MED 132 — Exploring Chinese Medicine
Quarter: Winter
Instructor(s): Huijun Ring
Date(s): Feb 2—Mar 2
Class Recording Available: Yes
Class Meeting Day: Tuesdays
Grade Restriction: No letter grade
Class Meeting Time: 6:00—7:50 pm (PT)
Tuition: $385
Refund Deadline: Feb 4
Unit(s): 1
Status: Registration opens Nov 30, 8:30 am (PT)
Quarter: Winter
Day: Tuesdays
Duration: 5 weeks
Time: 6:00—7:50 pm (PT)
Date(s): Feb 2—Mar 2
Unit(s): 1
Tuition: $385
Refund Deadline: Feb 4
Instructor(s): Huijun Ring
Grade Restriction: No letter grade
Recording Available: Yes
Status: Registration opens Nov 30, 8:30 am (PT)
From acupuncture and tai chi to herbal medicine and food therapy, Chinese medicine offers a fascinating window into one of the world's oldest and most influential healing traditions. This course explores how traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) approaches health, prevention, aging, and longevity—and how these ancient practices are increasingly being integrated with modern Western medicine and science. Through engaging lectures, demonstrations, and discussions, students will learn foundational concepts such as yin and yang, qi (vital energy), and the five elements, and discover how these ideas shape diagnosis, lifestyle, and healing practices. Topics include acupuncture and acupressure, tai chi and qigong, herbal medicine and food therapy, mindfulness and meditation, and East-West integrative medicine. We will also examine scientific research, technology development, and clinical applications of Chinese medicine in wellness, healthy aging, and longevity. The course is designed for students from all backgrounds who are interested in health, wellness, longevity, integrative medicine, mindfulness, or East-West approaches to healing.
No prior background in Chinese medicine is needed. Participation in movement activities is entirely optional, and all exercises can be adapted to different levels of mobility and physical ability.
HUIJUN RING
Adjunct Professor, Department of Medicine, Stanford Medicine
Huijun Ring is the principal instructor of the Stanford course “Science and History of Traditional Chinese Medicine.” A Stanford- and Cornell-trained PhD medical geneticist, educator, and serial entrepreneur, Ring’s work focuses on the science and technology of well-being and longevity, using East-West integrative approaches. She is the co-founder of the Stanford Hub for AI Wellbeing and Longevity. Textbooks for this course:
There are no required textbooks; however, some fee-based online readings may be assigned.