Elemental Yin
Exploring the intersection of Yin Yoga, Chinese Medicine, Taoism & Qi Gong through the 5 elements for optimal depth, transformation & healing.
The Missing Link
Ever wondered what separates a good Yin class from a truly great one? It’s not more poses or a better playlist. A great Yin class is about so much more than a sequence of long-held stretches. It’s about understanding the deeper energetics that give the practice its intelligence and intention.
Learning how to work with meridians, Qi, the Five Elements and Taoist principles will help you to create Yin classes that are thoughtfully designed, energetically coherent and deeply embodied. Practices that feel purposeful and transformative, rather than simply slow and relaxing.
Most modern Yin Yoga practices are superficial, never touching the true depth and transformation that is available through this practice.
Most Yin teachers dilute their practices and sell them as "stretching" or “relaxing”, failing to acknowledge the deep energetic benefits of the practice.
While there is deep release for the physical body, it is not actually “stretching”. Stretching relates to the muscles of the body, which is not what is targeted during a Yin practice.
It is in fact the connective tissue (ligaments, tendons, fascia and joints) that are targeted during a Yin practice, which creates the physical release over time.
The release of the physical body, and the sense of relaxation that can come from a Yin practice, is only half of the story, the other half is the energetics.
This is where employing Traditional Chinese Medicine and Taoist theories, and working with the Elements comes in.
If you’ve been searching for more depth, intentionality and transformation in your practice and your teaching, you’ve landed in the right place.
Elemental Yin is the vehicle that can take you there.
A journey through the Elements
Traditional Chinese Medicine works with 5 Elements - Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water - each relating to meridians, organs and seasons. Each Element offers deep wisdom, healing and harmony for different phases of life, and provides a way for us to live in true alignment with nature, while honouring our unique seasons of life.
The Five Elements provide a way to notice that we are not meant to feel, practice, work, or move in exactly the same way all year. Wood teaches us something different from Water, the outward movement of Spring asks something different of us than the contraction of Winter. Over time, you begin to notice these movements not only in the world around you, but in your own body and life.
What you will learn
Elemental Yin provides a solid foundation and an overview of the Yogic, Taoist and Chinese Medicine energy maps, and the sources and cultivation of Qi to integrate into your teaching and into your personal practice.
Each of the Elements are explored in detail, and include elemental and seasonal wisdom, meridians and organs, yin yoga, qi gong, acupressure points, healing sounds, and meditation and breathing techniques that align with each element.
Module 1 - Qi Cultivation & Energy Maps
Explore the ancient Chinese Medicine, Yogic and Taoist energy maps, and the sources, cultivation and movement of Qi, for optimal energy flow and health.
Module 2 - WOOD - movement, vision & becoming
Explore the Liver and Gallbladder meridians, the rising energy of spring, and practices for working with movement, direction, tension, and flow.
Module 3 - FIRE - connection, expression & aliveness
Explore the energetic landscape of summer, the Heart system, and practices for cultivating warmth, connection, and vitality.
Module 4 - EARTH - nourishment, grounding & belonging
Explore the Spleen and Stomach meridians, the fullness of late summer, and practices for cultivating nourishment, stability, presence, and a sense of belonging.
Module 5 - METAL — clarity, release & receiving
Explore the Lung and Large Intestine meridians, the refining energy of autumn, and practices for working with breath, boundaries, grief, release, and letting in what truly nourishes.
Module 6 WATER — depth, stillness & renewal
Explore the Kidney and Bladder meridians, the quiet energy of winter, and practices for cultivating rest, resilience, intuition, trust, and connection to your deeper reserves.
Why work with the 5 Elements?
Each element holds many gifts and eternal wisdom, all of which you can bring into your practice, your teaching, and your life.
Living in alignment with nature
Honouring the elements and their correlating seasons allows you to live in alignment with nature, excavating the gifts of each season, and embodying what the natural energy of each season calls for. Attuning to the energy and cycles of nature unearths many gifts.
Tools for healing and balancing
Cultivating a relationship with the elements, and their correlating meridians and organs, allows you to identify where you may be out of balance, and provides you with the tools to bring harmony back to your system. This is ever-changing throughout your life, and empowering yourself with this knowledge provides you with wisdom to use throughout all phases of your life. This work provides the perfect playground to cultivate deeper self-awareness and the ability to attune to your own energy.
Elevate your teaching
If you are a yoga teacher or movement practitioner, bringing the wisdom of the elements into your teaching allows you to support your students through the seasons, and the different phases of their lives. Embodying this knowledge allows you to teach with more depth and intentionality, utilizing the wisdom and power of the elements to promote more balance, harmony and healing.
Embodying this way of living, and the teachings and gifts of the elements from Chinese Medicine, has provided me with so much respect for the seasons, the natural cycles and seasons of our lives, living in tune with the elements, the ability to bring my system back into balance using the wisdom of the elements, greater self-awareness to know what I need to harmonise my system, and greater empowerment to heal in every moment.
Integrating the teachings of Chinese Medicine and Taoism into my life, and into my teaching, provided breadth, depth, texture, and intentionality that I had not experienced before. And to be honest, it just made so much sense to me.
This is what I had been searching for.
Working with the 5 elements in particular has allowed me to weave in the wisdom and medicine of each element and its correlating organs, meridians, and seasons, for a more holistic and intentional way to practice and teach.
Integrating Eastern philosophy into my teaching has profoundly enriched my offerings. It has allowed me to create classes that are both deeply educational and intentionally crafted, giving my students a richer experience and a deeper understanding of their practice.
This depth and distinction has helped me cultivate a strong community of returning clients who consistently provide positive feedback. Most importantly, it has enabled me to create practices that move beyond the physical, offering students meaningful insight, connection, and the potential for genuine transformation through both a physical and energetic lens.
Who is this course for?
This course is for yoga teachers or adjacent teachers/practitioners who want to deepen their understanding of the Elements and Eastern philosophies, to elevate their teaching and provide more depth, intentionality and transformation for their students. Empowering yourself with this knowledge allows you to stand out as a teacher, as a lot of depth and ancient wisdom has been lost in modern teaching.
This course is also suited to students who want to deepen their own practice and understanding of the Elements and Eastern philosophies, and deepen their connection with nature and themselves. Empowering yourself with this knowledge provides a powerful tool for self-healing and balancing
What you receive
Elemental Yin consists of a blend of live teaching and learning, live and pre-recorded practices, and PDF resources that equip you with knowledge to take straight into your own practice or teaching. The journey of the Elements is a life-long one that will continue to deepen the more you embody these teachings, and gain experiential wisdom.
The Resources
1 x live lecture / class per week
1 x live class per week
1 -2 pre-recorded practice per week
PDF resources for each module, including a ready to go sequence for each element
Class Schedule
Week 1 - Foundations, Qi Cultivation & Energy Maps
Tuesday 13th October 6pm AEST - Live Lecture & Yin Foundations
Saturday 17th October 9am AEST - Live Qi Gong Foundations
Week 2 - Wood Element
Tuesday 20th October 6pm AEST - Live Wood Lecture & Wood Yin Practice
Saturday 24th October 9am AEST - Live Wood Qi Gong Practice
Week 3 - Fire Element
Tuesday 27th October 6pm AEST- Live Fire Lecture & Fire Yin Practice
Saturday 31st October 9am AEST - Live Fire Qi Gong & Meditation Practice
Week 4 - Earth Element
Tuesday 3rd November 6pm AEST- Live Earth Lecture & Earth Yin Practice
Saturday 7th November 9am AEST - Live Earth Qi Gong & Meditation Practice
Week 5 - Metal Element
Tuesday 10th November 6pm AEST- Live Metal Lecture & Metal Yin Practice
Saturday 14th November 9am AEST - Live Metal Qi Gong & Breathwork Practice
Week 6 - Water Element
Tuesday 17th November 6pm AEST- Live Water Lecture & Water Yin Practice
Saturday 21st November 9am AEST - Live Water Qi Gong & Meditation Practice
ALL CLASS TIMES ARE LISTED IN AEST. PLEASE CONVERT TO YOUR TIMEZONE
ALL CLASSES ARE RECORDED AND AVAILABLE FOR YOU TO WATCH ANYTIME
Student Experiences
I can’t recommend Bec’s yin yoga classes highly enough. Over the past couple of years she’s taught me so much, not just about yoga but about the importance of slowing down, regulating our nervous system and calming our minds.
As a busy full time teacher, life can feel overwhelming at times and the techniques Bec has shared have become an essential part of helping me stay grounded and balanced. Every class leaves me feeling calmer, more centred and better able to cope with the demands of everyday life.
Thankyou Bec for creating such a welcoming space and for sharing your knowledge with such kindness and passion. Your classes have truly made a positive difference in my life.
-AMY
Bec is amazing! Her yin yoga classes are exactly what I look for in a class — a perfect balance of challenge, relaxation and mindfulness. She creates such a welcoming and supportive environment and her guidance makes every session feel meaningful. I always leave feeling refreshed, grounded and better connected with my body. Highly recommend Bec’s classes!🙏 ⭐️
-KRISTY
Bec is amazing.
You feel nurtured and grounded in every practice.
I walk out floating and a beautiful sense of peace and calm , yet beautiful energised .
Always leave a practice of yin yoga after looking within and what brings your soul joy and peace and learning something new.
Highly recommend Bec Russell and her cleansing practices.
5 stars 🌟 ❤️
-DEENA
Investment Pathways
Learning the language of the elements, the wisdom of the organs and meridians, the rhythms of the seasons, and the energetic patterns that move through us, can change the way you experience life.
When we begin to understand these rhythms, we have another way of seeing ourselves, our bodies, our lives, and the people we guide. We begin to notice what is asking to move, what is asking to be nourished, what is ready to be released, and what is waiting to emerge.
If you’re ready to walk the path of Elemental wisdom and bring more depth, texture, presence, and intentionality into your life and your teaching, I invite you to join me.
FAQs
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No you do not need to be a teacher to join.This course is open to both teachers and students who want to deepen their understanding of these practices and concepts.
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No, this course is for deepening your own personal practice, and deepening your knowledge and experiential wisdom as a teacher.
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You’ll explore the principles and practices of Yin, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Qigong, and Taoist philosophy, and discover how these teachings can be woven together into a more holistic approach to movement, energy, wellbeing, and self-awareness.
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No. The course is designed to be accessible whether you’re completely new to these traditions or already have some experience and want to deepen your understanding.
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Yes. If you’re a yoga teacher, movement teacher, wellness practitioner, or bodyworker, the course can provide concepts and practices that you may be able to integrate into your existing offerings, within your existing scope of practice and professional requirements. This course provides a solid foundation to deepen your understanding of Yin, TCM theory, Qigong, Taoist philosophy, and the energetic aspects of practice. requirements. This course provides a solid foundation to deepen your understanding of Yin, TCM theory, Qigong, Taoist philosophy, and the energetic aspects of practice.
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Rather than studying Yin, TCM, Qigong, and Taoism as separate subjects, this course explores the relationships between them, giving you a more integrated understanding of the body, energy, seasons, movement, stillness, and self-cultivation.