Building a relationship with the Yi Jing
8 weekly online sessions (live) starting Saturday 24 January - Saturday 21 March 2026
This course is a comprehensive and practical introduction to the Yi Jing (I Ching) covering traditional yarrow stalk divination, approach, mindset, interpretation, theory and practice. Over the eight weekly sessions you will also learn the Yi Jing Qi Gong as taught by Damo Mitchell of Lotus Nei Gong.
The Yi Jing or Book of Change is the seminal text on the nature of experience, and as a divination tool a powerful guide to life. This is amongst the oldest of humanity’s books, and yet it continues to speak to the present day with acute insight and profound understanding. It is as Jung says, the only book with a living soul.
I often say that the Yi Jing is like a true friend that has already reached enlightenment on your behalf - giving potent, honest advice on almost everything from the nature of your path, relationships, health and key decisions in life. Knowing how to develop this relationship with respect and understanding, is the key to further unlocking the wisdom of this living classic.
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I was given a copy of Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching as a teenager. I've worked off and on, in a very basic way, ever since. It always seemed full of mystery and wisdom, and somehow remained impenetrable. Ryan's classes have opened up a box of delights. I found his teaching style clear and accessible. His depth of knowledge inspirational.
Chris Walker
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Ryan's Yi Jing course is exceptional. It offers a strong foundation for the beginner and would enhance and broaden the understanding of those who are already well familiar with the practice.
Judith Hooper
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Ryan really helps us to find the true nature of ancient Chinese symbols, balancing theory, practice and material, while staying open-minded about how to interpret, and build understanding in application.
Aurelie
Course Elements
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Yarrow Divination
Learning to use the Yarrow stalks is an essential component of proper Yi Jing divination.
Methods such as the coin method do not account for the asymmetry written into Yi Jing numerology and therefore their readings are not entirely accurate.
Yarrow divination is also a more embodied and meditative process that enhances the process of divination
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Ritual
The accompanying rituals around divination are a key part of the process, that not only honour the tradition but also allow the diviner into the correct energetic state to draw in the wisdom of the Yi Jing.
The ritual aspects ensure that the teachings are approached with the respect that in turn reinforces the accuracy and usefulness of the readings
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Interpretation and practice
The spine of the course will be learning how to inquire of, interpret and comply with he teachings of the Yi Jing. Forming a relationship with the book in this way allows the teachings to deepen, and also for their relevance and clarity to become more acute.
Part of this will include navigating the various translations available.
Mainly, we will work through many examples together so that you leave with the confidence to approach the Yi Jing in any number of situations.
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Theory
Much has been written about the Yi Jing over the centuries and added into the text. Much of this theory has actually been reverse engineered and yet is often considered to be foundational and essential to understanding the text.
This is not so, and yet a familiarity with the theory and the ensuing ontology is helpful in navigating the given interpretations.
We will spend some time lightly unpacking key theory such as Yin / Yang and Trigram theory. I also breakdown the more complex theory into easily digestible and relatable principles - what I call the Twelve Lenses,
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Qi Gong
Each of the Trigrams, the energetic “building blocks” of the Yi Jing, has an associated Qi Gong form that evokes the relevant qualities within the body.
Getting a felt sense of the energetics in this way teaches us the language of change in a somatic, rather than intellectual way.
These forms are taught by Damo Mitchell of the Internal Arts Academy, and I am grateful for his permission to pass them on. ion goes here
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Ryan has a talent for creating clear, concise course material with the depth required for a robust understanding of ancient philosophies. Additionally, his teaching manner is calm, patient and respectful. Highly recommended!
Angela Bradshaw
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Ryan is a sensitive, intuitive, gentle and insightful teacher. He is dedicated to presenting the I Ching in a very direct way where the person doing the divination can connect and tap to that wisdom that has always been there but maybe covered or inaccessible. What I liked the most was realizing that the I Ching was not that huge book and body of knowledge I had to sit down to study (although it can be, if you want) but a much more approachable system that you can connect with more simply and intuitively.
Participant
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Ryan has a very deep understanding of his subject. Esoteric yet accessible.
Helen Hunt
Course Details
Saturday 24 January 16:00 - 18:30 GMT
Qian (Initiation). Course induction. An introduction to the Yi Jing, history, context and worldview.
Saturday 31 January 16:00 - 18:30 GMT
Dui (Play). Divination methods. Yarrow stalks, coin method and others. Correct ritual and cultivating mindset.
Saturday 07 February 16:00 - 18:30 GMT
Li (Illumination) How to draw hexagrams; Primary, secondary, nuclear. Basic Interpretation.
Saturday 14 February 16:00 - 18:30 GMT
Zhen (Awakening) Foundational Theory I, Dao, Yin/Yang, Wu Wei etc. Student case studies
Week off
Saturday 28 February 16:00 - 18:30 GMT
Xun (Insight) Foundational Theory II, Trigrams. Student case studies.
Saturday 07 March 16:00 - 18:30 GMT
Kan (Caution) Further Interpretation and examples.
Saturday 14 March 16:00 - 18:30 GMT
Gen (Stillness) Advanced Interpretation - The Twelve Lenses
Saturday 21 March 16:00 - 18:30 GMT
Kun (Surrender) Introduction to oblative / Xian Tian divination and ongoing practice.
Each workshop will be split into three focused forty-minute sessions with short breaks in between - and will involve a blend of Qi Gong, structured presentations and discussion.
Whilst live attendance is preferred, I appreciate this is an eight-week commitment, and there will be some weekends that clash. All sessions will be recorded, and all material made available. The Qi Gong sequence will be taught cumulatively - so you will have plenty of chances to catch up, should you need to miss sessions.
Booking and prices
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Course Booking
The price of the course is £360.
This includes lifetime access to the recordings, class handouts, slides and any additional material. If you wish to leave the course after the first class, I am happy to provide you with a full refund, no questions asked.
To book please pay using the link below. If you would prefer staged payments, please get in touch.
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Course Discount 2026 Yi Jing Qi Gong Retreat
In June 2026, I will be running an in person retreat. All participants on the retreat will receive a 20% discount for the online course. To find out out more and book onto the retreat, please click through below.