The shiatsu operator, through the ancient Japanese practice of acupressure and stimulation of the energy circulation in the meridians , helps the recovery and maintenance of physical well-being. Let’s find out better.

>   What does the shiatsu practitioner do

>   How to become a shiatsu practitioner

>   Laws in Italy and Europe

>   Curiosity

What the shiatsu practitioner does 

There is no strength in shiatsu . The shiatsu practitioner  uses the relaxed weight of the whole body . The metaphor is that of Masunaga himself , creator of one of the Shiatsu styles (the other is Namikoshi): a child walking on your back. Precisely:

“If you have ever tried to walk    

a little baby on your back,  

you know what natural pressure means “

(Shizuto Masunaga)

The practice allows the operator to acquire sensitivity, consistency. The sensation brings out the understanding of energy , which can be slow or fast, excess or stagnant.

Masunaga himself was a teacher of psychology and a Zen philosopher , his work of study and application was a continuous work of fusion and deepening. Masunaga himself had codified specific exercises for stretching and opening the meridians .

It happens that a Shiatsu operator before the session issues an informed consent form to be filled in his fields. In addition to the fields that the recipient fills in, there is information relating to the operator (for example, in the case of Gianfranco, the qualification of professional shiatsu operator, Law 4/2013, registration in the Professional Members List in the Italian Register of Shiatsu Operators of the Italian Federation of Shiatsu Teachers and Operators ). The module specifies the energetic nature of the treatment aimed at the recovery and maintenance of physical well-being. 

Become a shiatsu practitioner  

In Italy whoever becomes a Shiatsu operator with a regular course of study can enroll in the Italian Register of Shiatsu Operators. The training course usually takes place in private institutes  and schools and usually lasts three years. 

In fact, on 11 February 2013, Law no. 4 of January 14, 2013 “Provisions regarding unorganized professions”, law that regulates the activity of shiatsu operator together with all other unregulated activities. From February the professionals – shiatsu operators of the Italian Federation of Shiatsu Teachers and Operators – will be able to ask to “qualify” on the market by registering with the association and by issuing a certificate by the association that will describe all the qualifications. professional and the guarantees that are given to users.  

Beyond the school, our Shiatsu practitioner Ivana Contardi made it clear that the real difference for a shiatsu masseur is made by fundamental factors such as: 

• humility.  Ivana explains: ” A serious professional never takes anything for granted and must look at people’s medical records carefully, to understand if they have serious problems. There should be no rush to have the person extend immediately on the couch. A good professional also knows recognizing one’s limitations, that is, knowing when not to act and leaving the case to the doctor, even when he has identified the general picture of the situation. “
• the honest recognition of one’s limitations.

Ivana herself explains how essential it is for an operator to be massaged by other operators and receive the touch.

You can learn more about the techniques and benefits of shiatsu massage

The shiatsu operator in Italy and abroad 

Shiatsu practitioners in Italy also move in other directions than the pure holistic dimension. And this makes them even more special, precisely because holism proper is realized with integration.

A few examples? The operators are increasingly confronted with figures who work in the palliative care sector , in pain therapy and rehabilitation, in gynecology (especially with neonatal shiatsu ), in psychology. New models of integration of care and centrality of the relationship are being considered, the side of degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s is being explored. 

Shiatsu practitioners are also “angels” who have given support in the past following natural disasters , such as the earthquake in Abruzzo. The relationship between the Italian Shiatsu Federation and the Red Cross is very strong and is a portentous partnership, a network of pure good that runs throughout Italy. 

Even abroad, the figure of shiatsu operator enters hospitals and supports the various therapies. There is no recognition from the pure medical category, but these are steps that are also being taken in Italy.

Curiosity

The belly, the hara , the dantien is a very special place for those who receive and perform the massage. A real  “forge” of our emotions . The viscera do not synthesize and transform only food but also the emotions and unpleasant ones they store deep down. “Moving the abdomen in Shiatsu requires prior evaluation, especially in cases of deep suffering.” Ivana always explains to us.