Shiatsu - Allowing the World to Heal Itself.

Shiatsu, a form of body work that applies pressure to certain points along the body. Unlike most healing techniques, Shiatsu's claim is not to heal the receiver. Rather Shiatsu allows to receiver to heal themselves. The most the practitioner does is follow a persons reaction to pressure and how they relax. In essence, communicates with the receivers body, adjusting, just to help the flow reach as far as the receiver is willing to allow, releasing as the receiver dictates. One of the first things we learn is making two hands become one. Probably the most comprehensive concept in beginning shiatsu, it allows the practitioner to remove themselves from anything but directing pressure, makes it easier to come from the Hara (one's center) and feel what's going on in the receiver's body. Basically, if starts the conversation of what needs to happen for a practitioner to help the receiver to release tension and feel themselves relax. In shiatsu, we call this the ortho-sympathetic body and the para-sympathetic body. Ortho-sympathetic, or just sympathetic, body controls our fight or flight reactions. Not much of a choice, but this body is full of movement, putting energy into action. The para-sympathetic body is our feeling body. It's where our emotions thrive, where we express, how we work things out. This is the body that helps us heal, engages our immune system and makes sure we have can see more of the picture than what's making us react. Having a balanced energy body means having a balanced ortho and para sympathetic bodies. Allowing the body to remain open to communicate, yet strong enough as not to be pushed around. Putting my hands on someone is a great honor. To be able to go into a state that allows both practitioner and receiver to relax and go into a meditation that is able to open up the body in ways that benefit major organs, relieve tension, open up joints, and sustain the receiver to feeling better than before the treatment is the most wonderful way to interact with another person, I have ever experienced. Vulnerabilities are kept to a minimum. Receiver and Practitioners are fully clothed. There's no need to be self conscious about any of the insecurities that can arise in sexual encounters. No awkward touches on one's body, in that nobodies gonna be fondling anyone's breasts or privates. And best of all, anyone can do it. All you need is a finger or thumb, or something to direct pressure and an understanding of the meridian system in the body. Meridians follow mostly the circulatory system in the body, and connect with a major organ, at least energetically. Allowing a meridian to open, allows that particular organ to open. Any meridian opening is beneficial to the whole body. Amazingly, of twelve meridians, they're all very easy and start or end with a finger or toe. to even just pull on each finger or toe nail can help open up stagnant chi and allow the body to be in a more relaxed state. In the first weekend of shiatsu, besides learning the full body outline, which is the basis of any shiatsu treatment. We first learned the concept of making room. Now, we're always working to make more room in our outside lives for chores, responsibilities and people. What if we spent just as much energy making enough room on the inside as well? We could straighten our posture. Assimilate nutrients better. Rebuild tissue, organs and bones. unwind tendons, get rid of old aches and pain. The closer we get to relaxation the better our nervous system works to help our body participate in keeping ourselves healthy. Allowing the energy in our body to move the way it's supposed to, is not the only to keep ourselves healthy. Eating the right kinds of foods is also the most important way to stay healthy. Shiatsu has the ability to open up avenues to new ways of living that benefit everyone. In days that are saturated by TV with violence, guns, drugs, and stressful situations, we all could really benefit from being reminded of how special we really are. And what other amazing things our bodies can do, to benefit ourselves and benefit the whole rest of the world. Happy Shiatsu.