Anxiety and stress ​in modern life​ seem to just be a part of the deal​​. Whether its business, romantic, family, or social relationships, navigating your self-identity on social media, hearing about the unchecked political corruption and corporate greed on the news, or the myriad of personal issues or global crisis’ were faced to deal with​ -​ anxiety is an unwelcomed ​and ​ever-present entity in our midst. The physical, mental, emotional and spiritual damage from both acute and chronic anxiety is on the rise, and prescription drugs, self-medicating, and embracing maladaptive behaviors of avoidance are really not helping matters much.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Although personal, societal and global pressures are high, there are still wonderful natural tools and teachings from the past that can help us​ individually and as a collective to​ function healthily among the madness. How can a 3000-year-old ancient Asian philosophy of thought and perception concerning life’s changes and challenges positively impact and improve how we relate to anxiety today?

In this Olio we are going to explore the power of the ancient Chinese Taoist concepts of Yin, Yang, and the Five Elements as they relate to reducing ​stress. Speculated to have arisen in Nigeria, Africa with the Yoruba people as “Ifa Divination” around 20,000 BC and migrating over time to China, the binary concepts of Yin and Yang form a foundation to understanding all types of relationships and interactions in the world. The philosophy of the Five Elements came along many years later and added nuance and depth to the understanding of the changes and interactions of life and how to successfully manage them in healthy, supportive non-destructive ways. We are going to learn how to loosen up our western conditioned minds to accept a more fluid, dynamic and hopeful approach to navigating the waters of ​stress​ in our lives. You will come away with new ideas that can potentially revolutionize your life in unimagined ways and last you a lifetime!