The Art of Zen Shiatsu DVD

By Byron Barth L.Ac.

This video includes the detailed demonstration of many advanced Shiatsu techniques and theories of Traditional Oriental Medicine, and as such it is best suited for the student and professional. However, with careful viewing and practice, even a novice will find many of the over 100 techniques demonstrated easy to learn and very effective for in-home therapy and casual usage.

Detailed Product Description:

Included in this 2.5 hour video is a 20-minute demonstration and explanation of the 6-meridian or “Makko-Ho” stretching exercises. These “yoga-like” stretches were developed by Masunaga and have become widely associated with the practice of Shiatsu as they stretch the paired meridians in the circadium order of Qi as it flows through the body.

The massage section of the video begins with an 8-minute Hara palpation, diagnosis and treatment. Graphic overlays depict the “Hara map”, and detailed narration explains the Hara, kyo and jitsu and their importance in both treatment and Shiatsu diagnosis.

The 2-hour Shiatsu demonstration includes meridian and point treatment on all of the 12 TCM meridians. The arm and leg portions of 9 of the 12 TCM meridians are fully addressed; SP, LV, ST, HT, PC, LI, SJ, LU, and BL. Specific points and partial meridian sections are addressed on all other channels; KD, SI, and GB. Graphic overlays courtesy of Peter Deadman's “A Manual of Acupuncture” display all relevant meridians and acu-points.

Also included are detailed treatment protocols for the Hara, legs, arms, sacrum and gluteal region, upper and lower back, hands, feet, and chest along with numerous stretches for the back, hips, gluts and neck.

NOTE: Due to the universal understanding of the 12-main Traditional Chinese Medicine meridians this video focuses on the treatment of these TCM meridians. Once the main shiatsu sequence (kata), techniques, principles and theories are understood the practitioner can easily incorporate Masunaga's expanded meridian system into treatment as desired.

For the educational value and to avoid repetition for the viewer Byron depicts the use of different hand techniques and postures with each pass of each meridian. The right and left sides of the body are also treated using different techniques. The right side depicts standard thumb and bent knuckle techniques, while the left side primarily depicts the use of elbow techniques. Several advanced knee and foot techniques are also depicted.

Although these techniques are performed on the floor in traditional “Zen Shiatsu” style most of the over 100 techniques demonstrated are easily transferred to the table for the Acupuncture and massage therapists who prefer to work on a table. “The Art of Zen Shiatsu”, was 1.5 years in the making.

The Music for, “The Art of Zen Shiatsu”, was mixed from four inspirational shakuhachi and koto artists including: Jeff Cairns & Izumi Fujikawa (“Silent Letters, Secret Pens”), Reiko Obata (“The Sound of Kiri”), and Derek Van Choice.