On Monday 30^th January 2023, Dr Amily Guenier, Deputy Director of Lancaster University Confucius Institute, launched the Chinese wellbeing programme at Lancaster University with a general introduction and free massage taster session from Shiatsu practitioner Martin Knowles as well as informal conversations with Hongye Zheng about diet for wellbeing according to the traditions of Chinese medicine. The Chinese wellbeing programme at Lancaster University is in collaboration with the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Health research Hub.

Dr Guenier, who studied BA in Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture and has a PhD from the Faculty of Health and Medicine at Lancaster University has been practicing in the UK since 2011; Martin Knowles, with his own Shiatsu massage practice at Natural Health Care, Lancaster University Chaplaincy and Hongye Zheng, Acupuncturist from Ying Yang Chinese Medical Centre in Bolton and Director of Pinwei, a Chinese restaurant in Manchester, delivered the first session together at Lancaster University Confucius Institute.

Lancaster University Confucius Institute works to promote wellbeing on campus with Chinese massage, Taichi, tea art, diet for wellbeing and academic talks. Through various regular events in person and online, Lancaster University Confucius Institute aims to provide high quality and culturally sensitive wellbeing services to de-stress staff and students, and offer a platform for people to relax and get the wellbeing experience.

The Chinese wellbeing programme will continue with monthly sessions, further dates and details will be announced in the events section of the Confucius Institute website.