The enthusiasm and attention of the participants was beautifully complemented by the unique surrounds of the Australia Bush, a very pleasant, well appointed conference room plus excellent catering for our delicious morning and afternoon teas/coffee.

The sounds of the incredibly varied bird-life was complemented on Sunday morning by the amazing, meditational movement through music of vibrational notoriety by Mister Matt Coldrick, or Pan Electric, Matt’s performing and recording title.

It was our great pleasure to have such moments of musical bliss to kick off the day.

To find out what you missed musically please click on the following link http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/music-for-a-busy-head/id78439275 well worth a listen and a superb adjunct to this workshop, in fact to any clinical setting.

A great environment in which to present this the first in the workshop series,  ”Bridging the Gap between TCM and Japanese Acupuncture”.

I believe that we achieved our fundamental objective of demonstrating both the similarities and dissimilarities of these apparently different schools of acupuncture that share exactly the same source.

For the first 12 years of my acupuncture career I practiced TCM acupuncture with some success.

Sadly the ability to refine and develop my clinical skills was very limited.

Personal issues, geographical isolation and precious few workshops with any practical demonstration or treatment, almost all of the workshops in the 80′ and early 90′s were totally theoretical and the only advancement I was able to make in my clinical skills was a result of successful and not so successful treatment outcomes.

Not such a bad way to learn but oh so slow.

I had absolutely no idea whatsoever of the refinement possible in my practical skills and the subsequent power that could be harnessed using Traditional Acupuncture with increased awareness.

25 years on and my extensive clinical experience has convinced me that as a practitioner of Traditional Acupuncture, specifically that refined by the Japanese, I have access to one of the most powerful natural medicines on the planet.

With a history of conviction and belief based firmly on my clinical experience it was not difficult to summon much passion in my delivery, in spite of suffering from niggling invasion of pathogenic cold.

I cannot speak highly enough of the participants, their focus and energy provided me with much inspiration.

A huge thanks to all!

From events such as this workshop, the first in a series of workshops focusing on ‘Bridging the Gap between TCM and Japanese Acupuncture’ and Junji Mizutani’s moxibustion workshop next weekend I draw great heart for the future of this extraordinary healing modality.

There is definitely something to be said for a gathering of like-minded individuals under one roof generating an awesome amount of positive energy.

DVDs and episodic video recordings of the workshop will be available through http://worldacupuncture.com in the very near future.

The next workshop in the series ‘Bridging the Gap Between TCM and Japanese Acupuncture’ will be held in PRAGUE on the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd October 2010.

http://worldacupuncture.com is fast building a deep vault of Japanese acupuncture instructional videos, as a member you will  have access to these videos, our forum to ask any questions you like regarding the practice of Japanese Acupuncture and in addition, you will join a growing global network of likeminded students and practitioners.

Countries represented by our members include, UK, USA, Canada, Thailand, Czech Republic, Holland, NZ,  Ireland, Ukraine, Denmark, France, Mexico and Malta.

On that extremely optimistic note, I bid you sayonara from a wintry Rainbow Bay, where we are doing it tough, it’s 22.5°C air temperature and 20°C water temperature.

Wishing you abundant prosperity through practice,

Alan

PS.

Hope you enjoy the images and remember the video is on the way.

Adam caught red handed with his fingers in the Gold Moxa pie

Participants broke up into smaller practical groups

Ready to Rock n Roll

Nick demonstrating one handed needle loading

Andre demonstrating one handed needle loading

Efrat demonstrating one handed needle loading

Andrew demonstrating one handed needle loading

Adam, yes you guessed it, demonstrating one handed needle loading

Rice Grain Moxibustion Training

Ther were 5 separate groups for practical instruction

Alan Jansson is an internationally recognized teacher and practitioner of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture.  For well over a decade, independent of and in conjunction with Masakazu Ikeda sensei and Edward Obaidey, Alan has presented, convened and hosted more than 40 Traditional Japanese Acupuncture workshops in Australia, New Zealand and USA. Driven by a strong desire to promote the consumer friendly nature, clinical efficacy and potency of Meridian Based Traditional Japanese Acupuncture, Alan is a staunch advocate of practically based workshops and draws upon his 25 years clinical experience and 14 years post and undergraduate teaching in a concerted effort to lift the bar globally in the clinical application of this most amazing medical art.

Join him in Exploring the Art of Acupuncture in the 21st century at  http://www.Worldacupuncture.com

At the ‘ Bridging the Gap between TCM and Japanese Acupuncture’ workshop on the 10th July in Brisbane, Australia our aim is to provide our participants with sufficient guidelines and practical training to leave this workshop ready to develop a valuable set of highly refined, consumer friendly clinical skills with an expanded understanding of the application of Traditional Acupuncture.

All skill and experience levels will be catered for.

All the theories and techniques are based on ideas put forward in the Traditional Chinese medical Classics, the Nei Jing, Nan Jing and Shan Han Lun.

Over the last 1500 years, since TCM was introduced to Japan, there have been many unique additions to the way practitioners diagnose and treat patients.

This workshop aims to bridge some of  the gaps in theory that have emerged over the last 15 centuries between TCM and Japanese Acupuncture.  In doing so, open the door to a world of new treatment approaches and techniques that will be of enormous benefit to practitioners and patients.

Topics to be covered include:

- understanding the Japanese approach to organ/meridian physiology

- Japanese 8 principal pattern diagnosis

- Nan Jing 12 pulse position diagnosis

- abdominal, meridian and point palpation

- non-retention, superficial and contact needling

- rice grain, needle head and heat perception moxibustion

- 5 phase, 5 flavor and empirical point selection

Learn more about Japanese Acupuncture and how it can benefit you and your patients by joining us on Saturday the 10th and Sunday the 11th of July at Walk-About Creak Function Centre, 60 Mount Nebo Road, The Gap, QLD, 4061.

REGISTER HERE:

http://www.worldacupuncture.com/public/217.cfm

OR

If you are geographically compromised and unable to attend the workshop in person join us Exploring the Art of Acupuncture in the 21st century at : http://www.Worldacupuncture.com where we will be publishing video of the workshop and you can access our extensive library of Japanese Acupuncture Educational videos.

Alan Jansson is an internationally recognized teacher and practitioner of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture.  For well over a decade, independent of and in conjunction with Masakazu Ikeda sensei and Edward Obaidey, Alan has presented, convened and hosted more than 40 Traditional Japanese Acupuncture workshops in Australia, New Zealand and USA. Driven by a strong desire to promote the consumer friendly nature, clinical efficacy and potency of Meridian Based Traditional Japanese Acupuncture, Alan is a staunch advocate of practically based workshops and draws upon his 25 years clinical experience and 14 years post and undergraduate teaching in a concerted effort to lift the bar globally in the clinical application of this most amazing medical art.

Join him in Exploring the Art of Acupuncture in the 21st century at : http://www.Worldacupuncture.com

If you are geographically compromised and unable to attend the workshop in person we will be publishing video of the workshop on http://www.worldacupuncture.com .

If you would like to see the video of the workshop please join us by clicking on the following link http://worldacupuncture.com/

Admission is only $125 ($95 if booked by the 11th of June).

To register and Save $30 please click on the following link now

http://www.worldacupuncture.com/public/217.cfm

Bring a sharp mind, an open heart and the desire to help your patients. Needles and moxa will be provided. Japanese Acupuncture is, by definition, Traditional Chinese Medicine.

All the theories and techniques are based on ideas put forward in the Nei Jing, Nan Jing and Shan Han Lun.

Over the last 1500 years, since TCM was introduced to Japan, there have been many unique additions to the way practitioners diagnose and treat patients.

This workshop aims to bridge the gaps in theory that have emerged over the last 15 centuries and in doing so, open the door to a world of new treatment approaches and techniques that will be of enormous benefit to practitioners and patients.

Topics to be covered include:

- understanding the Japanese approach to organ/meridian physiology

- Japanese 8 principal pattern diagnosis

- Nan Jing 12 pulse position diagnosis

- abdominal, meridian and point palpation

- non-retention, superficial and contact needling

- rice grain, needle head and heat perception moxibustion

- 5 phase, 5 flavor and empirical point selection

If you would like to join us in Exploring the Art of Acupuncture in the 21st Century and Save $30 please register before the 11th June by clicking on the following link:

http://www.worldacupuncture.com/public/217.cfm

If you are geographically compromised and unable to attend the workshop in person we will be publishing video of the workshop on http://www.worldacupuncture.com .

If you would like to see the video please of the workshop please join us by clicking on the following link  http://worldacupuncture.com/

Alan Jansson is an internationally recognized teacher and practitioner of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture.  For well over a decade, independent of and in conjunction with Masakazu Ikeda sensei and Edward Obaidey, Alan has presented, convened and hosted more than 40 Traditional Japanese Acupuncture workshops in Australia, New Zealand and USA. Driven by a strong desire to promote the consumer friendly nature, clinical efficacy and potency of Meridian Based Traditional Japanese Acupuncture, Alan is a staunch advocate of practically based workshops and draws upon his 25 years clinical experience and 14 years post and undergraduate teaching in a concerted effort to lift the bar globally in the clinical application of this most amazing medical art.

Join him in Exploring the Art of Acupuncture in the 21st century at : http://www.Worldacupuncture.com

Stephen Brown demonstrates the Art of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture to a Captive Audience

The Walkabout Creek function center deep in the hills in pristine eucalyptus forest country northwest of Brisbane, a magical location discovered by eminent traditional acupuncturist/herbalist, East Asian medicine educator and now successful workshop convener, Greg Bantick was a superb venue for this groundbreaking Japanese Acupuncture workshop.

In conjunction with John Thompson, veteran Brisbane Traditional Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine practitioner, long time convener and supporter of Japanese acupuncture workshops in Australia, they persuaded the translator of Shudo Denmei’s beautiful books, Japanese Classical Acupuncture: Introduction to Meridian Therapy and Finding Effective Acupuncture Points

Mr. Stephen Brown presented a beautifully integrated Japanese Acupuncture workshop, effectively communicating with and demonstrating to a captivated audience including undergraduate students with absolutely no experience of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture and experienced practitioners of this highly refined East Asian medical art.

His eloquent treatments were absolute testimony to the fact that Stephen Brown walks the talk!

Using his vast shiatsu/bodywork experience in conjunction with Traditional Japanese Acupuncture and Moxibustion skills honed by more than 25 years of clinical practice, Stephen inspired us with beautifully crafted treatment demonstrations.

His obvious Japanese Acupuncture and moxibustion skills were complemented by extraordinary palpation skills, acute sensory awareness, tactile finesse and energetic empathy.

Stephen Brown gathering meditative poise whilst administering Japanese Acupuncture treatment

BIG gratitude to Stephen ‘The Liberator‘  Brown for taking the time and making the effort to come on down under to share his invaluable clinical acumen and unique insights into the practice of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture!

Some of the very happy attendees at Stephen Brown's 'Explorations in Meridian Therapy' Workshop

To Greg Bantick and John Thompson for putting their shoulder to the wheel and their heads on the block to make this watershed event in Traditional Japanese Acupuncture education down under a reality, our heartfelt thanks

Their effort and commitment to the development of our skill and understanding in the East Asian medical art/sciences of Traditional Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine is truly inspirational.

All the best in life and practice,

Alan Jansson

PS.

World Acupuncture uncovered some  unique perspectives about Traditional Acupuncture when we talked with these eminent practitioner/educators in 3 state of the art interviews.

Stephen Brown, Greg Bantick and John Thompson, with a cumulative clinic experience of over 75 years discussed their clinical background, unique perspectives on the current state of Traditional Acupuncture, East Asian Medicine and the future potential of our ancient medicine in the West.

As a subscriber to the world acupuncture updates, you will know as soon as we have the video of the interviews up and running online.

Don’t miss out!

If you have yet to subscribe to our free update service on http://www.worldacupunctureblog.com or http://worldacupuncture.com just go to the top right hand corner of either site and spend 30 seconds filling in the briefest of forms and you will be notified of all relevant updates.

Members of http://worldacupuncture.com will be able to view some of the outstanding highlights of Stephen’s workshop in the not-too-distant future.

Alan Jansson is an internationally recognized teacher and practitioner of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture.  For well over a decade, independent of and in conjunction with Masakazu Ikeda sensei and Edward Obaidey, Alan has presented, convened and hosted more than 40 Traditional Japanese Acupuncture workshops in Australia, New Zealand and USA. Driven by a strong desire to promote the consumer friendly nature, clinical efficacy and potency of Meridian Based Traditional Japanese Acupuncture, Alan is a staunch advocate of practically based workshops and draws upon his 25 years clinical experience and 14 years post and undergraduate teaching in a concerted effort to lift the bar globally in the clinical application of this most amazing medical art.

Join him in Exploring the Art of Acupuncture in the 21st century at http://www.Worldacupuncture.com

This week I presented two very different workshops, one for the
physiotherapists with whom I work in Brisbane, the other for a select
group of students.

The first  workshop, for the physiotherapists presented a unique challenge.

How to best communicate to my physiotherapy colleagues the unique and
skill-based nature of  Traditional Japanese Acupuncture, whilst not
arousing the ire of my Acupuncture colleagues for giving away the
so-called secrets of the practice of Traditional Acupuncture ?

The situation here in Australia regarding physiotherapists and the
practice of Acupuncture is ambiguous to say the least.

The popularization of dry needling amongst a variety of modalities,
especially physiotherapy in recent years is perceived by many
acupuncturists as a direct threat to our profession.

I believe that the profession’s inability or unwillingness to stand
up and be counted in the public eye as a beneficial and legitimate
healing modality has left the door wide open for every man and his dog
to lay claim to the practice of Acupuncture merely because they have a
needle in hand.

In Australia the general public has precious little knowledge
regarding the clinical efficacy and flexibility of Traditional
Acupuncture.

A majority believing that Acupuncture might be effective in some cases
for the relief of musculoskeletal pain, headaches or perhaps a less
invasive way of inducing childbirth.

The full potential of Traditional Acupuncture is not so easily
recognized within our profession let alone by practitioners of Allied
modalities and the general public.

For over 20 years my ever evolving version of Traditional Acupuncture
(including Moxibustion) has been my sole form of treatment in clinic.

This has absolutely nothing to do with my opinion on the efficacy of
other allied healing modalities such as herbal medicine, chiropractic,
osteopathy, physiotherapy, vitamin and mineral supplementation,
massage, homeopathy etc, etc.

This singularity of clinical approach has much to do with my affinity
with the underlying philosophy and tactile inclination of Traditional
Acupuncture.

The depth of clinical expertise and knowledge available to me as a
practitioner of this extraordinary healing art/science is virtually
inexhaustible; I doubt there will ever come a time where I will feel I
have completed my studies or fully evolved as a practitioner.

The accumulated sensory information gleaned through a truly tactile approach to Acupuncture can be formidable; imperative to our growth as practitioners is the framework within which we place this information.

For instance, a physiotherapist whilst fundamentally using the same diagnostic instrument as practitioners of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture will translate the information received through their fingers in an entirely different manner to the Traditional Acupuncturist; as such any diagnostic conclusions they come to and all therapeutic action that they might take will be interpreted in an entirely different manner to that of a practitioner of Japanese Meridian Therapy/Traditional Japanese Acupuncture.

A practitioner of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture will naturally interpret this information based on their knowledge of meridian
pathways and the intricate energetic interactions between each of the
pathways, their associated organ and the interdependence between each
of these meridian/organ complexes.

This will obviously be a very different clinical picture to the one
that a physiotherapist might find.

A vast philosophical and therapeutic chasm exists between physiotherapy and Traditional Japanese Acupuncture, a chasm that is bridged in some way by our mutual reliance upon tactile sensitivity.

The diagnostic and therapeutic approaches used by Traditional Japanese Acupuncture and dry needling are very, very different.

‘One is exclusively musculoskeletal in approach and mechanical in execution, the other, combines both musculoskeletal and energetic
perceptions and is primarily energetic in its execution.’

Both can achieve beneficial clinical outcomes.

Traditional Acupuncture, especially Traditional Japanese Acupuncture
has far more diverse therapeutic and diagnostic applications than purely muscular skeletal.

It is up to our profession to demonstrate and educate our colleagues in Allied modalities, the general public and indeed our fellow Acupuncturists regarding the clinical efficacy of meridian based Traditional Acupuncture.

I attempted to do this with some degree of success last week.

This one hour practically based presentation was all about demonstrating the clinical efficacy and diverse therapeutic skills of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture to my physiotherapy colleagues not about what they should or should not do!

Three courageous physiotherapists volunteered for treatment, none
suffering from any specific problem, all highly stressed!

Watched by several intrigued colleagues, each of my three volunteers
were treated differently as demanded by their individuality and I did
my best to explain the difference between the treatments.

This short video will show some of the needling skills employed during a Traditional Japanese Acupuncture treatment,

None of the volunteers experienced any pain or discomfort.
All attested to the efficacy and strength of treatment and how relaxed and revitalized they felt after their short 20 to 30 minute treatments.

The Acupuncture profession in Australia will go nowhere fighting physiotherapists about the validity of dry needling.

There is a vast difference between the therapeutic application of acupuncture needles in dry needling and meridian based Traditional
Acupuncture.

A very thick gauge needle versus an extremely thin gauge needle in
conjunction with a very mechanical application versus energetic
application of very fine needles are but two examples of the polar opposites from which these two modalities operate using similar instruments.

Although philosophically and theoretically more aligned with Traditional Japanese Acupuncture, practitioners of  the point-based practice of TCM Acupuncture with its dependence upon thicker gauge needles and their mechanical stimulation might have a much tougher time convincing other modalities that there are major discrepancies in the therapeutic application of Acupuncture and dry needling.

All the Best, Alan

Alan Jansson is an internationally recognized teacher and practitioner
of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture.  For well over a decade, independent of and in conjunction with Masakazu Ikeda sensei and Edward Obaidey, Alan has presented, convened and hosted in the
vicinity of 30 Traditional Japanese Acupuncture workshops in Australia, New Zealand and USA. Driven by a strong desire to promote the consumer friendly nature, clinical efficacy and potency of Meridian Based Traditional Japanese Acupuncture, Alan is a staunch advocate of practically based workshops and draws upon his 25 years clinical experience and 14 years post and undergraduate teaching in a concerted effort to lift the bar globally in the clinical application of this most amazing medical art.

Join him in Exploring the Art of Acupuncture in the 21st century at
http://www.Worldacupunctureblog.com

For more info, please visit: http://www.worldacupuncture.com

At sensei’s clinic in Imabari, Japan, conversation was at a premium, a direct result of my diabolical Japanese literacy levels.

Ikeda sensei’s teaching was almost exclusively in the doing and my learning was in direct proportion to my awareness.

It was imperative that my focus be on song and I put aside all egocentric tendencies and share the common ground of patient welfare, positive intent and focused awareness.

Observing Ikeda sensei delivered a size 10 energetic boot to my backside, I have absolutely no room for complacency and much room for development.

Development in any ‘hands on’ field does not occur simply by thinking about it.

The level of awareness and willingness to do the hard yards are essential components of our successful development as skilled practitioners, opening the door to the highly refined and therapeutically potent ‘Art’ of Traditional Acupuncture.

No one said it was easy and a real devotion to the refinement of our skills is required for us to deliver increasingly powerful and effective acupuncture treatment.

I was and remain inspired by the impressive willingness of the Japanese students to continually develop and refine their skills through practice.

Their commitment to cellular learning in conjunction with the development of intellectual understanding and acceptance that skill comes from practice seems so balanced, a logical extension of the philosophy upon which this medicine is traditionally based.

I remain in awe of Ikeda sensei’s capacity to molecularly mould to the patient with his left hand, his seriously honed/forged needling and palpation skills, clarity of focus and purpose are inspirational.

As a result I have increased the use of my left hand dramatically through extended abdominal and meridian palpation.

I am also doing my best to ensure that tactile preparation of meridians and points is done with an increased awareness and sensitivity of the potential for energetic change in the patient.

Greater awareness of my left hand and the subsequent information received from and signals sent the patient have become top priority as I seek to implement my learning.

In a subtle, almost osmotic way, some of the powerful sense of serenity and purpose that resonated throughout Ikeda sensei’s clinic has found its way into my molecular fabric.

I trust that my patients feel the difference.

Sincerely,

Alan

PS.

Some lush images of Imabari, Japan follow.

Gambling, Japanese style. You can being able the feeling of my ecstasy. It is beginning an origin of the enchantment that always enchants you. I making also wish me more feeling. Enough reward bounces if the ecstasy thing can be done me.

Night Lights of Imabari

Imagine……

Win, lose or draw they will always love you??? Now can you be won?  There is tomorrow even if fallen. Are not you decisively turning ahead and fighting? I will always be waiting with PAO. It is good though always comes

HARD OFF, BOOK OFF, OFF HOUSE

Rice paddy, just minutes away from Ikeda sensei’s clinic.

More agricultural endeavor.

New Homes and Gardens, Japanese-style.

Emphatic symmetry

Simply awesome.

Tantalizingly textual.

Maximum utilization of arable land.

Manhole cover, every picture tells a story.

Do the right thing….

Some of the first cherry blossoms.

A MacMuffin disappears down the hatch.

Ohyo Gazaimus?

Alan Jansson is an internationally recognized teacher and practitioner of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture.  For well over a decade, independent of and in conjunction with Masakazu Ikeda sensei and Edward Obaidey, Alan has presented, convened and hosted in the vicinity of 30 Traditional Japanese Acupuncture workshops in Australia, New Zealand and USA. Driven by a strong desire to promote the consumer friendly nature, clinical efficacy and potency of Meridian Based Traditional Japanese Acupuncture, Alan is a staunch advocate of practically based workshops and draws upon his 25 years clinical experience and 14 years post and undergraduate teaching in a concerted effort to lift the bar globally in the clinical application of this most amazing medical art.

Join him in Exploring the Art of Acupuncture in the 21st century at http://www.Worldacupunctureblog.com

For more info, please visit: http://www.Worldacupuncture.com