Shiatsu - An ancient therapy relevant to the modern world

Suzi Caunce has practised the art of shiatsu for over 25 years and is Principal Teacher of the Heart of England shiatsu School. In this article she examines the possibilities of what students are getting out of shiatsu training today and how it affects their health and happiness.

Shiatsu is a Japanese form of clothes on bodywork, having its roots in Oriental Medicine. Treatment is carried out on a mat on the floor [futon] using the meridian system common to Oriental therapies. There is a wide range of techniques using pressure, some massage, stretches, palm healing and off the body work. The practitioner uses elbows, knees, feet and hands and thumb pressure is used as a focus for areas requiring stimulation. Treatment affects the meridian or energy system to strengthen the body or relieve symptoms. Each treatment is individual and designed for that individual at that particular time. To do energy work at this level requires diagnostic skills and fitness.

Diagnosis is carried out using the five senses and is accurate and insightful. Five Element Theory and its development into different modes of use has been practised over thousands of years. Shiatsu is based on a traditional holistic system which has proved itself over millennia. If traditional Oriental medical models did not work, would they be in use today? Students have confidence in the traditions they are learning. As one student put it 'How can thousands of years be wrong?'

Methods of diagnosis developed in shiatsu have influenced therapies such as acupuncture, kinesiology and acupressure. A range of the bodywork techniques from shiatsu are taught in massage therapies [i.e. no-hands massage] as they are so effective. In Japan shiatsu was traditionally taught before acupuncture and herbs as it gave the practitioner a better understanding of Ki or energy. Modern shiatsu can be traced back to Tenmai Tenpaku who was teaching at the turn of the last century. He said 'People must have high spiritual development for Shiatsu. You must have spiritual power to do healing by hand'.

Shiatsu is unique because it has an inbuilt system of practitioner care to maintain fitness and the spiritual power to do healing. Like many Oriental disciplines shiatsu has as a focus the development of hara [the second chakra in yoga or 'dan tien' in Chinese]. Shiatsu includes dietary awareness for maintaining fitness. There are both stretches and breathing exercises [Chi Kung]which relate to the meridian system in the body. Self development is encouraged using Five Element Theory as a tool for self reflection and self diagnosis which contribute to maintaining a strong centre.

A strong centre enables students to be open to others without losing themselves. This not only makes for a good practitioner with increased strength and compassion, but students report that it makes a difference in their understanding of life, for example 'Since learning diagnosis I am aware of the common threads joining us all and I am more tolerant.' Some students have reported that it has helped them through depression, life changes and in particular with helping friends. "Certainly I've been able to help friends feel better when they haven't been able to get help through orthodox methods."

Better performance at work is also reported. "It has changed the way I deal with people and helps me understand why they react or behave the way they do. I have been experimenting with using Five Elements in communication. It has given me more confidence in dealing with people and communicating in an appropriate manner when discussing sensistive issues. I feel much more aware of my own reactions to life and why I may feel the way I do."

Recognising symptoms of stress and how to deal with them is very helpful. Or to put it in a less theoretical way. "Some of the people I work with have challenging behavior, before doing the training I would react to people acting out and feel that everything was my fault, now when someone is acting out I feel that its their problem and I can be clearer so the whole team benefits"

Teachers report that they have more confidence with students as they have discovered through studying shiatsu that learning is a process and everyone does it in their own way. Yoga teachers in particular report that they have more confidence in using touch to guide people into positions.

Most people [usually 60-80%] who commit to a three year training do not complete it but with shiatsu it is possible to do the first year of the training and use the benefits for yourself. When I started shiatsu there was no training so I trained in aromatherapy, Swedish massage and reflexology to have the necessary insurance. I continued with shiatsu because I found it more effective, even when very little was known about it in this country. As an original member of the Shiatsu Society I have had an exciting and rewarding career developing training and the scope of shiatsu treatment. Shiatsu is fun to carry out and is a special activity to do with people. It is effective and has far reaching benefits for those who receive treatment. Using the tools of shiatsu to work on myself has made my relationship with the Doctor minimal.

The philosophy behind shiatsu is Taoist [Tao meaning a way or path]. All things in life can only be understood in relation to the whole as the Tao embraces all things.
The effect of learning this was expressed as 'I was attracted to the philosophy of shiatsu, so initially it was a spiritual need. Shiatsu has helped me to understand myself and other people better. I've learned that life is dynamic and that goes for our emotions too. Things are changing all the time and all kinds of situations and symptoms present themselves. I think the way I look at life has changed and the way I deal with it too. What appears to be important today, may not be tomorrow.'

The Tao is the source of all order; a cosmic order which is not static but organic in nature. It is complete in itself, and requires no doctrine in order to exist;
"You cannot improve it.
If you try to change it, you will ruin it.
If you try to hold it, you will lose it." Tao Te Ching

Shiatsu is a powerful therapy based on touch communication and listening, the gateways to acceptance and healing.

This article appeared in Health and Hapiness Magazine in 2006