TRAINING
At Tokyo’s Japan Shiatsu College students take 2,145 hours of classes as part of a three-year course
shoulder stiffness to depression. Each application of shiatsu works as a diagnosis, with the practitioner using hands and fingers to assess the body’s condition, identify abnormalities, decide which vital points to apply pressure to and, finally, determine the level of pressure that should be applied during the treatment. He recommends treatment times of between 60 and 90 minutes per session, costing JPY13,000 (US$105, €94, £67) and JPY18,000 (US$145, €130, £93) respectively.
Long life Although he’s unable to disclose the details of individual cases, Namikoshi explains that there are several physical benefits of shiatsu: “From circulatory to digestive system diseases and modern complaints such as insomnia or stress, shiatsu can help by invigorating the cells of the body and promoting natural healing. Specifically, it can revitalize the skin, soften the muscles, stimulate the circulation of body fluids, regulate neural functions, balance the endocrine system, adjust skeletal alignment and regulate the alimentary system.” While shiatsu is recognised as a preventative healthcare system in Japan, Namikoshi is soon to collaborate with a renowned hospital to procure medical evidence of its benefits. He hopes this will convince practitioners around the world that shiatsu can be integral to improving life expectancy and promoting good health. At present, it’s only possible for
Japanese nationals to study for an official licence at one of 20 recognised schools in
92
spabusiness.com issue 3 2015 ©CYBERTREK 2015
The foundation is looking into developing a spa education
programme that would enable an international shiatsu licence outside Japan
the country, including ones for the deaf or blind. They are run independently but all teach under conditions set and guided by the regulations of the Ministry of Health. At Tokyo’s Japan Shiatsu College, for example, students take 2,145 hours of classes as part of a three-year curriculum that incorporates physiology, anatomy, pathology and shiatsu theories. On average, a course costs JPY5m (US$40,410, €36,090, £25,470) and is followed by a state exam that students must pass to practice as a shiatsu therapist in Japan. The Tokyo-based school has an attached
treatment centre that is currently run by another of Tokujiro’s grandsons.
International reach For spa therapists interested in the correct application of the technique outside Japan, there’s a detailed guidebook available upon request from the International Shiatsu Foundation office in Tokyo. Namikoshi also believes it’s essential for spa therapists to be given the opportunity to learn from shiatsu masters who’ve been authorised by the foundation. “Elements such as positioning of the therapist, direction of movement and application of weight can only be learnt by watching demonstrations given by an experienced master,” he points out.
As one of 20 foundation directors
or masters, Namikoshi attends international shiatsu conferences, giving two to three day seminars as far afield as Europe and North America. To date, spa and beauty therapists in Holland, Madrid, New
York and Vancouver have attended his seminars – a mix of lectures, master classes and workshops. It’s through these international events that Namikoshi works to highlight his family’s therapeutic practice. While he’s aware that other styles have developed outside his grandfather’s teaching, he explains that it’s difficult to compare manipulative therapies without practising them personally. So, education about the true technique remains key. Looking to the future, Namikoshi is
building up affiliations with institutions such as the Dutch Shiatsu Academy in the hope that this network will become large and influential enough to pave the way for international certification. The foundation is also looking into developing a spa education programme that would enable such an international licence to be offered to outside Japan. “My dream,” he concludes, “is that we’ll be able to establish an international school or programme through which we can offer instruction and an official licence around the world.” ●
Neena Dhillon writes about spa, hotel and travel trends around the world Email: ndhillon@
spabusiness.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126