The Masunaga System of Zen Shiatsu Part Two

by Maureen C. Miller, Senior Shiatsu Instructor

Our sessions are a lovely, gradual, continuous flow of a moving meditation. From quiet stillness to a moving touch and stretch as we follow the flow of the breath, the flow of Ki.

In Part 1, we took a look at the Masunaga's Shiatsu Meridian Chart. In part 2, we will look into Masunaga's Extensions and theory.

THE MERIDIAN STRETCH EXERCISES + MOVEMENTS

It is very important for the practitioner to be familiar with and practice the meridian exercises and movements. Everyone benefits from them. Always modify when needed so they are natural to you or your partner or students.

Zen imagery exercises, meridian exercises were developed by Masunaga to assist in the flow of Ki in a particular meridian as it travels throughout the whole body. They may be done by oneself or with a partner assisting the receiver.

You may do just one or all of the basics 6 movements. Or you may do some of the many exercises shown in his book.

The beauty of so many choices is that the giver or receiver may choose the one that best suits the individual at a particular moment in time.

They may be done before or after the session and/or given as homework between sessions. They are done with awareness and gentle focus on the breathing and the path of energy.

He called them Zen Exercises for they are done as a dedicated practice with respect and awareness, mindfulness as you follow the breath.

He called them Imagery Exercises for he would imagine and feel the line of energy, the path through his whole body for each meridian. Allow the line of energy to be shown to you. They are very supportive on a physical, emotional and energetic level.

In a future blog post, more may be written on the Zen Imagery Exercises in Part 3 of Masunaga's Zen Shiatsu.

THE FLOW OF THE MERIDIANS FROM THE HARA/CENTER

In Masunaga's System of extensions, the meridians flow from the Hara out. From their corresponding Hara diagnostic area, the meridians flow down the legs to the toes and also from the corresponding diagnostic area, the meridians flow up the torso and out the arms to the fingertips.

The way the giver touches the Hara and the back diagnostic areas will be with the awareness of the front Yin and the back Yang qualities. The giver can often see the Kyo (Conclave) and Jitsu (Protruding) in the Hara and on the back diagnostic areas. Then you may confirm what you observe with your touch.

WORKING FROM THE CENTER/HARA OUT

In Supine, working from the center out is a beautiful and very practical part of the Masunaga System. In life we move with and through our Hara. The Hara connects our upper body to our lower body, our right to our left and our front to our back. We move in all directions from our Hara. A strong, relaxed and healthy Hara allows and gives ease of movement and the flow of Ki throughout the whole body. Working from a strong center out aligns the spine and our entire structure. Everything moves from the Hara.

MOTHER ---- MESSENGER HAND

In Supine, the mother hand is placed on the Hara either on the diagnostic area or on the path of the meridian you want to work. The messenger hand follows the pathway of the same meridian down the legs or up the torso. They work together as one and as one line of energy. Both hands are alive and communicating with each other. The mother hand listens and feels for reactions in the Hara as the messenger travels through the meridian. When the giver's hands are in alignment on the receiver's meridian, a harmony is felt by both, the echo of life.

THE MOVEMENT   

Touching and coordinating both hands as one instead of two separate hands, opens up the possibility for a balanced and cross patterning movement. This movement is felt through the giver's whole body and therefore felt through the receiver's whole body. It facilitates ease to relax the body, mind and spirit of both the giver and the receiver.

DOES WORKING FROM THE HARA/CENTER OUT CONFLICT WITH THE FLOW OF YIN AND YANG?

In my thoughts and experience it does not conflict with the traditional flow of Yin and Yang. Yin flows from earth to heaven and Yang flows from heaven to earth.

In Supine with Masunaga's system the giver touches the Hara with the mother hand and travels down the Yin leg with the messenger hand. In doing so, the giver is clearing the Ki in the leg so Yin energy may be free to flow up the leg unimpeded. Idealy, the Yin is not slowed or blocked by stagnated Ki and may flow with strength up the Yin leg. Working from the center out is supporting the flow of Yin and Yang.

Both ways of working on the meridians are not in conflict and both are very beneficial. What is most beneficial is to work in the way and in the direction that is most comfortable for the giver and the receiver. For a particular session choose the direction you want to work in and then continue with that direction throughout that particular session.

THIS IS AN INTRODUCTION OR A REVIEW, A BASIC EXPLANATION. THE CHART, THE EXTENSIONS, THE TOUCH, AND　THE MOVEMENT NEED TO BE EXPERIENCED. PLEASE EXPLORE AND ENJOY!

PLEASE REFER TO THE BOOKS BY MASUNAGA, ZEN SHIATSU AND ZEN IMAGERY EXERCISES.

MAUREEN C. MILLER is a graduate of the Ohashi Institute and a Senior Instructor where for over 30 years she has been teaching all levels of the Ohashi Method, Masunaga's Zen Shiatsu and courses of her own design in NYC, Omega Institute for Holistic Studies in New York, Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Massachusetts, and Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-Ji in New York and extensively in Europe. She also taught and trained many Shiatsu Ka.  

Maureen has an extensive background in dance and practiced the martial arts of Aikido (3rd Degree Black Belt) and Karate (1st Degree Black Belt). She is currently enjoying the practice of Vinyasa Yoga, gentle strength training and Zumba dancing.

Maureen's private sessions combine the movement of dance, martial arts and yoga with the art of touch and knowledge of Shiatsu to give a very profjound, graceful, and beneficial session which focuses on the needs and wants of her clients.

Maureen Miller is happy to share her over 30 years of teaching and practice experience with the students and instructors at the five lights center of shiatsu.

"I am grateful to my teachers, past, present and future, for they inspire my thoughts and movements"