The Shiatsu Society's position with advertising is continuously reviewed to ensure that members are following the Advertising Standards Authority's (ASA) guidance. We have created a practical guide to advertising best practice which you can read/download here: Advertising ASA Guidelines | Shiatsu Society (UK)

When advertising your Shiatsu practice, the main things to bear in mind are:

• Claims that Shiatsu can help with relaxation, improve mood, aid sleep and relieve tension are likely to be acceptable
• Claims that go beyond those relating to improving a sense of well-being and aiding relaxation are likely to be a problem without a robust body of clinical evidence (Rule 12.1)
• Do not directly reference any medical conditions unless you are medically qualified or an osteo/physio/chiro, or if there is substantial evidence to back up a claim
• Always advise that Shiatsu should not be used as a substitute for medical treatment, but can be used alongside medical treatment
• Do not use testimonials to circumvent the Code
• If you use testimonials make sure you hold evidence that it is genuine

We offer advertising in our monthly enews to practitioners and advertising in our quarterly Shiatsu Society Journal. Please email [email protected] for further information about requirements and copy dates.

Practitioners should refer to our Covid-19 guidelines in the members’ area – please note you need to login to access this link.

The different levels, from Associate (affiliation only) to Fellow, of membership of the Society are designed to ensure you have a membership category that suits you. Once a Student has graduated from a Ratified School, full Professional Membership (MrSS) is the next step. After 5 and 10 years of MrSS membership, you can progress to a Senior (SrSS) and Fellow (FrSS).

There are protocols for lapsed and overseas members, please contact [email protected] 

The Ratification Process is a rolling programme of meetings, verification visits and sampling of learning outcome events. If you're already a member please log in and refer to Education/Ratification or contact the [email protected]

Refer to ‘Becoming a Shiatsu Teacher’ under Education in the members area. If you do not have a formal teaching qualification, your first steps are to seek 2 teacher trainers. They will be able to support you with your Teaching Portfolio.

If you're already a member please log in and refer to Education/teacher-training or contact the [email protected]

All Students receive insurance within the membership fee, provided you are using techniques and protocols taught by your Shiatsu School, and under these conditions:

1. students do not practice outside the scope of what they have been taught, and that regular supervision and/or ongoing case consultation and review for such case studies is in place
2. Students are to declare to any recipient in advance that they are not qualified
3. students may charge a fee if appropriate, provided this is allowed by the tutor or school in question and that it is a modest amount and evidently lower than an experienced and qualified professional would normally charge

Public Liability insurance is included with the Society's Master policy as standard. Please see page 16 of your policy wording.

The insurance provided by Shiatsu Society (UK) for all Members (including students) includes cover for you to share within a group, any practices which are part of your Shiatsu training so long as you are not issuing a certificate of competence to attendees. You are therefore insured to hold Grassroots Shiatsu Community Workshops and we encourage you to share the Practice of Shiatsu, empowering others to learn ways to maintain their own wellbeing. 

No, if you are late paying your membership fees you will not be covered by your insurance policy during the time your membership is not active.