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Zen Shiatsu

zen shiatsu therapy

A Japanese form of bodywork that is based on the principles of Chinese Medicine. It is extremely gentle and results in a very deep state of relaxation which enables the body's own healing powers to circulate. Zen Shiatsu is simular in theory to acupunture, in that good health is dependent on the open and even flow of the body's essential energy known as Ki.

Shiatsu means thumb pressure working with individual acu points usually in a specific routine, to restore proper Ki flow. It is a form of therapuetic massage. Developed by Toru Namikoshi, who was born 1905, and as a young boy lived in a village where there were no doctors. His mother developed severe pain that began in her knees. As time went on the pain grew and spread to her ankles, wrists, elbows, and shoulders. This pain is now known as rheumatism.

Toru and his siblings began to rub their mother where it hurt to relieve her suffering. Toru's worked helped her the most and he worked hard to learn different techniques to be more effective. He concentrated on areas that where stiffist and coolest, soon his mother felt better, and she fully recovered.

Toru went on to open up the Shiatsu Institue of Therapy in 1925. He opened more schools, and in 1955, for the first time in Japanese history, shiatsu was legally approved.

Zen Shiatsu works by connecting the entire meridian using a "mother" supporting hand or thumb to stay connected to the Ki, while using the other hand to connect the flow between the two acu points being touched. Zen Shiatsu is not soley acu point oriented, once the meridian is opened up and balanced, it is then stretched to bring the Ki more fully present. This system of treatment was developed by Shizuto Masunaga who was born in 1925. After studying and then teaching psychology, he pursued shiatsu. Masunaga modified and extended the understanding of the traditional Chinese medicine theroy of meridians, this system is sometimes called Masunaga Meridians. Zen is one aspect of Buddhism; becoming one with the nature of what you are focused on. A Zen Shiatsu pratitioner works in a calm meditative-like state to feel the body's condition and response to the treatment, therefore knowing where to go next. This allows the client to completely relax, often going into a very deep state of mind, body, spirit connection.

In Zen Shiatsu we focus on the Yin Yang balance, and work to tonify or sedate the Ki to bring balance to the entire energy system, again as in Shiatsu, releasing the innate healing ability in everyone. This connection within the meridians releases blockage of Ki and increases it's circulation which will enhance the delivery of the healing nutrients to muscles, organs, extremities, nerves, sinuses, brain, and immune system. This will give us:

Conditions to be treated by Zen Shiatsu:

Zen Shiatsu is a wonderful addition to your health care practices. Come and experience a most deeply relaxing style of massage.

Serving Portland, Hillsboro, Cedar Hills, Cedar Mills, Aloha, Beaverton, Tigard, West Linn, Lake Oswego