This new class series at the Alchemist's Kitchen is carefully crafted to create vibrant wellness, rooted in deep understanding of your body's inner alchemy.
The objective of this multi-class series is to introduce the concepts of Chinese Herbal Medicine and timeless Eastern health practices, particularly Daoist Tonic Herbalism, in a friendly, modern, engaging, and accessible way.
with
Inga Bylinkina
Session 1: The Way of Dao: Flowing in Harmony with Nature’s Cycles
Wednesday, May 30th
8:00pm-10:00pm
doors at 8pm
event begins at 8:15pm
The time has finally arrived when more and more people are starting to take their health care in their own hands and looking for more natural, holistic and sustainable solutions and practices. We are in a massive healing phase on a collective level and it is reflected in a reawakening of interest in herbal medicine in the West. In many cultures around the world, wild plants have been used for healing and nourishment. Over thousands of years, traditional uses of certain herbs have been established and herbal systems developed through experience and practice. Understanding traditional principles of herbalism allows us to get the most benefits from the use of these natural medicines, and our sacred relationship with the Earth is strengthened through our understanding of herbal practices.
We will begin by exploring the concepts of Asian system of healthcare - Traditional Chinese Medicine, which is an amazing 5,000-year-old tradition of holistic healing with a strong emphasis on preventive lifestyle. We will start with building the foundation, exploring the 5 elements of Chinese Medicine and the timeless universal concept of duality: Yin and Yang. This will allow us to weave a beautiful holographic tapestry of interconnections between our physical organs and systems with emotions, our thought patterns, daily energy cycles and seasonal influences on our wellbeing. This framework is important to understand so we can start mapping out patterns of disease and finding how to get to the root of our health issues instead of just fixing the symptoms.
From there, we can then explore the ancient Daoist Art of Radiant Health, which is an in-depth proactive approach to health, longevity and spiritual development based on understanding balance and cultivating the vital energies of life, called the 3 Treasures.
In the first 5 sessions, we will go on an elemental journey, exploring each one of the 5 elements, the seasons that they rule, as well as the body organs and systems that resonate with each element. Class 6 will be more practical; each student will walk away with their own medicinal herbal elixir created in the class. Towards the end of the series, we will explore self-cultivation practices of the Daoist alchemists, focusing specifically on the use of tonic herbs, medicinal mushrooms and ancient superfoods in elixirs and special dishes to sustain your optimal wellbeing, youthfulness and longevity.
Each session will build harmoniously upon the previous ones so that you can develop a complete holistic view of your health and use herbs appropriately and timely to empower organic transformation on all levels through the different stages of life.
The goal of these classes is to help each student build an understanding of their body from a holistic perspective and start mapping out their patterns of disease and predispositions, eventually leading to creating a long-term Health and Longevity Plan, which can include body awareness rituals, diet, and a more grounded and consistent herbal regimen.
Session 1
The Way of Dao: Flowing in Harmony with Nature’s Cycles
In the first of this series, we will explore tapping into our inner ecology and elemental alchemy. Diving first into the Wood element, Spring season, and loving your Liver!
What you’ll discover in this session:
- 5 Seasons as the windows of deeper healing opportunities
- Which organs and systems are particularly receptive to healing during spring season
- Appropriate health rituals in the spring (detox is not one of them - surprise?)
- What symptoms manifest in the body when Liver+GallBladder energy system is out of balance
- How to support natural detoxification, hormonal and emotional balance by nourishing the Wood element and Blood with tonic herbs
Session 2
Fire Element, Summer Season & Healing the Heart, the Home of Our Spirit
Tuesday, June 12th
8:00-10:00pm
SESSION 3 - Date TBD
Earth Element, Late Summer/Fall transition. Digestive system TLC + rituals for coming into yourcenter.
SESSION 4 - Date TBD
Metal Element, Fall Season. Learning to let it all go + building a resilient body fortress for the cold time of the year.
SESSION 5 - Date TBD
Water Element, Winter Season. Nourishing the deep reserves of our energy by working with the Kidney/Bladder/Adrenal system.
SESSION 6 - Date TBD
Daoist Elixirs of Longevity. A playful workshop to craft your own tonic wine.
$25 for an individual class
$30 at the door
tickets are non-refundable
Art by Kathryn June “Ka” Amorastreya
Inga is an herbalist, healing nutrition coach and energy healer. She grew up in the Russian countryside, immersed in the herbal folklore and old-school healing traditions. She learned how to forage for herbs and mushrooms from her father, who was known in the community for his wilderness skills and particularly for his ability to identify poisonous mushrooms. Since childhood Inga developed a fondness for plant medicine and is now a passionate advocate of natural healing and seasonally attuned holistic approach to health and life. Inga’s path and purpose is to educate on how we can cultivate a deeper connection with the natural world and our body’s innate intelligence through the use of plant medicines and health cultivating practices. Besides working with private clients, Inga is also co-director and instructor at Academy of Healing Nutrition in NYC. She teaches workshops on food as medicine, herbal remedies, superfoods, medicinal mushrooms and elixir craft in the US and Europe.
