What is Shiatsu? For whom and for what to receive a massage?
What is Shiatsu?
Shiatsu is a Japanese practice based on Do-In and Indian Yoga.
The term "Shiatsu" is a Japanese term composed of the words "shi" which means "finger", and "atsu" which means "pressure". This practice has its origins in acupuncture and oriental medicine.
It is a massage technique that is done with the use of pressure of the fingers on the energy lines and reflex zones, as well as the manipulation of joints and stretching.
As if we were trying to open a channel, where the energy was stagnating, thanks to the pressures, the flow can circulate again.
This massage aims to rebalance vital energy in the body.
What is an energy line?
Energu lines are circuits, channels in the body, interconnected, in which the vital energy of the body flows. There are nearly a hundred energy lines but during a shiatsu massage we remain focused on the 12 primary, classic or ordinary energy lines.
Each energy line is associated with a Yin (feminine) or Yang (masculine) energy depending on the organs and viscera that function in pair:
Lung - Large Intestine
Spleen - Stomach
Heart - Small intestine
Kidney - Bladder
Heart Master - Triple Heater
Liver - Gallbladder
The goal is to bring balance back into the body and thereby promote health.
Shiatsu for whom?
Shiatsu is suitable for all types of people, from all ages, without any restrictions.
Shiatsu can be performed on a pregnant woman, with adaptation of the practice.
There are some rare but real contraindications in case of advanced cancer : it is not recommended to practice this massage.
Shiatsu for what?
Shiatsu will initially allow you to reconnect with your body, to feel your areas of tension and to allow an overall relaxation of the body.
By allowing yourself to receive a massage with openness, you offer yourself a moment of relaxation.
Stress decreases, muscles can become more flexible and the skeleton can relax, energy flows and blood circulation are activated.
Shiatsu can help sleep, daily fatigue, smoothe certain tensions, and calm the nervous system.
The list is not exhaustive.
How does a shiatsu massage session take place?
The massage is performed on the floor, on mats, dressed in comfortable clothing.
Before the session, it is necessary to take a moment to discuss the needs, expectations and important things to specify for the person in order to target the areas to be massaged.
The massage takes place for one hour and is done by the use of pressure of the thumbs on the energy lines, and by the manipulation of joints and stretching.
During a shiatsu session, the practitioner can follow a Kata. These are movements learned in a methodical way according to the zones of the body (anterior kata, posterior kata, head kata, side kata etc). The kata has its own rhythm, more or less slow, adapted to the state of health or tiredness of the recipient. The sequences are fluid and the movements well grounded. The pressures are not jerky but remain deep.
The art of massage is to feel the limit and the need of the person who receives with accuracy.
The communication throughout the massage is possible. A time after for exchange is set out at the end of the massage.
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