Date: January 26, 2010
Theme: Tubo of Aze
Attendant: Ikenaga-sensei, Yoko-sensei, Kazumi-sensei, Keita-sensei, Akiko-sensei, Toshinori-san,Toshiya-san, Mariko

Firstly, we simply introduced ourselves for Toshiya-san and Toshinori-san, who just joined ISI. Then Akiko-sense explained about how the continuing professional education started and its purpose, and also Yoko-sensei reaffirmed the meaning of ISI. After that, Kiyoshi-sensei talked about tubo of Aze that was the same theme of the last workshop in briefly.  Regarding tubo of Aze and Kai-atsu, please refer to Akiko’s report of the last workshop and Kiyoshi-sense’s blog at any time.

After Kiyoshi-sensei’s lecture, he gave us a demonstration of the treatment.  Kiyoshi sensei told us that the demonstration is just a sample approach, so as long as you follow the basics faithfully, then he hopes you can build it up on your way.  The model for the demonstration was myself.

It was the treatment of lumbar pain disorder:  Alleviating tension in the abdomen often results in relation of the lumbar region as well, but due to limited time, Kiyoshi-sensei started the treatment with myself in the prone position.

Firstly, Kiyoshi-sensei checked to see if the spine was straight or not. The cause of lower back pain could be the abnormality of hip joint angle→the length of the legs become different→scoliosis. Or the cause could by scoliosis→the abnormality of  hip joint ‘s angle→the length of the legs become different.

Objective : Treatment seeks to improve blood flow and eliminate muscle tightness and alleviate pain.

Treatment  :Kiyoshi-sensei performed basic shiatsu from infrascapular to the sacral region. The infrascapular regions were treated extensively in the three lines running along the spine. Then he treated the gluteal, posterior and lateral femoral and posterior crural regions. With the patient in the spine position,  Kiyoshi-sensei checked the length of the legs again, then performed basic shiatsu in the shorter leg first, from the inguinal region to the lateral crural region, then proceeded to the longer leg.  Lastly, Kiyoshi-sensei regulated the length of the legs, by giving lateral rotation of the hip joint of the shorter leg, and medial rotation of the hip joint of the longer leg.

Kiyoshi-sensei paid attention to my response carefully during the whole treatment. He treated around the joints especially thoroughly, and also he caught and treated the points where I noticed there was something going on as well, treating with extra care. His pressure was pleasurable, which meant Kai-atsu for myself. If I were to be treated again on another day, the pressure points and also the way of treatment would be different from the above, to adjust to my body condition.
This is the way of the treatment based on tubo of Aze.

After Kiyoshi-sensei’s demonstration, I asked him about some questions I had.

Q: There are clients who want more and more pressure. Does satisfying the client mean giving him more pressure?

A: I do not give strong pressure because of the client’s demand. Satisfying the client does not mean meeting his selfish demand. It means making the customer happy by giving proper Shiatsu.

Keita continued by asking Kiyoshi-sensei a question.

Q: My client, who had a car accident 10 years ago, wants strong pressure every time because his whole body was tight as a wall. How can I make him satisfied?

A: Intend to take 10 years to get over it, because it took 10 years to build up the condition.

The OS with whom I work with can make various clients happy by his shiatsu treatments that follow the principle of shiatsu faithfully. I am wondering what my shiatsu lacks. I feel that having good communication with each client is also important. I am sure that I need more experience.  If I come across a difficulty, what I can do is to ask myself if my shiatsu is based on the principle of shiatsu that is “vertical pressure,” “sustained pressure,” and “concentrated.”  And also ask if I can catch right points or give pleasurable pressure to the client, while constantly seeking to improve my shiatsu technique.

After Kiyoshi-sensei’s demonstration, we treated each other. I gave Kiyoshi-sensei shiatsu treatment because he offered to see if my pressure was weak. He advised me to add more “fluid pressure method” (to make change of the feeling of touch), and to relax my shoulder. Whenever I try to put more strength, my shoulder and arms lose flexibility and sensitivity.  It was good to confirm that the other staff have stable posture and position that gives pressure by weight movement. And also there are things I could learn from the exchange with the new staff as well. Attending the meeting, I was able to recognize again what I need to learn to improve my shiatsu. (Reported by Mariko)

A lecture for Lumbar pain	Shiatsu practice each other