Understanding Qi

by ShiatsuAdmin | Jun 7, 2022 | News, Shiatsu Articles

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If you are interested in becoming a Shiatsu practitioner, or if you are already, why not join the Shiatsu Society of Ireland to receive regular newsletters and update, tips from other Shiatsu Practitioners, and join us for regular meet ups and online talks to benefit your practice.

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UNDERSTANDING QI

Yin and Yang:

To truly understand qi it is important to understand Yin-Yang.

Yin is that portion of qi that is passive, moist and dark; it is the physical side of the universe.

Yang is delicate, ethereal. It is active, dry and hot.

Yin and yang do not exist outside of each other, and must be kept balanced in order to create good emotions and health.

A chart of different yin-yang relationships

Maintaining Balance of Qi

As with yin-yang, qi needs to balance in order to maintain good health, both physical and emotional.

Curing an imbalance of qi is the basis of healing practices in Traditional Chinese Medicine, such as shiatsu and acupuncture.

Qi Deficiency: Lack of sleep, food, fresh air, exercise, lack of mental stimulation, social interactions and affection or love.

Excess Qi: Too much Qi can affect the body even more so than too little. This can occur due to excessive exercise, overeating, stress, anxiety or negative emotions.

An advanced diagram showing the relationship between qi and the diurnal cycle.

To avoid this imbalance it is important to be aware of your qi and nurture it.

There are four types of qi within the human body:

Parental Qi: Inherited from our parents at conception. Parental qi is stored in our kidneys.
Pectoral Qi: Produced by breathing. Pectoral qi is stored in the chest area.
Nutritional Qi: From eating food, nutritional qi is responsible for bringing nutrition to all parts of the body.
Defensive Qi: Responsible for keeping immune systems healthy, and protecting the body from illness. Defensive qi is the yang of nutritional qi, meaning that it is also derived from eating nutritious food.

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Shiatsu & Helen Keller

by ShiatsuAdmin | May 26, 2022 | News, Shiatsu Articles

Shiatsu & Anma

Shiatsu bodywork was made popular in the twentieth century by Tokujiro Namikoshi (1905–2000), and was derived from the ancient Japanese massage modality called anma, a Japanese style of massage which was developed in 1320 by Akashi Kan Ichi.

Anma was popularised in the seventeenth century by acupuncturist Sugiyama Waichi. Since then, massage in Japan had been strongly associated with the blind.

Sugiyama, blind himself, established a number of medical schools specifically for the blind.

During the Meiji period from October 23, 1868 to July 30, 1912. the arrival of Western medicine reduced anma’s popularity.

Many of its techniques were subsumed into Shiatsu and Western massage practices, although research into anma for medical purposes continues at Tokyo Kyoiku University.

Anma is still practiced alongside Shiatsu in Japan, with practitioners being certified by the health board of their local prefecture.

Shiatsu and Helen Keller

During the Occupation of Japan by the Allies after World War II, traditional medicine practices were banned (along with other aspects of traditional Japanese culture) by General MacArthur.

The ban prevented many of Japan’s blind community from earning a living practising traditional medicine, including Shiatsu.

Enter Helen Keller, the blind-deaf activist for human rights, who was already popular and loved by Japanese people even before the war, and she visited Japan to experience the devastation in Hiroshima.

When traditional medical was banned in 1948, the blind Shiatsu practitioners reached out to Keller and appealed to her for help.

Helen Keller contacted President Truman directly, and he eventually removed the ban on practising traditional medical in Japan, thereby allowing the blind Shiatsu practitioners to earn a living again.

Adolfo_Farsari_-_Blind_Shampoonier practising Anma

ARE YOU A SHIATSU PRACTITIONER, OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE ONE? WHY NOT JOIN THE SHIATSU SOCIETY OF IRELAND?

There are many benefits from becoming a Shiatsu Practitioner, both as a practitioner and as a client of Shiatsu.

If you are interested in becoming a Shiatsu practitioner, or if you are already, why not join the Shiatsu Society of Ireland to receive regular newsletters and update, tips from other Shiatsu Practitioners, and join us for regular meet ups and online talks to benefit your practice.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE SHIATSU SOCIETY IRELAND

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How I benefit from Shiatsu – A Practitioner’s viewpoint, Part 1

by ShiatsuAdmin | May 4, 2022 | Featured Practitioner, News, Shiatsu Articles

An interview with a Shiatsu Practitioner, Part 1

We sit down with Anna Rutkowska, a Shiatsu Practitioner from Galway to learn more about why she chose Shiatsu, and the benefits it gives her as a client, as well as a Practitioner. You can read more about Anna or book her services HERE.

What attracted you to Shiatsu initially?

My own health issues. Complementary medicine helped me get back my balance during and after the recovery.

I loved how gentle yet powerful Shiatsu is. I signed for a foundation course and after the weekend I loved it even more to the point I’ve decided to become a practitioner.

What is the main benefit of a Shiatsu treatment, in your opinion?

Reconnection with self. It’s easy to lose the connection between the body and mind, and we are both- physical and spiritual beings, we need that connection.

Shiatsu gives this space to process what’s going on in our lives and just let go of what doesn’t suit us. It helps us understand feelings and the relationship between our emotions and how the physical body responds.

What other holistic or wellness practices do you think complement Shiatsu, and do you offer these yourself?

All the holistic therapies can be useful to meet the wide spectrum of our client’s needs. I am also a Health and Wellness coach and holistic facialist.

My field of interest is Women’s Health, and because of that I chose to add natural skincare to my offer.

H&W coaching is very useful if the client feels stuck and has difficulty making long lasting lifestyle changes. Combined with Shiatsu they make a perfect combination.

Has becoming a Shiatsu practitioner helped you (mentally/physically or both) in your daily life? Describe how Shiatsu has been of benefit to your wellbeing.

Definitely yes! I am more aware of my strengths and weaknesses. I can spot the early symptoms of imbalance and prevent it from getting serious.

Before I became a shiatsu practitioner I didn’t know my limits. Now I know when my body and mind are trying to tell me to slow down, take care of myself, and I am listening to them 😉

How do YOU as a practitioner feel when receiving a Shiatsu treatment?

Deeply relaxed, reconnected and very calm. There is no tension, no worries. I feel Zen.

ARE YOU A SHIATSU PRACTITIONER?

WHY NOT JOIN THE SHIATSU SOCIETY OF IRELAND?

There are many benefits from becoming a Shiatsu Practitioner, both as a practitioner and as a client of Shiatsu.

If you are interested in becoming a Shiatsu practitioner, or if you are already, why not join the Shiatsu Society of Ireland to receive regular newsletters and update, tips from other Shiatsu Practitioners, and join us for regular meet ups and online talks to benefit your practice.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE SHIATSU SOCIETY IRELAND

FIND A SHIATSU PRACTITIONER NEAR YOU

Click on the link below to find a Shiatsu Practitioner in your area

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A Shiatsu Practitioner’s experience of Shiatsu in the workplace since Covid 19 began

by ShiatsuAdmin | Apr 28, 2022 | News, Shiatsu Articles

A Shiatsu Practitioner’s experience of Shiatsu in the workplace since Covid 19 began

– by Patricia O’Hanlon, Shiatsu Practitioner

“The most common health challenges that I come across while working with individuals or groups are anxiety and stress. The anxiety is mainly related to the uncertainty about how the future will unfold since the pandemic began. How clients react to their anxiety can either increase it or decrease it. Some find themselves straying away from their usual healthy foods while others are drinking more alcohol as a way to cope with the extra stress.

How Shiatsu can help anxiety

For everyday anxiety, I find that gentle Shiatsu work on the head, along the Governing Vessel clears and relaxes the mind. We then do some focused breathing techniques and some movement exercises which can be used between sessions or classes. I also have a ‘to-do’ list for the month. There is a specific task for each day of the month and these repeat every month.

I have found that the stress that presents most often with my clients is with relationships. During Covid lockdowns, work, home and childcare arrangements have been disrupted and it can be very difficult to retain harmony or optimism within the family.

Where possible, individual Shiatsu bodywork treatments take the pressure off clients and relieves this built-up anxiety. Some clients are not open to bodywork, but love energising and relaxation exercises as well as guided visualisation and meditations.

In a group setting, it is possible to demonstrate how stress tightens the body and the joints, and I always like to include five element information, stretches, foods etc. I have a resource table with appropriate books and objects related to the topic of the day and participants love to browse and ask questions.

As Shiatsu practitioners, we have been forced to change our practices due to Covid, and many of these changes have been positive.”

About the Author

Patricia O’Hanlon is a qualified practitioner of Shiatsu, Rejuvenating Face & Head Massage and Health & Life Coaching.

She trained as a practitioner and teacher of Metamorphic Technique with Gaston Saint Pierre, the founder of the technique, and is an IIHS qualified Instructor of The Vimala Alphabet (International Institute of handwriting Studies).

Contact Patricia

Mobile: 087 632 4154 Email: patriciakinect@gmail.com

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Self-Shiatsu: Stomach 36 -ST 36(Zusanli)

by ShiatsuAdmin | Apr 17, 2022 | News, Self-Shiatsu

Overindulged on Easter Eggs this weekend? Feeling a little blocked and sluggish after a chocolate-fest? Here’s a powerful point that might help!

Located along the stomach meridian, Zusanli is believed to influence the organs of the upper abdomen, the parasympathetic nervous system (which controls digestion), and your overall energy.

Zusanli helps with:

Digestive system diseases: stomach pain, abdominal distension, hiccups, vomiting, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation.

This point can also help to reduce blood sugar; you can read more on this HERE.

Where to find Zusanli

This point is located below the kneecap, roughly 3 inches below and 1 inch away from the center of the body.

How to massage this point:

Place two fingers on one of the zusanli points.
Apply gentle but firm pressure to the point with both fingers.
Use a circular motion to massage the point for 2 to 3 minutes.
Repeat on the other side.

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SELF-SHIATSU: REN-17 (Shan Zhong), Conceptual Vessel

by ShiatsuAdmin | Mar 31, 2022 | News, Self-Shiatsu

Conceptual Vessel 17 (Ren 17) or “Chest Centre”

(Shan Zhong)

The Conceptual Vessel point is a crossing point for the Lung, Pericardium and Heart channels which makes it a great point to help you relax and open the chest.

What benefit can I get by using this point?

This point helps to clear chest congestion, anxiety and panic attacks and can relieve indigestion discomfort.

Where is the Conceptual Vessel 17?

The point is in the centre of the sternum in a shallow hollow.

It is at the level of the fourth intercostal space which is located by counting down four rib spaces from the underside of the clavicle.

How to use this point:

Apply gentle, firm circular pressure with your index or middle finger, or by placing the palm on or over the point and massage the point for 30 seconds.
Take some deep breaths while you gently massage the point.

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