Health & Wellness
Lan Su Chinese Garden 2012 Community Event Sponsors—Meyer Memorial Trust & The Collins Foundation
Health & Wellness at Lan Su Chinese Garden
Lan Su Chinese Garden offers on-going series of talks and events on Health & Wellness throughout the year featuring partners such as the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, 10,000 Blessings Feng Shui and the National College of Natural Medicine. Topics include traditional Chinese medicine, integrating feng shui practices and elements into your own life and more. Unless otherwise noted, all talks and lectures are included with your admission or membership at no cost.
2012 Lecture Series with the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine
February - November 2012
Celebrate the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine’s (OCOM) move into the community of Old Town Chinatown with afternoons focused on wellness in Chinese culture combined with a relaxing stroll through the seasonal beauty of Lan Su Chinese Garden. OCOM faculty and alumni will offer one-hour presentations and demonstrations throughout 2012, covering a wide range of health topics from seasonal foods to the healing properties of tea. Each talk will also feature something to taste, touch or experience within a small class setting.
Inspiration and education come together every other Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. in the Scholar’s Study, February 14 through November 27. Presentations are free with Garden admission or membership, and lecture topics compliment ongoing exhibits on display throughout the garden.
Lan Su as a Microcosm of Nature
April - May
Lan Su Chinese Garden is designed to reflect nature encapsulated within a small space, as the poetic inscription over the entry gate states, “All of Nature’s Splendor’s Captured in this Gourd Heaven.” Chinese medicine also encompasses this ideal by utilizing a wide range micro-anatomies in the form of the “microsystem”. Learn more about some of their most commonly used microsystems and their medical applications throughout the spring.
The Microcosmic Orbit in Mindfulness Practice
April 10—1:00 p.m.
Two major acupuncture meridians run through the centerline of the chest, abdomen and back—the Governor and Conception vessels. Learn how these channels relate to the circulation of qi, human development and how their power can be accessed through mindfulness and breath work.
The Ear Microsystem in Diagnosis and Treatment
April 24—1:00 p.m.
Commonly used in public health settings, this well researched microsystem has many applications for diagnosis and treatment. Learn about the micro-anatomy of the ear and current research in this area.
Microsystems in Chinese Medicine: Foot Reflexology
May 8—1:00 p.m.
The most popular of all the Microsystems for treatment — everybody likes a foot rub! Learn about the anatomy, techniques and applications of Chinese foot reflexology.
Medicines in Miniature: Patents of Kam Wah Chung
May 22—1:00 p.m.
Oregon’s own master frontier Herbalist, Ing Hay, left behind a treasure trove of tiny pill bottles, powder cases and ointments. Learn more about the history of Chinese patent medicine through the collection of the Kam Wah Chung museum.
Celebrate the Dragon in June!
Powerful, creative and mysterious, learn more about how the essence of the Dragon relates to Chinese medical lore and the year 2012.
Introducing the Water Dragon
June 5—1:00 p.m.
Learn all about the water dragon — the astrological element and animal for 2012. The opportunity to discuss the positive and negative associations with other elements and animals will be explored.
Dragon Bones and Chinese Medicine: Herbs and Legends
June 19—1:00 p.m.
Have you ever wondered how Chinese doctors learned the therapeutic action of individual herbs? Hear the amazing stories of how herbs were discovered, how they are harvested and when they are best prepared.
The Scholar’s Arts come to life in July and August
In ancient China, many physicians were also Confucian scholars. To celebrate OCOM’s series in the Scholar’s Study, learn more about how ancient physician participated in the wider aspects of classical Chinese scholarly culture.
Nourishing Life Tradition: The Art of Eating to Live
July 3—1:00 p.m.
The relationship between food and health will be explored in this lecture on classical Taoist ideas of “nourishing life.” The preparation of foods and teas will be discussed as well as the history of Taoist aspects of the medical tradition.
Silk in Chinese Medicine and Culture: Mulberry and the Silkworm
July 17—1:00 p.m.
The mulberry and the silkworm are both essential to the production of the most famous and desirable fiber — silk. Learn more about how these aspects of silk production are used within the medical tradition.
The Small Way: Chinese Medicine as a Confucian Art
July 31—1:00 p.m.
The ancient path to civil service through Confucian learning was traveled by many, but accomplished by few. This class will explore how dynastic physicians transformed the scholarly and ethical habits of Confucianism to make medicine a scholarly art.
Elemental Tone: Sound Therapy in Chinese Medicine
August 14—1:00 p.m.
Every element has an associated tone or sound. Learn about these relationships and how sound therapies from singing bowls to chanting use the acupuncture channels to effect health.
The Art of Medicine: Chinese Pulse Diagnosis
August 28—1:00 p.m.
Pulse taking is a technical art which every practitioner must master to practice acupuncture and herbalism. Learn about the pulse, positions, qualities and reading techniques in this interactive class.
September celebrates the Autumn Moon
September is the month of the Autumn Moon Festival—a time to bring together family for both sky-gazing and for a shared meal. Celebrate Luna and the foods that keep our bodies balanced and well through the transition into fall.
September 4 — Gathering Yin: the Moon in Chinese Medicine
September 18 — Autumn Foods: Eating with the Season
October features tea in the garden
OCOM is partnering with the Tao of Tea to bring a weekly lecture series featuring the health benefits of camellia sinensis and other medicinal plants. Each lecture is an opportunity to learn about the health benefits of various teas and also sample teas offered in the garden teahouse.
October 2 — Green Tea in Chinese Medicine
October 9 — Tea for the Season: Chrysanthemum and Goji Berry
October 16 — Tea for the Season: Eight Treasures
October 23 — Tea for the Season: Make your own Medicinal Blend
October 30 — Tea for the Season: The Health Science of Tea
November is the month of the Healing Garden
Join OCOM as we focus on how Chinese medicine can support the health of men, women and whole families.
November 6 — Women’s Health: A Formula for Wellness
November 13 — Family Health: Common Chinese Herbs Found in Your Kitchen
November 20 — Men’s Health: A Formula for Wellness
November 27 — Family Health: Stress Reduction and Mindfulness Practice
For other events and talks from the Oregon College of oriental Medicine in 2012, visit the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine Lecture Series page.
