Yo San University is a place of learning dedicated to teaching a way of life between the top and the bottom of the bow, offering a setting in which to study, learn, and put into practice the art of Chinese healing, and help students discover their own personal growth and healing--for only then can they facilitate that of others.
The Taoist principles of harmony and balance are held to be the foundation of our physical, mental, emotional, and psychological well-being. By living balanced lives in accord with nature, we become living examples of our healing craft. This is not an easy task. Perhaps it is the greatest challenge our students face.
Why does living a balanced life seem difficult at first? The answer lies in the recognition that our daily life is our daily practice. It is not working in anticipation of an event, such as becoming a licensed acupuncturist, which will change a life. Rather, it is the day-to-day doing that brings about a transformation in the present.
Self-growth begins with daily practice. Doing simple practices on a daily basis enables you to obtain the most benefit. A core example of this philosophy is YSU's approach to the understanding of Qi (chi), the vital energy underlying Traditional Chinese Medicine's view of health and disease. |
Yo San's Qi Development curriculum emanates from our belief that practitioners who have balance and mastery of their qi will be better healers. The study of Qi is not just an academic exercise but is cultivation through daily practice. The program is designed to provide students the opportunity to heal and cultivate themselves and also to directly experience the balance and harmony that underline Taoism and the medicine that has developed from it. Students are required to complete 12 units of qi courses.
Foundation Courses The Foundation Group consists of the following core courses:
Self-Healing Qigong (QN313), Eight Treasures I (QN203),
Harmony Tai Chi Chuan Level I (QN351), Infinichi I (QN322) and
Dao-In Yoga I (QN361). Completion of the five Foundation Group courses is required before moving on to Advanced Studies in Qi Cultivation.
SELF-HEALING QIGONG
QN313 • 1 Unit • 15 Hours
Establishes the groundwork for TCM movement practices and
Taoist Self-cultivation, through Five Element-based self-healing
exercises. Students begin learning related Yo San family tradition
basic practices and Five Element work immediately applicable to
healing themselves and useful in later clinical therapeutics.
Prerequisites: None
EIGHT TREASURES I
QN203 • 1 Unit • 15 Hours
Unique to the Yo San family heritage, the Eight Treasures is
a sophisticated form that helps build a strong Qi cultivation
foundation and allows for advanced cultivation. This form is
noted for effectiveness in opening the channels and enhancing
circulation of the eight extraordinary vessels. Instruction includes
the study of selected points and channels, giving students the
opportunity to learn the acupuncture meridian system “from the
inside.” Part 1 focuses on the study and practice of the short form
‘Little Eight Treasures’ with movements representative of the
eight long-form segments.
Prerequisites: None
HARMONY TAI CHI CHUAN LEVEL I (SHORT FORM)
QN351 • 2 Units • 30 Hours
Tai Chi Chuan is an ancient moving meditation practice with
many mind, body, and spiritual benefits. This course covers the
18-Step Harmony Tai Chi Chuan Short Form, comprised of
movements taken from the Harmony Tai Chi Chuan Long Form
in the Yo San Family Heritage.
Prerequisites: None
INFINICHI PROGRAM I
QN322 • 1 Unit • 15 Hours
This is the introductory course in a complete system of medical
qigong, designed to train students developing the energetic
abilities of a Qi healing therapist. Using the Yo San family materials,
along with standard texts in Traditional Chinese Medicine, qigong
and Chinese body work, it features a progressive, systematic
program that nurtures understanding, facilitates skill development,
and promotes self-growth.
Prerequisites: None
DAO-IN CHINESE YOGA I
QN361 • 1 Unit • 15 Hours
Dao-In is a thorough system of movement and meditation
postures performed in sitting and lying positions. Similar to
Hatha Yoga, Dao-In emphasizes moving through rather than
holding postures. This practice stretches and strengthens the
body, balances internal systems, and adjusts energy. This course
covers 20 of the easiest movements and the first 7 meditation
postures of the three-course series.
Prerequisites: None
Advanced Studies in Qi Cultivation
EIGHT TREASURES II and III
QN204 and QN205 • 2 Units Each • 30 Hours
Eight Treasures II provides study of the Eight Treasures Long
Form, incorporating portions of the ‘Little Eight Treasures’ into
the study and practice of the first four of the eight ‘Treasures’
of the long form. Students continue incorporating knowledge
of meridians and extraordinary vessels as well as acupoints
into qigong practice. Eight Treasures III focuses on the latter
four of the ‘Treasures’ of the long form.
Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of the Foundation Group
CRANE-STYLE QIGONG
QN312 • 1 Unit • 15 Hours
This course presents standing movement exercises patterned
on the graceful, harmonious movements of the crane. While
practicing the form, the concentration on moving Qi to various
acupoints helps to activate Qi and strengthen vitality. Crane Style
provides a contemporary application of qigong for immune health.
Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of the Foundation Group
DAO-IN CHINESE YOGA II and III,
QN362 and QN363 • 1 Unit Each • 15 Hours Each
These courses include 44 movements and 14 meditation postures
(in addition to and building upon those in Level 1) from the
Dao-In system. Each movement, such as “Bamboo Bending in the
Wind,” “Bird Washing Its Wing,” and “Dragon Dance”, coordinates
breathing with gentle motion in order to adjust the energy of the
body. Dao-In is an ancient practice which helps reduce stress,
enhance youthfulness and increase longevity.
Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of the Foundation Group
TAI CHI FAN I
QN355 • 1 Unit Each • 15 Hours Each
For advanced students of Harmony Tai Chi Chuan, the Tai Chi fan
course further develops principles and experiential understanding
of yin and yang in motion, using the Tai Chi fan as an aid to
further sharpen the focus and coordination of the practitioner.
Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of the Foundation Group
TAOIST MEDITATION
QN 315 • 1 Unit • 15 Hours
Students learn meditative techniques and practices drawn
from ancient Taoist principles of gathering and focusing
psycho-spiritual resources. This course is relevant not only
to strengthen self-cultivation, but also to equip participants
with clinical tools and insights.
Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of the Foundation Group
INFINICHI PROGRAM IIA and IIB
QN 323 and QN 324 • 1 Unit Each • 15 Hours Each
Infinichi trains students in developing the energetic healing
abilities of a medical qigong therapist. Using Yo San family books
and standard texts for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qigong and
Chinese body work, this sequential program features progressive,
systematic approaches that nurture understanding, facilitate
skill development, and promote self-growth.
Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of the Foundation Group,
plus, Infinichi IIA is prerequisite to Infinichi IIB
HARMONY TAI CHI CHUAN LEVEL II (INTERMEDIATE FORM)
QN 352 • 1 Unit • 15 Hours
Harmony Tai Chi Chuan balances the energy of the three energy
centers of the body. This course covers the 28-Step Harmony Tai
Chi Chuan intermediate form, comprised of the first 18 movements
of the short form (Level I) plus 10 additional movements
(including some basic kicks) taken mostly from the first part
(Yin Section) of the Harmony Tai Chi Chuan long form (Level III).
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Foundation Group
HARMONY TAI CHI CHUAN LEVEL III (LONG FORM)
and LEVEL IV (ADVANCED FORM)
QN 353 and QN 354 • 2 Units Each • 30 Hours Each
The series (Harmony Tai Chi Chuan Level III and Level IV) presents
the philosophy and practice of the Harmony Tai Chi Chuan long
form that is part of the Yo San family heritage. Level III covers
the 58-Step Yin Section or first part of the long form which
includes movements that are more contracted. Level IV covers
the 50-StepYang Section or second part of the long form which
includes movements that are more expansive. Harmony Tai Chi
Chuan is a style that embodies principles of the Tao Te Ching.
Mastery of this form helps one to gain balance, harmony,
and an enhanced sensing of Qi that is essential to the
medical practitioner.
Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of the Foundation Group
TAI CHI CHUAN STRAIGHT SWORD LEVEL I (SHORT FORM)
QN 356 • 1 Unit • 15 Hours
The Tai Chi Chuan Straight Sword short form is the first 16
movements of the Tai Chi Chuan Straight Sword long form,
an integral part of the Harmony Tai Chi Chuan heritage of the
Yo San Family. The sword is an instrument of spiritual cultivation
that equips practitioners to learn to refine and master their
energy and project their Qi.
Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of the Foundation Group
TAI CHI CHUAN STRAIGHT SWORD LEVEL II (LONG FORM)
QN 357 • 1 Unit • 15 Hours
This course covers the 33-Step Tai Chi Chuan Straight Sword
long form. This form adds an additional 17 movements to the
16-Step short form (see above) to complete the long form.
Spiritual swordsmanship, using the sword as an instrument
of cultivation and refinement—including sword meditation—
is covered in this course.
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