“Shiatsu is a physical therapy, originating in Japan, that supports and strengthens the bodyʼs natural ability to balance itself. Shiatsu works by supporting Ki. Ki is a Japanese word that includes all the ways in which the body maintains internal harmony”.
We begin by having a chat, about anything the reciever would like the Shiatsu practitioner to know, about their body, mind or emotional life. This the first choice of the receiver; what needs to be said? It is a terrain to be navigated wisely; some of us want to say a lot, some of us want to say little, the main thing is that the receiver is comfortable with what they have shared. I love this quote from Bill Palmer, one of the founders of the Shiatsu Society, talking about his practice: "My central belief is that we, as individuals, are not wise enough to know what is best for another person. Therefore, I don’t try to understand what to do by diagnosis and theory. Instead, I focus on helping people to feel into themselves through their body sensations, and trust their natural life process to do the therapeutic work. " As a student shiatsu practitioner, I take a big sigh of relief when I hear this. I am inspired by the honesty, humility and deep understanding of healing as a whole life process - naturally much bigger than could be fathomed by one therapeutic relationship. As a therapist we can offer support for the individual as they move forward on their journey, perhaps offering some comfort, relief from pain, and support as they integrate the learning from their life. As a student of Zen Shiatsu, I am learning the diagnosis and theory, which seems to be a lifelong journey; so far I’ve found there is a lot that makes sense, has beauty, and has benefitted me. If clients are interested, I may share the perspective as a useful lens to look through; offering a way of looking at how they show up on a certain day, perhaps over time beginning to see a pattern, which may offer insight into what they are working through in their life. I appreciate the above quote from Bill Palmer and wanted to share it as although I haven’t studied his approach, I find there is a resonance with my own sense of what shiatsu can offer and what I am learning at the Shiatsu College; we are walking beside the receiver, not in a position of authority or able to diagnose in the western medical sense. I especially like the Zen Shiatsu approach to diagnosis, which feels appropriately Zen; a reading of the relationship between the meridians/channels as they are evident in the hara. Bearing in mind this is always a constellation, between receiver and therapist, the setting, what the receiver - and therapist – had for lunch etc. the context of a certain moment; the moment they appear on the futon, this gives you a place to start. "Shiatsu helps us learn to appreciate the uniqueness of each person and the value of life itself".
Pauline E Sasaki (1996). What happens in each session is unique; natural as we are, we are always in a state of flux; opening and closing, gathering ourselves together and falling apart - it's natural that no two sessions are the same and the intention is to meet you where you are. Shiatsu offers what is often called a 'listening touch', there is no judgement, just tending to what's there. We work with the channels through the body; finding points on the receiver that naturally respond; their ki can make use of the contact. The touch can be deep and penetrating or light and precise, depending on what’s needed and wanted. Blood and ki move through the channel, increasing flow, bringing life to where it was stagnated, frozen or hidden. At certain points the body tells us to pause, there is a possibility for connection; we are tending to the psyche and soma as they are “two aspects of one overall indivisible reality[1]”, interpenetrated, inextricable. At the end of the session, we may exchange some words, any thoughts or insights regarding the receiver’s process. I may offer points for self-acupressure, stretches or foods I think could be useful, it is always different, but also reassuringly the same. Anyway, I hope this gives a sense of what I'm offering, there is more to say and no doubt important points I’ve not mentioned - it’s a work in progress and will be continued!
[1] David Bohm Soma- Significance: A New Notion of the Relationship Between the Physical and the Mental https://www.goertzel.org/dynapsyc/1995/bohm.html
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