We like it, do it, and teach it.
You can learn more about it from the link below. Contact me for more info, to arrange a session, or get a referral.
Hakkoryu Koho Shiatsu
FAQ’s
Why is Koho Shiatsu so painful?
It doesn’t have to be, but it really depends on the practitioner and the client. Some practitioners believe that’s the only way that gives benefits and they’ve probably had luck with that approach. Some clients really like deep tissue treatments, others don’t.
I believe that a sensitive therapist can and should constantly adjust the pressure based on feedback from the client’s body. It’s your body and your treatment, if it’s too hard just let them know! Or if you want it harder, there’s always the “blue thumbs”…failing that the elbows!
Will Shiatsu heal my (insert condition)?
Everyone’s different. Most forms of body work encourage the body to do it’s thing, you know, “unlock it’s healing potential”.
Some relevant quotes:
“If you have a massage every week, you will have 2/3 less illness” (H. Gruenn, M.D.)
“God heals, and the doctor takes the fees.” – Benjamin Franklin
What is a “meridian”?
There are a number of schools of thought on this ranging from the “ethereal and energetic” to the “it’s just tissue” view. I subscribe to the mindset that “All models are wrong, but some are useful.” (George E. P. Box). So, what does this mean for the Shiatsu and Jujutsu practitioner?
I think that it’s beneficial to have a broad perspective and the experience that goes with it. I like to start from the tissue end of the spectrum as I find it’s most immediately applicable to both Shiatsu treatments and Jujutsu techniques. This means addressing tension in the body whether “active” (usually for Jujutsu grabs or strikes) or “residual” (both Shiatsu and Jujutsu interact with chronic or habitual tension held in the body). These tensions can be localized (like tense shoulders or a clenched jaw), but are often part of a larger tension issues that are restricting whole-body movement patterns. More on this can be found by exploring things from the standpoint of kinetic chains or Thomas Myers’ “Anatomy Trains”.
Repetitive movements, bad posture, and habitual misalignment of the joints can have long lasting affects and leave imbalances in the tissues (research fascia for lots more info!). Sometimes this is just “wear and tear” and other times it’s chronic patterns of tension or muscular “holding”. These may just affect localized tissues (trigger points and extra sensitive or sore spots) or may interfere with regular functioning of the whole body (scoliosis, postural deformation, reduced circulation, restricted breathing, poor digestion, etc) and lead to a decrease in our day-to-day quality of life (poor sleep, stress, migraines, arthritis, aches and pains, exhaustion, etc).
That being said, I do find value as we move towards the other end of the spectrum (ethereal and energetic) as most bodywork professionals will tell you that they’ve experienced stuff they can’t explain.
More coming next week…