What is Shiatsu?
Shiatsu is an ancient form of Japanese Acupressure that began over two thousand years ago.  In fact, Shiatsu means “finger pressure” in Japanese.  Like acupuncture, Shiatsu is based on the holistic system of Traditional Chinese Medicine, in which illness is thought to be the result of some imbalance in the natural flow of energy, or Chi, through the body.  By focusing on Chi instead of muscles and connective tissue, Shiatsu gets to the root of pain or discomfort.  Therefore, Shiatsu affects aspects of the physical body as well as the mind and spirit.

Shiatsu is typically practiced on a floor mat with clients fully clothed. Palming and finger pressure, as well as passive stretches are applied along the body’s energetic meridians (passages through which Chi flows) to achieve balance. When meridians are balanced, the body will be healthy and function properly.  However, life’s stresses constantly test our limits and throw off our energy balance. These imbalances often manifest themselves as symptoms such as pain, discomfort, and disease.

The role of the Shiatsu practitioner is to take into account all symptoms and to assess the your energetic state to find the root cause of imbalance.  The Shiatsu Practitioner will work with you to improve the body’s energy balance.  When the energetic system is flowing properly, the body is able to heal and revive itself.