Greetings and Salutations,

After what has been an extremely busy week in clinic I am preparing to leave for Japan tomorrow morning.

My visit to Imabari on the Island of Shikoku in Southern Japan to observe at Masakazu Ikeda sensei's clinic will be my first in 7 years and my anticipation grows by the hour.

I unashamadely model my mentoring program on my experience in the clinics of Edward Obaidey and Masakazu of Ikeda sensei.

Without question in my mind, this form of passing on clinically relevant Traditional Acupuncture skills and diagnostic protocols is by far and away the most effective learning experience available to the keen student of Traditional Acupuncture today.

The fact that this method of passing on clinically relevant experience and wisdom has been in existence for thousands of years testifies to it's efficacy.

Certainly from my experience both as a teacher and student of Traditional Acupuncture this has been proven on countless occaisions.

From being the teacher in both my Brisbane and Gold Coast clinics I will once again be a student as I do my level best to osmose as much of the skill, expertise, wisdom and experience that Ikeda sensei exudes during my stay over the next week.

Always challenging, refining my practice of Traditional Acupuncture moves to another level entirely in Ikeda sensei's clinic.

Nothing can adequately prepare me for this experience and it is very much a case of sink or swim.

As a surfer there is only one option,  take a big breath, dive in and paddle to the best of my ability.

There is no doubt that I will be confronted with my inadequacies and shortcomings as a practitioner as the clarity and preciseness of Ikeda sensei's clinical abitlities come to light.

It then becomes a case of  eating much humble pie as the chasm between Ikeda sensei and myself  is exposed to the light of day.

Imabari is a little chilly at this time of year with the maximum temperature varying between 5degC and 12degC at this time of year.

Phew it will be some change climatically and clinically.

Take care to have some fun.

Lotsa,

Alan