Shiatsu

Shiatsu, the holistic Japanese acupressure, brings you back into balance.
Congestion and stress are relieved through gentle and sometimes strong pressure on the meridians, joint rotations and stretching . After a session you feel relaxed, lighter and at one again.

What is Shiatsu?
Shiatsu is based on the traditional Far Eastern world view and health teachings. The method regards the human being as a unity of body, soul and spirit, whose life is characterised by constant processes of change. Health corresponds to a dynamic balance and is given when the person is in harmony with himself and the environment and his life energy (Ki or Qi) can flow freely.

A large or prolonged deviation from this balance causes a disturbance of the energy flow and impairs the mechanisms of self-regulation. The first signs of this are, for example, sleep disorders, tension pains or depressive moods. Shiatsu is an efficient method for treating such signals and is also effective in the case of more severe complaints, illnesses or life crises.

Effect
Shiatsu addresses, supports and strengthens the healthy forces in the human being on a physical, mental and spiritual level. The attentive and appropriate touch restores the energy flow and releases blockages. At the same time, the body's resources and regeneration processes are promoted, which also leads to a more conscious awareness of the body.

During and after the treatment, clients experience deep relaxation and a feeling of "wholeness", of comprehensive vitality, lightness, spaciousness, calmness, warmth, openness, clarity, etc.

Through the therapeutic accompaniment with several treatments over a certain period of time, energy, complaint and life patterns change. The complementary conversation helps to become aware of attitudes and behaviours that are detrimental to health and to develop and anchor health-promoting patterns in a sustainable way.

Areas of application
Shiatsu is suitable for people of all ages, for general health promotion and as an independent or complementary therapy for complaints and illnesses. Shiatsu is effective for chronic and acute physical complaints, mental strain, stress, life crises and traumas. In addition, Shiatsu can support recovery after illness or accident, serve the general promotion of health and the development of personal potential as well as sustainably build up health competence. Various studies have shown that Shiatsu can also contribute to a reduction in medical consultations and the consumption of medication.

Treatment procedure
During the treatment, the client lies on a futon or couch in comfortable clothes. The Shiatsu treatment is preceded by an energetic assessment based on conversation, observation and touching the energetic zones. In this way, energy imbalances are detected and the aim and course of the treatment are determined.

Specific techniques (vertical thumb pressure, leaning and use of elbows, knees, joint rotations, stretches) are used to strengthen low-energy areas, release blockages, stretch and loosen muscles, mobilise joints and thus support and harmonise vital functions and the free flow of life force. The therapists work mindfully, with flowing, continuous movements from their own body centre and in meditative stillness. On the one hand, this allows the clients to "listen to themselves" and, on the other hand, the therapists to concentrate on what is happening and to constantly adapt to the current situation. Shiatsu thus becomes a deep, trusting communication without words and the treatment a "touching art".

In the accompanying conversation, instructions are also given for specific physical exercises and measures for self-responsible health promotion and prevention are discussed.

 
Katia Wharton
I first came into contact with Shiatsu in 1995. At that time I was working as a dancer and suffered from recurring back pain. A first Shiatsu session put me into a deep state of relaxation that I had hardly ever experienced before. The back pain was gone and the therapist had hardly touched me! This event fascinated me so much that I decided to become a Shiatsu therapist.

I started my Shiatsu training at the British School of Shiatsu in London. In Switzerland I continued at the European Shiatsu Institute.

Since 2007 I have been working in my own practice in Zurich.

To bring
Comfortable, long-sleeved or long-legged cotton clothes (e.g. tracksuit or leggings and T-shirt) and fresh socks.

It is better not to have a large meal before Shiatsu.