Shiatsu is a Japanese healing art deeply rooted in the philosophy and practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Incorporating therapeutic massage of Japan, and more recently embracing its original focus of meditation and self healing, Shiatsu is a balance - a dance - between practitioner and receiver, in which the healing power of both build upon each other to clear and balance the vital life force known a Qi.
Japanese monks studying Buddhism in China in the tenth century adopted Traditional Chinese Medicine, eventually creating a unique Japanese form called Shiatsu: "shi" meaning finger, and "atsu" meaning pressure. Shiatsu is more than Acupressure. It is a combination of many different techniques including pressing, hooking, sweeping, shaking, rotating, grasping, vibrating, patting, plucking, lifting,
pinching, rolling and brushing. In one school developed by Suzuki Yamamoto, barefoot Shiatsu includes walking on the person's back, legs and feet.
There are more than 300 Acupoints in the body. Application to these meridian pathways by the practitioners' fingers, hands, knees or elbows covers several of these critical points simultaneously.
Shiatsu strengthens the immune system and when practised consistently, truly becomes preventative health care.
