Zen Shiatsu
Shiatsu refers generally to a Japanese pressure therapy literally meaning finger (shi) pressure (atsu). Shizuto Masunaga established a style of shiatsu called Iokai. According to his teaching, shiatsu is a practice rather than a treatment; the practitioner takes the same approach as for Zen meditation. Zen Shiatsu is a meditative form of this Japanese healing art. The meditation allows the practitioner’s intuition to assist in directing treatment.

This is a non-invasive, fully clothed treatment that is practiced on the floor with the aid of a comfortable mattress. It begins with a connection of/with? the Hara (abdominal diagnosis) and is administered by using the palms of the hands, thumbs, fingers, knees and elbows. The treatment also involves gentle stretches and joint rotation and the technique is understood to stimulate the natural healing powers of the body.

Pressure is applied to all parts of the body along specific pathways (known as meridians) which are essentially the same meridians used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for acupuncture although these pathways were modified and extended by Masunaga. The Zen Shiatsu practitioner is trained to feel the body’s condition and by skilfully stimulating the imbalanced meridians attempts to restore the flow of energy (referred to as Qi) and recreate a state of equilibrium.

Zen Shiatsu works with gravity and efficient body mechanics to provide solid deep contact that is also completely nurturing and relaxing. It can be beneficial to people of all ages including the elderly, children, infants and pregnant women.

Shiatsu for infants is a gentle treatment that can help soothe digestion, promote sleep and a generally happier nature by balancing the body’s energy which may have been disturbed by a challenging birth, teething or infection.

Regular Zen Shiatsu treatments can become an important aspect of preventive healthcare as well as treatment for existing symptoms.

COMMON CONDITIONS THAT BENEFIT FROM ZEN SHIATSU:

Addiction Anxiety, stress, panic attacks and depression Fatigue, insomnia and jet lag Arthritis, back pain, joint pain Bladder/kidney problems Digestive problems and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Fibromyalgia and sciatica

Headaches High/low blood pressure Immune deficiency disorder Memory loss Menstrual dysfunction Tinnitus Vertigo