The Pulse of Balance
Seasonal Newsletter
from the Tan Academy of Balance team!
—
IN THIS SEASONAL NEWSLETTER:
- Practitioner Case Study
- Fall mentorships begin!
- BSA Mentorship Cohort 5 begins September 13 – 15, 2024
- 8EVC Mentorship Cohort 2 begins October 4 – 6, 2024 → 2 spots open!
- October Balance System Acupuncture Learning Lab – October 23, 2024
See you online, in-person, or on the Tan Balance Hub,
Welcome to the Fall Metal Seasonal Newsletter from the Tan Academy of Balance! As we shift into the gentle, yet at times challenging, season of fall, we find ourselves in a period of transition and reflection. According to Classical Chinese medicine, fall is a time of harvest and letting go, associated with the metal element, which brings clarity but also the need to release what no longer serves us. This can be a time of mixed emotions – balancing between the gratitude for what we’ve cultivated and the inevitable changes that this season brings for us.
The crisp air and shorter days might stir feelings of melancholy or unease, but it’s also an opportunity to slow down, nourish our bodies, and strengthen our spirits. Leaning into the wisdom of Classical Chinese medicine, we can embrace foods, practices, and tools that support us through this transition. Warm, nourishing meals, breathing exercises, and practices that fortify our lungs and immune systems can help us find balance and resilience. Let’s navigate this season together, finding comfort in the knowledge that we can support ourselves through these changes and prepare for the stillness of winter ahead.
We hope to see you soon!
Martina, Tan Shifu and the Tan Academy of Balance Team
Practitioner Case Study

Presented by Howard Chen, MD, FAAMA, ABOIM
Dr. Howard Chen, MD, FAAMA, ABOIM, is a semi-retired Physician, Board Certified in Family Medicine, Integrative Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine. Dr. Chen was the founder and director of The Chen Center for Integrative Medicine in Reno, NV. With the Tan Academy of Balance, he serves as Lead Grand Rounds Instructor (Certificate Program) & Certified Balance System Acupuncture Teacher, Dr. Chen is a Certified BaZi Consultant and one of the “First 16” of Da Shi 大师 (大師) Richard Tan’s BaZi program. Dr. Chen’s primary Chinese Medicine techniques include Balance Method Acupuncture and BaZi Birth Chart Analysis.
BSA Case – Epididymitis
Subjective:
45 yo male with a history of anxiety, ADHD, substance abuse. Patient complains of left groin pain, starting at the L epididymis which radiates to the Left inguinal region and left flank. History of recurrent left epididymitis, previously treated with fluroquinolone antibiotics.
Objective:
BaZi Day Master – Deficient Yin Earth, Yang wood secondary element.
Examination reveals that he is diffusely tender at the superior left testicle at the epididymis. Approximate location of pain radiation – left GB 26, 27, 28, LR 12, 13
Assessment:
Western Diagnosis determined to be acute on chronic Left Epididymitis.
Affected Meridians = Left Liver and Gallbladder
Plan
Balancing Meridians for Deficient Yin Earth BaZi Day Master = Tai Yin; Yang Ming
Balancing Meridians for Left LR and GB pain at testicle, inguinal and flank: Magic 4 Male / Magic 4 Heat
HT – balances GB via Systems II, IV (ipsilateral or contralateral)
SI – Balances LR via System IV (ipsilateral or contralateral)
LR – Balances GB (System III contralateral) and LR (System VI ipsilateral)
GB – Balances LR (System III contralateral) and GB (System VI ipsilateral)
Day Master Balance – Tai Yin Yang Ming III-VI Channel Conversion. Left LU 9, 5 / ST43, 36. Right LI 3, 11 / SP 3, 9. Note additional LI – LR balance (System II ipsilateral and contralateral). Thus, Right sided LI 3 would also help to balance Left sided Liver meridian at the epididymis. Left LU does balance LR (System V contralateral) but would treat a right sided LR, which is not an affected meridian. Left groin and inguinal attack – Left HT 8-4A (to balance left GB, GB 42-39 A (to balance self), Right SI 3-6 A (to balance left LR) , LR 3.5 – 5 A (to balance right GB).
Mentorship News
Balance System Acupuncture Practitioner (BSAP) Certificate Mentorship Program
Cohort 5 begins September 13 – 15, 2024!
We are very excited to begin a new mentorship with passionate students of Cohort 5 this fall! This cohort of the Balance System Acupuncture Practitioner (BSAP) mentorship begins with Level 3: Channel Conversion this September!
Our next cohort will start in September 2025 – applications will be available
June 1, 2025.
About the BSAP Certificate Mentorship Program
Based on a long lineage of ancient, authentic teachings of Classical Chinese medicine and applied channel theory, the BSA program brings Acupuncture to life, including all Advanced levels of Balance Acupuncture (3-9) and Grand Rounds classes of cases, adjunct topics, and guest lecturers.
The program dives deep in exploring advanced Balance Acupuncture strategies to effectively deliver more immediate, lasting results. The program takes the content of the Balance Method as taught by Dr. Richard Teh-fu Tan to Dr. Sonia F. Tan, and incorporates her experience as an academic teacher and clinician of the Balance Method. Evolved teaching methods, hands-on demos and practice, case work, feedback mechanisms, adjunct topics and multiple case studies are incorporated into the learning.
- Tan Shifu teaches in a clear, systematic way so that students know how to build a treatment plan using the strategies taught.
- Teaching Assistants help support and provide additional aid to students throughout the program.
- Customization and refinement – this is the golden nugget for practitioners who have been practicing Balance but haven’t studied with Sonia Tan Shifu before. It takes treatments to another level.
- Additional didactic time with clinical Grand Round cases.
- There is breathing room in between levels to ensure students absorb and understand the advanced concepts so they know how to apply them.
- Study labs, assignments, quizes and other feedback mechanisms are provided for additional support.
- Guest speakers and the teaching team contribute additional experience to the educational environment.
Visit our website www.tanbalance.com/program-documents
or email hello@tanbalance.com for more information.
Eight Extraordinary Vessels and Channels (8EVC) Mentorship with Dr. Yvonne Farrell
Cohort 2 begins October 4 – 6, 2024!
We are thrilled about our next Cohort 2 of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels and Channels (8EVC) mentorship with Dr. Yvonne Farrell with Module 1: Sinews begins this October! Due to last minute changes we have 2 spots available! Please inquire or submit your application to hello@tanbalance.com if you are interested!
Our next Cohort 3 begins in October 2026. Applications will be available
June 1, 2026.
About the 8EVC Mentorship Program
Dive deep into the pathophysiology, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the
Eight Extraordinary Vessels & Extra Channels in this in-person only, unique learning
experience. With over three times the amount of content compared to Dr. Farrell’s online mentorships, experience the added benefit of supportive, live learning with hands-ons clinic time and a community of like-minded colleagues.
Visit our website www.tanbalance.com/program-documents
or email hello@tanbalance.com for more information.
October Balance System Acupuncture
Learning Lab
October 23, 2024

Open Questions Lab
October 23, 2024 at 1:00 pm Pacific
The next Earth month is almost here, and you know what that means…
It’s Balance System Acupuncture (BSA) Learning Lab time!
Join Suzanne for this quarterly Learning Lab featuring an open question and answer session. The floor will be open to any and all Balance or Tan Academy of Balance related questions! If you have a specific case you would like her to review (time permitting), send it to swilliams@tanbalance.com.
Who should join? Students interested in diving deeper into channel theory, holography and Classical Chinese medicine.
Strongly Recommended PREREQUISITE: A minimum of BSA Levels 1 and 2 (Balance System Acupuncture (BSA) Foundations – Level 1: Single Systems + Level 2: Multiple System balancing) through Tan Academy of Balance (in person or webinars) or an equivalent course through another provider.
Join online for 1 hour from wherever you are!
We’ll begin at 1:00pm Pacific time on October 23, 2024!
Fee: free for premium members of the Tan Balance Hub (the private Tan Academy learning community). Coupon code can be found in Tan Balance Hub on the Activity Feed.
Non-premium members $8.49. Register on the TAB Hub through the Events tile.
* Please note: CEUs are only available for those who attend Learning Labs live online and complete the feedback survey.
* Learning Labs are recorded and available on the Tan Balance Hub Members Area.
Sign up as a premium member for access!
Email hello@tanbalance.com for more information.
Continued Learning Resources
Recorded Webinars
Books
Net of Knowledge: Dr. Sonia F. Tan
BSA levels
1 to 4
Astrology &
Feng Shui
introductions and prerequisites
Course-only & CE Options Available
Dr. Sonia Tan authored this book as a reference textbook for BSA Levels 1+2: Single + Multiple Balance. It is an essential clinical reference.
Available in English, Spanish & International French!
Join the Hub!
Find a Practitioner
Access the free section that includes TAB Teaches (quick tips & insights) OR subscribe to our premium member’s side ($9.99 USD annually) for access to Learning Lab recordings, community support from like-minded practitioners, direct communication with Tan Shifu & the TAs, your practice listing on our website, and more!
Find a Practitioner!
Find trained or certified practitioners in your area.
~ Inspiring Confidence ~ Creating Balance ~ Motivating Evolution ~

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