35 CEUs available through NCCAOM and California Acupuncture Board

Applied Channel Theory Workshops
with Nyssa Tang, LAc.

September 19-20 and 26-28, 2026

Five Branches University, San Jose Campus

Join us for a series of immersive trainings with Nyssa Tang, L.Ac., apprentice of the late Dr. Wang Ju-Yi (王居易): one of the most influential figures in modern Chinese medicine and the founder of Applied Channel Theory.

Dr. Wang’s lifelong work emphasized the living, dynamic nature of the channels as the foundation of both diagnosis and treatment — uniting classical theory, modern physiology, and palpation-based clinical reasoning. During his career, Dr. Wang taught internationally, including at the original Five Branches University campus in Santa Cruz, where he inspired generations of practitioners to “return to the channels” as the core of acupuncture medicine.

Building on this lineage, Nyssa Tang continues to transmit Dr. Wang’s approach through rigorous clinical teaching that blends scholarship with tactile experience.

All workshops are open to students and practitioners alike.

Learn More about the Significance of Applied Channel Theory

Applied Channel Theory (經絡醫學 jīng luò yī xué) is an approach to acupuncture rooted in the dual research threads of classical texts and modern clinical application. Developed by Dr. Wang Ju–yi over 50 years in Beijing clinics, hospitals and research institutes, it involves the rigorous combination of theory and diagnostic technique.

Applied Channel Theory demonstrates how a deeper understanding of the interrelationship between organ and channel theory can lead to more precise diagnoses and better clinical results. Theory and practice are connected through a channel palpation methodology developed by Dr. Wang, which leads to more precise and effective point selection, location, and technique. This comprehensive system includes channel theory (channel qi transformation), channel differentiation, channel selection, the nature of acupuncture points, point selection and location, and various methods of channel regulation (like acupuncture, moxibustion, hand techniques, cupping and so on).

"I fervently hope that you will not become trapped in the surface of acupuncture therapy, striving only to learn experiential points from your teachers and colleagues. Bring the medicine to life by incorporating the system of channel theory, expand its applications, and innovate from a place of theoretical integrity. The field of acupuncture must continue to develop and expand, treating the new diseases of the modern era while always keeping a firm grasp on the basics."

- Wang Ju-Yi, Preface, Applied Channel Theory in Chinese Medicine

Schedule

Introductory Workshop

An Introduction to Channel Physiology and Palpation (14 CEUs)

September 19-20, 2026, 9am - 5pm

This two-day course will introduce the foundations of channel physiology in the six levels through interactive lectures and hands-on practice. The course is open to all and there are no prerequisites.

We will discuss how the physiology of each channel system manifests as palpable changes in the distal aspects of the arms and legs, accurately locating the channels according to the anatomical structures of the body, and how to use channel palpation techniques to decipher channel changes and pathologies.

14 CEUs (CA & NCCAOM)

Early Bird Discount*
*Register and pay before 7/31
Student: $325
FBU Alum / Practitioner: $350 / $400

Price after 7/31
Student: $375
FBU Alum / Practitioner: $450 / $500

Intermediate Workshop

The Nature of Points and Pairing Strategies (14 CEUs)

September 26-27, 2026, 9am - 5pm

This two-day course will introduce Dr. Wang Ju Yi’s understanding of classical point theory for the Yuan, Luo, Xi, 5 Shu and Extraordinary vessel points and their clinical applications.

We will discuss some of Dr. Wang’s favorite point pairs and demonstrate how to use them through case studies. There will also be hands on practice of point location with an emphasis on the anatomical structures in each channel.

Prerequisite: Introductory Workshop

14 CEUs (CA & NCCAOM)

Early Bird Discount*
*Register and pay before 7/31
Student: $325
FBU Alum / Practitioner: $350 / $400

Price after 7/31
Student: $375
FBU Alum / Practitioner: $450 / $500

Clinical Observation

Grand Rounds
(7 CEUs)

September 28, 2026, 9am - 5pm

This is an opportunity to observe Applied Channel Theory in a clinical setting. Nyssa Tang will be treating patients, demonstrating the process from intake, channel examination and diagnosis to point selection and treatment.
There will be in-depth case discussions on how the channel findings inform us about the patient’s pathophysiology and on formulating a clear treatment strategy.
Prerequisite: Introductory or Intermediate Workshop

7 CEUs (CA & NCCAOM)

Early Bird Discount*
*Register and pay before 7/31
Student: $250
FBU Alum / Practitioner: $275 / $300

Price after 7/31
Student: $275
FBU Alum / Practitioner: $325 / $350

Bundle Pricing

Option 1
Introductory & Intermediate Workshops
& Grand Rounds
(All 5 Days)

Early Bird Discount*
*Register and pay before 7/31 for a $100 discount!
Student: $800
FBU Alum / Practitioner: $900 / $950

Price after 7/31
Student: $900
FBU Alum / Practitioner: $1,000 / $1,050

Option 2
Introductory OR Intermediate Workshop & Grand Rounds
(3 Days)

Early Bird Discount*
*Register and pay before 7/31 for a $50 discount!
Student: $500
FBU Alum / Practitioner: $550 / $600

Price after 7/31
Student: $550
FBU Alum / Practitioner: $650 / $700

Option 3
Introductory and Intermediate Workshops
(4 Days)

Early Bird Discount*
*Register and pay before 7/31 for a $100 discount!
Student: $600
FBU Alum / Practitioner: $650 / $700

Price after 7/31
Student: $700
FBU Alum / Practitioner: $750 / $800

Tuition can be paid via Zelle / PayPal (heysenlu@gmail.com) or Venmo @senlu. Please include your full name and "ACT Workshop" in the payment description. Make sure to also register via the link below.

Questions? Contact Sen Lu (senlu@fivebranches.edu) or Jasmine Sanghera (jksanghera@fivebranches.edu).

About Nyssa

Nyssa Tang is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist with a Master’s degree from the Pacific College of Health and Science in New York. In August 2013, she was recognized by her teacher, Dr. Wang Ju-yi, and the Beijing Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine as an official apprentice and instructor of Applied Channel Theory.

Nyssa first met Dr. Wang Ju-yi in 2003 and upon graduating, she moved to Beijing, China where she apprenticed for a year and a half in his clinic. She continued her studies with annual trips to Dr. Wang’s clinic and helped facilitate and translate for visiting students. She has been in private practice in New York City since 2005, utilizing Applied Channel Theory to treat a wide variety of conditions.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Can I attend just one of the workshops?

Of course! You can attend just the introductory workshop, or just the introductory workshop and the grand rounds, or just the introductory and intermediate workshops, or all three combined.

Can I skip to the intermediate workshop if I've previously taken an introductory Applied Channel Theory workshop with Nyssa?

Yes!

I want to attend the Grands Rounds but I have class on Monday. Can I still attend?

Yes! Reach out to senlu@fivebranches.edu and jksanghera@fivebranches.edu about a half-day attendance option for Grand Rounds.

Is there a schedule?

Tentative schedule for each workshop day (not including grand rounds):

9am - 12pm: Lecture
12pm - 1pm: Lunch
1pm - 5pm: Lecture and Hands-on Practice

For Grand Rounds, there will be patients scheduled at 9:30am, 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, 2:30pm and 3:30pm.

What is your Refund and Cancellation Policy?

Refunds will be honored if the request is made at least 30 days prior to the class, minus a $50 admin fee. Refunds will not be issued for no-shows or cancellations within 30 days of the class except in the case of documented emergencies (illness, family emergency, or other extenuating circumstances), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Refund requests must be submitted in writing to senlu@fivebranches.edu or jksanghera@fivebranches.edu.

In the unlikely event that the workshop is canceled by the organizers (due to low enrollment, instructor illness, or other unforeseen circumstances), all registered participants will receive a full refund of their tuition.

All refunds will be processed to the original form of payment within 7–10 business days of approval.

Registrations are transferable to another qualified participant at no additional charge if requested at least 5 days prior to the event.

I want to learn more about Applied Channel Theory. Where can I start?

Reach out to Sen Lu (senlu@fivebranches.edu) or Jasmine Sanghera (jksanghera@fivebranches.edu) for excerpts from the Applied Channel Theory textbook!

Check out the ACT podcast here.

Check out the Institute for Applied Channel Theory's website.

I have a question that's not on here.

Please feel free to contact the workshop organizers: Sen Lu (senlu@fivebranches.edu) and Jasmine Sanghera (jksanghera@fivebranches.edu).

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