Bodywork

What is Shiatsu?

Shiatsu is based on the teaching of the 5 phases of change and in its origins represents work on the client's meridians (energy lines) and is supposed to set Qi (energy) in motion. The practitioner uses fingers, hands, elbows and knees and works partly with gentle, partly with intense pressure as well as with rotations, stretches and rhythmic movements on the recipient's body. The treatment takes place on the clothed client and is carried out on the floor on a special mat.

How does Shiatsu affect our nervous system?

Topics: stress, tension, burnout and activation of self-healing powers

Through careful touch, meridian work, and special treatment techniques, we bring the client's vegetative nervous system into a parasympathetic state. In this state (relaxed muscles, deep breathing, calm heartbeat), the rest functions (including repair functions of the cells) are stimulated in the body - in contrast to the sympathetic state, in which the body is able to escape and attack functions (increased blood pressure, higher lung activity, etc.) initiates.

In today's world, stress and excessive demands in private and professional life are often a basic condition and therefore the sympathetic nervous system is excessively activated. The control between the parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves is not subject to our free will and can therefore not be stimulated independently (with the exception of special meditation techniques such as zazen, yoga, etc.).

One of the two states is always active, either the parasympathetic or the sympathetic. Simultaneous activation is not possible, which is important for understanding the consequences of a persistent sympathetic state. A corresponding form of treatment can be of decisive importance here (e.g. burnout treatment and prevention).

Furthermore, the appropriately trained Shiatsu practitioner can identify asymmetries or states of stress and weakness in the client's body, which indicate permanent physical and psychological stress and strive to resolve these states in the treatment and offer alternatives.