Yin Yoga and Acupuncture Immersion – AcuYoga
AcuYoga Five Elements is our series of seasonal workshops that combine the simple and powerful practice of Yin Yoga with the subtle and profound precision of Acupuncture to cultivate and move Qi to balance the Yin and Yang within us.
AcuYoga helps us to recognise, navigate and embrace the shifting energies of Yin & Yang as we move through the seasons and the cycles of life.
The Five Elements cycle starts with Wood (Spring!) which fuels the Fire of Summer (transformation), transitions down to Earth.
Metal is the season of Autumn filtering all the goodness into Metal and ultimately enriching Water (Wisdom) so the cycle can start again.
Our 5 Elements Wood to Water series explores and attempts to brings to life Five Elements theory for our daily lives – interactions, events and relationships.
AcuYoga is grounded in Five Elements theory: The elements being Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water.
In an AcuYoga Immersion you’re invited to explore the inner landscape of your emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations, mirroring the cyclical and elemental changes of nature within your body.
All physical practices are accessible.
Each 2.5 hour immersion explores the Element associated with the particular Season we are in.
Led by licensed Acupuncturist Lucia O’Byrne of Aspire Health and Senior Yin Yoga Teacher at Mandala Susan Ni Dhubhlaoich each season we explore:
– The Element: its nature, themes, physical and emotional ailments;
– Element Personality: associated with the Element
– Acupuncture: ‘Super’ Acupuncture Points to boost Qi
– Essential oils: to boost Qi and the senses
– Yin Yoga: 75 mins targetting the Element’s major pathways (meridians) and Qi
– Reflection time
2025 dates for AcuYoga WOOD TO WATER Series:
Spring – Wood Element – Sat 1 Mar – COMPLETE
Summer – FIRE Element – Sat 17 May – COMPLETE
Late Summer – Earth Element – Sat 13 Sept – BOOK HERE
Autumn – Metal Element – Sat 8 Nov
Winter – Water Element – Sat 10 Jan (2026)
More about the Five Elements Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine
The foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are deeply rooted in the balance and harmony of the body’s vital energy – Qi – and the interplay of the complementary but opposite forces of Yin and Yang.
Five Elements Theory is a fascinating framework that describes the flow of energy and the interconnectedness of life.
Five Elements Theory enriches and informs Acupuncture, Yin Yoga, Qi Gong – offering us a truly holistic approach to help manage our health and the rhythm of our lives tuning into the cycles of Nature.
The Five Elements Theory in TCM
The Five Elements in TCM are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water.
Each element reflects different qualities, emotions, seasons, organs and aspects of the human experience.
These elements are in a delicate, dynamic state of balance. When this equilibrium is disrupted, it can lead to dis-ease – physical, emotional or spiritual.
Understanding each of the elements, their interrelationships and how they show up is crucial to restoring and maintaining balance and health.
Wood Element: The energy of Wood is associated with Spring, a time of growth and renewal. In the body, it corresponds to the Liver and Gallbladder meridians, which regulate the smooth flow of Qi.
Emotionally, Wood is linked to anger and frustration. When Wood energy is in balance, it cultivates decisiveness and assertiveness.
Fire Element: The Fire element represents the height of Summer. It is about joy and connection. Fire is about warmth, energy and our capacity to form social connections. The Heart and Small Intestine, (along with the Pericardium and Triple Burner meridians), align with this element.
A balanced Fire element manifests in joy and love. An overactive Fire element can lead to anxiety and insomnia.
Earth Element: Represents the transition periods between the seasons and relates to nourishment, self care and the concept of home. It synchronises with the Spleen and Stomach meridians – th eneed to maintain digestion and the assimilation of nutrients.
Worry is the emotion connected to an unbalanced Earth element. Thoughtfulness, empathy, stability come to the fore when the Earth element is in equilibrium.
Metal Element: Autumn is the season of Metal, symbolising organisation, boundary setting and our ability to let go. The Lung and Large Intestine meridians represent this element. They are responsible for respiration and elimination.
Grief is the emotion associated with Metal. A well-balanced Metal element represents courage and righteousness.
Water Element: Water is associated with the season of Winter. It represents inward reflection, endurance and the essence of life.
The Kidneys and Bladder meridians align with Water. They govern both the body’s reproductive and aging systems.
Fear is the emotion tied to Water. In balance Water represents calmness and quiet determination. Water is about depth and the wisdom that comes from the ending of the cycle.
So how does Acupuncture relate to the Five Elements Theory?
Acupuncture is a TCM practice that involves inserting extremely fine needles into specific meridian (energy pathways) points on the body to regulate the flow of Qi.
Each meridian is associated with one of the Five Elements described above.
By targeting the relevant pathway, an acupuncturist can influence the body’s energy balance and promote healing.
Lucia of Aspire Health is a licensed acupuncturist with over 20 years of experience.
If you’re seeking to resolve some specific challenges, she will assess your symptoms, emotions, and overall constitution to identify which Element(s) might be out of balance.
By treating the corresponding meridians, acupuncture triggers the body’s natural healing abilities and support the harmonious interaction between all the elements.
For example, you might be suffering from chronic stress and Wood element symptoms – such as tension headaches or irritability. An acupuncturist working within the Five Elements framework will target the Liver meridian to smooth the flow of Qi and alleviate these stress-related issues.
How does Yin Yoga relate to the Five Elements Theory?
Yin Yoga is a slow meditative practice that focuses on holding poses for longer periods, allowing for a deep stretch that targets the connective tissues, such as ligaments, bones, and joints. These areas can often be neglected in more dynamic styles of yoga.
Our connective tissues are known to accumulate deep tension and even trauma so accessing these tissues can yield profound relief for practitioners.
Yin yoga aligns closely with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), specifically with the Five Elements Theory, by nurturing the flow of Qi (life force) through therapeutically stressing and compressing the meridian pathways that correspond to these elements.
Yin Yoga serves as a conduit to balance the Five Elements within the body, offering various physical and emotional benefits.
Here’s how Yin Yoga connects to each of the Five Elements:
WOOD Element: The Wood Element channels the Liver and Gallbladder meridians, which are responsible for the smooth flow of Qi and blood in the body. Yin Yoga poses that target the inner thighs, hips and side body stimulate these meridians, easing the physical manifestation of stress and frustration often linked to Wood element imbalances.
FIRE Element: Governs the Heart and Small Intestine meridians and relate to the warmth of human connection and summer’s joy.
Postures that open the chest, shoulders, and arms may influence these pathways, aiming to alleviate feelings of overexcitement or restlessness, caused by an overactive Fire element energy.
EARTH Element: Associated with late summer, harvest time and the transition from summer to Autumn, the Spleen and Stomach meridians reflect grounding and nourishing qualities.
Yin Yoga practices that focus on the abdomen, such as forward folds or compress the stomach support the Earth element aiding digestive issues and cultivating a sense of nurturing both yourself and others.
METAL Element: Correlates with the Lung and Large Intestine meridians, which are connected to the season of Autumn. The Metal element is about letting go, just as we see the trees shed the heaviness that comes from holding up all their leaves.
Metal also reflects qualities like structure, organisation and refinement.
In Yin Yoga, poses that involve twists and openings across the chest encourage deeper breathing and help in releasing emotional grief or sadness that may be held in the body. As you focus on your breath and the stretching of the upper body, you embrace the qualities of the Metal element by letting go of what no longer serves you.
WATER Element: Pertains to the Kidney and Urinary bladder meridians, resonating with the season of Winter. This is a season for stillness and introspection.
Yin Yoga that target the lower spine, hips, and inner leg lines can stimulate the Water element’s meridians. By engaging in these poses and holding them for a long time, as we do in Yin, we tap into the Water element’s wisdom and face the fears that often reside in the deeper recesses of the mind.
In Conclusion
Yin Yoga, through its slow-paced and introspective nature, complements the principles of the Five Elements Theory by promoting a harmonious flow of energy through these meridians.
Yin Yoga as a practice acknowledges the profound connection between these ancient wisdom traditions and your own journey towards balance and holistic well-being.
Acupuncture is an even more powerful and potent modality directing Qi into targeted acu points with utmost precision.