
Esoteric Acupuncture Summer Intensive Retreats
Santa Cruz, CA
Foundations: August 17 (live on zoom) and August 23-24 in person
Advanced: August 16 (live on zoom) and Aug 30-31 in person
Note: Egyptian Esoteric Acupuncture will be taught Aug 29th in person)
The Esoteric Acupuncture Intensive Retreats are a weekend for you, the practitioner, to up-level yourself from the inside out, while connecting and building community with kindred spirits. You will learn about and receive several treatments that will get progressively deeper and more potent, leading to transformations, a shedding of the old, while increasing your light quotient many times over. Likewise, we will learn and practice Dr. Sankey’s 3-6-1 Antahkarana meditation together, which is a very powerful experience when done in a group. All the while, you will be surrounded and held by this beautiful location one block from the beach, waking up every cell in your body. In the end, you will get to return home and share this beautiful work and medicine with your clientele, who now more than ever desire to live their life fully with true purpose.
Once again, this course will be held at Five Branches University, this time during their summer break. We will be able to comfortably stretch out into their student lounge and large lobby for breaks and lunch. Just like last time, I am open to offerings from other attendees who want to share with the group. For example, last class we had a teaching on muscle testing, we had morning qigong to wake us up and get us moving, and lastly, we had a beautiful crystal bowl closing ceremony for the class. Also, just like every retreat, my plan is to have a Sound Bath towards the end of class on the first day, during which we work with one of the patterns to help cleanse and reset the body and energy fields after traveling and learning that first day.
This class is most likely for you if you’ve been drawn to Dr. Mikio Sankey’s work, sacred geometry, and/or spiritual acupuncture. This is a very nourishing, inspiring and uplifting class where we not only learn Esoteric Acupuncture but also get to give and receive the powerful, activated grids in a very intentional way. This is not your typical CE class, as we also mix in short meditations, visualizations and light body activations to support you as a practitioner. Gathering together as a collective of heart-centered, consciously aware lightworkers creates a special magic for everybody and this has been a life-changing weekend for many.
Personal note from Asha:
I have been humbled by the testimonials from those who have taken the course, especially when I hear back weeks or months after, when they update me how things have changed in their life and work. Everyone who attends has the option to stay connected afterwards over WhatsApp, and a beautiful community has emerged these past two years from past participants all over the country plus Canada. We have been getting together twice a month over Zoom the past six months, and do the Antahkarana meditation, generally over the full moon and new moon, and Solstices. It has been so wonderful to continue to see everybody and share space like that.
People who have taken this class say it is unlike any CE class they have taken before, and find it well worth their time and resources. Many call it life-changing, powerful and personally restorative, as they experience profound internal shifts in their energy and in their intentions as practitioners. Practitioners report back a significant positive difference in their treatments and outcomes, and that this has been a powerful way to help their clients transform their lives. Many practitioners feel reenergized after feeling burned out and love doing acupuncture again.
I love Esoteric Acupuncture and how it has helped and supported me and my clients, and I am so happy to be able to teach it so that it can touch even more people.

Location
I am very excited to return to Five Branches University, Santa Cruz, where they have been teaching Traditional Chinese Medicine since 1984. The address is 200 7th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, one block away from Twin Lakes State Beach at Monterey Bay. Ocean energy in the air. And the beach is simply perfect.
And for those who want to add in sightseeing before and after the workshop: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is about 10 miles away, famous for its 40-acre grove of old growth Redwood trees. The tallest tree is 16′ wide, 277′ tall and about 1500 years old. And further out is Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California’s oldest state park, 24 miles north of Santa Cruz. “Home to the largest continuous stand of ancient redwoods south of San Francisco…at 1000 to 1800 years old.” And 24 miles to the east in the mountains overlooking Santa Cruz is Mt. Madonna Center, a spiritual retreat center where you can visit or stay overnight. Baba Hari Dass (1923-2018) inspired the founding of Mt. Madonna Center, a yogi and teacher who took a vow of silence in 1952 and held regular darshan at the Center. There is also a Hanuman temple onsite that holds darshan.

Foundations Class
Tentative Agenda
Sunday August 17th: (Live Zoom) – Foundations Lecture 4-8 pm Eastern Time (1:00-5 pm Pacific Time) Recorded for later viewing that week if unable to attend Live.
In person:
Saturday August 23: 8:30 – 5:30 pm
Sunday August 24: 8:30 – 5:30 pm
Sound Bath Saturday 5 – 6 pm (tentative)
Morning movement Sunday morning (tentative)
Advanced Class
Tentative Agenda
*Optional Add-On or Stand-Alone 8 hr Class, Egyptian Esoteric Acupuncture, Friday August 29th. Open to all acupuncturists. For more info, please go here.
Saturday August 16th: (Live Zoom) Lecture and Review 4 – 8 pm Eastern Time (1-5 pm Pacific Time) Recorded for later viewing if unable to attend Live.
Saturday August 30: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Sunday August 31: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Sound Bath Saturday 5 – 6 pm (tentative)
Morning movement Sunday morning (tentative)

Foundations Class CE and Pricing Info
❖ Continuing Education credit:
- Acupuncturists: 20 PDA credits pending by NCCAOM (15 PDA pts in AOM-AC category; 5 PDA pts in PE-CW category) Provider #9318; California Acupuncture Board – 20 CEUS, category 1, pending.
- Nurses: “This nursing continuing professional development activity was approved by the American Holistic Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. 15.75 contact hours will be awarded to participants who complete the program requirements.”
- Massage Therapists: approved for 20 Continuing Education Hours with NCBTMB (Provider #1001098)
Early Bird Discount until April 30th: $625, pay in full or pay $200 deposit with remaining paid by April 30, 2025.
After May 1, 2025 – Regular Price, $725 ($200 deposit holds your spot with remaining due by July 30th)
**Repeat Attendees may attend Foundations for $400. Dr. Sankey recommends taking Foundations 2-3 times, and those who have re-taken this class find it very valuable. **
Acupuncture students – please inquire about a student discount.
Limited scholarships available for those with financial need.
Advanced Class CE and Pricing Info
**This class is for those who have taken Esoteric Acupuncture Foundations previously with any teacher.**
❖ Continuing Education credit:
Acupuncturists: 20 PDA credits pending by NCCAOM (16 PDA pts in AOM-AC category; 5 PDA pts in PE-CW category) Provider #9318; California Acupuncture Board – 20 CEUS, category 1, pending.
Early Bird Discount: $700, pay in full or pay $200 deposit with remaining paid by April 30, 2025.)
After May 1, 2025 – Regular Price, $775 ($200 deposit holds your spot with remaining due by July 30th)
Limited scholarships available for those with financial need.

Cancellation and Refund Policy:
- Due to the preparations and commitments made to hold this class, no refunds will be provided for cancellations made less than 1 month in advance, or in case of no show. Credit towards future workshops is possible, though the future is always uncertain as to when and where that will be.
- A cancellation fee of $200 per person applies for cancellations made less than 2 months in advance.
- A cancellation fee of $50 per person applies for cancellations made 2 months or more in advance.
faqs
To register, please send an email to retreats@starlitearth.com with the following information:
- your full name
- which class your signing up for
- your license number and state (if you’re wanting continuing education hours)
- phone number
- Let me know how you prefer to pay and I will then respond with next steps. (Zelle, check and Venmo are preferred; PayPal and credit card also accepted)
- Please add this email to your contact list so that my reply does not go to your Spam Folder.
- You will receive a reply usually within 24 hours – if you haven’t, please check your Spam Folder.
- Welcome to the class!
Seirin needles will be provided. Practitioners can bring their own if there is another brand of needle they prefer.
Handouts will be provided – of the lecture powerpoint and all patterns that we learn. No need to purchase a book or study beforehand unless you want to. Books will be available for sale – please inquire if you’d like to reserve a copy at a discount.
*If you would like to bring other tools to work with for when you give treatments, please do – like crystals, selenite wands, tuning forks, essential oils.
*We will work with pendulums, for those who aren’t seers, for scanning the body. You may bring your own, or borrow one, or purchase one.
*Please bring 2 sheets for a massage table (1 to cover the table, 1 for draping), and a face cradle cover if you’d like (disposable ones will be provided). This will be your set for when you’re receiving a treatment.
*Please bring a healthy snack to contribute to the snack table, to share with your classmates.
*Please bring a Water Bottle and hot drink lidded mug
This class is open to all healthcare professionals and healing practitioners – the class will be a mix of acupuncturists as well as non-acupuncturists. Those who are not acupuncturists can learn to work with the patterns using their hands, crystals, essential oils or flower essences, a Selenite Sword of Light or acupuncture seeds. When I attended Dr. Sankey’s classes in Boulder, about 25% of the class were non-acupuncturists. I have taught this class to only massage therapists and nurses before and it was still very powerful.
Advanced Class is only for those practitioners who have taken Foundations previously with any teacher.
The Foundations Class will focus on New Encoding Patterns that fall in the first 3 levels in the Tiers of Density.
Extended Indigo Pattern, Integration Synthesis Pattern, Crown Infinity Shaoyin Pattern, Discern the Whisper Pattern, Cube on Cube Window Pattern, 8 Heart Gates Shaoyang Pattern, and Esoteric Shaoyin Heart and Kidney Patterns, and Tree of Life Heart Pattern; as well as from Dr. Sankey’s latest book, Wind Mansion, we will learn Six Surrounding the One Pattern #1 and Pattern #2.
In addition to the New Encoding Patterns, we will learn many of the Master Window Groups with 3 and 4 points.
The Advanced Class will focus on Tier 4 and 5 patterns such as Crystalline 19 and the 3 other Crystalline patterns, Esoteric Shaoyin Heart Window Pattern, Hun Follow the Shen Pattern, Tree of Life Astral Pattern, and psychic protection work including Wei Qi Strengthening Grid Pattern. Other topics will be introduced likewise such as advanced dowsing techniques.
There are rooms and places to stay on Airbnb plus here is a list Five Branches provided. One star means it’s within a 15 minute walk to the University. Two stars means it’s about a 1/2 hour walk to the University:
*Harbor Inn 645 7th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 (831) 479-9731
*Bella Notte Inn 21305 E Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 (831) 600-0001
*Ocean Echo Inn & Beach Cottages 401 Johans Beach Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 (831) 462-4192
*Sunny Cove Motel 21610 E Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 (831) 475-1741
*Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz 313 Riverside Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060 (831) 419-8700
*Comfort Inn Beach/Boardwalk Area 314 Riverside Ave, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060 (831) 471-9999
*Ocean Gate Inn 111 Ocean St, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060 (831) 429-8244
**Holiday Inn Express & Suites Santa Cruz, an IHG Hotel 1410 Ocean St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 466-9100
**Seaway Inn 176 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 471-9004
**Hotel Solares 600 Riverside Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 458-9660
**Sea & Sand Inn 201 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 427-3400
**SureStay Hotel By Best Western Santa Cruz 516 Water St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 426-6111
The Aqua Pacific Hotel 330 Ocean St., Santa Cruz, CA, 95060 (831) 425-3722
* closest within 15 minutes walking distance
**walking distance would be approx 1/2 hour