Mary Elizabeth Wakefield

Abstract

Facial acupuncture offers to the prospective patient and practitioner a practical approach to the treatment of the visible signs of aging. In its engagement with the psycho-emotional landscape of the face, it also presents the potential for patients to experience a profound transformation, not only of their faces, but in their lives.
The re-vitalization of the face through facial acupuncture treatments provides the practitioner with unmistakable outward evidence of changes occurring within our patients. The face, the most emotive part of the body, provides eloquent testimony as to the benefits of healthy aging.
The purpose of alchemy, one of the most venerable spiritual technologies, is to liberate the spirit from matter; in Taoist alchemical practices, the practitioner seeks to promote longevity, even immortality. In the context of what we can refer to as “facial” alchemy, facial and constitutional needling liberates Shen spirit from within the body, which manifests as increased radiance in the face. The face thereby provides a “window” into the alchemical retort, allowing us to witness the transformative process as it takes place. We refer to this process as “sparking” the Shen.
Learning objectives:
1. Participants will be introduced to some aspects of alchemical theory and practice in both the Eastern and Western traditions.
2. They will be introduced to an alchemical paradigm of facial acupuncture.
3. They will learn the usage of special alchemical body points.
4. They will be introduced to alchemical facial needling using acu-muscle treatment points.

Biography

Mary Elizabeth Wakefield, L. Ac., M. S., M. M., the internationally recognized author of the book, Constitutional Facial Acupuncture (Elsevier UK, 2014), is an acclaimed teacher, an acupuncturist, herbalist, Acutonics® and Zen Shiatsu practitioner, cranio-sacral therapist and a professional opera singer. Mary Elizabeth is acknowledged to be a leading international authority on facial acupuncture, and has created 22 educational seminars that present her unique philosophy and treatment protocols. For her contributions as a teacher, author and practitioner of her own system of facial acupuncture, Mary Elizabeth was selected for the prestigious publication Marquis Who’s Who in America.