“We are, after all, only a part of Nature.” - JR Worsley

“We are, after all, only a part of Nature.”

- JR Worsley, founder of Worsley Classical 5-Element Acupuncture

If you’ve found your way here, chances are you already have that tickling feeling deep within yourself that whispers: “You are Nature.”

Some part of you knows that you and Nature are not separate. That you in fact arise from the same web, the same fabric, the same magic. You might not know how to name it, but you feel feel it when you stand at the edge of the ocean, when you wade into a river with bare feet, or take a deep breath on a mountain trail and with a sigh your shoulders drop and your whole body relaxes into calm.

But what does this have to do with Acupuncture—and what does it mean for those of us navigating stress, pain, and the fast pace of modern life here in Portland?

Hi, I’m Tara Radsliff, a licensed Worsley Classical 5-Element Acupuncturist and Qi Gong teacher based in Portland, Oregon and I'm excited to dive into the connections of Nature, Acupuncture, and Health with you.

Acupuncture and the Wisdom of Nature

Classical East Asian Medicine asks us to be in an intimate relationship with Nature. It teaches that the most effective way to understand ourselves—how our bodies function, how stress builds, how pain develops, and how healing takes place—is by observing the processes of Nature.

Growing Up in a Fragmented Way of Knowing

This perspective may not immediately align with our Western mindset. We tend to dissect the world into static and isolated components. We want to know what something is and what it does, and are less concerned with how or why it does what it does—or with the relationships it has to its surroundings. From that lens, it’s easy to wonder: what could time with wind and water really teach us about our health?

I grew up in this more fragmented way of knowing. I lived in a small city and loved playing outside—especially at the river near my house. At the same time, I watched a lot of TV and hung out at the mall with my friends.

When I was younger, I asked my parents or teachers questions, or I just learned what they put in front of me. By the time I was in my early 20s, Google was in full swing. When I wanted to know about something, I looked it up. I’d learn its modern name and a few characteristics.

I got really good at learning this way, but it never felt satisfying. It felt hollow—like reading a description of a best friend instead of knowing them by heart. You could Google your best friend’s appearance, childhood, and even their personality—but it would still be a far cry from truly knowing them.

That longing for something deeper is part of what led me to Acupuncture in Portland, and to reconnecting with a way of learning that sees the whole rather than only the parts.

Seasons as a Path Back to Ourselves

Nature is always transforming. It moves in endless cycles while maintaining a delicate balance that nourishes life. These cycles unfold across many time scales—one breath, one day, a lifetime, or generations.

Among the countless ways to connect with Nature, I’ve found that starting with the seasons is the most accessible. Each season offers us a lens to understand not only the outer world but also the inner rhythms of our own lives. Just as one season leads into the next, our choices and experiences ripple forward to shape our well-being.

When we live out of sync with these rhythms, stress and imbalance show up in our health—whether as anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, or exhaustion. This is where Acupuncture offers such profound support. In my Portland practice, I see time and again how reconnecting with seasonal rhythms helps people move from fragmentation back into harmony.

Honoring the Nature Within Us

As I prepare to teach the Fall session of our yearlong class, Humming with the Seasons: Living According to the Rhythm of Nature, I’ve been reflecting on the significance of recognizing ourselves as part of Nature.

The ancient Chinese understood that balance comes from living according to these rhythms, rather than pushing against them. In contrast, modern life often disregards natural cycles—we work the same hours in winter as we do in summer, for example. It’s no wonder so many of us feel stressed, depleted, or in pain.

I know it can feel impossible to honor our rhythms while navigating advanced capitalism, governmental systems, and daily responsibilities. But it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Even small choices—pausing to notice seasonal shifts, aligning sleep patterns with daylight, practicing simple breathing exercises—help us return to balance.

Why This Matters for Healing

This is the heart of Classical East Asian Medicine and 5-Element Acupuncture. It isn’t just about needles—it’s about remembering that we are Nature. When we recognize this truth and begin to hum along with the rhythms of the seasons, we nurture not only our health but also a sense of connection that dissolves stress and restores vitality.

When you receive Acupuncture in Portland with me, my hope is not only to relieve your pain or ease your anxiety but also to help you reconnect to this larger rhythm. Healing is not separate from Nature—it is Nature moving through you.