Light returning: days
Lengthen, Yang waxes, springtime
Prepares to arrive.

I got back from NYC yesterday. We had the last weekend of a seven weekend year-long course in tui na with Tom Bisio. To be more accurate, it was two consecutive courses - traditional tui na (more overtly orthopedic), and zang fu tui na (organ regulating). On some level these these distinctions are more about the principles underlying different ways of communicating with the body – the traditional tends towards a direct approach, while the zang fu leans into an indirect approach.


An example of a direct approach would be a person's right hip is higher than their left hip. We work to balance the relative hip height by actively releasing tight tissues on the right side.


An example of an indirect approach within the same context would be to slacken the tight tissues by moving the body into the asymmetrical pattern, then following the movements that the body expresses from the position of more ease and relaxation until the system finds a new resting state.


I have been studying with Tom for 10 years. Every time I have the opportunity to train with him in person it is an incredibly inspiring and humbling experience. Studying medicine is definitely a well without a bottom. I feel like I have learned a ton in the past year, and at the same time I feel like I know less than when I started. At this point, I have made friends with this feeling. While it's never the same twice, I don't see it shifting to an “I've got this down!” within this lifetime.


I am immensely grateful to have the opportunity to study with teachers, friends, colleagues, patients, and kin. I feel fortunate to have so many opportunities to learn, practice, and be of service.


Thank you to each and every one of you for accompanying me on this wild and beautiful ride!


Spring is on her way. Next month's newsletter will dive into the new season, and the new Chinese luna-solar year – Yin Water Rabbit.

May your Winter days be filled with beauty, mystery, and friendship!

May you and your kin feel both rooted and free!

May all being and becoming receive nourishment!

Winter is ending.
Spring is beginning. The wheel
Of seasons rolls on.

It is my sincere hope that you have found something of use in these words.

If you know folks who you feel would enjoy this newsletter, please forward it their way! Thank you!
Wishing you and all your relations wellbeing and good medicine!

With gratitude,

Taran