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Dr. Oz talks about Shiatsu What is Shiatsu?
Shiatsu is a form of body work which at its highest level combines aspects of Traditional Chinese Medicine, an understanding of ‘bodymind’, structural alignment (bones and posture), fascia, empathy and compassion. Shiatsu is done through clothing, typically on a mat on the floor. This is because the earth is the most basic form of support in our lives, and being on the floor allows people to reconnect with their ground. Shin Tai, developed and taught by Saul Goodman, greatly expands the effectiveness of a Shiatsu session. Shin Tai is a gentle way to release stress or events (a car accident, for example). It works directly on the central nervous system. Your central nervous system sets the tone for everything else in your body. It takes energy to hold tension in our bodies; therefore there is less energy available for you to use in the present moment.
Shiatsu and Shin Tai give gentle, whole body care. Shiatsu uses the meridians (the same ones used in acupuncture) to have energy flowing to all parts of the body. When energy gets stuck, it’s the part that hurts when you touch it, either because there’s too little energy there or too much. Shin Tai is uses the spine and nervous system to bring ease to the body. It is common to feel more space in your body and just plain ‘better’ after a session.
The sessions are quiet, with little or no talking. We can talk about the session afterwards if you like, but it’s not required. Joint and bone alignment, work to the tendons and muscles, and chakra work all can be part of the session, depending on what the priority for your body is at the time. One of the reasons the sessions are quiet is so that I can listen to the different rhythms of your body.
Shiatsu is done through the clothing on a mat on the floor. Sometimes I put people on the table instead. Many of my clients who have had Shiatsu before are afraid of it because they think it is going to hurt. The way I was taught is not rough and doesn’t hurt, although there may be a few spots that will feel tender when I touch them.
Our bodies are designed to heal themselves. When you cut your finger, you don’t tell your body how to fix it, it mends the skin and flesh. Every system of the body has the same capacity. Shiatsu is a way of getting a person connected with themselves on a deep level so their bodies can relax and heal themselves. For more information about learning Shiatsu, visit the International School of Shiatsu.
What are meridians?
Just as the earth has latitude and longitude lines, your body has meridians, or lines of energy that run through the body. Latitude lines on the earth represent different time zones. Each latitude and longitude location has characteristics that are unique to that specific location. Meridians on the body do the same thing, except they represent energetic zones that correspond to networks of internal organs. As one goes around the arm, or leg, or torso, the meridian changes as well. Zen Shiatsu is a type of Shiatsu that was greatly enhanced by the work of Shizuto Masunaga in the 1970s and 80s. He was a shiatsu practitioner and psychologist. He extended the classical meridian system used in acupuncture to be more suited to Shiatsu.
Still not sure…? Maybe this makes more sense:
Shiatsu is a blend of traditional and new bodywork techniques that balance the body's energy system. This puts the body into a state of deep relaxation and allows it to rejuvenate and heal. Shiatsu has a positive effect on the physical, mental and emotional levels. Shiatsu affects the movement of energy knows as "Ki" or "Chi", which circulates throughout the body on pathways called meridians. As a shiatsu practitioner applies gentle pressure along these meridians and other specific areas of the body to balance the energy as it flows to the organs, glands, muscles, nerves and blood. The practitioner may also use stretching techniques, massage, and structural releases to achieve harmony within the energy system. Shiatsu can be an important and integrated aspect of any wellness program. (Courtesy of International School of Shiatsu). |
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