The Pulse of Balance

from the Tan Academy of Balance team!
—

This is your Winter seasonal newsletter!

IN THIS SEASONAL NEWSLETTER:

• 8EVC Alumni Story
• What has Dr. Sonia Tan been up to?
• Mentorship program updates
• January Balance System Acupuncture Learning Lab – January 13, 2026
• Upcoming IN-PERSON-ONLY Balance System Acupuncture (BSA) Levels 1+2 Foundations seminar in Vancouver, BC – February 28 – March 2, 2025

Welcome to the November Winter Seasonal Newsletter from the Tan Academy of Balance! As we move deeper through the end of fall and into the winter, the crisp air and shorter days invite us to reflect on the harvest we’ve gathered throughout the year. This is a time for gratitude and introspection as we begin to prepare for the quiet stillness of winter. Now is the moment to restore our energy and reflect on what has supported us so we can approach winter with clarity and strength.

Though the cooler weather and fading light can bring a sense of longing or even sadness, November offers a special opportunity for grounding and renewal. By turning inward, we can nourish ourselves with practices that promote balance and resilience, strengthening both our bodies and our minds. As we transition into this time of rest and reflection, let’s embrace the tools, foods, and rituals that help us stay centered. Together, we can prepare ourselves for the stillness of winter and welcome the coming season with clarity and grace.

We hope to see you soon! 
Martina, Tan Shifu, Suzanne Laoshi and the Tan Academy of Balance Team

See you online, in person, or in the Tan Balance Hub.

Eight Extraordinary Vessels & Complementary Channels (8EVC) Alumni Feedback

”Every now and then, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity presents itself. This was one of those opportunities and I will cherish it for the rest of my life and beyond. That’s just me, but if we include the impact on patients and their transformed lives affecting their spheres of influence, the ripples will go on and on to bring love and light far beyond the mentorship. Thank you, Yvonne, for sharing your life, and Sonia, for making this opportunity available.”

8EVC Cohort 1 Alumni

What has Dr. Sonia Tan been up to?

When she is not teaching Balance System Acupuncture Cohort 5 and the inaugural cohort of the Certified Astrology Consultant program, TAB Founder and Director Dr. Sonia Tan, DAOM, R.Ac, R.TCM.P, is busy spreading the joy of Classical Chinese Medicine and the San Cai online and in-person!

Where can you find her? Click on the links below to listen to her guest podcast appearances, take her courses, or hear her speak in person!

Yo San University 39Gen Podcast

Dr. Tan’s alma mater, Yo San University, has a fantastic podcast that all BSA and San Cai lovers should listen to. Here are the latest episodes that feature our fearless leader:

Mastering Balance: The Richness of Channel Theory & Acupuncture Mastery in TCM with Dr. Sonia Tan

Channeling Change: Dr. Sonia Tan on Deep Healing and Heritage

AcuPro Academy

Dr. Tan’s dear friend and colleague Clara Cohen, a self-professed “TCM and Acupuncture geek” is a wonderful teacher who offers education to students worldwide on all things acupuncture and TCM.

AcuPro Academy Podcast: Let’s Talk Balance Acupuncture with Dr. Sonia Tan

Courses:

Balance System Acupuncture Level 1

Scalp Acupuncture Balance System Holography Microsystem

Net of Knowledge

Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture legend John Stan and his team host a plethora of courses for practitioners to continue their learning journey. Dr. Tan has eight courses, two Knowledge Bytes and five articles ready for you to dive into. She is also a two-time presenter at the FLOW symposium, hosted by Net of Knowledge’s Canadian home, Eastern Currents.  

Find everything listed below here!

Courses:

Balance System Acupuncture Levels 1-4

The Three Essences: The Holistic Harmony of Heaven, Earth and Humankind

Introduction to Chinese Astrology

The Five Phases of Ba Zi Chinese Astrology – More Than a Beginner’s Intro

Three Essences Integration – Bringing it all together!

Knowledge Bytes:

LU7 and ST37 – how BSA explains their command point functions!

Articles:

2022-2024 Astrology Outlooks

3 Reasons Why We Don’t Need Research In Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and 3 Reasons Why We Do

Reflections on Dr. Richard Teh-Fu Tan

Guest Lectures and other Teaching

In March 2025, Dr. Tan will be speaking at the American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM)’s Global Holistic Medicine Conference – Traditional Techniques to Advanced Technology. She will be introducing participants to the beauty of BSA in her presentation Introduction to Balance Method/System Acupuncture.

Mentorship News

Balance System Acupuncture Practitioner (BSAP) Certificate Mentorship Program

We are excited for the students of Cohort 5 to reach level 5 on November 16 – 17, 2024! Treasured feedback from Cohort 5 is that they “appreciate and have felt very supported in the program”. We love hearing this because that is our intention – and that’s why it’s called a mentorship! 

Cohort 6 of the BSAP will start in September 2025. 

Applications will be available June 1, 2025.

More Program Info

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

We are thrilled that Cohort 2 of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels and Channels (8EVC) mentorship with Dr. Yvonne Farrell will be progressing to Module 2: Luo Vessels in January, 2025! They have only just begun their journey. From the questions and curiosities from their first Module, we are excited about their learning journey!

Cohort 3 of the 8EVC begins in October 2026. 

Applications will be available June 1, 2026.

More Program Info

Visit our website www.tanbalance.com/program-documents
or email hello@tanbalance.com for more information.

Certified Astrology Consultant (CAC) Mentorship

Level 6 of Certified Astrology Consultant (CAC) Mentorship Cohort 1 has been restructured and split into two individual sections. First taking place on December 7, 2024 and second on February 23, 2025. This is a keen Cohort, demonstrating that they want more, and they are learning to see and appreciate the world with their new set of eyes. Tan Shifu sees that they have been immersing well, and she is excited for the last half of the formal program mentorship, the beginning of their life journey with eyes, brains and hearts. 

The next intake for CAC (Cohort 2) is tentatively scheduled for October 2026. 

More Program Info

Visit our website www.tanbalance.com/program-documents
or email hello@tanbalance.com for more information.

Continuing Education News

BSA Foundations (Levels 1 & 2)

We are thrilled to announce that our IN-PERSON-ONLY BSA Foundations seminar for 2025 will be held on February 28 to March 2, 2025.

Tuition: All three days including the textbook: $898 + GST. 

November “Tan Shifu Birthday” sale ($200 off) until Nov 30, 2025! Register now! See below for registration instructions! 

Venue: UBC Robson Square, Vancouver, Canada. Course runs from 8:30am to 5pm all 3 days for a total of 21 CEU hours.

This is an IN-PERSON ONLY COURSE with a practical component through hands-on palpation and needling practice with Dr. Tan and her teaching assistant(s).

The course offers knowledge and skills of Foundations of Balance System Acupuncture (BSA), Level 1: Single System Balance and Level 2: Multiple/Global System Balance.  

Steps to Register

Our registration system streamlines the process to view and register for all available TAB courses, make deposits, early-bird, and pay-as-you-go payments directly, and see course outlines and schedules at www.tanbalance.com!

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Click Here to Register for a TAB Student Account.
2. After logging in, access the TAB Student Access page to view all available courses in the TAB Store.
3. Select and register for “Balance System Acupuncture Foundations (Levels 1+2): Single + Multiple Systems – In Person.”

January Balance System Acupuncture Learning Lab

January 13, 2025

Stay tuned for when the registration opens!

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 $9.99 USD. 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

         Books

Tan Academy of Balance Books

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!

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~ Inspiring Confidence ~ Creating Balance ~ Motivating Evolution ~