Emi Tamai

 My first experience of Shiatsu began when I was around ten years old. My mum often suffered from shoulder stiffness that triggered migraines, and she would ask me to press the points where she felt pain. In Japan, using our hands and fingers to ease tension is part of everyday life, so this felt natural to me. She guided me gently, showing me how touch could bring relief and comfort. We never called it Shiatsu — it was simply “massage.” The idea of TSUBO was so familiar that I didn’t realise it belonged to a deeper tradition.

Years later, when I began my three‑year Shiatsu training in Manchester, I discovered Zen Shiatsu properly for the first time. At the beginning, I misunderstood what Zen Shiatsu was; it took time and patience before I started to feel the quiet strength of Ki. Even now, nearly ten years after qualifying, I continue to learn. Shiatsu is a lifelong journey.

For me, Shiatsu is about connection: connection between mind and body, connection with my clients, connection with Ki, connection with the wider universe.

Through this practice, I’ve met many inspiring people, and I look forward to meeting more — creating meaningful, gentle connections through the art of Shiatsu.