Specialized Treatment of Joints
These treatment protocols are unique because their emphasis is on joint spaces, in addition to anatomical structures. The techniques presented in this workshop represent a synthesis of training by Asian bonesetters, European osteopaths, and American chiropractors.The techniques presented in this workshop represent a synthesis of training by Asian bonesetters, European osteopaths, and American chiropractors.

They have proven effective on complaints such as:
• Sports injuries
• Repetitive motion syndromes
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Pain syndromes

In this workshop you will learn new methods to:

• Enter the joint space
• Modify your hand usage
• Identify the best treatment strategy
• Introduce a pattern of free movement
• Catalyze the healing response
• Return the flow of Qi to the joint
• Reduce pain and restore use
• Increase flexibility and strength
• Facilitate range of motion
• Locate kyo points for stronger effect

Open to practitioners and advanced students of all styles of manual therapy, including all types of bodywork, physical therapy, chiropractic and acupuncture.

Visceral Manipulation
When stress, surgery, injury, etc. cause organs to move out of normal position, complaints such as shoulder pain, back pain, heartburn, constipation, headache, menstrual discomfort, headache, fatigue and general malaise may result. In addition to alleviating these symptoms, Visceral Manipulation elicits a fundamental cellular response that promotes, strengthens and supports the immune system. It can be done with or without lubricant, making it easy to incorporate into any treatment plan. 

In these workshops you will learn to stimulate and/or re-position the following:

• Weekend 1 - Spleen, Colon, Sigmoid, Ileocecal Valve, Small intestine
• Weekend 2 - Abdominal lymph, Cervical lymph, Spleen & Liver & Pump, Diaphram
• Weekend 3 - Gall Bladder, Liver, Stomach, Bladder, Uterus

Open to practitioners and advanced students of all styles of manual therapy, including all types of bodywork, physical therapy, chiropractic and acupuncture.

Hara: The Fine Art of Ampuku
The hara is equally as effective for treatment as it is for assessing the energetic imbalances of the meridians. Ampuku (treatment of the abdomen) produces deep relaxation and starts the healing response. It strengthens and supports the immune system, increases peristaltic action, promotes good sleep and digestion, and generally lifts the spirits.

In this workshop you will learn:

• Hara assessment areas
• Meridians and points in the Hara
• Techniques for palms, fingers and thumbs
• Protocols for specific health complaints
• Special techniques for “calming the shen”
• How to attune your energy to your therapeutic goal

Open to practitioners and advanced students of acupuncture and Asian bodywork therapy.

Meridian Sensitivity
This workshop develops your sense of touch so that you can identify each meridian’s unique energetic “feel”. Starting with the 12 bilateral meridians, you will progress to the extended meridians of Zen Shiatsu by recognizing each channel’s vibration at additional locations on the body.

Meditative palpation exercises will show you how to:

• Develop and refine sensitivity in your hands
• Perceive each meridian’s unique vibration
• Differentiate between muscle and meridian energy

Open to practitioners and students familiar with the 14 regular meridians.

The KYO/JITSU Reaction
There is no kyo without jitsu, nor is there jitsu without kyo. Putting kyo/jitsu theory into practice produces a particular reaction in the hara that is felt upon palpation. The reaction defines the true meridian “diagnosis” or assessment.

In this workshop you will learn:

• Functions and key words
• Shapes of hara diagnostic areas
• Correct angles of palpation
• Assessment touch vs. treatment touch

Prerequisite: Hara:The Fine Art of Ampuku; Meridian Sensitivity or comparable training.

Interpreting KYO/JITSU
Once you have found the Kyo/Jitsu Reaction, you need to combine and synthesize the individual kyo and jitsu components into one meaningful composite. The story of the composite expands your understanding and dictates your treatment strategy.

In this workshop you will learn:
• Meridian manifestations
• Three types of tsubo
• Six types of kyo and jitsu
• To manipulate your technique to affect the physical and energetic anatomy alignment

Prerequisite: The Kyo/Jitsu Reaction

Shiatsu in a Quantum World
What happens when we blend the modern knowledge of quantum physics with the ancient wisdom of Asian medicine ? Our awareness expands beyond the 3-dimensional world to a multi-dimensional realm where infinite potentials for healing become accessible. Using the expanded meridian system of Masunaga's Zen Shiatsu - but with some paradigm shifts - this workshop is based on the groundbreaking Quantum Shiatsu® of Pauline Sasaki

In this workshop you will learn:
• The expanded energetic body
• Delineations of ki
• The nature of "mindset"
• How to change the pattern of ki

Open to practitioners and students who know the extended meridians of Zen Shiatsu.

Personal Totems for Bodyworkers
Meeting your Animal Totems is a profound experience. It deepens your intuition and awareness. It improves your body mechanics and promotes peace and power in your practice of massage and bodywork.

Through guided visualization and Journeying techniques of the Cherokee tradition you will

• Meet two of your Personal Totems
• See how their attributes pertain to you
• Assume the characteristics that help you do your work
• Cultivate the bond between yourself and your Totems
• Acquire assistance in the healing of your clients

Open to practitioners and students of all styles and all levels of bodywork.

Zen Shiatsu Speciality
Zen Shiatsu is the creation of the late Dr. Shizuto Masunaga, master diagnostician and practitioner.
In Japan, Zen Shiatsu is a graduate level of study that follows the nationally required two-year training. Zen Shiatsu aspires to elevate the practitioner’s abilities beyond balancing Yin/Yang and Zang/Fu. It develops compassionate touch into a healing force that strengthens the body/mind/spirit connection. This course provides a solid foundation in the theory and practice of Zen Shiatsu. Designed as a series of weekend or residential segments, each workshop is complete within itself and builds upon the one previous to it. Students can stop where they like or go as far as they want.

Taken together these workshops result in 168 hours that fulfill national standards for training within an Asian bodywork discipline.between Zen Shiatsu and other methods of Asian Bodywork Therapy:

• The Extended Meridian System that places all 12 bilateral meridians in the arms and all 12 in the legs.
• Meridian stretch positions for the limbs that bring the meridian’s energy to the surface, making them easier to access and affect during treatment
• A comprehensive inventory of the physical and psychological manifestations of meridian imbalance
• The famous map of the Hara that shows a corresponding relationship between abdominal areas and meridians
• The Kyo/Jitsu Theory with its innovative assessment technique

Pre-requisite: Graduation from an NCCAOM or AOBTA approved program or an equivalent working knowledge
of the classical meridian system and permission from the instructor