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Workshops, seminars and short courses

Eastern Nutrition: Improving and maintaining our health through Chinese dietary therapy

While we in Western culture look at the nutritional values of foods combined with the biochemical and caloric composition (i.e. vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, etc.), Traditional Chinese Medicine focuses on the qualitative values of foods and their energetic aspects (i.e. warms or cools, ascends or descends, bitter or sweet). The TCM approach is based on a holistic perception of Chinese medicine principles and practical experience of thousands of years. 

Eastern nutrition, primarily TCM based diet, is seen as part and parcel of a person’s healing process and the maintaining of his/her health. It cannot be separated from other healing modalities which TCM has to offer and is an integral part of our work in the clinical setting.

This course will cover various TCM dietary principles. The student will learn how to enhance the treatment of various patterns and how to guide their client, based on the principles of correct and balanced TCM diet and lifestyle.

The topics to be covered (contingent upon student progress) are:

  • TCM digestion (overview)

  • TCM healthy diet principles, etiology, and prevention

  • Cooking methods

  • Thermal nature

  • Major TCM patterns and their dietary therapy: Spleen Qi deficiency, Excess heat/Fire, Blood deficiency, Yin deficiency, Yang deficiency, Damp-Phlegm, Damp-Heat, Liver Qi Stg/Blood Stasis

  • 5 elements in diet, colours and flavours

  • Vitamins and minerals reframed in TCM terms

About the instructor:  

Tony tavares, Dipl. Ac
 Instructor of Jing Luo, Practice Management & Eastern Nutrition
 Tony Tavares is the founder of Shining Waters Health. He completed acupuncture training programmes at both the Canadian branch of the Beijing Capital University of Medical Sciences and the Institute of Traditional Medicine.  He has also completed the Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine diploma program with the Canadian branch of the Beijing Capital University of Medical Sciences.

He is currently a faculty member of the Shiatsu School of Canada – SSC Acupuncture Institute. In addition to his credentials in acupuncture and Chinese medicine; Tony has two decades of experience as a leader in the Toronto holistic, wellness and spiritual communities. His experiences are quite varied, having worked not only as a registered yoga teacher, but also as a fitness consultant and a Reiki Master. He has also received training in Tuina, Shiatsu and Ayurvedic bodywork modalities.

His interest and training in North American and African shamanism have lead him to receive initiations in these ancient spiritual traditions and, has brought about a deeper understanding of healing the whole individual and exploring the root cause of disharmony on physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels. His practice as a professional in the healing arts is imbued with these various philosophies and principles.

Course Details:

Prerequisite: Trained and/or practicing an Eastern or holistic therapy with an understanding of TCM theory and the meridian system OR Completion of the 100 hour Fundamentals of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) course, which is offered at the Shiatsu School of Canada. Please call if you are unsure as to whether your previous training will meet the prerequisite requirements.

Cost: $159 (plus hst)

Course Dates:
Dates: TBA

Registration: Please call 416-323-1818 to register for this course. Payment can be made by Visa or MasterCard or in person using cash or Interac. This is a limited enrollment program so please register early to ensure availability. Minimum enrollment is required to run this course.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations on or before two weeks prior to the start date will result in a $35 cancellation fee. Cancellations after this date will not receive a refund.

The ancient Chinese wisdom has a fantastic way of describing life and its meaning as it guides people with the ability to maintain their health, as well as their physical and mental well-being.  The same as with other TCM modalities such as acupuncture, shiatsu or herbs, a healthy and balanced diet, etc., a focus is put on heaven and earth (i.e. yin-yang energetic principles).   

The more we understand these principles and their influence in our lives - the more appreciative we will become of this approach.