Why study Shiatsu 

• Shiatsu offers an antidote to our stress-filled lives. Touch is essential to life!
• The faster the pace of living, the more exhausted we become. We live on adrenaline, rushing to meet deadlines, fuming in traffic jams, tossing and turning with nightly overload of reminders of tasks unfinished.
• There is an overwhelming need for bodyworkers who are the catalyst for change. By bringing the receiver's attention to their bodies, clients gradually make healthier lifestyle choices. 
• Shiatsu is a great transformational tool for those who seek self development and improvement of lifestyle choices. Often we rush through life nurturing others, taking care of the daily needs of family, career, & community. At some point in time, we become the priority. We realize we need to make choices for ourselves.
• Shiatsu training allows for slow, integration of better lifestyle choices. It takes at least 21 days to change one old habit. So, slow consistent changes work best.
• Shiatsu teaches us to re-connect with people on a healthier level. We meet others who are genuinely interested in living a more meaningful life with greater awareness. We begin to create more meaningful relationships.
• Shiatsu requires only the use of your thumbs or hands. It can be done anywhere, at any time
• Shiatsu is an amazing skill that you can use anywhere in the world.

 What does this mean for you the Student? 

• Self – Employment - Instead of being paid to work, get paid for the work you enjoy
• Acquire  practical business management skills
• Recognition and acknowledgement as a Shiatsu Professional
• Members of the  South African Shiatsu Society
• Self actualization and personal transformation 

How do we at the Academy help you achieve this?

• Provide you with  quality  training and education
• Through strong theoretical knowledge and sound practical training
• Introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Shiatsu Techniques - we incorporate 3 different styles and techniques of Shiatsu     creating our own unique Body Energy Balancing Shiatsu
• Energy Awareness
• Business Practice
• Practical Massage and Posture techniques
• Mentoring
• Case Studies

 Who Studies Shiatsu

• If you have a desire to help others and improve your own life, study shiatsu!
• Anyone interested in energy work, seeking change may be attracted to shiatsu.
• Students, from ages 18 to 70, from many backgrounds find shiatsu a powerful protocol for transformation.
• Reiki Practitioners, massage therapists, salon owners, reflexologists often choose to add shiatsu to their practices.
• Nurses, physical therapists, will benefit and find many ways to integrate the skills into their work.

 

Could one course change your life?   Absolutely!  

 

Try the Introductory Head, Neck & Shoulders Module and learn how you can improve the health and wellness of yourself, family and friends. 

In 18 hours, learn the history and philosophy of shiatsu, nurturing touch, and the relaxation response.

Class structure is a lecture, demo, & hands-on practice.

Experience the classroom setting, the hands-on work and feel the results.   

  

What is Shiatsu?

Buried in the  roots of ancient Traditions of Eastern Healing and Philosophy Shiatsu has developed over time from Ancient forms Anma massage in Japan and Tui na massage in China Shiatsu means finger pressure in Japanese

Based on the foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine Shiatsu is also known as “Acupuncture without needles”

Chinese Medicine suggests we all have a life force or Qi which regulates Physical, Emotional, Mental and spiritual stability.

Shiatsu aims to promote the process of self healing and personal awareness by balancing the circulation of this Qi.

The holistic well-being of a person depends on the harmonic flow of this Qi .This flow of Qi can be disturbed either through external trauma, such as injury, or internal trauma such as emotional issues like depression or stress

When this happens aches and pains manifest on a physical level and we experience a state of Dis- Ease.

 

How does it work?

 

Physical touch is used to assess the distribution of Qi throughout the body and to correct any imbalances. This is done by pressing, hooking, sweeping, rocking, patting, lifting, plucking lifting, rolling, brushing. It also involves gentle stretch and manipulation techniques.This improves flexibility and the flow of Qi around the body

 

Shiatsu treatment

Done by a Shiatsu Practitioner with the appropriate training, Shiatsu is a complimentary health therapy which promotes self–healing and a general sense of well – being and involves the stimulation of Accupoints with pressure. Bodywork is done on the floor on a futon mattress. No oils are used and the client remains fully clothed and covered with a soft cloth.

The energetic condition of the body is assessed by a practitioner and once this has been established, a specific body work treatment consisting of tonifying or dispersing energy, stretching, breathing, stress releasing and meditation techniques are utilized to bring the person into balance.

What does Shiatsu feel like?

Receiving Shiatsu is relaxing yet invigorating, leaving a feeling of tranquility and a sense of being in touch with every part of your body. Giving Shiatsu is like performing a moving meditation and leaves you feeling balanced and energized.

Is Shiatsu safe?

Shiatsu given by a qualified therapist is safe for everyone and particularly beneficial for pregnant women. Some therapists also treat small children and the elderly.

The basic guidelines as to when and where not to give or receive Shiatsu are similar to those of any treatment which affects the flow of energy, blood and body fluids through the system. These would include times of high fever, especially when accompanied by local infection or inflammation or by infectious disease of any sort; cancer; heart disease; and areas where there may be cuts, bruises, scar tissue, injury or swelling.

However, since Shiatsu techniques vary from the very dynamic to the soft and gentle, it could still be possible to use the supportive quality of some of the holding techniques in most of these situations.

Which problems can Shiatsu help?

There are several benefits to having Shiatsu as it can be used to treat a variety of minor problems such as insomnia, headaches, anxiety, back pain, constipation, skin irritations, etc. Shiatsu improves health generally by relieving stress, calming the nervous system and stimulating the circulatory and immune systems. It is particularly effective for stress-related tension and illnesses, insomnia, back pain, headaches and digestive upset, recovery from injuries. However, through its stimulation of the hormone system shiatsu can also affect the digestive and reproductive systems. Apart from bringing relief to symptoms, shiatsu gradually corrects long term postural and behavioral imbalances leading to improved body/ mind awareness and a general sense of well-being and peace of mind.

It is possible that one session of shiatsu will be sufficient to remedy the problem by stimulating the flow of energy along the channels. This may be followed by recommendations of regular exercises and changes in diet and/or lifestyle.

Shiatsu invokes a general feeling of good health in the whole person, not just in the physical sense. There are many benefits for both the giver and the receiver of shiatsu, both on a physical and spiritual level.

The immediate effect of treatments differs with each individual. A sense of well-being is common.

Because of the deep relaxation that usually occurs and the stimulus to the major body systems, you may have some healing reactions. Some people feel cold or flu-like symptoms, aches and pains, or headaches after the first treatment. These symptoms will only last for a day or so and usually subside with each subsequent treatment. If these symptoms persist, please consult a qualified physician immediately. In general, any such effects you may experience are positive signs from your body telling you it is making an attempt to correct its own condition in a natural way. These are signs of elimination and the beginning of the healing process.

The following are some unpleasant side reactions some people get after a shiatsu treatment and the causes of the same.

	Coughing and generation of mucus or symptoms of a cold: The coughing and production of mucus is due to the body being encouraged to rid itself of its surplus foods (such as sugars and fats) in this form. A cold can sometimes develop when the mucus is produced, usually when the cells of the body are not healthy.
	A feeling of tiredness: Tiredness can occur, frequently with a person who suffers from nervous tension. After therapy has removed this stress or tension, then the body's need for sleep and rest becomes apparent.
	A headache or other pains and aches: There are two main reasons for these, which should only last a short time. Shiatsu redresses the balance of ki in the body. Thus, blockages in the flow of energy are released and the ki can rush around the body, causing a temporary imbalance in one part and resulting in an ache or pain. It is also possible that too much time or pressure may have been applied to a particular area. The amount needed varies considerably from one person to another. If the pain or headache persists after a few days, obtain qualified medical help.
	Feeling emotional: Emotional feelings can occur while the energy is being stimulated to flow and balance is regained. The feelings may be connected with something from the past that has been suppressed and so, when these emotions resurface, it is best for them to be expressed in a way that is beneficial, such as crying.

The use of shiatsu and acupressure has been found in various medical studies to be beneficial in relieving pain and sickness.

In 1986, car factory workers were screened in a study to exclude any with organic disease or infection, and 142 workers with chronic lumbar pain were treated with acupressure daily for 21 days on points along the spine, back and front of legs. A marked improvement was found in 29 percent of patients, 68 percent were cured, while 3.5 percent had no noticeable change. Thos who received acupressure treatments reported improved sleep as well.

Acupressure was used to treat morning sickness on 350 women attending the Royal Maternity Hospital in Belfast in 1988. They were randomly allocated to three groups, and the severity of morning sickness was recorded daily for four days. The treatment group pressed a wrist acupuncture point, whereas the second group used a pretend acupressure point, and the control group had no treatment. There was much less sickness in the genuine and dummy pressure groups compared with the control group. No adverse side effects were reported in the patients' pregnancies.

A 24 month study reported in Current Psychiatric Therapy in 1977 documented the successful treatment of headache pain with "auto-acupuncture." The acupressure or shiatsu techniques were evaluated as symptomatic treatment for the pain of migraine, allergy, and tension headaches. The study was conducted with more than 500 neuropsychiatric outpatients. These patients were seen for more than 5000 visits. More than 200, had significant headaches, occurring more than once per week. "Autoacupressure" replaced outpatient prescriptions for analgesics and stronger medications, and the physicians involved felt that the value of the alternative health method was greatly enhanced by its easy availability and lack of toxic effects.

In 1982, the American Journal of Chinese Medicine reported that various methods, including acupressure, were beneficial in improving the general health of the elderly and in promoting longevity. IN 1980, American Journal of Acupuncture reported that shiatsu and acupressure had been used effectively in a community health education center over a period of six years with amazing results. The participants benefited greatly in self management of pain and stiffness due to physical and/or physiological, and stress related conditions.

Shiatsu is an approved therapy in Japan and is gaining in popularity as a complementary therapy in the western world.