The Pulse of Balance

Seasonal Newsletter

From the Tan Academy of Balance team!

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IN THIS MONTH’S NEWSLETTER:

• Transitions – new COO and shifting leadership roles of Tan Academy of Balance! 
• Tan Academy of Balance Grand Opening April 11, 2026
• Learning Lab April 20, 2026
• Tan Academy of Balance Celebration Day! April 25, 2026
• Practitioner Profile – Minya Dejohnette 
• All Mentorship written applications including the BSAP Mentorship applications open on June 1, 2026
• Available for purchase- Bǐng Wǔ 丙午 Fire Horse year Bā Zì 八字 Astrology and Fēng Shuǐ 风水 / 風水 insights

As the season shifts, we move from winter’s stillness into the energy of spring in the year of the Fire Horse. Just as plants push through the soil and stretch toward the sun, this is an ideal time to support the body’s natural processes of movement and renewal.

We hope to see you soon! 

Martina, Sheralyn, Tan Shīfu, Suzanne Lǎoshī, Sara Ward and the Tan Academy of Balance Team

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

Tan Academy of Balance transitions from Tan Shīfu

You may have heard about me speaking about the Fire Horse – that it is a time of major transformation and inspiration. Coincidentally or not (I say not), the Tan Academy of Balance (TAB) is entering a new phase that I am excited to share with you!

Since its founding in 2019, my school has been a small operation, focused on teaching and inspiring our fellow colleagues and the general public, on the beauty of Classical Chinese medicine and Chinese metaphysics! This originally was focused on Balance System Acupuncture with only light thoughts towards teaching other metaphysical subject matters. In those early years, I didn’t really imagine the school would become what it has now – a leader in education of the full Wǔ Shù 五术/五術, Sān Cái 三才 and all metaphysical knowledge. This is the work of the Dào 道, leading me with hints and nudges and well ok, pushes along the way toward this direction. It has had me teach both externally around the world, and internally within the school’s mentorship programs that I developed. 

Along this journey, I asked dedicated and passionate people to join the Tan Academy of Balance team to support and cheer on this journey. I am at a significant stage in the school’s growth, where I see the calling of the Dào 道 is asking me to travel externally more, and spread the excitement and foundational building blocks of Classical Chinese medicine around the world, continuing to ignite this inspired learning for others. As you may be able to imagine, I am unable to be in two places at once, nor, as much Chinese Herbs/Taiji/Qigong etc that I do, I am human and have limited resources of Qi, Blood, Yin and Yang to expend. With the school’s mentorship programs expanding and gaining more and more demand, it is time for me to pass the torch to new leadership in a couple of significant areas. I have worked alongside both these lovely individuals closely for several years – they are both Certified Balance System Acupuncture (BSA) Practitioners from my Cohort 1, are passionate about this medicine and supporting and inspiring the future! I trust them and I am thrilled to have them on the team to continue to run the school as I recapture my energy and focus on teaching externally to spread this around the world. 

With the new leadership team, please know, I am still here to guide, advice, support, and teach! I will remain as the President and Chief Academic Officer. You will still see me Guest Speak at mentorships, lead the Astrology mentorship (and eventual Feng Shui mentorship), lead various Alumni Learning Labs or other CEU courses, and appear at various events. As a family business, I plan to still be involved to ensure that continuity and integrity of the school’s lineage, mission and vision are maintained. Please join me in welcoming Sara Ward as the Tan Academy of Balance’s Chief Operating Officer, and Lǎoshī Suzanne Williams as the new Lead BSA Instructor for the Certified BSA Practitioner (BSAP) mentorship!

Welcome Sara Ward, B.A, R.Ac!

Our new Chief Operations Officer

Sara Ward, B.A., R.Ac., has been practicing acupuncture since 2010 and is the Owner and Founder of The Village Acupuncture in East Vancouver. She graduated from ICTCMV in 2010, where her practice was forged under Dàshī Dr. Richard Teh-Fu Tan. Sara has practiced exclusively with Balance System Acupuncture and is a Certified Balance System Acupuncture Practitioner (Cohort 1), with advanced training in the Eight Extraordinary Vessels and Complementary Channels for psycho-emotional pain (Cohort 2), both with the Tan Academy of Balance.

Sara’s connection to the Tan Academy of Balance dates back to its earliest beginnings. Early in her career, she joined a small group of practitioners led by Shīfu Dr. Sonia F. Tan, meeting in rented rooms about Balance Method refinement. These early enlightenments laid the groundwork for what would become the Tan Academy of Balance, and Sara remains proud to be part of its origin story and deeply grateful for Tan Shīfu’s mentorship, which continues to shape her medicine and leadership.

Taking on the role of Chief Operating Officer of the Tan Academy of Balance feels like a natural homecoming — an opportunity to honour lineage, pursue excellence, and support the continued evolution of Balance System Acupuncture.

Congratulations Lǎoshī Suzanne Williams, MBA, R.Ac, R.TCM.P.!

Our new Lead BSA Instructor (TAB mentorship program)

We are delighted to share that the BSAP Mentorship Program is entering a meaningful new chapter in its lineage and growth. As the Tan Academy of Balance continues to expand, Shīfu 师父/師父 Dr. Sonia F. Tan is passing forward the teachings of the Balance System Acupuncture lineage to a new generation of trusted educators who embody the depth, integrity, and spirit of her work in our mentorship programs.

For the 2026–2027 BSAP Cohort 7, leadership of the program will be taken up by Tan Shīfu’s personally selected and long-time Head Teaching Assistant, Lǎoshī 老师/老師 Suzanne Williams, MBA, RAc, RTCMP. After years working closely alongside Tan Shīfu, and demonstrating exceptional skill, insight, and dedication to the lineage, Suzanne Lǎoshī now steps forward as Lead BSA Teacher with Tan Shīfu’s full confidence and blessing. Shīfu Dr. Sonia F. Tan will remain as the Chief Academic Officer, mentoring and advising the Certified BSA Teachers and all students, as well as continue to support the BSAP mentorship with Guest Speaking appearances. The same supportive environment that has defined Tan Shīfu’s teaching will remain, and students will gain deeper confidence and competency in Classical Acupuncture. The BSAP Mentorship remains a transformative journey, now carried forward by the next generation of lineage-bearers, guided by Tan Shīfu’s vision and tradition.

Suzanne Williams, BA, MBA, RAc, is a Registered Acupuncturist, Registered TCM Practitioner, Certified Tui Na practitioner, a Certified Balance System Acupuncture Practitioner (graduate of the first cohort)! She is a Certified BSA Instructor with the Tan Academy of Balance and is the Head Teaching Assistant for the Balance System Acupuncture program. Balance Acupuncture has changed the way she practices and she looks forward to passing the knowledge on!

In her youth, Suzanne was drawn to healing professions, yet her passion for languages, culture and travel led her over 12 years of study and work in Taiwan, Hong Kong and mainland China. While living there, she was exposed to Chinese Medicine formally, as a patient receiving Tui Na, cupping and acupuncture, and informally as a recipient of over the counter herbal at-home remedies. 

Suzanne studied external martial arts while living in Asia, and has long since been a student of Qi Gong, Tai Ji and other internal martial arts. She is fluent in English, Mandarin and conversational French. Suzanne can often be found enjoying Vancouver’s water in all its forms, whether racing dragonboats in False Creek, or teaching adaptive skiing on the North Shore mountains!

Tan Academy of Balance (TAB) Grand Opening

April 11, 2026

Join us on April 11, 2026 as we officially open the doors to our historic Chinatown location! 

We’re kicking things off with high energy, tradition, and community spirit. Experience a blessing by the Hon Hsing Lion Dancers!

All Tan Academy of Balance friends, current students and alumni are invited to attend! 

Online: Tune in from anywhere for the speeches and Lion Dance performance!

When: April 11, 2026

Doors open: 1:00 PM PT

Speeches: 2:00 PM PT SHARP! 

Cost: 100% FREE but registration is required to secure your spot!

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

April Balance System Acupuncture Learning Lab

April 20, 2026

Have you taken up to BSA Level 3 but need more anchoring on how to customize Global Balance and Channel Conversion treatments? If so, this Learning Lab is for you!

        Join Suzanne Lǎoshī for the Earth month Learning Lab to refine your treatment layering skills. We’ll review examples of layering multiple Global Balance strategies and incorporating Single Balance into your Global Balance treatments. We’ll discuss when it is appropriate to layer treatments and how to combine strategies for maximum treatment effect. Bring your curiosity and your questions!

       Who should join? Students interested in diving deeper into Balance System Acupuncture, channel theory, holography and Classical Chinese medicine.

       PREREQUISITE: A minimum of BSA Level 3: Channel Conversion through Tan Academy of Balance (in person or webinars) or an equivalent course through another provider.

Join online for one hour from wherever you are!

We’ll begin promptly at 1:00 PM PT on April 20, 2026!

Fee: 50% OFF for premium members of the Tan Balance Hub (the private Tan Academy learning community). Coupon code is in the Tan Balance Hub Activity Feed. 

Non-premium members $15.98.  

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 in the Tan Balance Hub Members Area. 

Sign up as a premium member for discounted access!

 Tan Academy of Balance (TAB) Celebration day

April 25, 2026

Each April, we honour the many Tan birthdays and celebrate the graduates of our Tan Academy of Balance mentorship programs. This special gathering brings our community together to recognize this year’s graduates and share in an uplifting keynote presentation.

Join us for an exciting day of celebration and learning featuring Keynote Speaker David Chan on the topic:

“Understanding Cycles in the Face of Impermanence”!

Dr. David Chan is a Metal Rabbit Boomer, astrologically sandwiched between Metal Tigers and Water Dragons. Bright college years at Yale University saw the counter-culture movement, anti-Vietnam war protests, the birth of Feminism and the rise of the Black Panthers. Long hair, bell bottoms and beads was the hippie uniform, Rock and Roll ruled and Frisbees were the true flying saucers.  A degree in Psychology led to work as a Psychiatric Aide in Connecticut and later work in California as a Childcare Counselor in a residential treatment facility for traumatized teenagers. Trips to Asia ensued with English as a Second Language teaching jobs while studying Cantonese in Hong Kong and Mandarin in Taiwan. The latter served as an introduction to Martial Arts and Acupuncture.

Over the next 3 decades teaching at SAMRA and Emperor’s College, supervising student interns and a thriving private clinical practice ensued. Enter the pandemic and the retirement of teaching and the closing of private practice and a major move to Hawaii. A second doctoral program degree was necessary to become licensed in Hawaii, the first in 1985 and the second in 2025. The next phase is teaching and supervising at the Institute of Clinical Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Honolulu.

When: April 25, 2026 | 3:00 PM – 6:30 PM PT (Doors open @ 2:00 PM PT)

Where: In-Person (Vancouver Chinatown) or Live on Zoom

Join us for an afternoon of celebration, inspiration, and connection!

Choose Your Experience:

•  In-Person Experience

Celebrate with us at our beautiful new space in Vancouver’s Chinatown.
Enjoy the graduation ceremony, keynote lecture, and a social networking dinner.

$28.99 + tax (includes dinner)
Special coupons available for Tan Academy graduates and student alumni.

•  Online Experience

Join us live on Zoom from anywhere. Attend the graduation ceremony and keynote lecture virtually.

$19.99 + tax

Event Schedule

• Doors Open: 2:00 PM PT
• Graduation Speeches: 3:00 PM PT (sharp)
• Dinner (in-person guests): 5:00 PM PT
• Event Concludes: 6:30 PM PT

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

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

 TAB Practitioner Profile Experience

Minya Dejohnette

How has Balance System Acupuncture (BSA) changed your practice?

It did in fact revolutionize it. 

Aside from vastly improving the outcomes of my patients’ primary and secondary complaints, it gave me a deep understanding of how to channel diagnose, when to apply a channel conversion or combination points. Gradually unfolding an understanding of the Yi Jing and its application in acupuncture has had a profound effect on my practice and my understanding about how to recognize those patterns in people and even in nature.  I can clearly explain to my patients why I am doing a specific treatment and as well as what outcomes to expect. Patients often give me feedback that they have  never experienced acupuncture at such a profound level before.  

Although on hiatus at the moment, I was able to utilize BSA in the free clinic that I was running for high volume patients. Having a very clear process of diagnosis on physical, mental and emotional levels allowed for confidence in my diagnoses within limited time frames.

What made you decide to join the TAB BSAP Certificate Mentorship program?

I also found Shīfu Dr. Sonia F. Tan through Johanne Pircard-Scott! Based on her recommendation I took an online intro class and fell in love with her teaching style. She balances theory and practice in a very grounded and practical way. I wanted to reinforce and deepen my knowledge of BSA, and the BSAP course offered everything I was looking for. I also wanted to feel connected to a community of practitioners and TAB BSAP offers a very supportive environment that makes me feel like I have a lifelong connection to the teachers and fellow students.

Applications for the Balance System Acupuncture Practitioner Mentorship program open June 1, 2026.

Tan Academy of Balance Lunisolar New Year Celebration and Tan Shīfu’s 师父 / 師父 Astrology and Feng Shui Insights

We are so grateful for those were part of this special gathering as we welcomed the Bǐng Wǔ 丙午 Fire Horse year and explored the powerful insights of Bā Zì 八字 Astrology and Fēng Shuǐ 风水 / 風水. Your presence helped make the event meaningful and vibrant.

If you missed the event, the Astrology & Feng Shui Insights recording is available at the link below:

While a full “package” option will be available in the future, for now we recommend purchasing the single episode if you’d like continued access to this year’s Fire Horse insights.

Those who attended the event online or in-person received a coupon in the email to access this recording free of charge.

Thank you again for celebrating with us, and we look forward to sharing many more Lunisolar New Year celebrations with you in the years ahead!

CEU information: CEUs are automatically eligible in many jurisdictions such as Canada, Australia, the UK and parts of Europe. No California eligibility at this time. NCCAOM may be eligible by submitting “from a non-certified NCCAOM provider”. If there is enough demand, California CEUs may be requested, and if successful, a surcharge will be applied and divided amongst those requesting.

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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 Find trained or certified practitioners in your area.

~ Inspiring Confidence ~ Creating Balance ~ Motivating Evolution ~