What is the invisible force that ancient Chinese philosophers believed animates all living things? What connects the breath we take, the food we eat, the blood flowing through our bodies, and the rhythms of the natural world?

For thousands of years, Chinese medicine has explored these questions through one of its most fundamental concepts: Qi (pronounced “chee”).

Often translated as life force or vital energy, Qi is far more complex than either definition suggests. Within traditional Chinese philosophy and medicine, Qi is understood as a fundamental aspect of existence, influencing everything from the formation of matter to the processes that sustain human life.

But where does Qi come from? How does it move through the body? And what happens when its movement becomes disrupted?

In this episode of Rooted & Wild, host Henry Hawk welcomes back Dr. Autumn Edwards, a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine and licensed acupuncturist whose work integrates Traditional Chinese Medicine, Five Element theory, herbal medicine, Western medical knowledge, and energetic approaches to healing.

Together, they venture into the ancient philosophical, medical, and esoteric understanding of Qi, exploring its origins, its many expressions, and its central role in acupuncture and Chinese medicine.

In this episode, we explore:

• What is Qi? Understanding the ancient Chinese concept of vital energy and why it encompasses far more than the Western translation of "life force."
• The origins of Qi: How Chinese philosophy describes the relationship between Qi, matter, energy, and the natural universe.
• Inherited and acquired vitality: The traditional distinction between Pre-Heaven and Post-Heaven Essence, and the roles of ancestry, nourishment, and breath.
• The different forms of Qi: Exploring Yuan Qi (Original Qi), Gu Qi (Food Qi), Zhen Qi (True Qi), Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi), and Wei Qi (Defensive Qi).
• Qi and the organs: How Chinese medicine understands the movement, transformation, and distribution of Qi throughout the body.
• The relationship between Qi and blood: Why traditional Chinese medicine considers these two vital substances deeply interconnected.
• The functions of Qi: Its traditional roles in warming, protecting, transporting, transforming, and supporting the body's processes.
• When Qi becomes imbalanced: How practitioners interpret patterns of deficiency, stagnation, and disrupted movement.
• Mind, intention, and Qi: Exploring the traditional relationship between consciousness, attention, and the movement of vital energy.
• Ancient philosophy and modern science: Examining proposed parallels between Qi and contemporary ideas about energy, physiology, and bioelectricity, while recognizing where scientific evidence remains limited.

Throughout this conversation, Dr. Edwards draws upon classical Chinese medical teachings and her clinical experience to illuminate a concept that has influenced generations of healers, philosophers, and spiritual practitioners.

Whether you're interested in acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Daoist philosophy, energy healing, or the deeper mysteries of the human body, this episode invites you to reconsider what ancient traditions mean when they speak about the force of life itself.

About Dr. Autumn Edwards

Dr. Autumn Edwards is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine and licensed acupuncturist whose integrative approach draws upon Traditional Chinese Medicine, Five Element theory, Chinese herbal medicine, Western medical knowledge, and energetic healing practices. Her work explores the interconnected relationships between the physical body, emotional well-being, and the deeper philosophical traditions of Chinese medicine.

Learn more about Dr. Autumn Edwards:
https://www.drautumnedwards.com

This episode is part of a six-part exploration of Chinese medicine with Dr. Autumn Edwards, examining Yin and Yang, Qi, the Five Elements, meridians, esoteric Chinese medicine, the electromagnetics of acupuncture, and the intersections between Eastern and Western medicine

Rooted & Wild provides general information for educational and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Henry Hawk. The content shared on this podcast is not intended to replace individualized medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice, nor should it be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical or mental health concerns.

Most of us recognize the familiar black-and-white symbol of Yin and Yang. But behind this ancient image lies an extraordinary philosophical system that has shaped Chinese medicine, Daoist thought, and our understanding of the relationship between humanity and the natural world for thousands of years.

What if balance isn't about eliminating opposites, but understanding how they depend upon, influence, and transform one another?

In this episode of Rooted & Wild, host Henry Hawk welcomes Dr. Autumn Edwards, a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine and licensed acupuncturist whose work integrates Traditional Chinese Medicine, Five Element theory, herbal medicine, Western medical knowledge, and energetic approaches to healing.

Together, they explore the ancient origins of Yin and Yang, their philosophical and esoteric significance, and how these seemingly simple concepts form one of the foundational frameworks of Chinese medicine.

In this episode, we explore:

• The ancient origins of Yin and Yang in Chinese philosophy, Daoism, and traditional medicine.
• The deeper meaning behind the familiar Yin-Yang symbol and why its significance extends far beyond opposing forces.
• The four fundamental relationships of Yin and Yang: opposition, interdependence, mutual consumption, and transformation.
• How Yin and Yang are understood to influence the organs, bodily functions, and patterns of health and illness.
• The traditional Chinese medicine concepts of excess Yin, excess Yang, Yin deficiency, and Yang deficiency.
• The relationship between the human body and the natural world through the ancient principle of the macrocosm and microcosm.
• How practitioners use Yin and Yang theory to interpret patterns of imbalance and guide treatment.
• The philosophical connections between Yin and Yang, Qi, and the broader cosmology of Chinese medicine.

Drawing from ancient teachings, clinical experience, and esoteric philosophy, Dr. Edwards offers a deeper perspective on a concept that is often reduced to a simple idea of balance.

Whether you're curious about acupuncture, fascinated by Daoist philosophy, exploring energetic medicine, or simply interested in the ancient wisdom traditions that continue to influence modern healing practices, this conversation invites you to look beyond the symbol and discover the philosophy beneath it.

About Dr. Autumn Edwards

Dr. Autumn Edwards is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine and licensed acupuncturist whose integrative approach draws upon Traditional Chinese Medicine, Five Element theory, Chinese herbal medicine, Western medical knowledge, and energetic healing practices. Her work explores the interconnected relationships between the physical body, emotional well-being, and the deeper philosophical traditions of Chinese medicine.

Learn more about Dr. Autumn Edwards:
https://www.drautumnedwards.com

This episode is part of a seven-part exploration of Chinese medicine with Dr. Autumn Edwards, examining Yin and Yang, Qi, the Five Elements, meridians, esoteric Chinese medicine, the electromagnetics of acupuncture, and the intersections between Eastern and Western medicine.

Rooted & Wild provides general information for educational and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Henry Hawk. The content shared on this podcast is not intended to replace individualized medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice, nor should it be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical or mental health concerns.

Why We Repeat the Same Patterns: Exploring Subconscious Beliefs Through ThetaHealing

You recognize the pattern. You understand why it hurts. You promise yourself you’ll choose differently. So why does it keep happening?

Sometimes the circumstances change, but the experience feels familiar. A new relationship brings the same disappointment. A different job awakens the same doubts. An opportunity appears, and something inside you begins searching for reasons you aren’t ready.

We can spend years trying to understand these experiences, tracing their origins and making sense of our reactions. Yet knowing where a pattern began doesn’t always tell us how to move beyond it. What happens when our conscious desire for change meets a belief we haven’t recognized?

In this episode of Rooted & Wild, Henry Hawk welcomes international ThetaHealing® teacher and practitioner Elias Kanakri for a conversation about subconscious beliefs, the mind, and the patterns that shape our everyday choices.

Before entering the healing world, Elias spent fourteen years working in advertising in Dubai. A personal and financial crisis brought him to a turning point, leading him toward ThetaHealing and a different relationship with himself. His work since then has taken him into conversations with students and clients from many countries, each bringing their own questions about change, possibility, and the beliefs beneath their struggles.

Through the lens of ThetaHealing, Henry and Elias explore what it means to look beneath a recurring experience. How do we identify an underlying belief? How might an assumption about love, safety, success, or worth influence what feels possible? And what distinguishes understanding a belief intellectually from experiencing a meaningful shift?

The conversation also opens a larger question about the mind itself. We often assume that we must fully understand something before we can work with it. But while we continue searching for answers about the mind, we still have to live with our thoughts, respond to our emotions, and make decisions. Could curiosity offer a different starting point from trying to control every part of the process?

Elias also invites us to reconsider our expectations about the pace of change. Have we confused how long change can take with how long it has to take? That question makes room to explore both the possibility of a sudden shift and what it means to carry that shift into ordinary life.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why familiar patterns can persist despite a conscious desire to change
• How ThetaHealing approaches subconscious beliefs and “digging” for a root belief
• The assumptions we carry about relationships, money, success, and self-worth
• The difference between recognizing a pattern and responding differently
• Elias’s questions about the mind and our need to understand it
• Our expectations about how quickly meaningful change can happen
• What an internal shift might look like in everyday decisions and actions

If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “Why am I here again?” this episode invites you to approach that question with curiosity. Beneath the frustration, there may be an assumption worth examining, a familiar response worth questioning, or a possibility you haven’t yet allowed yourself to consider.

About Elias Kanakri

Elias Kanakri is an international ThetaHealing teacher, practitioner, and speaker from Lebanon. He began practicing and teaching ThetaHealing in 2015 after fourteen years in advertising in Dubai. He works with people internationally, both in person and online, teaching in English and Arabic.

In 2019, he created True Alignment With Your Soul Purpose, a ThetaHealing elective approved by Vianna Stibal and the ThetaHealing Institute of Knowledge. His work explores beliefs, purpose, alignment, and the questions that emerge when spiritual teachings meet lived experience.

Learn more about Elias, his sessions, and his courses:
https://www.eliaskanakri.com

Rooted & Wild provides general information for educational and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Henry Hawk. The content shared on this podcast is not intended to replace individualized medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice, nor should it be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical or mental health concerns.

What if the greatest obstacle to finding your voice isn't that you don't know what to say, but that you're afraid of what might happen when you say it?

For some, it's the thought of standing on a stage in front of hundreds of people. For others, it's speaking up during a meeting, introducing themselves to strangers, sharing an idea, or simply finding the courage to express what they really think.

The circumstances may be different, but the feelings are often remarkably similar.

The racing heart. The dry mouth. The sudden awareness of every word, gesture, and facial expression. That little voice in the back of your mind asking, What if I embarrass myself? What if they judge me? What if I'm not good enough?

But what if confidence isn't something we're born with? What if it's something we can cultivate?

In this episode of Rooted & Wild, I'm joined by Esther Sarlo, entrepreneur, facilitator, speaker, writer, and founder of Mynd Myself, for a conversation about finding the courage to be seen, heard, and understood.

Esther's work is rooted in authenticity, self-expression, and the relationship between our bodies, our emotions, and the ways we communicate with the world around us.

Together, we explore the art of public speaking, not simply as a professional skill, but as an opportunity for personal growth, self-discovery, and empowerment.

What does it really take to become a confident speaker?

Is confidence something we develop through preparation and practice, or does it begin with changing the way we see ourselves?

Why do some of us feel perfectly comfortable speaking with friends but become overwhelmed the moment we're asked to address a room?

How do we navigate nervousness, quiet our inner critic, and learn to communicate without feeling as though we're performing a version of ourselves that others expect to see?

And perhaps most importantly, how do we learn to trust that our voice, our perspective, and our experiences are worthy of being heard?

Whether you're preparing for your first presentation, hoping to become a more compelling communicator, stepping into a leadership role, or simply learning to speak with greater confidence in your everyday life, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on what it means to find and own your voice.

Because powerful communication isn't necessarily about having the perfect words, commanding the biggest audience, or being the loudest person in the room.

Sometimes, it's about having the courage to show up exactly as you are.

Your voice has value. The question is whether you're willing to let the world hear it.

Learn more about Esther Sarlo and Mynd Myself:

https://www.myndmyself.com

Rooted & Wild provides general information for educational and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Henry Hawk. The content shared on this podcast is not intended to replace individualized medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice, nor should it be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical or mental health concerns.