Shiatsu

Oriental Medicine posits a great pool of “life force” or “universal energy”---known in Chinese as Ch’i and in Japanese as Ki ---from which energy is drawn to maintain life, and to create new life; this pool is the whole, or source, from which all things arise. Ch’i is drawn into the body from the Cosmos and from the Earth. Ideally, Ch’i is constantly moving throughout the body, carried in channels known as meridians.

The major meridians run primarily in the direction of the length of the body and limbs, and connect with all of the body’s major organs. Smaller meridians criss-cross throughout the body. Ch’i flow may be blocked or stagnated on the level of the body, emotions, mind, or spirit, or there may be areas where Ch’i is depleted. When Ch’i becomes stuck or depleted in one place, the flow of Ch’i throughout the entire body is affected; therefore, while symptom-specific concerns receive special attention, treatment of the whole body is generally best. If irregularities are not balanced and healed, they may eventually become chronic, and crystallize to the point of manifesting as a state of disease or disturbance, such as:

tension in muscles, tendons, ligaments, or fasciae
postural imbalances
digestive problems
headaches
fatigue

anxiety or depression
problems with clear thinking, memory, or concentration
respiratory difficulty
nervous system disorders

While Western medicine and bodywork focus on the tissues of the body,Zen Shiatsu is directed towards the maintenance of a free and healthy flow of Ch’i, promoting physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual balance and wellness. The practitioner facilitates the self-healing process of the recipient.

Zen Shiatsu treatment, grounded largely in the principles of Chinese Medicine, consists of pressure, stretches, and joint rotations applied to the body, in order to both assess and treat the recipient. Relaxed pressure is applied generally to meridians, or specifically to acupressure points, on the body, using the palms, thumbs, fingers, elbows, or knees. The degree of pressure can be varied according to the comfort level of the recipient. These techniques either stimulate or calm the flow of Ch’i in the meridians, as needed. Treatment is generally performed on a mat on the floor.

During a Shiatsu treatment, the recipient should wear loose, comfortable clothing. No oils or lotions are used. The intent is to support the recipient’s own self-healing process. The number of treatments which a recipient will require will vary. The benefits of Shiatsu will be most apparent when treatment is undertaken on a somewhat regular basis, although even isolated treatments can be quite beneficial. Shiatsu should be taken as a substitute for medical care.