KARINA TALTS

I have studied Chinese medicine at the Health Alchemy Centre in Tallinn with Rene Bürkland – I have completed courses on Chinese medicine theory, Tan Wu Bian and Acunova acupuncture methods (instructor Rene Bürkland); Chinese herbal medicine, pulse diagnostics and moxibustion (teacher Dr Salustino Zaldivar Wong), and cupping therapy (teacher Simmo Alajõe).

I have been practicing qigong daily since 2013. I have studied medical qigong and qi massage in Thailand under Ajahn Toh at the Thai Qi Holistics training centre. In 2017, I completed a medical qigong course in Thailand. Since 2014, I have been attending 2-month supplementary qigong courses in Thailand and 2-week intensive qigong retreats in France annually.

I practice medical qigong which has been developed in Chiang Mai in Thailand by Ajahn Toh, doctor of Chinese medicine and Buddhist teacher. Thai Qi Holistics system combines the wisdom of Chinese medicine and the spiritual riches of the Thai Buddhist culture.

I came to Chinese medicine and health practices through a personal health concern. During my doctoral studies at Tallinn University, I suffered from borreliosis for a couple of years, recovering from its side effects has taken a lot of time. Therefore, chronic illnesses and pain syndromes are of special interest to me.

I love nature and enjoy studying eastern philosophies. I have given lectures on shan shui painting – traditional Chinese landscape painting, and the Five Phases theory of Chinese medicine. I have discussed those topics also with Peeter Laurits in a TV programme Ööülikool (‘Night University’) (2015). At the Asian Studies Summer School, I have given presentations on ‘Simone Weil and Buddhism’ and ‘Inner Alchemy – Taoist Immortality Practices’. At the Oriental Studies Convention XXXIV (2022) of the Estonian Academic Oriental Society I once again discussed the French philosopher and mystic Simone Weil and her concept of God and creation. At the Health Alchemy Centre, I have lectured on the topics ‘Qigong and the Energetic Anatomy of Chinese Medicine’, ‘Yang Sheng – Wholesome and Healthy Lifestyle’ and ‘Emotional Health in Chinese Medicine, Taoism and Buddhism’.

Since 2017, I teach a spring semester course on Chinese medicine and classical Chinese health practices at the Confucius Institute at Tallinn University.

I am a member of the Estonian Academic Oriental Society.