Category: Five Element Theory

Weeks 4 – 5; vBlog 8/9 – Lesson Plan “PATH”: Home-teaching in the Time of COVID-19

Weeks 4 – 5; vBlog 8/9 – Lesson Plan “PATH”: Home-teaching in the Time of COVID-19

eduspirit3
PATH CARD

LESSON PLAN 3

This week did not begin as “planned.” But, in these times, is there such thing as a typical plan?

We have come to rely on routines and stability. Some of us, even myself at times, lean so heavily on the routine that we forget we can unhook -if even for a moment – from the constant stream of myopic busyness. In these times, we find ourselves with more time to look around, re/assess, and re/evaluate our lives. What truly is important? What are the priorities?

This week, my “plan” was to create and implement lesson plans centered around the theme “PATH.” Path, to me, for the purpose of these lessons, is a consciously chosen trajectory of how we want to live our lives. I was envisioning family sit-downs of taking an inhale to assess where we’re at in week 4 and to decide collectively in which direction we want to go. Since we are “technically” in Spring Break (also Easter Week for those whose faith is centered in Christianity), my intention was to ask the girls and my husband what PATH do we want to pursue this day forward. Knowing that the girls will not be returning to school this academic year and not having a clear timetable regarding whether or not the self-quarantine will, indeed, be lifted before the end of the summer, I felt it was important to check in with my family in a meaningful manner.

In some ways, we are still engaging in these reflections. However, my PATH took a different turn this week as I have found myself needing to scale back and take care of my physical health.

In the following videos I discuss my PATH TO WELLNESS. It is an intentional path to which I am consciously attending to in relation to physical, emotional, psychological, mental and spiritual health. As someone who was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast Cancer in 2012, I have learned many healing modalities and practices that have contributed to my overall wellness. I share these along with my knowledge of Five Element Theory (Chinese Medicine) and engaging Qi (life force) for the purpose of clearing and nurturing the energetic meridians that flow through our bodies. I am currently focusing on the LUNG meridian as I have been having some difficulty breathing.

Though my symptoms are mild and may be attributed to a cold or allergies, I am taking all precautionary and proactive measures to ensure my health remains strong.

LESSON PLAN – PATH

Please remember to cite the lesson plan if you use it for a more public venue by attributing the material to: Cristina Santamaría Graff, eduspirit.org. Thanks!

Week 4_PATH lesson_4-15-2020Download

RESOURCES FOR LESSON 3

Please remember to cite the lesson plan if you use it for a more public venue by attributing the material to: Cristina Santamaría Graff, eduspirit.org. Thanks!

LINKS USED WITHIN THE LESSON PLAN

BE INTENTIONAL

Eight Dimensions of Wellness

Video on Eight Dimensions of Wellness

BE THOUGHTFUL AND COMPASSIONATE

Board Game Examples – Please email Cristina at eduspirit.community@gmail.com if you would like to receive more examples of board game questions.

“Path to Wellness” Board Game
Some examples of questions to use during the Board Game.
Path to Wellness Board Game

TAKE ACTION

Lesson on Flight Path and Forces of Flight

ASSESSMENT

Assessment – PowerPoint Presentations

FORCES OF FLIGHT – DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES TO SUPPLEMENT YOUR LESSON

FORCES OF FLIGHT 1

FORCES OF FLIGHT 2

How to Make 5 Easy Paper Airplanes

PATH TO HEALING & WELLNESS SERIES

PATH TO HEALING SERIES 1 0F 3
PATH TO HEALING SERIES 2 OF 3
PATH TO HEALING SERIES 3 OF 3
An Honest Conversation, More Grounding and (Re)envisioning During These Times

An Honest Conversation, More Grounding and (Re)envisioning During These Times

eduspirit3
vBlog_3-14-2020

So, it’s time to get real…be real. As I sit here on a Sunday morning – sequestered in my home (as we all are being encouraged to do during these times of “self-quarantine”) – some pretty deep realizations are setting in. One of these realizations is that reality as we know it is changing rapidly. These changes can be uncertain and scary, particularly when we may feel a lack of confidence in our leaders and the steps (or lack of steps) they are taking toward assuring that the collective well-being is the highest priority.

I am trying to view the changes occurring in my life as positively as possible. There have been specific events I was looking forward to with great anticipation that have been canceled. I have felt disappointment, frustration, and even some sadness. There was one particular trip I was planning to take in late March that I was very excited about. At the end of the trip I was going to visit my parents in California. That reality is no longer. I realize, though, that this is just one story amongst billions of stories. I also am understanding that my personal emotions are connected to and unified with our collective emotions. In this manner, I recognize we are interconnected. I am not alone. We are not alone.

In this video, I get real about EduSpirit and the reasons why I am creating content, specifically vBlogs. During these times of “quarantine” there’s a lot to think about. In many ways I feel it’s a reset of sorts. Making sense of this reset as an opportunity where we can inhale and go inward centers this conversation. I talk about the fire and wood elements (Five Element Theory) and their interaction as a way to focus inwardly to release that which is no longer needed and to (re)imagine that which we truly want and desire for ourselves and for the world around us.

I offer you all this moment of introspection and honesty. I send you my love, encouragement and support.

In solidarity,

Autumn: Metal Element – “Letting Go” vLog2_2019

Autumn: Metal Element – “Letting Go” vLog2_2019

eduspirit3

The Metal Element – Autumn

Chinese character for “Metal Element”

“Wind passes over the lake.

The swelling waves stretch away

Without limit. Autumn comes with the twilight,

And boats grow rare on the river .

Flickering waters and fading mountains

Always touch the heart of man.

I never grow tired of singing

Of their boundless beauty.

The lotus pods are already formed,

And the water lilies have grown old.

The dew has brightened the blossoms

Of the arrowroot along the riverbank.

The herons and seagulls sleep

on the sand with their

Heads tucked away, as though

They did not wish to see

The men who pass by on the river.

-Li Ch’ing Chao, A.D. 1081 – 1143

Taken from: Beinfield, H, & Korngold, E. (1991). Between heaven and earth: A guide to Chinese Medicine. New York, NY: Ballantine Books.

Taking a moment today to reflect on Autumn’s energies…

I’m looking forward to applying these understandings to how we teach, set up classrooms, and are intentional in our daily interactions. More vLogs to come.