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Why train as a shiatsu practitioner? An inspiring letter. read more...

Suzi Caunce says on training ... read more...

Everyone is different and there may be many different reasons why someone may be interested in Shiatsu and perhaps follow this up with practitioner training.

Many people who become interested in Shiatsu begin learning how to do it through receiving Shiatsu treatments, one-off workshops or through adult education type courses of, for example, an evening a week for 12 weeks. Such courses and workshops enable you to see how you like this kind of work.

With this experience, some people decide they would like to take it a step further, and enrol on a practitioner training programme. There are Shiatsu Schools around the country which offer a Practitioner Diploma to students, usually after three years of part-time study: follow the link "Shiatsu Training" on the left.

After qualifying as a graduate, in order to be eligible to apply to join the Register of Professional Practitioners of the Shiatsu Society, it is a requirement to have been a member of the Society for two consecutive years. To find out more follow the links on the left, below the heading Shiatsu Training.

Why train as a Shiatsu practitioner?

What follows is an inspiring letter to the Shiatsu Society from a recent graduate of a Shiatsu practtioner's training course. The letter describes some of the personal positive experiences and benefits of studying Shiatsu and the importance of the Shiatsu Society in that process.

Dear Shiatsu Society

I am writing this letter just as I have finished my BA (Hons) Complementary Holistic Therapies, Shiatsu pathway degree at the University of Derby. As I take a well earned rest and begin contemplating my future with excitement and enthusiasm as a newly qualified practitioner I began to reflect over the last three years. We all know and have experienced the wonderful benefits of Shiatsu both as a ‘giver’ and ‘receiver’.However never did I expect or anticipate that I would experience such huge positive changes and personal growth. Becoming a Shiatsu practitioner changed my life; practicing Shiatsu is a way of life.

The journey I have travelled becoming a Shiatsu practitioner led me to reflect on the degree course. I began to understand why the last three years had had such an immense positive effect on my life. The BA (Hons) degree provided me with an enormous insight into a vast amount of knowledge that I hadn’t considered to be part of becoming a Shiatsu practitioner. It covered the core subjects that we all accept are important and necessary for practicing Shiatsu such as Anatomy and Physiology and Pathology etc. However the course also provided a comprehensively understanding of TCM, Zen and Five Element Shiatsu that supplied further support and tools towards understanding the beauty and effectiveness of Shiatsu.

However other modules such as ‘Effective Interaction’ provided an in depth insight into the way we interact with our client’s within a healing environment, the ‘Healing Relationship’ enlightened the importance and effectiveness of the therapeutic relationship, the ‘Healing Performance’ and the ‘Healing Practice’ explored many different healing systems and the notions of health and illness within different cultures. There was plenty of Shiatsu practice and I was lucky to be taught Qi Gung and Tai Chi. I had the opportunity to carry out a research project, a work placement that gave me plenty of clinical experience and diagnostic skills.

Finally the course concluded with either a dissertation or research project which gave me the opportunity to explore and research a subject of my choice. All these different modules and others provided me with additional skills and knowledge I fully believe will be useful and essential as I start my journey as a newly qualified Shiatsu practitioner. The whole experience and knowledge I gained throughout this course has been incredible, my personal development and evolvement has and will continue to change my life in so many positive ways. The good relationship between the University and the Shiatsu Society is fantastic for the future of Shiatsu and I look forward to supporting and being part of both organisations. A fantastic, outstanding course led by excellent tutors with lots of support, practice and fun. Well done University of Derby for an outstanding high quality course, and a big thank you.

Lorraine Smith

Suzi Caunce, MRSS(T) says:-

Shiatsu - 'An ancient therapy relevant to the modern world'.

Suzi Caunce has practised the art of Shiatsu for over 25 years and is Principal Teacher of the Heart of England Shiatsu School. In this article she examines the possibilities of what students are getting out of Shiatsu training today and how it affects their health and happiness.

Diagnosis is carried out using the five senses and is accurate and insightful. Five Element Theory and its development into different modes of use has been carried out over thousands of years. Shiatsu is based on a traditional holistic system which has proved itself over millennia. If traditional Oriental medical models did not work, they would not be in use today. Students have confidence in the traditions they are learning, as one student put it "How can thousands of years be wrong?". Modern Shiatsu can be traced back to Tenmai Tenpaku who was teaching at the turn of the last century. He said "People must have high spiritual development for Shiatsu. You must have spiritual power to do healing by hand".

Shiatsu is unique because it has an inbuilt system of practitioner care to maintain fitness and the spiritual power to do healing. Like many Oriental disciplines, Shiatsu has as a focus the development of hara [the second chakra in yoga or dan tien in Chinese]. Shiatsu includes dietary awareness for maintaining fitness. There are both stretches and breathing exercises [Chi Kung] which relate to the meridian system in the body. Self development is encouraged using Five Element Theory as a tool for self reflection and self diagnosis which contribute to maintaining a strong centre.

A strong centre enables students to be open to others without losing themselves. This not only makes for a good practitioner with increased strength and compassion, but students report that it makes a difference in their understanding of life, for example "Since learning diagnosis I am aware of the common threads joining us all and I am more tolerant". Some students have reported that it has helped them through depression, life changes and in particular with helping friends. "Certainly I've been able to help friends feel better when they haven't been able to get help through orthodox methods."

Better performance at work is also reported. "It has changed the way I deal with people and helps me understand why they react or behave the way they do. I have been experimenting with using Five Elements in communication. It has given me more confidence in dealing with people and communicating in an appropriate manner when discussing sensistive issues. I feel much more aware of my own reactions to life and why I may feel the way I do."

Recognising symptoms of stress and how to deal with them is very helpful. Or to put it in a less theoretical way. "Some of the people I work with have challenging behavior, before doing the training I would react to people acting out and feel that everything was my fault, now when someone is acting out I feel that its their problem and I can be clearer so the whole team benefits".

Teachers report that they have more confidence with students as they have now know that learning is a process and everyone does it in their own way.

Most people [usually 60-80%] who commit to a three-year training do not complete it but with Shiatsu it is possible to do the first year of the training and use the benefits for yourself. When I started Shiatsu there was no training so I trained in aromatherapy, Swedish massage and reflexology to have the necessary insurance. I continued with Shiatsu as I found it more effective, even when very little was known about it in this country. As an original member of the Shiatsu Society I have had an exciting and rewarding career developing training and the scope of Shiatsu treatment. Shiatsu is fun to carry out and is a special activity to do with people. It is effective and has far reaching benefits for those who receive treatment. Using the tools of Shiatsu to work on myself has made my relationship with the Doctor minimal.

The philosophy behind Shiatsu is Taoist [Tao meaning a way or path]. All things in life can only be understood in relation to the whole as the Tao embraces all things.
The effect of learning this was expressed as "I was attracted to the philosophy of Shiatsu, so initially it was a spiritual need. Shiatsu has helped me to understand myself and other people better. I've learned that life is dynamic and that goes for our emotions too. Things are changing all the time and all kinds of situations and symptoms present themselves. I think the way I look at life has changed and the way I deal with it too. What appears to be important today, may not be tomorrow.?"

The Tao is the source of all order; a cosmic order which is not static but organic in nature. It is complete in itself, and requires no doctrine in order to exist;
"You cannot improve it.
If you try to change it, you will ruin it.
If you try to hold it, you will lose it." Tao Te Ching

Shiatsu is a powerful therapy based on touch communication and listening, the gateways to acceptance and healing.

This article appeared in Health and Hapiness Magazine in 2006

Please note that whilst the Shiatsu Society welcomes and values contributions from members of The Shiatsu Society, the personal views expressed above do not necessarily reflect the views of The Shiatsu Society.

Shiatsu Society

Shiatsu - a World of Human Touch