As an Institute dedicated to those involved in the healing arts, VPI organizes and supports seminars in selected healing modalities that empower us as people, and our work as health practitioners. Our key program offering is German Auricular Acupuncture, based in the curriculum of the German Academy of Auricular Medicine, and the textbooks written by Beate Strittmatter, MD. Known for its effectiveness for chronic pain, neurological and hormonal imbalance and stress disorders, this form of acupuncture is only recently available in North America. Since 2003, VPI has been offering Seminars and a Certification Stream for professional health practitioners. Our seminars provide excellent opportunities for hands-on learning, as well as thorough presentations of theory.