Yellow Path Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Five Element philosophy, theory and practice (acupuncture) is a spiritual tradition and a system of medicine that maintains the balance of the body, mind and spirit. This balance sustains our natural intelligence and promotes a peaceful and harmonious way of life.

The underlying philosophy understands that the entire universe is made up of one vital life force (qi) manifesting as five distinct elements: water, wood, fire, earth and metal. When the elements are balanced, order is maintained. When there is an imbalance, symptoms appear. By diagnosing the cause of imbalance in an individual, the Five-Element acupuncturist affects the flow and strength of energy accessed at the acupuncture points. The use of warmth (moxa) and fine needles restores the natural order.

Five-Element acupuncture asks a great deal of the practitioner — not only technical skill, but clarity, steadiness, and emotional responsibility. That is part of what makes it such a powerful path of personal development, and such meaningful clinical work.

Professional Five-Element acupuncturists work with patients through:

• in-depth consultation, case-taking and establishing a professional relationship

• diagnostic skills (including observation, pulses, palpation and diagnosis through the senses)

• treatment planning, needling and the use of Moxa

• ongoing clinical reflection and patient support

Five-Element acupuncture practice is inherently relational. It is also a lifelong learning path because real clinical skill deepens over time.

No. Many Yellow Path students come from diverse backgrounds, including healthcare, therapy, education, business, creative fields and later in life, career change.

What matters most is your readiness to learn with seriousness, curiosity and humility, including the personal and professional development required to practise safely and well.

Yes — and we say this with honesty and care.

Five-Element acupuncture is humbling and challenging by nature. It asks a great deal intellectually, emotionally and personally. This is why community matters so much: we learn through relationship, shared commitment, hard work and mutual support.

Most students find that the learning curves are real and that staying the course brings rewards that far outweigh them.

Yes. Yellow Path offers an exclusive training in Five-Element acupuncture — we do not include or combine other traditions such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), nutrition, counselling etc. Five-Element acupuncture is a complete system of medicine!

This matters because it allows students to focus on and learn one coherent clinical system with depth, consistency and integrity, rather than blending approaches that work from different diagnostic frameworks.

Yellow Path offers training in Five-Element acupuncture informed by the lineage of Professor J.R. Worsley. Our faculty have trained extensively within this tradition and teach through their own clinical experience, ongoing practice and professional development.

Yellow Path is not affiliated with, authorized by, or endorsed by The Worsley Institute (WI), and we do not claim to represent Professor Worsley or to teach under his authorization or authority.

Yellow Path is in a formal relationship with the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) and is working towards full accreditation.

BAcC accreditation is a robust process that evaluates training in areas such as curriculum design, clinical training, safety standards, governance and professional readiness. We welcome this process and are committed to meeting the standards required.

Our aim is to achieve full accreditation by the end of 2027, and we will share updates as the process progresses.

It means Yellow Path is engaged in a structured process with the BAcC, building and evidencing our programme against the standards expected of accredited institutions.

We are transparent about where we are in the process and applicants are welcome to discuss:

• what accreditation means

• how the process works

• how training supports professional pathways during this period

Yes. Successful completion of our programme awards a Licentiate in Acupuncture (Lic.Ac.), which is recognised as a professional qualification by the Acupuncture Regulatory Authority (ARA).

Our training is designed to prepare students for real clinical practice through:

• rigorous academic learning

• developing strong diagnostic perception and clinical steadiness

• high-quality supervised clinical training

• clear ethical and safety standards

• case-based clinical development and reflective practice

We are transparent about professional routes and will always provide clear information about how the current BAcC accreditation stage relates to your pathway.

Yellow Path is known for its warm, close-knit learning environment and high standards. The training is rigorous and relational: students are supported to develop clinical skill while also taking increasing responsibility for their participation, steadiness, and emotional regulation. Key differences include:

• small group teaching (maximum 8 students per cohort) with close supervision

• direct, relational learning. Not anonymous or lecture-only

• a strong emphasis on clinical skills, not just theory

• a commitment to professional formation: steadiness, perception, emotional responsibility

• ongoing opportunities for extra practice and skill-building

We don’t just teach a system — we grow and develop skilled and confident practitioners.

Learning at Yellow Path is direct and relational. You’ll learn through:

• online and in-person teaching seminars and demonstrations

• practical classes (point location, needling, palpation, pulses)

• supervised clinic experience

• case discussion and clinical reasoning

• structured feedback and mentoring

• reflective practice and professional development

Feedback can feel challenging at times and we treat uncertainty and disagreement as part of professional formation, not something to avoid.

Yellow Path is a learning community and a professional training. Students are expected to take responsibility for:

• participation and conduct

• emotional regulation

• responding to feedback professionally

• maintaining daily/weekly practice commitments

This approach is exciting and challenging, and it develops the steadiness and perception required for real clinical work.

Adopting the attitude of being a humble and life-long student throughout your working life as a Five-Element acupuncturist will serve you and your patients well.

Five-Element acupuncture is “spiral learning”: we return repeatedly to the same wisdom and skills to deepen our understanding, rather than constantly searching for supplementary methods. There is no end point to the learning.

By staying connected through postgraduate study, reflective practice, regular peer supervision and learning with more experienced teachers, you continue to grow and keep your skills sharp. Our postgraduate community helps practitioners feel supported, inspired, and connected to the profession as a whole, which is essential for sustaining a life in practice.

Yes. The structure of our programme offers significant flexibility, so many students work full-time while training. However, this is a serious commitment and requires consistent study and practice.

As a guide, students should plan for a minimum of 12 hours of home study per week, alongside attendance days and (later) clinic commitments.

Daily practice is essential — particularly:

• Diagnosis through the senses

• pulses

• point location

Tuesday evenings and monthly Clinical Skills Days are offered free of charge so students can come together to practise and deepen their learning. We also encourage students to set up practice groups with peers within or outside Yellow Path.

The presentation of the meridians and points is found in the filmed lectures in each module. It is essential to study at home with these films, learning the anatomy, the point numbers and names and becoming familiar with the territory.

Practice on friends and family so you become used to touching people, applying different pressures and developing sensitivity in your fingertips.

In-person point location sessions then help you bring what you have learned into reality. We will correct and adjust you, and you can ask about any meridian or point at the class.

Yes. Clinical experience is central to professional training.

Students typically progress through stages including:

• observation

• supervised practice

• increasing responsibility under supervision

• clinical reflection and case review

This ensures clinical readiness is developed steadily, safely, and with support.

Yes. Safety is fundamental. Training includes:

• clean needle technique

• anatomy and contraindications

• risk awareness

• consent and communication

• ethical practice

• safe clinical decision-making

Once you have completed Modules 1–3, and you start your clinical training in Module 4, Yellow Path will authorise and direct you to where you can purchase student insurance (approximately £60).

On completion of Module 4 and achieving your Licentiate in Acupuncture (Lic Ac.), you can upgrade to full personal and professional indemnity insurance.

Tuition for the full two-year training is £17,950.

Payment schedule:

• On acceptance, a non-refundable deposit of £2,693 is required to secure your place.

• The remaining balance of £15,257 is a financial commitment for the entire training and can be spread over 24 monthly payments of £635, payable from the course start date.

The total cost is discounted by 10% if you pay for the entire course upfront.

Yes — students should also budget for:

• Student clinical insurance: approximately £60 

• Equipment and learning materials: approximately £500
  (e.g. books, point locator, white coat, supplies)

One of the great things about setting up an acupuncture practice is how little is needed compared to many other businesses.

Typical ongoing costs include:

• Workspace: rent a room hourly in an existing clinic (£15–25/hour) or practise from home (usually requires local council registration for a nominal fee)

• Supplies: needles, moxa, paperwork — approximately £5 per patient

• Advertising: often low-cost or free, through social media presence and word-of-mouth

• Insurance: approximately £170/year

• Professional organisation membership: approximately £60/year

Accountancy: many practitioners do this themselves online; if an accountant is needed, it is usually around £500/year

There are several ways to receive Five-Element acupuncture through the Yellow Path ecosystem:

1) Yellow Path Student Clinic (Saturday clinic)
Treatments are provided by final module students under the supervision of the Yellow Path clinical team.

• Every Saturday, 9.30am – 5pm

• £35 per treatment

2) Yellow Path Low-Cost Clinic
A partnership between Yellow Path and alumni practitioners.

• £45 per treatment

3) Associate member practitioners
Yellow Path associate member practitioners can be found via afea.co.uk. Rates available on request.

This training is best suited for people who:

• are genuinely committed to becoming practitioners

• want both strong clinical skill and deeper understanding

• can engage with challenge and feedback constructively

• value community and relational learning

• are ready for professional and personal development

Most people begin by attending an open day or reading the training details in full (found on this site). The application process typically includes:

• an application form

• an interview

• space to explore whether the training is right for you

We care about choosing students who are ready for the path and we are equally committed to helping applicants make a grounded, informed decision.

Attend an open day, speak to the admissions team, or visit the school on request. We want you to feel clear about:

• what the training involves

• whether the style is right for you

• the realities of time commitment and responsibility

• professional pathways and how accreditation may affect them

This is a demanding and deeply rewarding training and no one walks the path alone.