1. Approaches to health and well-being
Lesson 8: Ways of Thinking and Living in China

2. Discuss Ask pupils “What does ‘health and well-being’ mean to you?“
If time allows, it might be interesting to invite each team to list five or ten words that encapsulate ‘health and well-being’ and create a word cloud using Wordle: or Mentimeter

3. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the central idea is that the body should be in balance and the mind should be in balance. Mental and physical health depend on one another

4. Mental and physical health both depend on balance and the free flow of a “life-force” called Qi
Qi is pronounced “chee” - in the West it is sometimes also spelled Chi or Ch’i

5. What is Qi?
Qi is the natural energy of the universe and is in everything: water, rocks, trees and the air around us.
You can see the energy in the natural environments pictured...
A description of the character 氣 is included on slide 20 of the supplementary language ppt, if you want to look at it with your class.

6. Qi flows through our bodies and gives us energy
We draw Qi into our bodies from the air through our head and from the ground through our feet
The idea of a life force is central to medicine and healing in other ancient cultures - Native Americans refer to it as as the Great Spirit. It it a not a scientific concept and cannot be measured or observed with current Western science.
If you like you can use Tai Chi for kids as a demonstration of Qi by using this link
What are your thoughts about the idea of a “life force” running through the universe and into our bodies? Think Pair Share

7. Balance in everything
Qi surrounds us everywhere but the Chinese believe that there are particular times and places when we are most receptive to absorbing it. Serious martial arts and taiji practitioners practise very early in the morning – some say 4.00 a.m. is the best time, and choose the spot where they exercise according to its fengshui.
Definition of Fenghui: (in Chinese thought) a system of laws considered to govern spatial arrangement and orientation in relation to the flow of energy (chi), and whose favourable or unfavourable effects are taken into account when siting and designing buildings.

8. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), if our Qi does not flow freely, but gets blocked, we become ill
TCM theory and practice are not based on scientific knowledge. Many treatments do not have an understood mechanism for action. Proponents of TCM argue that science cannot yet explain many of the interactions in complex biological systems. And TCM has been used - and people have believed that it has worked - for thousands of years.
Acupuncture in the West is most commonly associated health practice. Western medical acupuncture is the use of acupuncture following a medical diagnosis, and is not related to the Chinese concept of the flow of qi, but concentrates on stimulating nerves and muscles. For instance acupuncture is used by the NHS for a variety of conditions:
Acupuncture uses very fine needles to change the flow of Qi to cure these blockages.
Qi flows in our bodies along channels called meridians.
Different points on the different meridians affect different functions or organs

9. TCM believes that the major organs of the body work together as part of a system
If everything is in balance then all the organs can perform their functions.
If one or more organs are out of balance, then it will affect the other organs
TCM views the whole person, mental and physical, as an organic whole, and treats processes and systems rather than isolating organs anand treating specific organs and parts of the body.
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10. As well as acupuncture, TCM uses lots of natural medicines to keep the body in balance

11. TCM is not “scientific” in Western terms: does this matter?
A TCM prescription can have many ingredients and some of them seem very strange to us - they may include mushrooms, insects and even snakes and lizards. Traditionally, they are boiled into a soup or tea and taken over a long period of time
Their aim is not to cure the symptoms immediately, but to restore the body’s system to balance, so treatment can take several weeks or longer.
TCM is not “scientific” in Western terms: does this matter?
Think Pair Share
The TCM theory and practice is not based on scientific knowledge. Many treatments do not have an understood mechanism for action. Proponents of TCM argue that science cannot yet explain many of the interactions in complex biological systems. And TCM has been used - and people have believed that it has worked - for thousands of years.

12. Regular daily exercise of some kind is a matter of course for many Chinese; parks all across the country open their gates at 6.00 am and they are full of people doing taiji or other martial arts, some with swords or spears or daggers, or playing badminton or jianzi (keepy-uppy with a weighted shuttlecock) or taiji flow-ball. Some people jog, some walk backwards, others prefer dance classes of all kinds. As well as often being a social activity, the ultimate aim of all this exercise is to keep the Qi circulating freely.
Morning exercise is an important part of life for most Chinese people, including school children who do daily morning exercise.

13. Many people practice a type of martial art called taiji.
Taiji (short for taijiquan), often called Tai Chi in the West, is a form of martial art that have been slowed down and formalised in order to maximise it beneficial effects on the flow of qi in the practitioner's body. It is suitable for all ages, and even if you do not believe in the principles of qi and TCM, it has great benefits for posture, balance and flexibility. The concentration involved also makes it an effective form of meditation and mindfulness.
Many people practice a type of martial art called taiji.
It is not used for fighting but as exercise for mind and body.
It’s very slow movements improve your balance, help keep you flexible and teach you how to control your Qi

14. TCM believes that all aspects of our life affect our health
TCM works on a preventative basis, rather than most western medicine which is reactive.
And that everything should be in balance

15. Perhaps Western medicine is starting to value some of these ancient Eastern practices…
The following types of belief are becoming more common in the Western world:
Need for a life balance (yin and yang)
Link between mental and physical health
Need for everything in moderation
Importance of diet
Importance of lifestyle and exercise
Complex links between diet, heart-rate, health etc.
(Although it is difficult and complex to compare health systems in different countries, it is interesting to note that the USA spends more than 10 times as much per capita on health as China.)
TCM works on a preventative basis, rather than most western medicine which is reactive.
Paraphrase passport activity: 1. Students pair up and determine student A/B.
2. Teacher assigns discussion topic and allows think time
3. Student A shares thought, Student B listens
4. Student B paraphrases Student A’s thought
5. Student B shares thought, Student A listens
6. Student A paraphrases Student B’s though
7. Pairs continue sharing back and forth
Consider some whole class discussion to consolidate ideas
Paraphrase Passport then Pairs Share

16. How much balance is there in your life?
Map out your typical school week: what is the balance between work, rest and play in your life?
Then write a reflection evaluating whether you think your life is in balance. Are there any changes that you would like to make to your lifestyle or routines? Explain your response..
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