When I decided, reluctantly, that my age was forcing me to accept that my time of teaching in China had to come to an end, I did not think that I would be continuing my teaching of five element acupuncture to Chinese students here in this country. But two of my students, Yiwen and Shurui, were determined to pursue me to England, and persuaded Guy Caplan and me to offer a group a seminar in this country to replace what they felt was a great loss in China. And with surprisingly little input from our side, but obviously enormous effort on theirs, it came to pass that I found myself once more welcoming a group of about 40 Chinese five element students and practitioners to London in March.
They planned to spend 10 days in this country, with the principal aim being a three-day seminar run by Guy and me at his clinic at Westminster University in central London. The remainder of the time would be dedicated to sightseeing in London and the surrounding area. Slotted into this was also a day at the Acupuncture Academy in Leamington Spa where Guy teaches.
I made the inspired decision to welcome the group with a slap-up tea at the Wallace Collection in Manchester Square, and won’t forget for a long time my joyful reunion with them on its steps as they poured out of the coach bringing them into London, greeting each other with hugs and kisses. Quite a few of them had not seen me in person before, so I went from table to table introducing myself and acquainting myself with the different members of the group. It was a lovely start to what became a highly successful visit to this country, and one which we will be repeating in October.
I enjoyed slotting back easily into the procedure of teaching in English and waiting for the Mandarin translation, as I had learnt to do over my ten or more years in China. It was good for me to be able to continue to hand over my many years of practical five element experience in person in this way, and always with Guy’s support. I am happy that he is continuing to carry on my work in China, his next seminar coming up in May over there.
I can’t wait for October to come round, when I will welcome with joy another group of my Chinese five element students.
