What is Shiatsu?

Shiatsu developed out of an ancient style of traditional East Asian massage — anma, which can be traced back before the Han Dynasty (circa 500 bc). Shi literally means finger and atsu means pressure. As with acupuncture Shiatsu practitioners work with the 361 points along the 12 meridians of the body. The meridians are channels of vital energy, or Ki. In the original tradition life itself is seen as energy, therefore all phenomena are but manifestations of this vital universal energy force called Ki. The meridians regulate the flow of Ki that connects all of the body’s organs, tissues, bones, cells, and brain activities into one integrated whole organism. Disease is caused by an imbalance in this vital life force. These 12 meridians, which have names such as liver, heart, stomach, lung, and kidney, and their spheres of influence also encompass qualities such as emotions, seasons, color, tastes, senses, different foods, times of day, bodily functions, and manifestations of yin and yang. All of these traits fall into the traditional Chinese five element theory. These elements are WOOD, FIRE, EARTH, METAL, and WATER. These many avenues of the five elements and the meridians give the practitioner a diverse arena of tools for treatment of the client.

How does Shiatsu work?

The Shiatsu practitioner manipulates the Ki within the body with emphasis on communication and synergism between the giver and receiver. She does this by asking questions about the client’s state of being both physically and psychologically. She observes such aspects as moods, body language and posture, and tone of voice. She may ask questions about the clients’ lifestyle, stress levels, job contentment, diet, exercise and sleep habits, relationships, spirituality, and other aspects of self-care. The scope and depth of the treatment ultimately depends on what the client is willing to bring to the session and how deeply the client wishes to address such issues. By gently palpitating the Client's hara (abdomen) or back, the practitioner observes the energy levels of each of the 12 meridians and incorporates her findings into the 5 element theory. The practitioner will then choose 1 to 4 of these meridians, generally those most out of balance with the lowest/weakest kyo energy or with the pent-up/stagnant jitsu energy. By using her thumbs, palms, elbows, knees, and feet the practitioner will work the meridians to releases or enhance the flow of Ki with techniques including gentle stretching, yoga postures, rocking or rotational movements, percussion, and vibration (kenbiki) techniques.

How can I benefit from Shiatsu?

Ultimately Shiatsu is all about enhancing the mind-body connection. The practitioner merely acts as a facilitator in this healing process by engaging, stimulating, sedating, and/or challenging the client’s Ki. A healthy organism has the ability to react or resist to external stimuli. Our fast-paced, toxic, stressful lifestyles inundated with many choices, can create blockages, weaknesses, and imbalances on the emotional, physical, and spiritual levels. Just like a lame antelope will feel no pain when running from a lioness or how people involved in a war tend to not get sick, we heal out of a necessity to survive. Shiatsu and its’ practitioner are merely the catalyst, the stimulator, the challenger or the provocateur of this healing process into a harmonious, balanced state. With Shiatsu, the practitioner is not looking for a specific disease or ailment but improving the client’s life by working within the roots of his/her existence and enlightening the client to a stronger mind-body connection.

What or how can I expect to feel?

This depends on the level of degrees of imbalances in Ki. It is common for the practitioner to find tight and inflexible spots, or a very tender tsubo (acupressure point). It is important to move the Ki through these areas. The practitioner will generally find the edge of the initial discomfort and invite the restoration of Ki to move through it. A brief discomfort will soon dissipate into a pleasant feeling of release. It is imperative that a dialogue remain open with your practitioner. Never try to tough it up, silently withstanding pain beyond your comfort level. The use of deep breathing into a meditative state will enhance the client’s benefits and receptivity. The practitioner will be moving the client around into many different positions on a futon on the floor. To receive the full benefit of Shiatsu it is important to remain limp and relaxed, to not aid the practitioner in any way with these movements. In a perfect Shiatsu session the giver and receiver become synergistically entwined in a series of fluid movements. The giver becomes the receiver creating a synchronistic physical, psychological, and spiritual rejuvenation for both parties. It is not uncommon for the receiver to move into an esoteric, meditative state, to see vivid colors, to feel energy jump, bolt, tingle, or buzz through their body, often times in places yet untouched. It is typical for the feelings received during the Shiatsu session to permeate, shift, change, become enhanced, or gradually dissipate long after the session has ended, generally for several days, sometimes even weeks. This all depends on the level of mind-body conscientiousness that the client brings into the session. With repetitive sessions this mind-body connection deepens thus further enhancing the body’s own healing capabilities.

Who benefits from Shiatsu?

We all do!!!O, The Oprah Magazine, and The Today Show are now talking about Thai yoga massage or assisted yoga as the new trend in body work and health care. Shiatsu is comparable to these other modalities. More and more studies are popping out about the benefits of massage and preventative health care alternatives. Such studies are now making their way into mainstream media such as Time Magazine, Newsweek, Good Morning America, and 60 Minutes have reported that a stressful lifestyle adds at least 10 years of aging to our bodies, and that this can actually be avoided with a balanced emotional and spiritual nature. Shiatsu complements and supports many other therapies and is not intended to replace medical care. Shiatsu can help with any and everything from:

    * relaxation and rejuvenation
    * relieving stress, tension, and anxiety
    * reducing pain from injury
    * increasing blood flow
    * enhancing and supporting the lymphatic and adrenal systems
    * balancing energy flow
    * alleviating depression, grieving, or loss
    * assists in recovery from addictions
    * benefits ADHD in both children and adults as well as other cognitive disorders
    * facilitates movement in arthritic joints as well as other movement disabilities
    * helps with sinuses, allergies, and immunity in general
    * balances hormonal swings
    * improves fibromyalgia pain
    * assists in recovery from constipation, IBS, or Chron’s disease, you name it!
    * it can be beneficial with everything from enhancing your social or love life to improving your golf game

How can I prepare for Shiatsu?

    * Please come in comfortable clothing that allows freedom of movement, preferably cotton pants and t-shirts. Please no buttons, zippers, snaps, or gaping shorts.
    * Ladies are invited to remove their bra.
    * Don’t eat anything within 2 hours prior to your scheduled appointment time.
    * Please refrain from wearing jewelry, perfumes, or heavily scented body oils or lotions.