Shiatsu intention
I was under the misapprehension that the skill of an acupuncturist was in diagnosis and point selection. I have never considered that the manner in which the needle is inserted into the body mattered. From an observer’s point of view this appears to be a skill similar to a Western doctor using a syringe.
I was greatly educated by Eric’s post Acupuncture is more than just needles. This article discusses the self-cultivation, technique and focus required to ensure that each needle makes contact with the patient’s Ki. The act of needle insertion is actually a process of directing the therapist’s mind into each point and as such the acupuncturist is acting through the needle and not relying on the mechanical act of puncturing the body to affect the Ki.
Shiatsu is a hands on therapy and though the contact is only on the surface of the body one still needs to contact the Ki below. Part of shiatsu training is in the five principles of Zen Shiatsu and by developing a relaxed technique based on a stationary, perpendicular penetration the therapist learns to direct their own Ki through that contact into the receiver.
Intention is the word used in shiatsu. To give good shiatsu the therapist has to focus solely on the client’s Ki and direct their own accordingly. Like the acupuncturist it is better to work without distraction and focus on the client. Sometimes that focus is directed at the point where one is working but at other times the therapist needs to maintain a whole body focus, tuning into how the Ki of the client’s body is being affected by the treatment.
That there should be a mental or emotional intention behind each contact is not apparent to the observer in a similar way that it is not visible to someone watching an acupuncturist work. Although the methods are different the intention the same.
Tony Brown @ October 4, 2007