Meridian Shiatsu - Free Form
by Kaz Kamiya

Running time:  Approx. 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Available in VHS and PAL formats

Meridian Shiatsu is based on the teachings of Shizuto Masunaga and Kaz Kamiya.  Shiatsu means 'finger-pressure':  precise, comfortable pressure applied to the body to help balance body and mind, and triggering our own, natural healing powers.  According to Oriental medicine, these healing powers depend  largely on the smooth flow of "life energy" or "ki", to all parts of our bodies along channels called meridians.  Disease, discomfort, fatigue, or excessive emotional distress can occur when the free flow of ki is interrupted - perhaps too much energy has stagnated in an area, or not enough is getting there.  In  Meridian Shiatsu,  we learn to feel for imbalances in the body.  We learn to read distortions in the flow of ki throughout the entire person as well as at local reacting points.  The pattern of  distortion that we identify in an individual is referred to in Japanese as "sho".  Kyo and jitsu are the terms  used to describe an individual's sho.  Kyo refers to a condition of deficiency, or lack of ki.  Jitsu refers to a condition of excess, an excess of ki.  In Meridian Shiatsu, our intent is to rebalance the deficiency, or stimulating the return of ki to a kyo, or deficient area.  The jitsu, or excess, areas normalize as kyo is tonified.  
"Treat kyo first" is our motto!

 

     

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Shiatsu Stretching
by Kaz Kamiya

Running Time:   Approx. 1 hour
Available in VHS format only

In Japan, shiatsu is often called "shiatsu Seitai" rather than just shiatsu.  Seitai means "to balance and regulate the body".  It also has the meaning "to stretch".  It is useful to do shiatsu before applying seitai.  Shiatsu warms up the body and opens "ki" channels, seitai corrects muscle distortion.  Some shiatsu therapists use only pressure techniques for their shiatsu treatment.  Other therapists use varying amounts of stretching in their shiatsu treatments depending on their depth of knowledge and understanding.

I have named this technique "Shiatsu Stretching and Seitai Balance Therapy" because I wanted to show stretches as an integral part of the shiatsu treatment, just as important as the pressure method.  Thorough stretching normalizes distortion of muscles and meridians and aligns the body immediately.  Stretching is a great accompaniment to a shiatsu treatment - the treatments will be more effective and its effects will last longer.

Kaz Kamiya

       
Click above to view clip of Shiatsu Stretching!