What Steven Cousley Does

An Introduction to Shiatsu Massage(Part One)
Shiatsu originated in China at least 2000 years ago, when
the earliest accounts gave the causes of ailments and the
remedies that could be effected through a change of diet
and the way of life. The use of massage and acupuncture was
also recommended. The Japanese also were practitioners of
this massage after it had been introduced into that country
and it was known as anma. The therapy that is known today
as shiatsu has evolved with time from anma under influences
from both the East and the West. It is only recently that
it has gained full recognition and popularity, with people
becoming aware of its existence and its benefits.

Although East and West have different viewpoints on health
and life these can complement each other.  The Eastern
belief is of a primary flow of energy throughout the body,
which runs along certain channels that are known as
meridians. It is also believed that this energy exists
throughout the universe and that all living creatures are
dependent upon it as much as on physical nourishment. The
energy is known by three similar names, ki, chi and prana
in Japan, China and India respectively. As in acupuncture,
there are certain pressure points on the meridians that
relate to certain organs and these points are known as
tsubos.

Shiatsu can be used to treat a number of minor problems
such as insomnia, headaches, anxiety and back pain. Western
medicine may be unable to find a physical cause for a
problem and although some pain relief may be provided, the
underlying cause of the problem may not be cured. It is
possible that one session of shiatsu may be sufficient to
remedy the problem by stimulating the flow of energy along
the channels. Implementing an exercise regime with a change
of diet and lifestyle may also be recommended. Shiatsu can
encourage a general feeling of good health in the whole
person and not just in the physical sense.

There are believed to be a number of  auras or energy
layers that surround the physical body and can be detected
or appreciated. The first layer which is known as the
etheric body and is the most dense, is connected with the
body and the way that it works. The astral body is much
wider and is affected by people’s feelings. If it is
detected by a clairvoyant it is said to change its shape
and colour depending on the feelings being experienced. The
next aura is the mental body which is involved with the
thought processes and the intelligence of a person.
Similarly, this can also be detected by a clairvoyant and
is said to contain ‘pictures’ of ideas emanating from the
person. These first three auras comprise the personality of
a person. The last aura is known as the casual body, soul
or higher self and is concerned more with perceptive
feelings and comprehension.

It is believed in reincarnation that the first three auras
die with the body but the casual body carries on its
process of development by adopting another personality. As
a person grows in maturity and awareness, these different
auras are used and energy is passed from one layer to
another. It therefore follows from this that any alteration
in the physical state will, in turn, affect the other
layers and vice versa. It is believed that there are seven
main chakras (centre of energy) found in a midline down the
body, from the top of the head to the bottom of the torso.
They are situated along the sushumna, or spiritual channel,
which runs from the crown of the head to the base of the
trunk. Energy enters the channel from both ends. Since the
flow is most efficient when the back is straight, this is
the ideal  posture for meditation or when powers of
concentration are required. Each chakra has a component  of
each aura and it comprises what is known as a centre of
concentration. Each aura is activated as a person develops
and the same applies to the chakras, starting with the
lowest and progressing to the others with time. There is
also a change of energy between the auras of each chakra.

The crown chakra is concerned with the pineal gland, which
controls the right eye and upper brain and affects
spiritual matters.  The ajna, brow or forehead chakra, also
known as the Third Eye, is linked with the pituitary gland,
which controls the left eye, lower brain, nose and nervous
system. It has an effect on the intellect, perception,
intuition and comprehension. The throat or expressive
chakra is concerned with the thyroid gland and governs the
lymphatic system, hands, arms, shoulders, mouth, vocal
chords, lungs and throat. It affects communication,
creativity and self expression. The heart chakra is
concerned with the thymus gland and controls the heart,
breasts, vagus nerve and circulatory system and affects
self awareness, love, humanitarian acts and compassion. The
solar plexus or personality chakra is concerned with the
pancreas. It controls the spleen, gall bladder, kidneys,
liver and digestive system and stomach and has an effect on
desire, personal power and the origins of emotions. The
sacral or sexual chakra affects the gonads and controls the
lower back, feet, legs and reproductive system. This
affects physical, sexual and mental energy, relationships
and self worth.  The base or root chakra is concerned with
the adrenal glands. It controls the skeleton,
parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system, bladder and
kidneys and affects reproduction and the physical will. As
an example of this, if a person is suffering from an
ailment of the throat, it is possible that he or she will
not be able to voice private thoughts and feelings.

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Andrew Tomkinson is a writer of articles on the subjects of
health, fitness, nutrition, animals and business
opportunities.
http://www.fitnesshealthnutrition.org