Q: I am an acupuncturist who has never studied herbs or have had very little formal training in herbal medicine. Is this course for me?
A: Yes! The course is intended to be a foundational course in Chinese herbal medicine and a course relevant for experienced herbalists.
The weekend lectures can be supplemented by resources on the enrolled student website. These are designed to facilitate learning and to help create a structure for study. These materials will encourage your studies and give new students confidence in this new learning endeavor.
Evan has often been cited as an exceptionally clear teacher. Evan makes the material approachable without diluting the complexity of Chinese medicine's concepts. He has many years of teaching experience to the profession and directing an herbal studies program at Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH). He has designed this program to be practical and accessible and to increase understanding of the potential of Chinese herbs to address the complications of contemporary life and diseases.
A core intention of the program is to furnish the students with the keys that will make their continued study and practice easier and more fruitful. The program does not attempt to teach an overwhelming amount of herbs and formulas. It focuses on understanding the key formulas and herbs in-depth. Most importantly, it presents a “code” or way of thinking about the individual herbs and formulas. This will be the groundwork for study as you expand your knowledge base in the future.
Q: I have taken an herb program as part of my Chinese medicine degree. Is this course for me?
A: Yes! Given the complex nature of Chinese herbalism and the vastness of the material, it is important to revisit the concepts. They are difficult to fully grasp in one course of study. To go through this program will be like getting a second (or third!) coat of paint on top of your base coat of knowledge. We can integrate familiar concepts in new ways after additional clinical and personal experiences. You are in a different place in the river as you encounter these ideas anew. When directing an University herbal program Evan had many students who wanted to take the course a second time and often would choose to audit large sections after graduating.
And if you have studied with Evan before, he will be offering new ideas that previous formats of teaching did not allow him time to present. He is excited to offer a new emphasis more grounded in the sensory experience of the herbs. Also, every weekend will highlight clinical integration, making clear links to tongue and pulse images so that this knowledge translates directly into clinical efficacy.
The program intentionally focuses on a select number of herbs and formulas so that participants can gain a level of depth and intimacy with the material. Moreover, the program will furnish the student with keys that may have been overlooked or never adequately addressed in their initial study.
Q: I'm an acupuncture student, can I take this course? A: Yes! If you are a clinical level student this would be a very good foundational course for you. Many students that have taken Evan's herb programs say that it greatly improved their acupuncture study as well. Q: I’m a MD, ND or relating to Chinese medicine from another healing modality. Is this program for me?
A: It could be. Be in touch before enrollment to discuss the fit. We can evaluate to determine if the core Chinese medical knowledge that is assumed for this program is in place for you from your previous studies. And if not, which resources could be engaged for you to meet that level of knowledge in order to begin study with success. Reach out by email or phone to begin the conversation.
Q: Will this program qualify me to sit for the NCCAOM herbal exam?
A: No, this course does not provide the prerequisites to sit the NCCAOM board certification in Chinese herbology. Yao Shan is not seeking any candidacy in this regard. It is important to be aware of your your state licensure requirements and scope of practice in regards to herbs, in CM profession or outside of it.
In the Chinese medical field, the study of Chinese Herbs is crucial to a thorough understanding of the principles of the medicine regardless of which modality one considers primary.
Q: What If I can’t attend all or some of the weekend classes in person?
A: It is optimal to be a classroom with a teacher and community of learners. The enthusiasm is contagious! If you are excited to engage this study with Evan and time or distance stand in the way, there are alternate possibilities.
You may Live Stream the class or watch the class On Demand as a Distance Learner. Video content is available for the entire course to watch when and where you choose. If you wish to receive NCCAOM PDA/CEU credits as a Distance Learner, each class will require submission of a very straightforward worksheet and a quiz to qualify for these professional credits. If you are not seeking PDA's, those evaluations are provided as supplemental learning material for you.
We can guide you with all the details of this along the way.
Q: Are there assignments and exams?
A: The In-Person Live Classroom requires no graded assignments or exams. The quizzes and supplemental materials posted on the student website are to be used as the student wishes.
The same is the case for Live Streaming and On Demand Distance Learning, with one exceptional consideration. On-Demand students seeking NCCAOM PDA/CEU's, will be required to complete a straightforward worksheet and quiz to receive that certificate, per NCCAOM requirements.
Q: Are there NCCAOM PDA's available for this coursework?
A; Yes (Pending)! All tracks and combination tracks qualify for NCCAOM PDA. Application is pending for 112 PDA's in Core Competency (AOM (108), Safety (2) and Ethics (2))
Q: What is the significance of Yao Shan in your name?
A: Yao Shan 藥山 means "Medicine Mountain". The name helps us to hold the character Yao 藥prominently mind as we study herbs together. The idea of music/ resonance / vibration expressed through the herbs is important to us. Herbs are quite literally joy in plant form. The name Yao Shan 藥山 is shared by our clinic as well.