Spring quarter’s Chinese Corner came to a satisfying close on May 31^st, when more than 20 students and community members studied and experienced methods of Chinese traditional medicine firsthand. Instructed by Professor Liangxi Zheng, an acupuncture specialist at the Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine, participants first learned about the uses of traditional herbal remedies, as well as the role of core Chinese principles such as yin and yang and tai chi in traditional medicine.

Professor Liangxi Zheng (center), an acupuncture specialist at the Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine, shows students how Chinese traditional medicine is used in a variety of ways.

After a lively round of questions and answers, Professor Zheng invited the listeners to experience his specialty for themselves. The professor demonstrated how to locate important pressure points before actually performing acupuncture on a volunteer. Despite some initial reservations, the audience quickly learned that when performed properly, acupuncture is a painless and effective tool.

The evening ended with a celebration of Chinese Corner, CIWA’s weekly seminar aimed at promoting Chinese language skills in non-native speakers through the discussion of Chinese cultural topics. Topics over the past few months have ranged from “tiger mothers” to the role of Confucianism in modern China. One dedicated student and Chinese Corner participant graciously provided a cake emblazoned with the Confucius Institute’s green symbol. The night capped off an exciting and productive quarter of Chinese Corner activities.

Chinese Corner student Ji Kaisi presented CIWA with a special cake on the last day of the quarter.