Our March workshop was held on the 31^st. A total of 12 members attended. The theme of this workshop was “treatments which match client’s chief complaints”. During the workshop, each treatment was set at 15-20 minutes in order for each of the participants could partner-up with KIYOSHI-sensei.

It is fundamental to ask clients about his/her chief complaints, to set up a treatment plan based on these complaints, and then to finish the treatment in the specified amount of time. This workshop provided a very good chance to practice these three fundamental steps. This was especially great for myself as I have just started to work at our clinics.

While we worked on each partner, they would advise us as to how we were doing and what we should be adjusting to be more effective. I was thankful that I was able to receive advice from each partner while I was working on them. I think this is one of the best advantages of practicing Shiatsu in the environment compared to real treatments with clients in the clinics.

During this workshop I was also able to get a better sense of a problem which had been bothering me. I had been having trouble with the direction and angles of applying pressure. When I treated IKUKO-sensei, she said “Oh, almost.” So I just changed the direction of my pressure without moving my thumb from its position. At that point IKUKO-sensei said “That’s the point!” I was not only happy because I had found the correct angle of pressure but also that I was able to feel the difference between the correct angle and the incorrect angle.

Another thing I re-realized was the effectiveness of palm pressure. To be honest, I had thought that palm pressure paled in comparison to thumb pressure. However, KIYOSHI-sensei chose mainly palm pressure for treating my severe back pain! I was able to feel the tension around the waist be released by the application of palm pressure and feel muscle stretching. KIYOSHI-sensei skilfully adjusted the depth, rhythm, and direction of pressure.

Though Shiatsu skill depends on how many treatments the therapist has given, I’ve heard that to receive Shiatsu treatments is also very important aspect of improving one’s skills. I’ve only attended this workshop twice, but I’m looking forward to attending the next workshop to be able to have the opportunity to receive treatment as well as to be able to give treatments while my partner guides my success.

The workshop is paradise for me; it does not only teach me Shiatsu skills but also gives me the opportunity to receive comfortable treatments by experienced therapists.                                                                               (Reported by Yoshimi)

There are 3 things that I think we need to help us improve our Shiatsu skills. The first is to learn by watching treatments which other members are doing. The second is to remember how it feels to receive treatments by taking treatments. The last thing I feel helps us to improve our skills is giving many treatments.

While working at the clinic, I get worried sometimes, wondering if I have applied pressure properly in the correct points. During the workshops I have attended, my partners have giving me feedback about the pressure I was using as I was giving treatments. Their comments have helped me to get an idea about how my pressure may have been felt by the clients in our clinics.

Because there are 9 Shiatsu therapists attending this past workshop, there were many treatments occurring which enabled me to be able to those 3 things. 1) Watching treatments being given 2) Taking treatments to remember the feeling 3) Giving treatments to apply your knowledge.

I’d like to keep improving my skills in Shiatsu by continuing to refine these 3 steps. I really appreciate the workshops which we held, because they give me the opportunity to develop, practice and learn a wide variety of styles.                                                                                                 ( Reported by Yusuke)