Shiatsu - History
Shiatsu is the result of centuries of observation of the human physiology and our mental capacity, in addition to the life cycle of the natural world in which we live.Shiatsu has been developed from a basic form of bodywork for relaxation purposes named Anma, performed in China. Over 3000 years, the reaction of the body to gentle manipulation and massage has been observed & and the resulting mental & physical benefits of this type of bodywork, have styled the basic fundamentals of Shiatsu.
Shiatsu can be performed according to a range of styles & utilises a varied collection of techniques, the overriding aim of this type of bodywork remains the same: to provide a holistic treatment, which encourages the body to begin healing itself. The intervention of the Shiatsu practitioner is merely to bring ‘awareness’ to the body, of the relative balance or imbalance of ‘Qi’.
’Qi’ or ch’i is the Chinese word for Ki (Japanese), meaning ‘life-force’ or more commonly ‘energy’. Qi exists in all matter and in all forms, be it liquid, solid matter or vapour. Qi is in the air we breath, the food we eat, the earth upon which we walk, the thoughts we process in our minds.
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Shiatsu - An Overview
Zen Shiatsu, based on theories developed by Shizuto Masunaga in the 1950s, works on the same traditional Chinese theories that many other forms of Shiatsu are based and perhaps more recognisably, Acupuncture.
Masunaga created a body map of the extended energy meridians which he observed during his practice. These 'meridians' or channels of Qi/energy are linked to the bodies' vital organs.
'Tsubo's'or 'points' have also been added to this map. There are many over 300 known tsubo's plus many other 'floating' tsubo's or Ashi points. The most commonly reactive & widely used tsubo's are stimulated by the practitioner to assist the flow of Qi. There are located as intervals along the meridian and are often sore or sensitive to the touch.
The balance of Qi within the body is dependant on many factors, the Qi with which we are born (our constitution), the Qi that we create for our bodies via our lifestyle choices, the interaction of the meridians within the body and how they react to disease and Qi imbalance.
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