Shiatsu Diploma Course
Spring 2024 - In Tallinn, Estonia.
This is the module course and will consist of a preliminary 6 modules that are required to become a professional shiatsu practitioner. This is a life-changing study!
I TCM, SHIATSU AND ZEN SHIATSU THEORY:
- Understanding of Qi/Ki.
- Oriental cosmology; Concept of Yin – Yang and further relationships.
- Theory and effects of shiatsu.
- Theory of tsubos and touch.
- Five Element Theory with classical meridian systems.
- 8 Principles and Zang Fu.
- Zen Shiatsu.
- Location of important tsubos and their principle energetic actions.
- Point contra-indications under certain conditions.
- Manifestation of meridian energies; character and functioning of meridians in relation to (TCM, Shiatsu, Zen Shiatsu).
- Holistic understanding of health; unity of body-mind spirit.
- Principles of acupressure.
II TREATMENT AND TECHNIQUES
1. Treatment positions.
2. Shiatsu pressure (leaning, palm, elbow, knees, feet).
3. Perceptual development: appropriate depth and length of time.
4. Other treatment techniques (holding, vibrating, rotating).
5. Movement from and awareness of Hara.
6. Energy flow from Hara to hands.
7. Working from Hara / working with the whole body.
8. Alignment and release of spine and joints.
9. Mother hand principle.
10. Joint rotations.
11. Meridian stretching and stretching of limbs.
12. Working with meridian flow according to shiatsu theory studied.
13. Tonification and sedation techniques.
14. Symptomatic shiatsu.
15. Quality of pressure according to element theory.
16. Moxa.
17. Acupressure.
18. Basic dietetics.
19. Ampuku.
III SELF-DEVELOPMENT AS A THERAPIST
1. Exercises for enhancement of perception and harmonisation.
2. Meridian exercises.
4. Writing up treatment reports.
5. Experience of shiatsu ie. treatments from professional practitioners, treatments to professional practitioners and feedback.
6. A mode of checking and registering development and changes.
IV CLIENT OBSERVATION, ENERGETIC EVALUATION AND DIAGNOSTICS
1. Principles of evaluation: asking, looking, hearing and smelling, touching.
2. Evaluation from meridians, hara and back zones.
3. Back Shu/Yu and Front Mu/Bo points.
4. Evaluation during treatment, through stretching, rotations, or on meridians and points.
5. Evaluation strategy.
6. Clinical Practice (as near as possible to a real clinic situation in order to develop professional confidence).
7. Facial diagnostics
8. Tongue diagnostics
9. Case histories analysis of data gathered according to modes studied
10. Ethical principles – code of professional conduct and ethics.
V WESTERN MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE
1. General anatomy of bones, muscles and joints.
2. Physiology: body systems from a Western viewpoint.
3. Pathology: symptoms of illness and syndromes.
4. Contraindications for shiatsu “prohibited points”.
VI OTHER ESSENTIAL ASPECTS
1. Empathy development.
2. Self-reflection.
3. Perception.
4. Personality development in the terms of the shiatsu-meeting.
5. Listening and communication skills.
6. Possibilities, limits and contra-indications of shiatsu.
7. Principles of touch in general, first contact and intention.
8. Ethics fundamentals.
9. Incident awareness and handling difficult situations.
10. Professional practice development.
VII PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SELF EXPLORATION
- Meditation
- Body alignment, movement and awareness training
- Training in small groups, tutorials or similar format.
- Treatments done under supervision or in class
- Treatment in presence of class members
- Self development essay, including an analysis of one-s own energetic patterns from an OM perspective.
- Counceling communication.
- Breathing practice / Training
- Case analysis in groups and alone
MINIMUM CLASS HOURS:
20 class hours: Anatomy. Anatomical terms, bones, muscles with origins and insertions etc.
20 class hours: Physiology. Functions of body systems – skin, respiration, circulation, lymphatic, nervous, uro-genital, digestive, endocrine etc.
20 class hours: Pathology. Diseases with signs and symptoms
140 class hours: Oriental Medicine Theory. Two out of three Oriental Medical approaches need to be studied in this time: Zen Shiatsu Theory – 8 Principles and Zang Fu etc – 5 Elements Theory.
230 class hours: Practical 4 treatment patterns – prone, supine, side and sitting, hands elbows knees etc., meridians and points, qualities of touch, sensitivity, ki connection, self-development posture etc.
20 class hours: Various Client and clinic management, communication skills, examinations, etc
450 class hours in total
At least 100 treatments done during the study and case studies written in terms of TCM, Shiatsu and Zen Shiatsu submitted in the written format.