Your Clinical Skills

A primary goal of this training is to help students develop true physician-level skills, which is in contrast to protocol-based practices comprised of mix and match clinical presentations and pre-established point protocols and herbal formulas. In Neijing terms, higher-level practice refers to treating from a deep understanding of the cosmos and nature, instead of managing symptoms alone. Because this system is built on a deep understanding of first principles, students learn to approach complex medical situations in ways that protocol systems do not allow for.

Learn from Experienced Teachers

Dr. Neal and the other teachers in this course are regarded as leaders in their field and bring decades of experience teaching and practicing. This course is designed to maximize direct interactions and mentorship between teachers and students during the two year program. The course is modeled on the traditional apprenticeship system through which medical knowledge has been transmitted over time.

Join a Thriving Community

Our trainings draw quality people from all over the world. Our students tend to be thoughtful, respectful, supportive, and engaged. Truly, one of our greatest assets is our students. In troubling times, our communities can be an oasis for rejuvenation, nourishment and hope. The Apricot Grove community can also serve as a place for lifelong learning, friendship, and collegiality for years after the course is finished.

Study from the Medical Classics

A primary principle in our training is that course content is derived from classical text passages. Neijing Nature-Based Medicine itself is a comprehensive healthcare practice whose teachings are traceable to specific passages within the Neijing text. During the class, a great deal of material is presented from direct original text translations. Through repeated exposure, students significantly increase their understanding of Chinese medicine through the lens of Neijing text passages.

Earn Continuing Education Credit

The Neijing Nature-Based Medicine: 1st Semester Option is pending approval by the NCCAOM® for approximately 40 hours of distance learning PDA’s.

Courses are accredited by semester and PDA credits can be applied for at the end of each semester. To obtain PDA credits, students are required to watch or participate in all class content and complete weekly quizzes with a score of 75% or greater.

Continuing Education

The Apricot Grove’s Neijing Descriptions of the Cosmos has PDA credits pending by the NCCAOM for 28 hours of distance learning, and 28 hours of CEU for the State of California. To obtain PDA/CEU credits, students are required to watch or participate in all class content and complete weekly quizzes with a score of 75% or greater.

NEIJING NATURE-BASED MEDICINE: 1st SEMESTER OPTION

Register for the 1st Semester Option

An application is not required for the First Semester Option, but will be if you choose to continue in the full program.

Please note: you are responsible for the full tuition cost at the time of registration. Payment plans and most other discounts do not apply.


This course gave me back the wish of studying Chinese medicine for the rest of my life. I was looking for something like this years before I knew this course’s existence.

Luciano S.
ACUPUNCTURE PRACTITIONER