Welcome
Welcome to East West College in the UK, provider of Continuing Professional Development courses (CPD) for Acupuncturists, and practitioners of Shiatsu and Chinese medicine.
Current Courses 2026 - 2027 Online and In-Person
Core subjects taught are pulse diagnosis, channel theory & palpation, and therapeutic bodywork including shiatsu and tuina.
- Mai Jing A-B-C Pulse Diagnosis is based on and grounded in the methods described in the Mai Jing 'Pulse Classic'. Jamie Hamilton's method has been developed and taught over the last 10 years. His first book Essential Pulse Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine: Mai Jing ABC Method' was published in April 2022. His new book called Classical Pulse Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine is the recommended reading for our course training.
We now also offer a 5-part recorded series as a learning tool for the method, which course participants which we advise to watch prior to the in-person course and it is included in the course cost; the total watching time is over 9 hours.
In the summer of 2025, Jamie continued to explore pulse taking by conferring with teachers from the Shen Hammer tradition in Europe (based in Denmark and Germany) as with Nadine Zäch in Switzerland.
Jamie Hamilton has shared his method in Seattle at the Seattle Institute of East Asian Medicine, taught at Chiway in Switzerland, at the BAcC Conference in 2025, and in Jakarta and for the Association of Norwegian Acupuncturists in Oslo. He is next speaking at the ASA-TCM Kongress 2026 in Zurich. In the UK he has also taught the Mai Jing pulse method as CPD at regional groups, at ICOM in 2025, and in the summer of 2027 at CICM.
- Applied Channel Theory courses with us are based on the teachings of Dr Wang Ju-Yi. As well as introductory courses for acupuncturists, we have been inviting guest tutors to teach more advanced courses in this subject since 2017, and apprentices of Dr Wang since 2019. An 8-part online course with Jonathan Chang runs from February - November 2026, where Dr Chang explains the clinical thinking of Dr Wang Ju-Yi via lectures and case studies.
New for 2026
Classical Anatomy in Chinese Medicine with Vivien Shaw. In July 2026, Vivien Shaw taught an anatomy class for us at a London Hospital. Participants broadened their experience of learning anatomy with this 1-day workshop. Learning was anatomical examination through demonstration of human tissue specimens.
New for 2027
Tuina: Nick Lowe will teach a series of tuina weekends in Exeter. His understanding of live anatomy and MSK is underpinned by years of experience in the clinic and research into the latest scientific papers on treating the body with tuina and acupuncture.

Past Courses and a gallery of photos may be seen on the bottom tab below Extra Pages. Teachers we have worked with include: Fugaku Ito (Anma Diploma), Michael Phoenix (Classical Practical Skills), Peter Deadman (residential 'Live Well Live Long'), Deborah Woolf ('Understanding Chinese Characters in Chinese Medicine'), Dr Jason Robertson (Advanced Applied Channel Theory), Dr Jonathan Chang (Advanced Applied Channel Theory), Nick Lowe (Tuina), Vivien Shaw ('Classical Anatomy in Chinese Medicine').
Do read some of our blogs below.
Where? Most of our in-person courses are based in Farnham, Surrey. Farnham is on the South West Trains line from Waterloo, and the journey takes 1 hour. For accommodation, we could recommend the Bush Hotel, the Premier Inn or AirBnB. If you need any help arranging your stay, please get in touch for advice.
Additional Publications
Principal Jamie Hamilton has also published three books about Chinese characters: he compiled and edited a Chinese dictionary ordered by the radical; the second a dictionary based on pinyin; and the third a book of tones for the characters, which is a companion to a free font which Jamie also created! You can buy the dictionary on this website under the Booking tab when booking a course, or on Amazon.
Something New: Gift Vouchers!
Ask someone to buy you a gift towards a future course here
Course Testimonials are listed under each course subject tab, but here are a few of our early ones as a college:
'Live Well Live Long' residential with Peter Deadman: 10 out of 10! could not have been better. Peter's teachings are profound and very useful. Carina and Jamie make every effort to ensure the comfort and wellbeing of participants. The course was well structured, paced and ultimately very enjoyable'. Victoria Conran, July 2021.
"Enjoyable, articulate and inspiring, I would recommend Jamie's 'Mai Jing Pulse Diagnosis' to almost every acupuncturist I know". Jonathan C-W, Edinburgh. May 2019
On Mai Jing Pulse Diagnosis: "Very interesting to have more ways to analyse a pulse in a practical way". Kirsten S, Falkirk. May 2019
'Interpreting the twelve zangfu organs in Chinese Medicine' with Deborah Woolf : Created so many links that has given me a better understanding of Chinese medicine and how it flows; therefore giving me a better way to diagnose and treat. Sally Wilson, June 2019
"This Applied Channel Theory course with Michael Phoenix has been the most relaxed, enjoyable and informative course I have ever been on. The combination of theory and practical brought things alive. I have learnt lots of new techniques to take back to clinic and I know I will have good results. A totally brilliant 3 days". Nov 2018
" Studying shiatsu at East West College has been a joy. Jamie is an excellent, enthusiastic and inspiring tutor and the charming setting of the Tatami Room is the perfect tranquil location for learning and practising Shiatsu. Acquiring the skills to be able to make a difference to an individual’s well-being has given me a refreshingly new outlook on life." Sue, Oxford 2012
We have also hosted two First Aid courses in Farnham for practitioners.
Blog - Exploring Chinese Medicine
Blogs reflecting on our experience with East West College courses and on acupuncture & shiatsu...
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