Week 1

For the last 5 days, we have learned and experienced so much in so little time! It isn’t until we make it back to the dorm each night that I feel the intensity of our schedule each day. You know how we do it in Taipei: Go big or go home.

Each morning begins around 8am with a breakfast that the NTSU students choose for us. So far, we have been everything but let down in this area. Breakfast omelets, rice, potatoe “hamburgers”… all quite delicious. Great curiosity (and maybe bravery) with the cuisine here is followed by great results. As for my own boring taste, I would say my palate has diversified exponentially. The strong and varied tastes of each tea drink or sauce mirror just how colorful this country really is.

Our “work” finally began on Tuesday morning, our first lessons consisting of an introduction to the holistic approach of tradition Chinese medicine and a two-day interactive lecture dissecting the art of original pain point therapy. The basics of TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) begin with a general division of one’s body into the elements of yin and yang. Energy flows in and out of the body to maintain the ideal balance between the two elements and where there is imbalance of yin and yang, dysfunction or illness occurs. Although I have my own skepticisms here and there, it is some pretty amazing stuff, and understanding the basics of TCM is vital to understanding why those who practice this traditional way of therapy perform the way they do.

I enjoyed the lectures given this morning and last on pain point therapy! We were able to practice the manual therapy on each other, covering all of the points and lines of the body that treat corresponding areas of pain the body may experience. Not only did we gain confidence in ourselves as clinicians, learning and experiencing things in such an intimate setting has allowed our group to bond so much in only a couple of days. This was not any kind of massage either. I am almost positive there are couple of us who will wake up pretty sore tomorrow. Learning and practicing has challenged our group to open our minds and broaden our scope of techniques in practice.  I get the feeling that we are being taught by the best of the very best here, and our instructor culminated the lecture challenging to incorporate this type of therapy into our own practices at home. Any volunteers to help me practice? J

After lunch each day we have had clinical rotations, both observing and utilizing our own skills with the Tae Kwon Do, Judo, and Wushu athletes. Yesterday I was assigned to Wushu, which is a performance type of martial arts. It is unbelievable. These athletes used several types of weapons and flags while performing a combination of  kicks, jumps, and punches combined a choreographed type of fight. Their balance and strength is exquisite. The pictures won’t ever do it justice, but it is the best I can do for now! This afternoon we watched a Tae Kwon Do tournament hosted at the university and also sat in on a little bit of badminton and gymnastics. I think we stick out like sore thumbs here, but my hope is that the people here see the fascination in our eyes as we stare in amazement at all we are experiencing!

Each night is different as far as our dinner and post-dinner activities. Last night I may very well have eaten my own body weight in fried dumplings. After dinner for the past three nights, we have either had a Tai Chi, Yoga, or Palates lesson. Tai Chi is characterized by very slow, fluid movements while focusing the mind to help bring out a state of mental calmness and clarity. It was both relaxing and humorous for each of us to say the least.

My mastery of chopsticks is coming much faster than my speech in Chinese. I could not have imagined better students to host our trip than the ones who hang out with us in and out of each day here. Although they take “shifts” according to their own class schedule, I love getting to know their own hearts and love for their culture. When we are at a loss for words to connect us, universal body language and laughing fills in the gaps. I love it here. It has been such a great day. 

Tour of the campus:

The "Hamburger"

sign outside of the cafeteria