Immerse yourself in Shiatsu, culture, and learning experience in Italy.

Course Tuition Cost:

Level 1: US$420

Level 2: US$420

Level 3: US$420

Bundle fee to register Level 1-2-3: US$1000 by September 30th.

Payment Methods:

Payments are accepted via Cash, PayPal, Check, and ACH.

For checks please make Payable to Five Lights Center of Shiatsu.

Special Offers:

- Early registration discount: 

 2 months in advance, by August 5, to receive US$30 off.

Discount Codes: 

Level one code: LEVEL-1-ITALY

Level two code: LEVEL-2-ITALY

Level three code: LEVEL-3-ITALY

Repeater's discount: 50% Off. 

Verification of previous attendance is required. Please reach out to us directly via email.

Cancellation Policy and Refunds: All cancellations up to 2 months before the course begins receive a full refund less the US$30 withdrawal fee. Cancellations up to 14 days before the course begins to receive a 50% refund less the US$30 withdrawal fee. No refunds for cancellation less than 14 days before the course begins. Credit for tuition not refunded can be applied towards other Five Lights Center courses, less the US$30 withdrawal fee.

About The Retreat Courses:

Prerequisites: 

For US participants: All courses are open to all. 

For European participants: practitioners, teachers, and students who have studied minimum beginner's level. 

Introduction to the Primary Meridians: LEVEL 1 (20 CEUs)

Dates: October 5th-6th | Time: 10 am-6 pm

Instructor: Kumiko Kanayama, Founder of Five Lights Center

Location: Radici e Ali (Scuola Yoga) | Address: Via San Zanobi 67, Florence, ItalyThe class is held at a yoga school located in the city center, about a 10-minute walk from the Santa Maria Novella train station and about a 15-minute walk from Ponte Vecchio and Palazzo Pitti, the tourist heart of the city.

Description: In this course, you will be introduced to the history and philosophy of Shiatsu. You will learn the 12 primary meridians, as well as foundational techniques for working on some of them in both prone and supine positions. You will learn stretches and exercises to help ground you in your body and begin to develop your skills of palpation and touch.

The Five Element Theory & Introduction to Water, Earth, and Wood Elements: LEVEL 2 (20 CEUs)

Dates: October 9th-10th | Time: 10am-6pm

Instructor: Kumiko Kanayama, Founder of Five Lights Center

Location: Netro, Italy | Address: Okami Kumo, via Carlo Colombino 12, Netro (Biella)

Description: In this workshop, you will deepen your understanding of the Five Element Theory, including associated seasons and emotions, and the generation and control cycles. You will learn the Hara diagnostic areas as well as associated Bo and Yu points on the front and back. You will continue to practice Level 1 techniques and learn additional techniques.

Introduction to Metal and Fire Elements: LEVEL 3 (20 CEUs)

Dates: October 12th-13th | Time: 10 am-6 pm

Instructor: Kumiko Kanayama, Founder of Five Lights Center

Location: Netro, Italy | Address: Okami Kumo, via Carlo Colombino 12, Netro (Biella)

Description: Experience a rejuvenating and empowering weekend with our weekend workshop in Italy. This 20 CEU workshop is designed to provide you with advanced knowledge and skills in alternative health practices, allowing you to expand your expertise and take your practice to the next level. Join us for a transformative experience and gain valuable insights to enhance your holistic health journey.

About The Locations:

For those arriving from the US: 

- Flight to Milan Malpensa, train (40 min) or bus to Milan Central Station (about 50 min/1 hour) from Milan Central Station to Florence, fast train (2 hrs) 

- Flight to Rome to Florence: Fiumicino - train to Rome Termini Station (direct, 32 min) from Termini Station to Florence Santa Maria Novella, fast train (1h 40 min) 

About Florence:

Florence is one of the most fascinating cities in Italy, the heart of Tuscany. It is connected by fast train with Milan (2h), Rome (1h 40m) and Venice (2h 30min). The city's surroundings are beautiful among the Chianti hills. In October, it is harvest time for the famous wines and foliage. Less than two hours from Florence are many beautiful small towns that can be reached by car or train with ease: Lucca - Pisa - Pistoia -Siena - Arezzo - San Gimignano - Montalcino - Perugia - Bologna - Ferrara - the Sea of Versilia (Forte dei Marmi) is just over 1 hour away - further south: the Maremma (surroundings of Grosseto), and Todi, Orvieto.

About Colla di Netro:

Colla di Netro is a charming little hamlet nestled in the hills and is located about 20 minutes from the city of Biella, 2 hours from Milan, and 1 1/2 hours from Turin - 1 hour 30 min for Maggiore Lake (Stresa) just over 2 hours from Genoa - 2 hours to Como Lake and to Lugano (Switzerland).

To get there from the USA: flight to Milan Malpensa or Turin and then train to Biella and bus (car transfer can be arranged: from Malpensa to Netro by car about 1 hour 40 minutes )

The course is held at the Okami Kumo headquarters in the small village of Colla di Netro. It is possible to stay overnight in a very special location, an old villa with single, double, or shared rooms. There are also B&Bs nearby. If you like to fully enjoy the surroundings, it is advisable to rent a car, but it is not necessary. We can arrange a transfer from the airport to Netro, and from there you can move by bus and train from Biella (but it will take more time).

Accommodations: 

Accommodation in Florence: There are many accommodation options, hotels of all categories, and B&Bs in the center of Florence. Getting around by car is very difficult, there are few parking lots and the entire city center is ZTL (entrance fee only). We advise you not to come by car, or leave it outside the city.

Accommodation in Netro:

Payable to Okami Kumo by Euro, PayPal, or Credit Card.

B&B in Villa delle Rondini (breakfast included)

Shared room 50 €/night

Single or double room per person: 80 €/night (only 2 rooms available)

Lunch: 25 €

Dinner: 35 €

About Okami Kumo: a Japanese Cultural Association and Sponsors

Serena and Manuela are co-founders of Okami Kumo, a Japanese Cultural Association created to spread knowledge about Japanese culture, medicine, philosophy and shiatsu.  Okami Kumo, located in Biella, Italy, organizes training classes and seminars for shiatsu practitioners. The Association also hosts many other types of specialized courses and symposia conducted by some of the best Italian and international teachers. 

About Our Sponsors:

Manuela Peradi is a shiatsu practitioner. She has traveled throughout Japan developing a deep knowledge of Japanese culture and history. She is always improving herself-evolution with attention to mind and body experiences.

Serena Trotti, an editorial collaborator, shiatsu practitioner and teacher is registered with the Italian Federation of Shiatsu Practitioners and Teachers (FISieo), her specialty is Anpuku shiatsu. She also treats nervous system disorders, female issues, and athletic post-trauma rehabilitation therapy.

Contact:

Our Italian friends are available to help you arrange your visit - do not hesitate to ask your questions!

For US & Canadian students: Keith Strand: ksa123@mac.com +1 917 328 5810

For European students: Manuela Perardi: manuperardi@tiscali.it+39 347 313 4466

For European students: Serena Trotti: serenatrotti@gmail.com+ 39 349 533 7701

Testimonial:

"I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to spend ten days in Italy where I attended the July 2023 Shiatsu Retreat taught by Master Kumiko and sponsored by the Japanese Cultural Association Okami Kumo. The retreat consisted of three separate workshops, one in Milan and two in the beautiful Italian town of Colla di Netro, west of Milan. The workshops were extremely rewarding, both in content and practice. The delicious food, the outside-of-class activities and the opportunity to meet and train with practitioners of varying levels all added to the experience. Also, the conference hosts, Manuela and Serena of Okami Kumo, provided us all with so much support that we were able to relax and enjoy our time being immersed in Italy and its culture. It was truly an exceptional experience — one that I believe would be difficult to replicate at any price. I’m already looking forward to next year." - Keith Strand