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Shiatsu Styles
Different Shiatsu Styles
The complementary therapy
Shiatsu is known to date back to the 17th century and maybe earlier. Over
this period a number of different Shiatsu styles have emerged. The origins
of Shiatsu are in China. It was not formally recognised as a healing therapy
in Japan until the mid-1950's, when the Japanese Ministry of Health and
Welfare gave it official recognition.
Three hundred years ago
Japanese doctors were required to study a systems called Anma.
Through this they learned about energy channels
and pressure points. However the Japanese authorities of the time put so
many restrictions on Anma therapy that a new name for the therapy
emerged, hence Shiatsu.
Shiatsu Roots
Shiatsu has many different
roots and branches. Each variation of this complementary therapy is dependent
upon time, location and orientation. Different ways of practising Shiatsu
can be very classical and heavily influenced by Eastern thinking, or drawing
upon Western influences such as the modern sciences of psychology and
physiology. It is difficult to determine that one form of Shiatsu is better
than another. They are just different. Different therapists work differently
and therapists will often draw from the various Shiatsu styles. What matters
is that the therapy applied must be coherent and must have a fluidity
to it.
Zen Shiatsu
Zen Shiatsu was created
by Shizuto Masunaga. It uses an extended meridian system and the Kyo-Jitsu
tonification principle. The Kyo-Jitsu tonification principle demands that
the therapist can sense the quality of the energy in a Tsubo in order
to treat it. A Tsubo rises from a meridian to the skin in a vortex pattern.
Zen Shiatsu emphasises the use of the body areas rather than using the
prescribed points.
Five Element Shiatsu
This is a common style
for trainee Shiatsu therapists to learn. It includes the classical meridian
system and the five element theory.
The five elements are not
considered to be material objects rather they are viewed as movements
or phases of energy. The five elements are fire, earth, metal, water and
wood.
Macrobiotic Shiatsu
It is widely held that
the originators of Macrobiotic Shiatsu were George Ohsawa, Michio Kushi
and Sizuko Yamamoto.
Their system uses the traditional
acupuncture channels and incorporates
barefoot Shiatsu. It employs the dIET®ary concepts that emphasise natural,
unprocessed food and balanced living.
Shiatsu
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