What is Shiatsu?
Shiatsu is an autonomous natural healthcare system which originated in Japan and is influenced by Chinese and more recently Western knowledge. It derives its theoretical and practical roots from the ancient traditions of Far Eastern philosophies and healing and the holistic understanding of life and health based upon them.
The aim of Shiatsu is to stimulate and support the processes of natural self-healing, well-being and personal growth and to maintain health through balancing the energetic system of a person. The method uses the application of pressure and of energetic and physical touch to the body’s energy channels and points to balance the circulation of the body’s energy (Ki or Chi).
As a self-regulating health care and health promotion system it supports the development of a new holistic understanding of health in Europe
Philosophical Background
Shiatsu derives its theoretical and practical roots from the ancient traditions of Far Eastern healing and philosophy. Today it is an autonomous treatment method which originated in Japan, and is influenced by Chinese and Western knowledge.
Aim
The aim of Shiatsu is to promote the processes of self-healing and personal growth through balancing the circulation of the body’s energy: Ki or Chi.
The wellbeing of a person as a unity of body, mind and spirit depends on the harmonic flow of this energy.
Principle
Shiatsu treatment is a form of communication through touch, based on techniques of energetic evaluation.
Form
The form of shiatsu treatment is the application of sustained pressure with thumbs, hands, elbows, knees and feet to meridians and tsubo and to other energetic and physical structures.
The form also includes rotations and stretches of limbs, joints and meridians. The posture and awareness of the practitioner are grounded in the abdomen or Hara. Shiatsu is usually given on a soft mat on the floor.
Effect
Shiatsu supports and nourishes life-force, enhances sensitivity and self-awareness and releases tension.
Application
Applied by a practitioner with appropriate training, shiatsu promotes general wellbeing and can be used as a preventative health care method.
It can also assist people through crisis, difficult life phases and processes of change. It can treat people presenting with a wide variety of physical conditions.
European Shiatsu Federation Baseline Curriculum
ESF Baseline Curriculum
Austria
Österreichischer Dachverband für Shiatsu
Phone/fax: +43-(0)1481 07 37
Email: info@oeds.at
Website: www.oeds.at
Address: Siebensterngasse 42/12, A-1070 Wien
Belgium
Belgische Shiatsu Federatie /
Fédération Belge de Shiatsu
Phone/Fax: +32 (0)494 823 714
Email:info@shiatsu.be
Website:www.shiatsu.be
Address: Van Shoonbekestraat 148 – 2018 Antwerpen
The Czech Republic
CAS Czech Shiatsu Association
Phone/Fax: +42 0607 755 552
Email:asociace@shiatsu.cz
Website: www.shiatsuasociace.cz
Address: Zalavecka 64, 273 04 Celechovice
Greece
Hellenic Shiatsu Society
Phone/Fax: +30 210 8214844
Email: info.shiatsugr@gmail.com
Website: www.shiatsugr.gr
Address: Aristoxenou 17, Athens11635 Greece
Hungary
Magyar Shiatsu Egyesület
Phone/fax: +36 706019133
Email: info@shiatsu-egyesulet.hu
Website: http://shiatsu-egyesulet.hu/
Address: Biatorbágy Bíbor utca 9, 2051Budapest
Ireland
Shiatsu Society of Ireland
Website: www.shiatsusocietyireland.org
Email: shiatsucommitteeireland@gmail.com
Italy
C.O.S. Coordinamento Operatori Shiatsu
Phone/Fax: +39 334 2447784
Email: info@shiatsucos.com
Website: www.shiatsucos.com
Address: Via Teodorico, 15 c/o Castellaccio, 47921 Rimini – Italy
Spain
Asociación de Profesionales de Shiatsu en España
Phone/Fax: +34 661845346
Email: representante.fes@gmail.com
Website: shiatsu-apse.es
Address: Calle Martin de Vargas n 5 1 C CP -28005 Madrid
Sweden
Kroppsterapeuternas Yrkesförbund
Phone/Fax: +46 8 328000
Email: kansli@kroppsterapeuterna.se
Website: www.kroppsterapeuterna.se
Address: Sankt Paulsgatan 22, 118 48 Stockholm
United Kingdom
Shiatsu Society UK
Phone/Fax: +44-(0)2045512147
Email: office@shiatsusociety.org
Website: www.shiatsusociety.org
Address: 20-22 Wenlock Road London N1 7GU