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Foundations Level I Mentorship Training
Program Overview
The Apricot Grove Foundations Level I Training is a comprehensive professional mentorship training program that teaches the principles and practices of Neijing-Nature Based Medicine (NNBM) and is held over 2 years with seasonal breaks and built in time for reflection, experiential learning, integration, and direct clinical mentorship with experienced teachers.
Neijing-Nature Based Medicine is a comprehensive healthcare system developed on over 20 years of rigorous classical text research on the Huangdi Neijing, the primary source text of Chinese medicine.
This course has been offered annually by Dr. Edward Neal, MD, MSOM for more than 15 years. In 2023, the course has expanded to a full 2-year program.
Apricot Grove Training
With the assistance of professional educational consultants, we have developed a curriculum that blends the best aspects of traditional mentorship learning, contemporary approaches and reflective integration. In a flipped classroom experience, students first learn theoretical material through online recorded content and then have live online mentorship learning with instructors to delve more deeply into the material. Online learning is further enhanced with in-person clinical training, where students are taught hands–on clinical skills.
Foundations Level I Mentorship Training
Course Overview
The Apricot Grove Foundation’s Level I Training is a comprehensive 2-year professional mentorship program that teaches the principles and practices of Neijing-Nature Based Medicine (NNBM). Neijing-Nature Based Medicine is a comprehensive healthcare system developed on over 20 years of rigorous classical text research on the Huangdi Neijing, the primary source text of Chinese medicine.
Nature of our Training
We have developed a curriculum that blends the finest aspects of traditional mentorship learning with contemporary approaches. In a flipped classroom experience, students initially learn theoretical material through online recorded content, with live online mentorship time with instructors to delve more deeply into the material. This online experience is then enriched with in-person clinical training.
Our training is divided into two parts
Program Objectives
At the completion of this training, students will:
- Practice medicine from a firm grasp of the basic principles and practices of Chinese medicine as written in the original texts.
- Develop a deep appreciation of the original vision of Chinese medicine.
- Practice through a direct assessment of the natural landscape of the patient’s body and the principles of ecological restoration.
- Begin a process of lifelong learning by following in the footsteps of traditional physician-scholars who studied directly from classical texts.
- Significantly increase clinical assurance and abilities, patient results, and clinical success through a deep understanding of basic principles.
- Develop confidence in treating clinical problems typically seen in primary care, using the techniques of Neijing Nature-Based Medicine.
- Join a thriving collection of global learners and practitioners who are involved in an classical text revival.
- Begin a path of becoming a respected teacher, leader, or researcher in your community, if desired.
ONLINE LEARNING & MENTORSHIP
Online Lecture Series
The 4-semester course is held over two years with seasonal breaks and built in time for reflection, experiential learning, integration, and direct clinical mentorship with experienced teachers.
Theoretical aspects of Neijing Nature-Based Medicine are taught through distance learning on our Canvas LMS platform, in both live and recorded formats. Our training is divided into four academic semesters, with winter and summer seasonal breaks. After the first several introductory lectures, the course content is divided into two-week study blocks, each focusing on a specific topic of Neijing Nature-Based Medicine.
At the start of each study block, students are provided with access to a one-hour pre-recorded lecture on a particular topic, which they can view at their convenience based on their schedule and time zone. During the first week of study, students and teachers engage in online discussion forums to discuss the course content. In the first Sunday class, students and teachers meet in person for live discussions, mentorship, and to review the week’s material. This class also includes weekly reading of classical texts.
The second week of the study block is dedicated to integration, based on the specific needs and desires of the student. Students are encouraged to select a topic from the week’s lecture to investigate more deeply. Some examples may include observing patterns in nature, reflecting on a specific classical text passage, exploring a new concept in their clinical practice, exploring the meaning of a specific character, or working on a creative project. Students with busy schedules can also use this time to manage their time and keep up with the course material without falling behind.
During the second Sunday class of the study week, students meet to discuss their experiences and reflections as their understanding of the current topic deepens. All course material is recorded and available for viewing at later times to accommodate students living in different time zones or with different schedules.
CANVAS LMS ONLINE CLASSROOM
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
In-Person Clinical Training
Clinical Practicums
Three 6-day clinical training retreats
Theoretical knowledge learned during the online distance learning and applied clinical skills come together in our three 6-day clinical training retreats. During these content-packed weeks, students and teachers study the body’s ecological landscape and begin to learn the diverse diagnostic and clinical techniques of Neijing Nature–Based Medicine.
For the upcoming 2024/26 training program, the in-person Clinical Practicums are being held at the Trout Lake Abbey in Trout Lake, Washington (US). In this beautiful mountain setting, students take a much-needed respite from the rigors of daily practice to regenerate their medical practice based on the original writings of Chinese medicine. In addition, there is plenty of time for rest and exploration with new friends and colleagues.
Choose From Three Learning Pathways
Neijing Nature-Based Medicine
Join us for an Open House
Meet Dr. Neal and learn more about the program and NNBM. Register for a free session below!
Continuing Education and Professional Certification
The Apricot Grove Foundation’s Level I Training is accredited by the NCCAOM for 84 hours of distance learning and 126 hours of in–person training. 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.
In addition, we offer a Certificate of Completion once the entire training series is successfully completed.
Earn Continuing Education Credit
The Apricot Grove Foundation’s Level I Training 2024/26 is pending approval by the NCCAOM® for 130 hours of distance learning PDA’s and pending 108 hours of in–person training 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.
In addition, we offer a Certificate of Completion once the entire training series is successfully completed.
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
The Apricot Grove Project Programs & Courses
We train highly skilled Chinese medicine practitioners by remaking our students’ practices from the ground up, based on an in-depth study of the original source and practices of the tradition.
Our Work Together
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Foundations Level I Mentorship Training
Early Start Access
Register early to get a head start on your studies
Students are granted access to the first ten lectures from the previous year’s class to get a head start on their education. Past students have indicated that this provides a substantial advantage when the live course begins. For the 2024/26 program, the Early Start Access begins when students register and pay the deposit.
