The one thing that all people have in common is the desire to feel well and to enjoy life. The activities of daily living, for example what we eat, how we think, what is happening or what has happened to us and how we respond to it, help shape a specific life/stress pattern. These patterns may invigorate us or seem to take away our life force. Shiatsu focuses on re-establishing healthy patterns, thereby helping us to regain our life force so that we may use it to further enjoy life.

Shiatsu is not intended to be a cure-all, but a method whereby the client and the practitioner work in concert to achieve the intended goal. As a practitioner, the goal is to help the client become aware of his/her own body and to help them understand the role that they play in improving their current condition. The practitioner may discuss the benefits of food, exercise and/or lifestyle changes. For example, one of the most important things that can have an immediate response towards positive health is to eat your meals in a relaxed environment (sorry no eating while driving or while standing up) and to chew each mouthful at least 50 times.

Change is appreciated and even marveled at. No one person grows or accepts change at the same pace. A seemingly small step for one may be viewed as gigantic for another. Both are viewed without judgment.

The role of Shiatsu is to help your body do what it already knows and wants to do- be in balance. Balance may have become interrupted because of an accident, because of emotional stress, improper nutrition, and lack of exercise or because of an emotional challenge. The object is to help your entire being to function smoothly. This can only be achieved by allowing flexibility and change to occur both physically and emotionally. Consequently, you may have a greater range of physical motion as well as be able to experience a broader spectrum of emotions.