Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return “Our bodies are made from the burnt embers of stars, which scattered across the Galaxy in giant explosions, long before gravity pulled them together to form the Earth.” [1] So begins the book Living with the Stars [2]...
Reflections
Reflections
The space within a character: 空 the Void in all its forms (part 1)
This article is part one of a three-part series on the five elements from the Buddhist and Taoist traditions. Before talking about the 5 elements, let's talk about the Void from which they arise. If you're interested in the medical or spiritual traditions of the Far...
Touching trauma, understanding trauma – part.2
In this second and final part of the article, the author uses Oriental medicine to explain more precisely how trauma works. In particular, he details the role of the Metal element, the Po spirit of the Lung and the branch or root of this condition. A very interesting...
Touching trauma, understanding trauma – part.1
Trauma is usually the result of an exceptionally stressful personal experience in which the individual‘s possibilities and resources are insufficient for coping with it. This leaves long lasting traces. In the personality. In the soul. In the body. And in the energy...
Shizuto Masunaga: his way of diagnosing – part.3
Systems of Hara (abdominal) diagnosis have existed in Oriental medicine since ancient times. Historically speaking, abdominal diagnosis has its roots in Chinese medicine, but as with numerous aspects of ancient Chinese culture, its usage is nowadays extremely limited...
The Meiken effect in Shiatsu – part. 3
Third and final part of Bernard Bouheret's extensive and fascinating reflection on the Meiken effect, also known as the Rebound effect or Post-treatment effect. This time we look at the practical details that will guide practitioners and prevent them from confusing...
The Meiken effect in Shiatsu – part. 2
In this second part of his description of the Meiken effect, Bernard Bouheret shares numerous anecdotes to illustrate what happens when this post-processing effect is triggered. Drawing on his many years of experience in this field, he has put together a synthesis in...
Common errors in Shiatsu
Is it allowed to talk about mistakes in Shiatsu? Yes. Absolutely. Because the first mistake is already the assumption that there are no mistakes in the world of Shiatsu. Or may exist. But who is able to define them? On what basis? And from which perspective? In this...
Shizuto Masunaga (part 2): His Creation
In this second installment on the work of Shizuto Masunaga (see part. 1: a genius on shoulders of giants), Chris McAlister explores and analyzes one of the the foundations of Masunaga's work and thinking - his extended meridian system, including how he understood...
The Meiken effect in Shiatsu – part. 1
It's not uncommon for Shiatsu receivers to experience post-treatment effects. When this happens, there's no need to worry, as it's a sign of a highly effective treatment, and the body/mind goes through more or less intense regulating effects. The Japanese call this...









