The Art of Nourishing Life: An Introduction to Traditional Self-Care

Presented by Peter Deadman

Yangsheng (养生) is the ancient Chinese art of nurturing life—a rich, time-honored tradition of self-care that helps us cultivate vitality, balance, and longevity. Rooted in the wisdom of Chinese medicine, it offers practical ways to live well and age gracefully by harmonizing body, mind, and spirit.

In this course, Peter Deadman—author of Live Well, Live Long and co-author of A Manual of Acupuncture—will guide you through the core principles and practices of Yang Sheng. Each module explores a key aspect of self-care, from breathing and meditation to movement, diet, acupressure, and sleep. Through a combination of expert introductions, written materials, and video/audio demonstrations, you’ll gain hands-on tools to integrate these teachings into your daily life.

Whether you’re looking to enhance your well-being, deepen your knowledge of Chinese medicine, or develop a sustainable self-care practice, this course provides an accessible and inspiring introduction to yangsheng.

Full course contents:

• Introduction - what is yangsheng?
  What is yangsheng? The foundations of self-care
  The 'four legs of a chair'
  Key terms and concepts

• Breathing and meditation - cultivating inner calm
  An Introduction to breathing and meditation
  Calming breathing practice
  Beginning meditation

• Movement and qigong - energizing the body
  Traditional Chinese exercise
  What is qigong?
  A simple three part qigong practice

• Diet and how to eat - nourishing from within
  The 'qing dan' approach to diet
  How to eat
  A day of healthy eating

• Acupressure and self-massage - hands-on healing
  An introduction to acupressure and self-massage
  Some commonly used acupressure points
  Self-massage for general health

• Sleep - the ultimate restorative
  The Importance of sleep
  Traditional advice for better sleep
  Self-massage for insomnia

• Putting it all together - and when to seek support
  Putting it all together

Important notice

The information provided in this course is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have learned in this course. By participating in this course, you agree to assume full responsibility for any and all risks, injuries, or damages, known or unknown, which you might incur.