Journey with the Five Spirits
A Qi Gong & Yin Practitioner Training
Next Training Begins this Spring!
Live Training Dates:
April 10-13, 2025
May 14-18, 2025
Final Closing Call TBD
Explore the Inner Elements
Known as the Wu Shen, the five spirits are a mystical and hidden aspect of Chinese medicine. While they are not often included in yin yoga curriculums, the five spirts are the bridge between the spirit and the soma (the physical body). They can be thought of as a map to our soul-or hidden dimensions of consciousness. In understanding the five spirits, we can understand the link between psycho-spiritual disturbances and physical disease.
Throughout the training we will explore how the five spirits show up in our life and how listening to their wisdom can enhance our practice, our teaching and our life. Guided meditations, inquiry, yin yoga, Qigong and breathwork will set the foundation for our study, while lectures, energetic anatomy and philosophy will be used to inspire further inquiry.
The intention of this 60 hour training is to provide an embodied understanding of energetics from the Taoist perspective. This course will offer detailed information about the five yin organs as defined in Chinese energetic medicine, as well as spiritual philosophy that can help enrich and deepen our capacity as yin yoga teachers and space holders. While the meridians, their location and associated postures will be taught, this training will encourage students to enter into an intimate relationship with their own energy system through deep practice and self-study.
This training is first and foremost a practice heavy training
It will also include:
An introduction to the language of Chinese Medicine and the Five Elements
Understanding the why behind the how & and the what (yin yoga and qi gong forms)
Finding your voice as a teacher (or however you choose to apply these prinicples)
Cultivating the essence of your Tao (your path)
Learning and practice the Taoist Five qi gong set with the intention to be able to share or teach this set
Learn and practice yin yoga as a part of a qi gong practice and a container for neidan (inner practices)
Practice teaching to your peers if you attend the live
This may be considered the beginning of your Qi Gong teacher training, or a continued deepening of your current practice
For this round, we are including the Live Class Series Yin Rising to encourage further practice in community. (*please note for any men who may join the training, you will have access to the recordings of Yin Rising but not the community or live classes.)
Curriculum
Community
You will have access to our Mighty Network online group to continue conversations outside of the class setting (not Facebook!)
Engage with the material, and share your experiences with each other to better integrate the information and make the class content meaningful for our everyday lives.
Yin & Qigong Forms
Yin yoga postures and qi gong exercises will be taught to learn how to support each of the organs and the Five Spirits
The full Taoist 5 Qigong Set will be taught and learn which exercises are used to purge, tone and regulate
Practice teaching forms with peers
Holding Space
Learn how to structure a practice for your own energetic constitution.
Learn how to sequence your classes with clear intentions.
Develop sequences that engage students on each level of the body, mind, and spirit.
How to theme classes and link together energetic concepts that support psychospiritual development.
Meditation
An exploration of Buddha Dharma and how to use these teachings within the framework of yin yoga and qi gong, and how they relate to the Five Spirits.
Topics such as the Eightfold Path, the Five Hindrances, the Eight Worldly Winds, and more.
Internal qigong (neigong) practices that can take place within both yin yoga and qi gong forms.
Anatomy
The Five Yin Organs and their Yang Pairs.
Physical and Energetic “target areas”
Three Dantians and three Channels of Light
Qi flow and Meridian Theory
Breathing Anatomy, the diaphragms (pelvic, throat and thoracic) and why they matter.
Intelligent Sequencing
Learn how to structure a practice for your own energetic constitution.
Learn how to sequence your classes with clear intentions.
Develop sequences that engage students on each level of the body, mind, and spirit.
How to theme classes and link together energetic concepts that support psychospiritual development.
When:
Dates:
April 10-13, 2025
May 14-18, 2025
Final Closing Call TBD
Times: 9:30 am - 2:30 pm Pacific Standard Time (PST)
This training includes two intensive modules of 4 and 5 days, and a final call to close likely in June.
Where:
Live Online via Zoom
Recordings & Community on Private Nosco Learning Mighty Network
Investment
$2100 USD
A Deposit of $700 USD is required to register and is applied to the cost of the training.
Canadians! Please email training@noscolearning.com for a special discount.
Includes Access to the Recordings + Online learning community + Course Materials for One Year + Yin Rising Live Class Series
60 YA CEU hours
Syllabus
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In this module, we will embark on an explorative journey into the realms of energy, Taoism, Buddhism, the Five Elements, and the Five Spirits. This foundational discussion will provide the theoretical backdrop—the "why" behind the principles and practices we will explore. We will delve into Qigong, Yin Yoga, Chinese medicine, and Buddhism as frameworks designed to nurture one's soul and enhance our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
Our learning and practice pedagogy will lay the groundwork for the course, guiding us through essential meditative techniques such as the "One through Ten" and the "Inner Smile," as well as the Taoist Five Qigong practices and 6 different yin yoga postures to nourish the spine and the main meridian channels. We will also cover the fundamentals of a comprehensive healing Qigong workout and the underlying mechanisms that support it.
We will initiate our conversation on anatomy, examining physical anatomy from a Western perspective in relation to the postures and practices taught, while also exploring energetic anatomy through an Eastern lens. This will include discussions on the Dantians, the organs, and key energetic transformations. Additionally, we will investigate the energetics and mechanics of breathing and posture.
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Module 2 expands on the concepts introduced in Module 1, transitioning from a primarily didactic format to a more internal and experiential approach. Each day will focus on a specific spirit, element, and organ, allowing us to dive deeply into the energetics associated with each organ. These intensive practice days will feature meridian stretching, reflective inquiry, Qigong exercises, and informative lectures. Participants can expect to learn a new Qigong and Yin Yoga sequence each day, complemented by guided imagery meditations. Our journey will progress from the most Yang organ and spirit, Shen, to the most Yin organ and spirit, the Kidneys. Throughout this module, you will be required to engage with you own personal material, honestly reflecting on how the spirit and elemental energies manifest in your own life. As a deeply personal journey, it is recommended you book some time off from your normal work and routines.
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This is an integration and closing call where we will talk about teaching, and how to practically use this information in 1:1 and group settings. There will be plenty of time for Q & A and discussion.
Apply for the Training
Interested in joining the training but have more questions? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly! We can't wait to hear from you!
FAQs
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Yes! We’ve had artists, career counsellors, healthcare practitioners, parents to young children and many others attend our trainings.
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It is always up to you. We believe yin and qigong are two sides of the same practice. The purpose of this training is to explore the principles of energetics, and these two practices are integral in our approach. Our students are often surprised by the practice they aren’t as familiar with!
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Yes, We are offering a 3 part payment plan of $700 monthly.
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Yes, 60 CEUs are available through Yoga Alliance. You must attend live, or if you watch the recordings, you must leave a short reflection so we can see that you engaged with the material. You must also complete all assignments.
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Yes, through the Nosco Learning Mighty Network for at least 1 year until May 2026.
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There is a non-refundable fee of $100 + 5% of what you have paid at the time of your cancellation. This is available until April 3, 2025. There is no refund available after this point except in extenuating circumstances.
Please note you will not have access to the recordings if you receive a refund. -
This is 60 Hour Qigong Teacher training certificate offered as a certificate of course completion and may also be used for CEUS with Yoga Alliance. If you do not already have a longer training in qi gong, yoga, or a professional designation, this could be a stepping stone towards further courses or certificates. Other than Yoga alliance, we are not currently affiliated with any other associations.
Meet your guides:
Stephanie Nosco
Stephanie is a Yin Yoga teacher, Medical Qigong Practitioner, meditator and movement enthusiast. She leads silent retreats in the Canadian Rocky Mountains and abroad, incorporating Qigong, Yin Yoga and, mindfulness meditation. Stephanie is passionate about guiding people through practices that facilitate honest self-inquiry and insight.
Stephanie began exploring yoga, meditation, and spirituality at the age of 15. She now has two Bachelors Degrees in Religious Studies and Education, and a Masters Degree in Counselling Psychology. Stephanie has participated in over 1000 hours of Yoga teacher training from a variety of different lineages.
Stephanie is also one of only 25 instructors in the world internationally certified by Sarah Powers of Insight Yoga.
Christine MacSween
Christine is a yoga teacher turned physical therapist, specializing in pelvic health and chronic pain. She is a long time practitioner of yoga, meditation, and creative endeavours. Writing and painting are her primary creative outlets currently and she loves to play with the themes of the Five Spirits and the elements in both.
Christine will be your “guide on the side” bringing her personal and professional experience to the training.