What is Shiatsu?

Shiatsu is a healing art originating in Japan that uses the power of touch and pressure to promote your natural abilities for self-healing.

Shiatsu is deeply relaxing and yet invigorating, leaving you with a feeling of tranquility and a sense of being in touch with every part of your body.

In a Shiatsu session the practitioner uses pressure with their thumbs, fingers, palms, and sometimes elbows and feet to induce deep relaxation and a feeling of well-being. It is sometimes dynamic and sometimes a more static form of therapy, involving pressure on and stretching of the limbs and torso, kneading and releasing tight muscles and supporting areas of weakness. One important aspect is that the receiver remains clothed during the treatment. Also, the slow and sustained holding pressure actively encourages conscious relaxation.

Shiatsu was developed from traditional oriental massage and, in common with acupuncture, it works upon the body's energetic system using a network of meridians or energy pathways that relate to the functioning of the internal organs as well as one's emotional, psychological and spiritual harmony.

Energy, know as Ki in Japanese (or Qi/Chi in Chinese), flows throughout the body like a system of rivers and canals. Things may happen to upset the smooth flow of Ki, causing blockages or weaknesses and stagnant pools in others. These may lead to physical symptoms, to emotional disturbances, or simply to feeling that "things are just not quite right."

Shiatsu is concerned with prevention. Many physical imbalances and symptoms start as more subtle energetic or psycho-emotional imbalances and if detected early enough they can be prevented. Our goal is to help educate you to be more aware of these signals and initial changes in your body-mind so that you can prevent dis-ease.

Zen Shiatsu is a form of healing that addresses the receiver now, in this moment of need. The person is helped rather than merely the condition.

Generally, no two Shiatsu sessions are alike. The order or work, the choice of meridians to be stimulated, the degree of pressure, and the areas on which to concentrate always change with the receiver's condition.

Self-Care and lifestyle suggestions relating to your condition will also be given at the end of each session.