Shiatsu (pronounced shee-ah'-tsoo), literally translated to mean "finger pressure", is a form of bodywork that uses pressure by the giver's thumbs, fingers, knees, elbows, as well as rocking, stretching, massaging and holding to get energy moving in the body.
More specifically, it is a therapy based on Asian medicine traditions that views life energy (chi, qi, or ki) as traveling along specific pathways in the body, that when blocked or stagnant, leads to stiffness, pain, organ dysfunction and illness.
A shiatsu practitioner is trained to be able to sense how the energy is flowing (or not), through palpation, listening to the client's 'story' and voice, posture, skin tone, and how the client deals with stress. She will also take note of the symptoms that brought the client into the office (fatigue, aches and pains, digestive disorders, overwhelm, PMS, fibromyalgia, stress, etc) and place that in the larger picture by which she can offer a unique and effective treatment.
Shiatsu treatments are (usually) given on a futon on the floor with the receiver wearing light comfortable clothing.
Shin tai (shin tie) translates to "source body" or "god body" and refers to an evolutionary development of shiatsu, developed by Saul Goodman, founder of the International School of Shiatsu. Shin tai seeks to access the 'primary information system', that is, one of the main channels of chi in the body, which include the nervous system, the spine, cranium, and sacrum, the abdomen (hara), the meninges, and the surrounding tissues. By addressing and freeing the energy around the 'trunk', all the other channels are affected.
Shin tai also uses 'priority of treatment'... approaching the receiver's body as a whole, and observing which area best allows for an opening... meridians, fascia, bone structure, chakras, muscles. This requires a knowledge on the practitioner's part of a variety of techniques.
Shiatsu and Shin Tai are known to produce a sense of relaxation and stress release on a very deep level. Stress triggers can be lessened or even turned off allowing the receiver to live more fully in the present moment rather than reacting to past stuff or future worries.
Shiatsu can also relieve headaches, muscle stiffness, menstrual cramps, PMS symptoms, digestive issues, respiratory difficulties, high/low blood pressure, irritability, insomnia, anxiety, back aches, sciatica and more.
Regular shiatsu or other bodywork has been known to strengthen the immune system, slow the signs of aging (massage circulates oxygen in the tissues which staves off rigor mortis.. yes, this can set in even before we die) and keep the body flexible and pliable.
Bodywork also has the underlying benefit of bringing the receiver's awareness to their own bodies.. allowing them to make better choices about their health and what's best for them in terms of nutrition, movement, relationships.