Iokai Meridian Shiatsu

Iokai Shiatsu is a form of manual therapy with an holistic approach, based on ancient Traditional Eastern Medicine.

Iokai Shiatsu is developed by Shizuto Masunaga, who brought Shiatsu back to the original principles of Taoism. After his death, his close assistant Kazunori Sasaki continued the development and teachings. Sasaki is the current president of EISA (European Iokai Shiatsu Association) and Sensei of the Iokai Shiatsu School in Amsterdam. Head Heart Hara is trained by Sasaki Sensei and member of the Shiatsu Vereniging Nederland.

How does a Shiatsu treatment work?

Iokai Shiatsu is given in the traditional way on a Japanese cotton mattress (futon), lying on the floor. The therapist will use hands, fingers, thumbs, elbows and knees to apply pressure, stretches and rotations, while working with the meridians running through the body. In Shiatsu we work from the knowing that behind every form there is Ki, life energy. This means that behind every physical obstruction, there is a stagnation of energy. By working with the energy through the meridians, the energy flow can be rebalanced and the physical form (for example joints or muscles) or mental obstructions can be freed. We look at you as a whole and therefore the physical and mental is not seen as separated, but as connected and influenced by each other and the external world.

For who is it and what is the effect of Shiatsu?

Shiatsu treatments can support you on all levels, from physical injuries, to emotional blockages, to mental dis-balances, to spiritual growth.

You are also most welcome to book a treatment to relax and improve your general condition without a specific complaint or need. Shiatsu stimulates the self-healing ability of the body and has a strong preventive effect.

My clients experience the treatments as soft and deeply effective. Shiatsu does not push though problems, but is simply present with the right pressure to allow the body to come back to it’s natural state; a free flow of energy through the body, allowing the body and the mind to relax as one.

When is Iokai Shiatsu not suitable?

A Shiatsu treatment is not advised shortly after surgery or in case of serious viral infections or (high) fever. Iokai Shiatsu does not claim to treat diseases like cancer, but can be supportive to relief pain, side effects and improve your well-being in general.

Shiatsu is not an alternative to Western medicine, but complementary. It is always important that the modern Western diagnosis is confirmed and considered as well.