Lorraine Hughes, a qigong instructor and AHG-registered herbalist and the owner of Empowered By Nature, will facilitate the first in a series of The Five Elements workshops at Dutchess Yoga on June 18, from 1 to 3 p.m. 

“The Five Element Theory or Five Phases, or Wu Xing, is based on Chinese Medicine and Daoism,” Hughes says. “It reflects seasonal change that influences our internal changes and adaptation, impacting how we feel about ourselves, our choices and our engagement in life.”

She notes that this first workshop, focused on the fire element, will take place three days prior to the summer solstice. “Summer is the season of the heart and the fire element. All of nature, especially human nature, is now impacted with heightened energies of growth, impulse, consciousness, spirit and mental processing. Summer is a very social time of year. Let’s embrace joy and shine.”

The workshop will offer an exploration of the fire phase through breath work, movement (qigong) and an interactive lecture. Take-home materials are included in the workshop fee. Participants should bring a yoga mat and wear comfortable clothing.