In Shiatsu, we don't often talk about bones. And yet they are the foundations of our body, the solid, tangible base on which our muscles are articulated and our organs housed. What's more, the large bones also produce blood cells and are themselves irrigated at the...
Reflections
The Hirata Zones and Shiatsu
While many Shiatsu practitioners like to use meridians and moxibustion to support their treatment, few are familiar with Dr Hirata's zones and Ontake method of using moxas with pieces of bamboo. We've already written about the life of Dr Hirata on this blog, a genius...
How to meet left-handedness in Shiatsu
When you're right-handed, it's hard to put yourself in the shoes, or rather the movements, of a left-handed person. The world around them is essentially adapted to right-handed people, which requires constant adaptation to their environment. As a student and teacher...
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...