On July 1st 2012 at 13:00h in the afternoon the Confucius Institute hostet yet another series of interesting lectures about Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) at the "Kleiner Saal" at Vienna University, held by Prof. YANG Jinsheng, general secretary of the Academy of Acupuncture and Moxibustion in China, and Prof. CHENG Kai from the University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Beijing, who set their focus on the theme "Health". With their lectures, Medicine, pharmacology and health care"and, Preserving the activation and flow of the meridian system"they illustrated the effect of the Chinese Medicin on the human body.

Besides the chinese ambassador in Vienna, director JI Dafu, and Ms. Mag. Jing Wang, Chinese director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Vienna, even the European Times' editor attended this event. An audience of over 150 TCM-enthusiasts exceeded all expectations, thus many of them had to stand and listen to the lectures.

Prof. YANG Jinsheng's speech was about the medical culture in China and health care in general. With its dual properties in both the humanities and natural sciences, the Chinese Medicin is a typical representative of their relationship with nature and the philosophy of the Chinese people.
He also talked about the structure of the human body, physiology, pathology, diagnosis and treatment, all based on the ancient "Qi", Yin and Yang, the five elements, and so forth - all parts of one organic whole.

Finally Prof. YANG explained how to prevent disease and how to learn the lifestyle taught by the Health Sciences.

Between the lectures there was also time for many interactive activities, as well as a question-and-answer session for the interesed audience. In a small tea break the thirsty were served cool drinks and, of course, green tea.

The second lecture by Prof. CHENG Kai gave an insight to the tradition of Chinese Acupuncture which, in its history of more than 100 years, gathered a wealth of experience. As a scholar of the fourth generation, so to speak, Prof. CHENG passed on his heritage in form of books, in which he gives instructions, for example, how to massage certain points of the own body to alleviate pain, after the motto "You are your own best doctor". Prof. CHENG is currently being a guest in a television program of Beijing.

Today he was explaining the main contents of the meridians and health fitness. He first introduced certain points of the human body, from top to toe, then also taught how to reach these points with the different massage techniques and finally explained in detail how to use Acupressure to relieve common ailments.

After the lectures, the two professors prepared sweepstakes for the audience, who could win copies of their books, if they were lucky enough.

The audience was quite enthusiastic about this seminar; many of the viewers were reluctant to leave in the end. Many in the audience expressed their gratitude to the Confucius Institute and furthermore expressed their wish that similar health seminars will be held in Vienna on a regular basis.