SHIATSU
Nathaniel Whitmore
PART ONE – THEORY
I. General Theory
A. Chi
B. Tao
II. Yin-Yang
- Tai Chi Tu
- Yin-Yang Correspondences
- The Six Divisions
- Seven Principles of Yin and Yang
- Twelve Theorems of Yin and Yang
III. Five Elements
- Elements as Symbols of Energy
- The Five Element Correspondences
- The Control and Nourish Cycles of the Five Elements
IV. Five Fundamental Substances
A. Chi
B. Blood
C. Jing
D. Shen
E. Fluids
V. The Twelve Organs
A. Spleen and Stomach
B. Lung and Large Intestine
C. Kidney and Bladder
D. Liver and Gall Bladder
E. Heart and Small Intestine
F. Heart Governor and Triple Burner
VI. Meridians and Points
A. Conception and Governing Vessels
B. Spleen and Stomach
C. Lung and Large Intestine
D. Kidney and Bladder
E. Liver and Gall Bladder
F. Heart and Small Intestine
G. Heart Governor and Triple Heater
H. Twelve General Points
I. Bo Points
J. Yu Points
K. Points for Common Complaints
VII. Assessment
- Observation
- Questioning
- Palpitation
VIII. Pathology
- The Five Pathogenic Conditions
- Diet
- The Seven Emotions
- Defensive Chi
PART TWO – TREATMENT
IX. Aim of Treatment
- Centering Hara
- Balancing Meridians
- Balancing Kyo & Jitsu
- Balancing the Five Elements
X. Technique
A. Hara
B. Finger Pressure
C. Additional Technique
D. Tonification and Sedation
XI. 50 Minute Routine
- Supine Position
- Prone Position
- Kneeling or Sitting
XII. 75 Minute Routine
- Supine Position
- Prone Position
- Kneeling or Sitting
XIII. 100 Minute Routine
- Assessment
- Supine Position
- Prone Position
- Kneeling or Sitting
- Finishing Supine Position
PART THREE – HISTORY
XIV.Origins of Modern Shiatsu
- Tenpaku Temai
- Tokujiro Namikoshi
XV.Chinese Medicine
- Shamanism & Folk Medicine
- “Traditional Chinese Medicine”
- Tadashi Izawa
XVI.Macrobiotic Shiatsu
A. Shizuko Yamamoto
XVII.Endless Mountains Shiatsu
A. Ohashi
XVIII.Zen Shiatsu, Etc.
A. Shizuto Masunaga
I. General Theory
A. Chi - Qi / Ki / Energy / Vital Force
Shiatsu is energy work, not massage. Shiatsu treats the body based on the recognition that everything is energy.
If one’s energy, or chi, is abundant and free-flowing then there is health. If the energy is deficient or stagnant then there is a lack of health. These two main imbalances are seen as the underlying causes of ill health.
B. Tao – Way / Path
Shiatsu is as much of an art as it is a science, or more so. In shiatsu, the practitioner must learn the meridians and the points (tsubos), and the various techniques used to encourage the balanced flow of energy through the points. Once all such technicalities are understood, the shiatsu student learns how to use the hara to guide the act of giving shiatsu.
The hara is the abdomen in a general sense, and is a particular point just below the navel in a specific sense. The hara is considered to be the center of the body, both physically and energetically. In martial arts (including chi gung and tai chi), dance, and shiatsu, practitioners learn to make every movement “from the hara”. The martial artist does not learn to break bricks using mere physical strength, but learns to cultivate chi and to guide movement with the hara. In shiatsu we do not look to hurt anyone, and we care little about breaking bricks. But we do want to have our sessions be as powerful as possible. Rather than just pushing points, therefore, we use our hara so that healing chi is used to apply pressure to the points.
I have noticed that the feedback I receive from shiatsu clients directly corresponds to how “centered in my hara” I am when giving shiatsu. The more centered I am and the more each movement comes from the hara, the better I feel while giving shiatsu and the better the feedback is from those who received shiatsu.
The Tao is important regarding shiatsu because giving a good shiatsu session depends on being tuned in to yourself, your client, and healing energy. There is a “way” to do shiatsu that makes it powerful. Remember, shiatsu is intended to be therapeutic. The aim is to move stagnant energy and nourish deficient energy, which is to say in a more general sense that the aim of shiatsu is to balance energy.
When giving shiatsu, imagine yourself being in tune with a higher power and with healing energy. Imagine yourself in communication with your client. And imagine yourself nourishing and moving energy.
“becoming one with the Tao”
II. Yin-Yang
A. Tai Chi Tu – The Yin-Yang Diagram
B. Primary Yin-Yang Correspondences
Yin: The Dark Side of the Mountain HeavenFemaleWater
Yang: The Sunny Side of the MountainEarthMaleFire
C. The Six Divisions – (The Eight Principles)
Yin:ColdDeficiencyInterior (Chronic)
Yang:HotExcessExterior (Acute)
D. Seven Principles of Yin and Yang
1. One Unity is the source of Yin and Yang in infinite manifestations.
2. Everything changes.
3. Everything is interrelated.
4. Nothing is identical.
5. What has a front has a back.
6. The bigger the front, the bigger the back.
7. What has a beginning has an end.
E. The Twelve Theorems of Yin and Yang
1. Yin and Yang are the two poles of infinity.
2. Yin and Yang are produced infinitely.
3. Yin is centrifugal; Yang is centripetal. Yin, centrifugal, produces expansion, lightness, cold, etc. Yang, centripetal, produces constriction, weight, heat, light, etc.
4. Yin attracts Yang, Yang attracts Yin.
5. All things and phenomena are composed of Yin and Yang in different proportions.
6. All things and phenomena are constantly changing their Yin and Yang components. Everything is restless.
7. There is nothing completely Yin or completely Yang. All is relative.
8. There is nothing neuter. There is always Yin or Yang in excess.
9. Affinity, or force of attraction between things, is proportional to the difference of Yin and Yang (potency) in them.
10. Yin expels Yin; Yang expels Yang. Expulsion or attraction between two things Yin or Yang is in inverse proportion to the difference of their Yin or Yang force.
11. Yin produces Yang, Yang produces Yin at the extremity.
12. Everything is Yang at its center and Yin at its periphery.
III. Five Elements
A. Elements as Symbols of Energy
Most, if not all, indigenous cultures used the “elements” of nature to symbolize aspects of life and qualities of energy. Following are some examples. The Chinese Five Elements are used in shiatsu. Sometimes the terms “phases” or “transformations” are used instead of the word “elements” because they indicate a more dynamic, alive quality rather than a static image.
Chinese: Five Elements: Wood/Tree, Fire, Earth/Soil, Metal, & Water
Japanese:Five Elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Air, & Heaven
East Indian: Five Elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Air, & Ether
Tibetan:Five Elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Air, & Space/Ether
Greek: Four Elements: Earth, Water, Fire, & Air
English:Four Elements: Earth, Water, Fire, & Air
Early American:Four Elements: Earth, Water, Fire, & Air
Native American:Four Elements: Earth, Water, Fire, & Air/Wood
African:Five Elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Mineral, & Nature
B. The Five Element Correspondences
Aspect: Wood: Fire: Earth: Metal: Water: .
Direction-UpwardOutwardDownwardInwardFloating
Cardinal Dir.-EastSouthCenterWestNorth
Season-SpringSummerIndian Sum.AutumnWinter
Life Stage-BirthEarly AdultAdultElderDeath
Plant Growth-SproutFlowerSeedRootDormancy
Solid Organ-LiverHeartSpleenLungKidney
Hollow Organ-Gall BladderSmall Int.StomachLarge Int.Bladder
Tissue-TendonVesselsMuscleSkinBone
Orifice- EyeMouthMouthNoseEar
Sense-SightTouchTasteSmellHearing
Part of Face-Mid. BrowNoseTongueCheeksUnder Eyes
Pathology-WindHeatDampnessDrynessCold
Foods-SproutsLeavesGrainsRootsBeans
Taste-SourBitterSweetPungentSalty
Color-GreenRedYellowWhiteBlue
Pos. Emotion-PatienceJoyLoveCourageCalmness
Neg. Emotion-AngerAnxietyWorryGriefFear
Diseases-JaundiceHypertensionHypoglycemiaCoughL. Back Ache
Gall StonesHigh Chol.DiabetesConstipationFatigue
ShakingPoor Circ.BleedingSkin DiseaseReprod. Issue
Digestive Ill.Growth Prob.
C. The Control and Nourish Cycles of the Five Elements
The Nourish Cycle:
Wood nourishes Fire > Fire nourishes Earth > Earth nourishes Metal >
Metal nourishes Water> Water nourishes Wood
The Control Cycle
Wood controls Earth > Earth controls Water > Water controls Fire >
Fire controls Metal > Metal controls Wood
The control and nourishing cycles help to explain the interconnectedness of the meridians and body functions of the Five Elements theory. When one element is out of balance, it often corresponds to related imbalances in other elements.
Although the star shaped diagram is a visually balanced representation of the elements, the realities of element imbalances are quite dynamic. Each element has its own tendencies for imbalance. The water element, for instance, tends to suffer from deficiency, while wood tends to suffer from excess.
IV. Five Fundamental Substances
A. Chi
Sources of Chi: parents, air, food, environment, thoughts
Chi Deficiency: lack of chi in general or a chi def. associated with a particular meridian
Chi is particularly associated with the kidneys, the lungs, and the spleen.
B. Blood
Blood provides nourishment. Blood deficiency often occurs with Chi deficiency and is the result of poor diet. Nutrient dense foods are emphasized to correct the condition.
C. Jing – Reproductive Energy / Reproductive Fluids
Jing is responsible for reproduction / procreation. At the moment of conception one receives a certain amount of jing from the parents. It is difficult to nourish the jing through life; it is mostly supplemented by nourishing chi.
Jing controls growth and development, and dwindles with age. Unhealthy lifestyle practices, stress, and the like deplete jing. Longevity practices are aimed at nourishing and protecting the jing.
Jing is associated with the kidneys.
D. Shen – Spirit
Shen is the spirit or the mind. Mental and emotional imbalances are considered to be “disturbed shen”.
Shen is associated with the heart.
E. Fluids
The body Fluids nourish and lubricate the body. Often called “yin”, the fluids are the cooling principle of the body. “Yin Deficiency” refers to dryness, or the lack of fluids.
Fluids are associated with the Kidneys and the Earth element.
Fluids are symbolized by the element water (yin), which is in a complementary and antagonistic relationship with fire (yang). Fire dries water, while water puts out fire – they keep the other quality in check. Too much fire results in inflammatory disease. Too much water results in diseases of dampness.
V. The Twelve Organs
A. Spleen and Stomach
The spleen (and pancreas) is associated with the digestive system, the blood and lymph, and the energy of the center and of holding. The stomach is responsible for encasing food during one of the initial stages of digestion. The spleen and stomach are very important for digestion and pathologies associated with the spleen and stomach often involve digestive problems, such as “dampness of the spleen”.
B. Lung and Large Intestine
The lungs and large intestines both gather and disperse. The large intestine gathers water from the chyme and releases stool. The lungs gather fresh air and release what the body does not need. The lungs are very important for the gathering of chi from the air.
C. Kidney and Bladder
The kidneys are associated with the reproductive system and one’s constitutional energy, in addition to their well-known function of filtering blood and creating urine. Many alternative therapies focus on “cleansing the kidneys”, but in Oriental medicine, the kidneys are nourished in order to promote health and longevity.
D. Liver and Gall Bladder
The liver works very hard to filter the blood, constantly breaking down toxins and nutrients. It often becomes overworked and stagnant, creating liver heat. The gall bladder stores and releases bile, which is produced by the liver in order to eliminate cholesterol and produce a substance that will emulsify fats in digestion.
E. Heart and Small Intestine
The heart and small intestine disperse nutrients throughout the body. The heart works very hard and is damaged by yin and susceptible to heat. The small intestine relates to digestion.
F. Heart Governor and Triple Heater
The heart governor is associated with circulation. The triple heater is the metabolism of the body and chi. The three burners are the three energy centers of the body- the lower abdomen (the place of the hara), the upper abdomen, and the chest.
The heart governor is also known as the “heart constrictor” or the “pericardium”.
VI. Meridians and Tsubos
A. Conception Vessel and Governing Vessel
The conception vessel travels from the point just in front of the anus (CV1) to the mouth.
The governing vessel travels from the mouth, up over the head, down the back, and to the point just in front of the anus.
CV3, CV4, and other points in the lower abdomen are treated for menstrual problems.
Several bo points are located along the conception vessel (see below). CV3 is the bladder bo point, CV4 is small intestine, CV5 is triple heater, CV12 is stomach, CV14 is heart, and CV17 is heart governor.
GV20 is an important point that corresponds with the crown chakra.
B. Spleen and Stomach
The spleen meridian travels from the big toe, up the inside of the leg, to the abdomen.
The stomach meridian travels from just below the eye, down the front of the body, and branches before the 2nd and 3rd toes.
SP6 (“three yin meeting point”) is a very important point for menstrual problems and other problems relating to the spleen energy. SP10 is also important.
ST36 is an important point for fatigue and stomach energy in general. It is one of Ma Danyang’s 12 miraculous points, as is ST44.
C. Lung and Large Intestine
The lung meridian travels from the chest to the thumb.
The large intestine meridian travels from the index finger to the nostrils.
LG1, LG2, LG10, and LG11 are all especially important for treating lung diseases. LG7 is one of Ma Danyang’s miraculous points. It is used for migraines and wandering pains.
LI4 is important for constipation and other large intestine imbalances, and for headaches.
LI20 helps to open the sinuses and lungs. LI4 and LI11 are among Ma Danyang’s miraculous points.
D. Kidney and Bladder
The kidney meridian starts behind the ball of the foot (KD1, “bubbling spring”), travels up the leg, up in front of the torso and along the sternum.
The bladder meridian starts at the inside corners of the eyes, travels up over the head and down the neck, divides into two branches that run down the sides of the spine and back of the legs, reconnects at the knees, continues down the back of the legs, along the dises of the feet, to the pinky toe.
KD1 is a very important point for kidney problems and fatigue. KD3, KD5, KD8, and KD 10 are also very important.
The bladder points along the spine, called Yu points, are very important (see below). BL13 corresponds to the lungs, BL14 to the heart governor, BL15 to the heart, BL16 to the governing vessel, BL17 to blood, BL18 to the liver, BL19 to the gall bladder, BL20 to the spleen, BL21 to the stomach, BL22 to the triple burner, BL23 to the kidneys, BL24 to chi, BL25 to the large intestine, BL27 to the small intestines, and BL28 to the bladder.
BL1, BL2, BL36, BL40, and BL67 are also important points.
BL40, BL57, and BL60 are among Ma Danyang’s miraculous points.
E. Liver and Gall Bladder
The liver meridian starts at the big toe and travels up the shin and inside of the leg to the abdomen.
The gall bladder meridian starts at the temples, zig-zags down the sides of the head and body, and continues down the sides of the legs to the fourth toes.
LV2 and LV3 are important points. LV3 was added by Xu Feng to Ma Danyang’s original 11 miraculous points.
GB1, GB2, GB20, GB21, GB30, GB34, GB40, and GB44 are important points. GB20 and GB21 are important for stiff neck, wind invasions, and sinus congestion; and are contraindicated for pregnancy. GB30 is one of Ma’s miraculous points.
F. Heart and Small Intestine
The heart meridian starts in the armpits and travels to the little finger.
The small intestine meridian starts at the little finger and travels up the back of the arm, over the scapula, and to the area in front of the ear.
HT1 is an important point for shoulder problems. HT5 is one of Ma Danyang’s points.
SI3, SI10, SI11, SI14, and SI19 are important points. SI10 and SI11 are very good for shoulder and upper back discomfort.
G. Heart Governor and Triple Heater
The heart governor meridian starts parallel to the nipple and runs along the arm to the middle finger.
The triple heater meridian starts on the back of the ring finger and travels along the arm, up over the ear, to the end of the eyebrow.
HG1 and HG8 are important points for the heart and cirulation.
TH17, TH21, and TH23 are important points. Be careful treating TH17.
H. Twelve general points (LI4, ST36, SP6, SI10, BL40/54, GB20, GB21, GB30, LV3, CV4, CV17, GV20)
LI4 “union valley” ~ good for constipation, headaches, fatigue, wind invasion, et cetera
ST36 “leg three li” ~ good for ST and SP disorders, and for fatigue
SP6 “three yin meeting point” ~ good for SP disorders and menstrual disorders,
especially stagnation. Contraindicated for pregnancy.
SI10 “upper arm shu” ~ good for shoulder problems
BL40/54 “bend middle” ~ good for low back, leg, and knee pain and for BL disorders
GB20 “wind pond” ~ good for internal and external wind, including stiff neck
GB21 “shoulder well” ~ good for internal and external wind and shoulder problems
Contraindicated during pregnancy. Used to promote labor.
GB30 “jumping round” ~ good for sciatica, back pain, and arthritis
LV3 “great surge” ~ good for LV disorders, digestive disorders, eyesight, et cetera
CV4 “origin pass” ~ good for menstrual disorders. Bo (or Mu) point for SI.
CV17 “chest center” ~ good for HT and LG disorders. Bo point for HG.