Shiatsu: Massage to balance energy flow

Massage is a common way to relieve stress, tiredness and muscle tension. Shiatsu is a unique Japanese style of massage which treats the same meridian system of the body used in acupuncture.

Like no other massage

Shiatsu brings the body into balance by moving Ki (energy) in the meridians. The practitioner moves Ki from areas where there is too much to areas where there is not enough. When someone has tight shoulders and a weak lower back, for example, there is too much Ki in the upper back and not enough in the lower back. Another example would be headaches and cold feet. Shiatsu can address these energy imbalances through the gentle application of pressure to the acupuncture meridians.

Unlike other massage styles where the practitioners use their own muscle strength when working on the body, Shiatsu is much gentler. It focuses on moving the flow of the receiver’s Ki at a deeper level. During the session the practitioner quietly concentrates on the transfer of energy and balancing the body. The receiver experiences warmth and a gentle touch which is deeply relaxing. 

Bill Deng
Shiatsu Practitioner

• Session lasts about 1 hour
• RM80 per session
• Contact Bill Deng 016 209 8040 for appointment

I trained in Shiatsu with the renowned British teacher Graham Crisp, founder of Ki Kai Shiatsu School in London. I was amazed at its subtlety and depth as soon as I encountered it, not only because it is so different from other forms of massage in its concepts and techniques but because it treats on a much deeper level. In this sense it is not just a massage but an alternative therapy like acupuncture. Authentic Shiatsu is hard to find in KL and this has strengthened my resolve to introduce it in its genuine form.

My personal experience

Usually after a session you will feel very relaxed. Sometimes you may feel tired. This will not last long, and a good sleep after Shiatsu is very therapeutic. After this you may experience a lift in energy and a prolonged feeling of relaxation and well-being.

What to expect after a session

Shiatsu is given on a futon on the floor, which allows the practitioner to use his body weight to apply pressure instead of using his muscle strength. Shiatsu means ‘finger pressure’ in Japanese but during a session the practitioner may use his fingers, palms, elbows and even his feet to apply pressure to various parts of the body. Just as in meditation or martial arts, the practitioner concentrates on his hara and breathing to focus his energy during the treatment.

Shiatsu is given though clothing. There is no need to undress but is better to wear loose clothes. A treatment is usually 45 minutes to an hour long, starting on your back and moving on to the front of the body. By the end of a session you will feel very relaxed, even sleepy.

To people who are used to massage, Shiatsu is a completely different experience. Since it requires focus and concentration to feel the Ki there is little exchange of words during the treatment. The techniques are slow and gentle; so gentle some people might feel nothing is happening. This is certainly not the case. As Shiatsu works on a deeper level than massage, it usually produces stronger and more long lasting effects.

What happens in a session

Oran Kivity Holistic Services Sdn. Bhd.  2008