ZENSHIATSU
Layers of Touch
WHAT IS SHIATSUMASSAGE?
ORIGIN, PHILOSOPHY, QI
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​Shiatsu or Shiatsu massage originated in Japan and is rooted in ancient, Far Eastern life principles and philosophies. In these the body and mind, and all bodily functions, are seen as inseparable parts of one Whole. They are governed by the same Vital Life Energy; Qi / Ki ), which flows through the body's meridian pathways. These insights form an integral part of the approach to both man and health and are a fundamental understanding in Shiatsu. Quite contrary to the western approach, this model sees health as a much larger field of interacting forces and elements, in which our symptom is part of us. Health is a case of balanced energy rather than the absence of a visible physical symptom to be weight and measured. In addition the symptoms act as messengers for the underlying imbalance and Kyo; the cause of the ​imbalance.
Igennem Shiatsu bringer vi lys til de glemte afkroge af vores væsen
SHIATSU AS MASSAGE OR BODYTHERAPY
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Shiatsu massage is a versatile form of treatment that has proven very effective in the treatment of specific symptoms and problems (especially in regards to various pain problems, muscle tension, difficulty sleeping, etc.).
Regardless of whether you come for a longer therapeutic course of treatments or once, Shiatsu provides a sense of relief, more space and peace in the body, and relaxation.
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However, it is the journey to the deeper layers and the real reason behind the symptom, that I personally am most drawn to. It is here that Shiatsu really proves an amazing tool.
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Because I basically work with what goes on underneath any immediate symptom, you will sometimes experience me pressing places thought irrelevant and feel changes in other parts, prior to the change of a longlasting symptom.
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With Shiatsu as body therapy, you should know that you are going into a process, equal to other forms of therapy and treatment. For long-term imbalances, you often have to count on a minimum of 3 - 5 treatments.
Symptoms of imbalances can range from emotional, to mental and physical ones.
Uanset om du kommer for et længerevarende terapeutisk forløb eller én gang, vil du opleve en følelse af lindring, mere plads i kroppen, mere ro i sindet og afspænding. ​ Det er dog  rejsen til de dybere lag og den reelle årsag af symptomet, jeg personligt er allermest tiltrukket af. Det er her hvor Shiatsu for alvor udfolder sig som et fantastisk redskab. ​ Med Shiatsu som kropsterapi, er det godt at du gør dig bevidst  at du bevæger dig ud i en proces, på lige fod med andre terapi- og behandlingsformer. Ved længerevarende ubalancer må du ofte regne med et minimum af 3 - 5 behandlinger. ​ Disse kan være af emotionel og stemningsrelateret og fysisk karakter.
hvile, samt fordøjelsesproblemer mm.  peger ligeledes i retning af ubalancer. Gode spørgsmål at stille os selv kan være. "Er jeg uoplagt / oplagt / energisk?". "Er jeg altid træt?" "Har jeg kræfter til at løfte/ tage mig af mig?" "Oplever jeg livslyst og livsglæde? Eller føler jeg mig isoleret eller drænet?" "Har jeg adgang til ro i mig?" Alle disse spørgsmål giver os et indlik i vores umiddelbare tilstand og energi. Og er relevante spørgsmål  være nysgerrige omkring.
SYMPTOMS​
Some of the first sings of imbalance can be: feeling persistently unsettled, or on the contrary, being continuously ecstatic. Persistent tiredness and exhaustion despite rest, diffuse pain, difficulty sleeping, having difficulty finding inner peace, and worry etc. are oftentimes signs 0f imbalance too.
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Good questions to ask ourselves can be. "Am I energetic/ clear / motivated, or unenergetic etc.?" "Do I feel tired all the time?" "Do I have the ability/strength to take care for myself?" "Do I experience pleasure and zest for life? Or do I feel isolated or drained?" "Can I enter a state of calm? And do I have peace of mind?" All these questions give us insight into our immediate state and energy. And are relevant questions to ask ourselves every now and then.
BODY AND MIND CONNECTION
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Through the meridians we can come into close contact with the flow of Qi, and can form a broader picture of the human condition as a whole. Blockages, emptiness and overactivity in the meridians will all make themselves known on several different levels of our existence, and can be expressed as illness, emotional imbalances, stress, burnout, discomfort etc.
Since the body, the mind, the outside world and our lives are in constant interaction with each other, problems in one of these layers or parts will also affect other parts and aspects of us and our lives. Which means that physical problems not only affect our body, but several layers. The same applies to emotional challenges etc.
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Concretely, this means that we rarely feel really good, full of energy, or joy, if we suffer from pain and physical discomfort, for example. Conversely, our physical well-being will be affected by emotional pressure and worries.
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SHIATSU STARTS WHERE WE ARE NOT
the principle of Kyo
Two phrases that my teacher has repeated frequently resonate quite strongly: "Where were we not?" and "Back to the future.". Both point to some of the key elements and the essence of Zen Shiatsu.
"Where were we not?"; an expression of the principle of Kyo [kjo]; the empty, the hidden, the part of us where we are not, the unconscious, or that which we have moved away from. Dear child has many names.
Shiatsu starts right here!
Because it is in the parts where we are not that the cause of our symptom/imbalance lies. Kyo describes the phenomenon of the parts of us that are no longer harmoniously connected in us.
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By finding and pressing the areas of the body and the meridians that are Kyo, we have the opportunity to strengthen, revitalize and bring consciousness (us) back to those parts of us with which we have fallen out of touch. This is how we ere are enabled to understand, change, re-integrate, and heal what may need healing so that our natural balance can be restored/maintained.
~ Thich Nhat Hanh ~
If you touch one thing with deep awareness,
you touch everything.
SHIATSU AS A PREVENTATIVE TREATMENT
Traditionally Shiatsu has been widely used as a preventive treatment, to support and balance the energy, and thus the person continuously, so that both body and mind are, and remain resilient, strong, and balanced. It is from a balanced state that we are strongest, both to meet the internal (emotional/mental) and external challenges we face on our way. This holds true also when it comes to preventing physical illnesses or healing them. Despite the strong preventive effect, however, Shiatsu is far from only beneficial in a preventative context. Its holistic and balancing approach and effect promote overall health and well-being and open up the possibility of a deeper contact with ourselves so that we are supported on all levels.
