Applied Channel Theory

We have been teaching classes on Applied Channel Theory to acupuncturists since 2017, starting at introductory level and progressing to intermediate and advanced with guest teachers who are apprentices of Dr Wang Ju-Yi. Our first advanced class with Dr Robertson was in 2019, then 2021 and 2023. In early 2022 we began a 12-month webinar series with Dr Jonathan Chang from Beijing on Dr Wang's Clinical Cases.

Fundamentals of Applied Channel Theory with Jamie Hamilton (2 Days)                        

Price £230              in Farnham on 24 - 25 October 2025
Price £260              in Edinburgh on 3 - 4 October 2025 (early bird till 20 July £230)
Price £240              in Farnham on 30 - 31 January 2026

This introduction for acupuncturists to Applied Channel Theory and channel palpation, pioneered by Dr. Wang Ju-Yi, explores the detailed model of the six channel system, and theories of qi transformation which may result in channel changes. These provide a new way of understanding Chinese medicine physiology and pathophysiology.

Required reading is 'Applied Channel Theory in Chinese Medicine: Wang Ju-Yi's lectures on Channel Therapeutics' by Wang Ju-Yi and Jason D. Robertson. We will go through the principles of Applied Channel Theory step-by-step following the ideas presented in this textbook. At every point it will be backed up by practical exercises to firmly ground the theory in the diagnostic palpation of the channels. To read testimonials about this course from previous participants, please see below.

Attendance on this course will qualify graduates to attend future advanced workshops with Jason Robertson or Jonathan Chang (see below for more info).

We offer monthly palpation tutorials as a follow on to this class (on request). Book this course here

Explore the Yang Channels - Intermediate 2 days 22-23 May 2026

Price £240

Our intermediate follow-on course focuses on the Yang Channels and is taught by Jamie Hamilton.

Consolidate your knowledge with this new 2-day course with East West College on Applied Channel Theory and channel palpation, pioneered by Dr. Wang Ju-Yi. We will explore the physiology of the Yang Channels adding more depth to the understanding as found in the above introductory course, and how the yang channels sit within the wider context of the channel sinews and the luo-collaterals. We will naturally be reviewing the function of the yin channels as well. Look out for new dates on our bookings page.

November 2024

Advanced Applied Channel Theory in 2025 with Jason Robertson

Integrating Structural Assessment and Internal Medicine using Applied Channel Theory

Price £485

Jason Robertson will be returning to teach an advanced course with us for three days on 24 - 26 November 2025 (Monday - Wednesday). We hope you can join us! You do need to have taken a course with either us or one of Dr Wang Ju-Yi's apprentices before as Jason will not go over just the basics of the method. This course will be more in-depth with live cases, clinical reasoning, and of course, lots of palpation practice; more details follow below. BOOK HERE or on our Bookings page

This hands-on seminar will provide participants with practical skills for using channel palpation to evaluate the interplay of structure and function in East Asian medicine. Major distal and local points will be presented and practiced for evaluating structure and function of the feet,legs, pelvis, body trunk, thoracic/lumbar regions, ribcage, neck and head. You will learn how palpation and assessment of body alignment can allow for diagnostic refinement using a six-channel qi transformation (六經氣化 liùjīng qì huà) model.  

This three-day course will be limited to those who have taken a previous course in Applied Channel Theory taught either by Jason Robertson or another apprentice of Dr. Wang Ju-yi or studied an introductory course at East West College. There will be an assumption that core concepts have been studied so that in this seminar students can further develop palpation skills for improved clinical results in both internal medicine and musculoskeletal complaints. In fact, the course will demonstrate that very often these complaints are intimately related and, in many cases, actually one and the same.

Jason will draw from his decades of experience using these assessments and will share clinical applications of Dr. Wang Ju Yi’s six-channel qi transformation system. He will also discuss and demonstrate needle technique drawn from Dr.Wang Ju-yi’s teaching. Using palpation techniques developed in distal channel palpation, students will expand to palpate structures and muscles affecting the hips/pelvis, ribcage, vertebral column (including the front alarm and back transport points) and cervical region. Most importantly, palpation will continue to be used to shape pattern-based diagnosis so that students can move beyond protocols and ‘magicpoints’ to a more embodied and dynamic practice style.

Venue: Farnham Maltings, Barley Room.

Timings: 9.15 am - 5.30 pm

Photo of 2023 course at Farnham Maltings (Barley Room), where our 2025 course will take place.
2023 Farnham 3-day Advanced Applied Channel Theory: 'Diving Deeper into Point Categories'

May 2024 with Dr Jonathan Chang - 'Palpation and Clinical Internship', following our online 12 month In-depth Clinical Cases 2022-2023

Testimonials from 'Fundamentals of Applied Channel Theory' course:

Fantastic course, really practical and super interesting. Jamie is a very knowledgeable and generous teacher. Sandra Hart, June 2021 (Edinburgh)
Jamie is a wonderfully knowledgeable tutor, educational and entertaining...a great combo. D. M. June 2021 (Edinburgh)
A good combintation of theory and practise which can be easily used in a clinical setting. I feel confident to use techniques and information given on clients next week in clinic. Laurie Heaps, June 2021 (Edinburgh)
Wealth of information shared that can be transformed into clinic immediately. Adam Leighton, Nov 2021 (Farnham)
I would highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to move along and enhance TCM knowledge, I feel like it's the depth that should have been done at college.   Sarah Crockford, June 2021 (Edinburgh)
Highly recommend this course. Well explained and very interesting. A great addition to my toolbox. Debbie Sheldon, Nov 2021 (Farnham)
A well-designed course, perfectly pitched. I appreciate the clarity with which these complex concepts are presented and left with many practices that I can apply and use in my work.    Chris Crockford, June 2021 (Edinburgh)
Thoroughly recommend Jamie's course. I feel much more confident with the theory and what I am feeling in my patients and my point selection.                 Helen Game, June 2021 (Edinburgh)
Would recommend to others wanting to broaden their knowledge of the channels.   Amanda Smith, June 2021 (Edinburgh)

It feels like the missing link I have been looking for. Kerry Robinson, Farnham Oct 22
A brilliant teacher, A brilliant weekend, a brilliant system which offers a clear compass to show how to treat. After more than 10 years in practice, at long last Chinese medicine makes sense. Paul Chedgey. April 2023

Really enjoyed and found useful. Jamie has a lovely mix - approachable, humble, and knowledgeable - I really enjoyed the energy he gives to teaching. Ian Fitzpatrick, April 2023

Exceeded expectations - very satisfied. Brilliant content, very useful. Good amount of hands-on practice. Excellent teacher. Good handouts. C. Stone, April 2023
What an enjoyable and educational two days. I feel excited to go out and start palpating channels and implementing elegant treatments! Lucy Humphries, March 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dr. Wang's therory related to Tung and Tan styles?

In a word: "no". All three of these teachers did emphasise the need for palpation of channels and used ideas that relate to the six channels (Taiyang, Shaoyin etc.) but Dr. Wang's approach contains a theory base very much in line with classical Chinese Medicine, whereas Dr. Tung (and Dr. Tan whose work was based on Dr. Tung) has a different lineage of thinking.

Can you teach a course where I am based?

Yes we can. With about a 6 person minimum we can come to you with a similar cost stucture to the courses quoted above.

What if I am a shiatsu practitioner?

You may well be able to join our courses. If you have a reasonable TCM knowledge you should be fine with any.

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