ZEN & Empty-Touch Shiatsu
(Quantum Shiatsu)
Gentle and deeply effective Japanese method of acupressure based on the model of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the five elements. Shiatsu is a nourishing, attentive massage with an intention-free touch. It mostly takes place on a soft mattress-grounded. Meditative and dynamic elements alternate, completed by gentle stretches, loosening and rotations. Our body awareness is trained well and endogenous rhythms are harmonised. By becoming aware of connections between body, mind and soul patterns and topics can be brought in resonance, be looked at and ultimately be dissolved.
The special Shiatsu touch, the Shiatsu communication is what takes us deeper into our selves. Rooted in traditional eastern philosophy man is considered as a part of his environment with which he constantly interacts.
The basic concepts of Zen Buddhism play an important part and create the Zen aspect: the meditative atmosphere of the therapy session, the inner attitude of respect and carefulness of the Shiatsu touch ("Art of attentive Touch").
Traditional Chinese Medicine holds that life-energy flows in energy channels, the so-called meridians. Every uneasiness and disease has its cause in a blockage of the flow of life-energy. Accordingly the free flow of life-energy-called Ki in Japanese-leads to greater well-being and vitality. The support of the free flow is the aim.
"Shiatsu" means finger pressure in Japanese, but the balls of the hand, elbows and knees are uses as well. One characteristic are the gentle flowing moves, done with a pleasant lightness. The key is the direct perception of energy in the moment of connection and touch.
"Zen Shiatsu" had been developed in Japan by Shizuto Masunaga who also spread Shiatsu to the West. Masunaga lectured as a professor for Western psychology. He employed all his knowledge: the only partially applicable theory of acupuncture, Western psychology and physiology and the philosophical ideas of Zen Buddhism. Along with his great practical experience of treatments he came up with a conclusive theory which can be integrated completely into the practice of Shiatsu. Above all he extended the classical meridian system of acupuncture. These additional meridians are used in Shiatsu only and their study of them opens the understanding for the essential core of Shiatsu.
Zen Shiatsu means Shiatsu in the tradition of Masunaga.
Masunaga brought Shiatsu to the USA and the West and published his book "Zen Shiatsu" in 1977.
Empty Touch or Quantum Shiatsu is a further development of Masunaga's system by Pauline Sasaki (USA).
Empty Touch means to go from the five senses to the sixth sense without forgetting the first five. (Any questions?)
It is not simple to explain; basically it is more dynamic, can go very deep and have a very physical feel to it at first, even though the inner alignment and attitude are very expansive. Kyo (emptiness) and Jitsu (fullness) are not as important as with Masunaga. The resonance between two meridians leads to the topic of the treatment. Often very deep and subtle topics can be brought into resonance and worked on.
This is very much about the music of the vibrations, the vital flow and the dance of the universe: To encounter one another from heart to heart and simply allow to be healed by the power of love.
(Quantum Shiatsu)
Gentle and deeply effective Japanese method of acupressure based on the model of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the five elements. Shiatsu is a nourishing, attentive massage with an intention-free touch. It mostly takes place on a soft mattress-grounded. Meditative and dynamic elements alternate, completed by gentle stretches, loosening and rotations. Our body awareness is trained well and endogenous rhythms are harmonised. By becoming aware of connections between body, mind and soul patterns and topics can be brought in resonance, be looked at and ultimately be dissolved.
The special Shiatsu touch, the Shiatsu communication is what takes us deeper into our selves. Rooted in traditional eastern philosophy man is considered as a part of his environment with which he constantly interacts.
The basic concepts of Zen Buddhism play an important part and create the Zen aspect: the meditative atmosphere of the therapy session, the inner attitude of respect and carefulness of the Shiatsu touch ("Art of attentive Touch").
Traditional Chinese Medicine holds that life-energy flows in energy channels, the so-called meridians. Every uneasiness and disease has its cause in a blockage of the flow of life-energy. Accordingly the free flow of life-energy-called Ki in Japanese-leads to greater well-being and vitality. The support of the free flow is the aim.
"Shiatsu" means finger pressure in Japanese, but the balls of the hand, elbows and knees are uses as well. One characteristic are the gentle flowing moves, done with a pleasant lightness. The key is the direct perception of energy in the moment of connection and touch.
"Zen Shiatsu" had been developed in Japan by Shizuto Masunaga who also spread Shiatsu to the West. Masunaga lectured as a professor for Western psychology. He employed all his knowledge: the only partially applicable theory of acupuncture, Western psychology and physiology and the philosophical ideas of Zen Buddhism. Along with his great practical experience of treatments he came up with a conclusive theory which can be integrated completely into the practice of Shiatsu. Above all he extended the classical meridian system of acupuncture. These additional meridians are used in Shiatsu only and their study of them opens the understanding for the essential core of Shiatsu.
Zen Shiatsu means Shiatsu in the tradition of Masunaga.
Masunaga brought Shiatsu to the USA and the West and published his book "Zen Shiatsu" in 1977.
Empty Touch or Quantum Shiatsu is a further development of Masunaga's system by Pauline Sasaki (USA).
Empty Touch means to go from the five senses to the sixth sense without forgetting the first five. (Any questions?)
It is not simple to explain; basically it is more dynamic, can go very deep and have a very physical feel to it at first, even though the inner alignment and attitude are very expansive. Kyo (emptiness) and Jitsu (fullness) are not as important as with Masunaga. The resonance between two meridians leads to the topic of the treatment. Often very deep and subtle topics can be brought into resonance and worked on.
This is very much about the music of the vibrations, the vital flow and the dance of the universe: To encounter one another from heart to heart and simply allow to be healed by the power of love.
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