The word Shiatsu, is Japanese for finger pressure and is a traditional massage that originated in Japan. It is traditionally performed on a mat on the floor and the receiver is fully clothed in loose, comfortable clothing. Shiatsu uses uses gentle stretching, rocking and pressure along the meridians, the intention is to bring a persons “chi”or energy flow back into balance.
Zen Shiatsu was developed by Shitzuto Masunaga, author of the book; Shiatsu, published in 1974. When it was published in English it was retitled: Zen Shiatsu by co-author Wataru Ohashi.
A difference between Masunaga’s Zen Shiatsu and earlier forms of Shiatsu is that Zen Shiatsu uses not only thumbs and palms but also fists, elbows, and knees.
The primary precept of Zen Shiatsu is the importance of remaining in a Zen-like, or meditative present state when practicing shiatsu in order that the practitioner becomes open to listening to the client’s body. The technique is based on two basic principles; nourishing weak kyo areas and dispersing excess jitsu areas. The practitioner sense the flow of qi (life force); working from the hara (belly), which is the body’s energy center; and uses perpendicular pressure to assess the health of the life force.
Masunaga expanded the meridian system, discovering extensions of the classical Chinese meridians, and developed an effective new system of hara diagnosis based on his experience as a Western-trained psychologist.