Laughing Hara Zen Shiatsu
Zen Shiatsu
Keeping The World Naturally Healthy
Asian bodywork is one of the four branches of Traditional Asian Medicine and is thought by many to be the mother of Chinese Medicine, and as such, the first branch. The other three branches are acupuncture, herbs, and Qi-Gong. The style I practice is Zen Shiatsu.Zen Shiatsu is a modernized form of
the ancient Chinese art of acupressure or "acupuncture without needles."
Zen is a Japanese word
meaning
"meditation" while shiatsu means "finger pressure." In actual
practice, the Zen Shiatsu practitioner also uses the palms, thumbs,
forearms, elbows, knees, and feet in order to apply pressure to the
meridians. The meditation aspect comes into play by the practitioner's
focus on the receiver, the "here and now," as well as coordinating
movement with the breath. There is an absolute minimum of talking during
the session. Zen Shiatsu is truly a "meditative form of healing."
Zen Shiatsu follows the teachings of the late Shizuto Masunaga (1925-1981) of Japan, and combines traditional Eastern views with modern Western scientific understanding. Masunaga, a professor of psychology at Tokyo University, used his knowledge of shiatsu, psychology, and Western physiology to create a comprehensive theory of healing. He also extended the classical acupuncture meridian system, as well as developing an extensive form of abdominal and back diagnosis.
Although no two sessions
are exactly alike, a Zen Shiatsu session begins with a detailed health
history followed by palpation of the abdomen (hara) and/or back to
determine which meridians need to be worked. Gentle, pain-free
pressure will be used to stimulate, sedate, and
unblock the energy
(ki) that flows through the body in a system of highway-like
meridians. Pressure also stimulates the circulatory, lymphatic,
hormonal, neuromuscular, musculo-skeletal, respiratory, digestive, and
autonomic nervous system, allowing for the promotion, maintenance and
restoration of health. Gentle stretching and joint rotations are also
employed to assist in flexibility and physical and energetic balance
as well as to better access the meridians.
Zen Shiatsu is usually given on a futon on the floor but may also be given on a chair, massage table, hospital bed, etc., and with the client lying, sitting, or standing. I mostly use the standard massage table and have done so for 10 years with great results. In Zen Shiatsu, the client may remain fully clothed and no oils are used. Loose comfortable clothing or exercise tights are recommended, preferably of natural fibers.
According to the
Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare, "Shiatsu therapy is a form of
manipulation administered by the thumbs, fingers, and palms, without
the use of any instrument, mechanical or otherwise, to apply pressure
to the human skin, correct internal malfunctioning, promote and
maintain health, and treat specific disease."
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