Shiatsu                  Back to Alternative Health         Home
Shiatsu  - Japanese acupressure massage had its beginnings 4,000 years ago in China. The Chinese observed that by touching particular points on the body, a certain effect would occur every time. These points used in acupuncture lie along channels called "meridians" which run through the body along specific lines. Flowing through the meridians is energy of our life force. The Chinese discovered that this energy must flow evenly through the meridians to maintain good health. They then matched symptoms and the meridian system with the external elements around them (cold, wind, damp, and summer heat) and developed their system of medicine. 

Shiatsu is both a form of physical manipulation and a means towards the growth of body, mind and spirit, combining a finely tuned intuition, understanding of oriental diagnosis, posture and breathing. The unique quality of Shiatsu is that it emphasizes efficient bodily movement and perception from one's true physical and spiritual center.

Shiatsu technique involves stretching, leverage and leaning your weight into various parts of the recipient's body to encourage greater harmony of energy, circulation, flexibility and postural integrity. Many of the techniques are applied to the same system of energy channels or 'meridians' as used in acupuncture, although in Shiatsu each channel is felt to cover a greater area of the body.

Studying Shiatsu will your allow mind, body and spirit to come into greater harmony so that you can look, feel and be healthier, as well as help others.