Main description:

Written by a well-known and highly respected author and practitioner within the field, Shiatsu Theory and Practice is a complete introduction to the theory and practice of Zen shiatsu, drawing in detail on the theoretical foundation of both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Five Phase theory as well as that of Zen.

Beresford-Cooke explains the strands of theory in a way which makes their integration into practice clear and rational. She includes step-by-step descriptions of treatment routines and techniques, alongside case histories illustrating the application of theory to practice. The book features detailed descriptions and illustrations of meridians, point locations and functions, and these are shown together with salient underlying anatomy. The text is supported by full colour photographs as well as online videoclips showing techniques, routines in the four positions and how to treat individual points and meridians. There are also supplementary online resources such as exercises and activities, web links, appendices for each chapter, and instructor lesson plans, homework and testbank of questions.

This fully revised third edition is essential reading for students and practitioners of shiatsu and massage therapy.

Contents:

Foreword. Preface. Acknowledgements. Notes on the terminology used in the book. SECTION ONE: The science of Qi, old and new. 1. What is Shiatsu? 2. The history of Shiatsu. 3. The science of Qi. 4. How does Shiatsu work, practically? 5. The healing encounter. SECTION TWO: The practice of Shiatsu. 6. Self-development, health care and injury prevention for the Shiatsu practitioner. 7. Working with Shiatsu 1: it's not what you do, it's the way you do it. 8. Working with Shiatsu 2: basic techniques and tools. 9. Working with Shiatsu 3: a trip around the body. SECTION THREE: The theory of Shiatsu. 10. Traditional Chinese medicine for the Shiatsu practitioner. 11. Zen Shiatsu. SECTION FOUR: Putting theory and practice together. 12. The Water Phase: the Kidneys and Bladder. 13. The Wood Phase: the Liver and Gall-Bladder. 14. The Fire Phase: the Heart, Small Intestine, Heart Protector and Triple Heater. 15. The Earth Phase: the Spleen and Stomach. 16. The Metal Phase: the Lungs and Large Intestine. SECTION FIVE: The Shiatsu session. 17. The four methods of diagnosis. 18. Interpreting the diagnosis. 19. The session. 20. After the session. Appendices. Glossary of Chinese, Japanese or Shiatsu-specific terms. Bibliography. Index.