The Five Elements
A series of workshops exploring the 5 elements of water, wood, fire, earth & metal as related to the Chinese system, taught by Rebecca House MSc
Wood - nourishing the roots March 6th 2025
2000 years ago according to the Chinese model it was theorized that the universe is made up of forces that included Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal – the Five Elements, and that they influence human behavior, emotions & health. It is thought that we can use them to stay in balance on all levels of our being.
Whilst all five are present within us, we are usually dominant in 1-2 and in this workshop series, Rebecca will teach each element, its season and characteristics, beginning with Spring and the Wood element.
🌳 You’ll learn how to recognize the characteristics of the Wood element
🪵 Explore its characteristics; can you recognize any in you and in others?
🌳 Understand the organs of Wood – the Liver and Gallbladder; and their role on a mental & emotional, as well as physical level
🪵 Learn how to recognize when you are out of balance and use techniques and practices to support the Wood element in your own body
In this first workshop Rebecca will also give an overview of the 4 sensory modes & corresponding stress styles to illustrate how & why we behave under stress.
The day will begin at 9.30-45 with a welcome hot drink & energy snack ready for a 10.am start. A delicious homemade lunch with the vibrant flavours of Spring & the Wood element will follow the workshop. We’ll finish @ 2.30pm in time for the school run!
Cost is £75 – to book please go to:
louisehallam1@sky.com or Rebecca@holistichouseofhealth.co.uk
Stepping into the wisdom of menopause with Sarah Rush & me
- STEPPING INTO THE WISDOM OF MENOPAUSE;
Join me, Louise Hallam and senior Yoga Alliance teacher Sarah Rush for an experiential workshop exploring how movement, breathwork & essential oils can support you through this transition into a new beginning
9.30-45 arrival & welcome with a hot drink and energy snack
10am-12pm with Sarah; a brief explanation of how menopause affects us emotionally, physically and mentally before moving into practices to gain an understanding of;
*how to aid sleep,
*optimise bone health
*manage anxiety & support our energy as well as regulating our hormonal system around this transition
12-12.30 a yoga/qigong practice led by me
12.30-1.30 A delicious home cooked plant based lunch
1.30-2.30 Exploring how essential oils can help with various symptoms and sharing circle
2.30 goodbyes! (just in time for an empowered school run!)
Cost £60 including all food & drinks and an E-handout
WHEN: NEW DATES TBC
WHERE: Bursledon Studio
PRICE: £..
Spring is characterized by the element of Wood in the Daoist belief system. From the introspection of winter – characterized by the element of water, Spring moves in to symbolize new beginnings, growth, dreams and plans. Some of wood’s attributes are:
Taste: Sour
Citrus, fermented foods, e.g. yoghurt, sourdough, apples, vinegars
Colour: Green
Fast growing shoots & sprouts, all leafy greens, wild garlic, asparagus, peas
Organs: Liver/gallbladder
Sour flavours enter the liver meridian (energy channel) and work to improve digestion, especially after the more warming, filling foods of winter.
Chlorophyll – “The blood of plant life”
Chlorophyll rich foods (green leafy foods) discharge residues of toxins in the body, build new blood and support cell renewal, promoting healthy gut flora.
In our workshop we’ll explore:
ferments;
- a simple 3 ingredient Italian flatbread,
- a soft ‘cheese ‘ like ferment made from cashew nuts
Green and sour flavours;
- wild garlic soda bread made with buttermilk
- wild garlic and ‘wasted’ leaf pesto
- homemade lemon barley water, a salad with a homemade cherry pip vinegar dressing and spring green soup, both made with the leftover barley
- a base recipe for protein balls to lift your spring energy
Maybe more depending on time!
'WATER FEEDS WOOD’
A YOGA & QIGONG WORKSHOP FOR SPRING
WHEN: NEW DATES TBC
TIME: 9.45am – 12.00
WHERE: Durley Memorial Hall
PRICE: £..
'Spring is the time of projects and plans.'
Leo Tolstoy
We will explore ways to align with the energy of spring using qigong practices focusing on the element of wood, associated in Chinese medicine with spring, growth, resourcefulness, flexibility and vision. It will also include yoga and somatic movement.
We’ll practice Qigong for the liver and gall bladder; the organs associated with the wood element, and explore with Dragons, Leopards, Cranes and more!
There will be mindful pauses for anchoring ourselves with breathwork and meditations along the way.
The workshop will be a mixture of seated, supine and standing practices; suitable for those with a basic knowledge of yoga.
Details of your First Aid Training
Please note that our price has now increased to £80 due to rising costs - the first one in four years and still exceptional value!
Held at my Bursledon studio in Southampton, the day looks something like this….
Arrive 9.30-45 arrival & welcome energy snack & hot drink
10am morning training session with Kate Angel-Page
11.30 movement session with me
12.00 a homecooked plant based lunch cooked by me
1.15 afternoon session with Kate2.30 certificates and goodbyes!
I am a fully qualified chef and yoga teacher, weaving qigong/functional movements through my classes and Kate is a yoga and dance practitioner with over 35 years of experience in teaching first aid.It is always an enjoyable day with lovely feedback; here are some kind words from our most recent one.
Cost is just £80 including food drinks all training & a certificate valid for 3 years.
“Thanks to you and Kate for a great day…a lovely way to update our 1st aid & connect with such a lovely group…food was amazing!”
Next Event
Date: 11th February
Venue: Nourish Yoga Studio, Bursledon, Southampton
Price: £80, includes lunch