YIN SHIATSU

Unlike western-style massage which uses oil and more of a sweeping, stroking movement, Japanese massage involves kneading and applying pressure to relieve tension. Massage in Japan has traditionally been the craft of the blind and practitioners develop an extraordinary sensitivity and ability to ‘read’ the body through touch.

Shiatsu means “finger pressure” and works in a similar way to acupuncture, by stimulating specific points to promote healing and release tension.

I practise “Yin Shiatsu”, which can be translated as ‘deep’ shiatsu. In oriental philosophy – put very simply – ‘yin’ relates to the inside and to depth, in contrast to ‘yang’ which expresses the quality of the outside or surface. Yin shiatsu is based on a highly sophisticated theory of the relationship between the internal organs and different parts of the body and how they interact. Yin Shiatsu was developed by Dr Noboyuki Takeuchi at the Akahigedo Clinic in Tokyo.

In practical terms Yin Shiatsu involves the application of pressure using the fingers and elbows to reach areas of deep-seated muscle and tendon stiffness. Surprisingly, it is often not where the pain is felt that is the root of the problem and your treatment may involve work on other areas.

This intense form of massage is incredibly effective in releasing tension and muscular contractions and is therefore of great benefit to professional athletes and dancers who need rapid and targeted relief. Yin Shiatsu is generally used in conjunction with acupuncture and moxibustion for maximum effectiveness.