The Principles of Shiatsu

Shiatsu can be traced back over 5,000 years to its roots in ancient Chinese forms of medicine such as acupuncture and acupressure. However, it is a modern Japanese therapy, which fuses traditional Eastern practices with Western techniques of Osteopathy. Literally translated, the name means finger pressure - Shi (finger) and Asu (pressure) - although elbows, knees and feet are also used to press along the body's networkof meridian lines of pressure points, releasing blocked channels of energy. It is a holistic method of alleviating pain and promoting health in the whole body.

Giving a Shiatsu Session

If your partner closes their eyes, this can make the session a special time to relax and switch off from the world. There is no need to talk during a treatment as the communication of touch can say so much more. One of the fundamental principles of Shiatsu is to have simultaneous touch from both hands. With a two-hand connection a circuit is created, bonding the giver and receiver. To keep this link, one hand is stationary - the support hand - and plays the role of listening to and comforting your partner, while the other hand - the messenger hand - moves and does all the work. The amount of pressure from both hands will vary depending on the area of the body you are working on. The messenger and support hands changes roles many times throughout a shiatsu session. What you are trying to achieve is two points of contact merging and feeling like one to both therapist and partner.

Even as a beginner use your senses of looking, asking, listening and touching. Listen to your partner's needs and ask about symptoms before giving a treatment. Your motivations to help can be felt by your partner through the hands, transforming the simplest techniques into a caring bond. Before giving a shiatsu treatment, clam your own mind, as any tension will transmit itself to your partner.

The Hara

The Hara is one of the most powerful energy centres of the body. In Shiatsu terms it is known as Tanden, and is located below the navel in the lower abdomen. It is the physical centre of the body and features prominently in all shiatsu treatments. The Hara incorporates the Yin (Earth) force flowing up the front of the body, and the Yang (Heaven) force flowing down the back merging into the lower abdomen. By focusing all movements from this centre you can give harmonious and supportive treatments. Develop an open-posture principle in which your Hara is physically and energitically behind all your movements. This enables weight to be used instead of force. The simple rule is if you're not feeling comfortable and relaxed your partner will become aware of his.

It is very important to remember your own breathing when stretching and applying pressure. Breathe in deeply and exhale as you move into a stretch, encouraging your partner to do the same.

Healing Energy

The aim of Shiatsu is to balance the body's "Chi" energy levels. The rocking, kneading and stretching techniques are most effective in unblocking the congested areas. If your partner has a low energy level, and is generally fatigued, then slow, deep, static and perpendicular pressure will be more effective in strengthening the energy flow. Holding certain points for one to ten seconds is a general guideline but use your intuition as to how long you hold.

Practical Points

A shiatsu session normally lasts up to an hour. It is advisable to wear loose clothing so that your movements aren't hampered. The receiver is also clothed, but should avoid wearing bulky or constricting clothes that would impede contact with the body. Generally, the therapist works on the whole of the body and having discovered your problems may suggest simple practical exercises for home use to help the process of recovery. The effects of shiatsu may be felt immediately or later on in the same day, but if painful reactions are later experienced then your practitioner should be contacted. There are no two people with similar mental and physical complaints and the number of sessions will depend upon the individual's needs.

Shiatsu helps to keep open the communication between body, mind, emotion and spirit.

The Main Techniques

Palming

Palming is the simplest and most widely used technique in Shiatsu. Palm pressure is gentle but firm, creating a supporting and soothing effect on any tense or vulnerable areas of the body.

Allow your hands to be relaxed so that your fingers can follow the contours of whatever part of the body you contact, then lean your body weight through your palm, holding and waiting for the connection between your two palms. Lean back and without breaking contact, slide your hand along the body and lean forward again, creating stationary and perpendicular pressure.

Rocking

Use rocking on large areas to relieve tension. Placing your hands apart with palms down on your partner's body, rock slowly forward and back. The rocking should come from your own centre of balance, the Hara, which should control the movement.

Thumbing

Thumb pressure is far more precise and penetrating than palming, and is used for working the points along the meridians. Place your thumbpads on the points. Use your extended fingers for support, so that the thumb remains straight. Lean your body forward so that most of the pressure is transferred through the thumbs. Make sure your nails are quite short to practice the technique or you may hurt your partner.