The Essence of Shiatsu

Shiatsu is relatively young compared to other traditional healing systems: less than 100 years old, Shiatsu has developed rapidly and spread just as quickly. From a conglomerate of different roots, a trunk with many branches and even more blossoms has emerged in a short period of time.

But what is the essence of Shiatsu? What principles is it based on? What is the role of Ki? What is the role of the meridians? How central is the hara? And what distinguishes a good practitioner? 

This book project is dedicated to searching for answers: leading global Shiatsu experts with decades of experience have their say. Their perspectives on fundamental questions about Shiatsu will contribute to a deeper understanding of the essential aspects of our art.



Mike, born 02. 06. 1969 in Steyr/Austria into a family of health professionals, quickly realized that the highest form of healing art is the one that prevents sickness from ocurring at all. He has been living and practicing TCM and shiatsu for the past 30 years in Vienna. He is the director of the largest and most successful shiatsu institute in Europe which has had a close working relationship with medical institutions since 1993 – a true trailblazer for the integration of east and west. Mike Mandl is a sought-after and popular lecturer in the whole of Europe, with a far-reaching international network. It qualified him perfectly for the position of Director of the triennial European Shiatsu Congress, which he transformed into the biggest shiatsu related event world wide. About two months of every year he is offering his post graduate programs in German or English, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Finland being countries he is visiting the most. Not infrequently he can be found in Asia in the pursuit of authentic knowledge and the roots of Daoism, since, in his own words: "Every form of medicine requires a spiritual component." Mike is the father of three children, and a passionate gardener and snowboarder.



TABLE OF CONTENTS



Foreword



Ivan Bel

Focus on the essentials, get rid of the unnecessary



Kazunori Sasaki Sensei

In the depths of existence



Alice Whieldon

Recognising what really is



Philippe Vandenabeele

Guiding the intention of the heart through the hands



Yuichi Kawada

Authority over your own health



Chris McAlister

In the service of trans­formation



Tomas Nelissen

In harmony with our inner truth



Tzvika Calisar

From the bottom of my heart



Wilfried Rappenecker

Commu­nication for freedom and new paths



Joyce Vlaarkamp

The unity of giving and taking



Mihael Mamychshvili

In deep connection



Mike Mandl

The marriage of Yin and Yang



Michel Odoul

The cries of the body are messages from the soul



Viorel Mihai

The historical background of Shiatsu