The Spirit of the Elements
5 Day CPD Course
With classical acupuncturist Anne-Marie Fouche
and yoga teacher Louise Windsor
12th September 2026 - Earth
21st November 2026 - Metal
16th January 2027 - Water
17th April 2027 - Wood
26th June 2027 - Fire
10am - 5pm each day
Small group - limited to 12 People
Venue: The Yoga Garden - (non-residential)
Price £750 - Per Day - £150 (includes handouts and certification)
A light Lunch of seasonal home made soup is included.
To book the course or ask further questions please email Louise via the link below
ABOUT
A year-long series of 5 x day retreats for participants to deepen their relationship with the seasons and the qualities they inspire in us according to the sophisticated model of the Five Elements (wu xing).
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In Chinese Medicine theory, the five natural elements exist within us, as they do in nature. This way of understanding the world was based on close observation of the cyclical energies of nature through the seasons; concepts that later became absorbed into the development of Taoism.
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The natural forces of yin yang, qi and the five elements offer a holistic health model that does not separate external changes such as seasonal movements from internal changes such as reactions and emotions. When we study nature’s rhythms and patterns, we can learn how to find balance and support our own health year-round.
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Each workshop is an invitation to live in alignment with nature and an opportunity for embodied learning as we immerse in each element in its own season. The whole of the series guides us through a full turn of the five element wheel. Alongside the wheel, we journey through the five spirit axis; the lesser-known theory of the inter-connected aspects of the psyche originating from early texts of classical Chinese medicine.
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The five elements offer a profound philosophical perspective that is not just to be studied, but to be lived, explored, pondered and absorbed. Each season provides a brand-new opportunity to deepen our experience of nature, our more-than-human companions, our-selves.
COURSE INFORMATION
PRE-COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
If you are taking this course to deepen your knowledge for teaching Yin Yoga you will require a 200 hour Yoga certificate and a completion of a Yin CPD course (it doesn't have to be with Louise). This course on its own will not prepare you to teach Yin Yoga.
Open to yoga teachers, acupuncturists, students and anyone wanting to connect with the seasons on a deeper level.​​​​
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CERTIFICATION:​
Yoga teachers will receive a 35 hours CPD certificate. 30 hours is in person and 5 hours is coursework. Non teachers will receive a certificate of attendance.
WHAT IS COVERED:
We will explore the resonances, activities and issues of each element during its own season with a blend of theory and practice including qi gong, yoga, sensory nature walks, meditations, yoga nidra, mindfulness invitations and Louise’s delicious seasonal soups.
WE WILL BE SHARING:
A thorough and thoughtfully curated overview of each element, seasonal energetics, the paired organ systems and associated physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects
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Qualities and virtues of each element and spirit in balance.
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Recognition of seasonal and elemental patterns of imbalance and how to reharmonise.
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Sensory and seasonal nature connection experiences.
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A renewed and deeper relationship with nature as our energetic guide.
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Deeper emotional resilience through the seasons and in relation to the world around us.
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A profound personal and collective journey of meeting nature, your self and each other in long-lasting and nourishing ways
THE FIVE ELEMENTS & THE FIVE SPIRITS
Connecting with the energy of the seasons is one of the most accessible and effective ways to understand the elements by offering a direct sensory experience of the energetics of each Element.
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We will delve into the physical, mental and emotional energetics of each element as well as the five spirits (wu shen). Spirit or Shen is considered a vital substance that completes the multifaceted fabric of our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual being. It is the unique inner spark that activates our awe, compassion, imagination, intention and ambition, and determines how we experience and show up in the world. The five spirits represent different aspects of the psyche; consciousness, emotion, values and vitality, each linked to one of the five elements and organ systems. They are not spirits in a religious sense, but functions of the mind and psyche that are inseparable from our bodily systems.
We recommend you attend all five sessions for a fuller appreciation of each element and spirit in relation to each other and the whole
YOUR TEACHER-LOUISE WINDSOR
ABOUT LOUISE
Louise is an advanced Yin Yoga teacher having studied with her teacher Norman Blair, Sarah Powers, Bernie Clarke and Paul Grilley.
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Louise began her yoga journey over 12 years ago; she discovered that yoga philosophy and the practice fitted so perfectly with her interest in helping others with self-enquiry, personal development, healing and so much more. Louise fell in love with Yin Yoga after studying Vipassana, a mindful Buddhist meditation technique, and realised this very slow style of yoga blends the physical practice of yoga perfectly with meditation and self-enquiry. Naturally a busy “yang like” person, and up until then preferring the stronger practice of flow yoga, she learnt that actually she needed the balance of the two. Time to slow down, stop, and just be.
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Through her teachings of Yin she shares not only yoga philosophy but also knowledge of the meridians, mindfulness, chakras and self enquiry. She has studied and had mentoring extensively with acupuncturist Kate Henley and run courses with acupuncturist Anne-Marie Fouche which has led to her having a deep understanding of living seasonally with the Five Elements of Chinese Medicine, she brings this into her teachings.
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She is passionate about helping people to be themselves, to accept themselves as they are, and to cultivate a deep connection with their true state of being; peace, love, non duality, joy and inner wisdom. In training other teachers, she feels it’s important for them to find their own voice and their own style of teaching so it flows and feels authentic for them.
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Louise is a Senior Yoga Alliance (UK) teacher and a Yoga Alliance US ERYT 500 YACEP.
YOUR TEACHER-ANNE-MARIE
ABOUT ANNE-MARIE
Anne-Marie has been an acupuncturist for 16 years completing a BSc (hons) degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture at the University of Westminster in 2008. In 2022, she completed a master’s degree in social anthropology receiving a distinction at the University of Sussex with a focus on the interrelationships between health, nature and culture.
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From the first day of her studies, Anne-Marie fell in love with the classical philosophy and theoretical framework that Traditional Chinese Medicine is rooted in and she continues to explore the endless aspects of this elegant and ancient knowledge system.
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Anne-Marie founded and runs Worthing Community Acupuncture, a popular low-cost community clinic offering treatments on a sliding scale in central Worthing. She is deeply committed to ensuring the benefits of acupuncture are accessible to as many people as possible. She offers various mindful workshops and Traditional Chinese Medicine trainings through Taste of Space and has taught on Louise Windsor’s advanced yin yoga training for 4 years. Anne -Marie is very much looking forward to collaborating again with Louise on this exciting new course.
The Spirit of the Elements
A year long training series in five parts to delve deeper into the sophisticated model of the Five Elements (wu xing) and the ways that this perspective can be understood in everyday life to bring health and balance
To book the course or ask further questions please email Louise via the link below