Shiatsu Program Electives

CPR/ First Aid Certification Workshop

Learn how to deal with emergency situations through hands on experience and develop greater confidence. This workshop provides important knowledge for yoga teachers in the case of unexpected medical conditions that may arise during class. It is primarily designed for yoga teachers but is open to the public. It is also a prerequisite for the Shiatsu certification program, which will be starting early summer at Karuna. At the completion of the 6 hour course you will receive an American Red Cross First-Aid and Adult CPR certification.

Moxabustion with Jennifer Tongren

Moxabustion is probably the most ancient of all medical therapies utilized in Chinese medicine, and plays an important role in other medical systems such as the Tibetan and Indian systems. The Chinese word for moxa is ‘Jiu’, which means ‘burning’. The method of moxabustion involves the burning of the herb Artemesia Vulgaris on specific points on the body in order to regulate its physiological activity. The effectiveness of moxa has been clinically proven for thousands of years, and has recently been given attention in Western biomedical research. We will learn the methods of moxabustion, including the different grades and applications this versatile therapy. Learn when and how to use moxabustion to address many health issues, including digestive complaints, body pain, menstrual difficulties, health preservation, and psychological issues. Moxabustion is an essential tool for health practitioners and can be easily learned and used in most medical situations.

Pulse Evaluation Workshop with Jennifer Tongren

Chinese Pulse evaluation is a critical diagnostic tool used to assess the internal condition of a patient in order to guide and monitor treatment. We will learn to palpate varying pulses on the body, but focus on the radial pulse. After we practice finding all three positions on each hand and all three depths of each position, we will learn how to assess three aspects of the pulse including rate, volume, and vessel quality. This information will inform us about the overall quality of a person’s Qi and Blood as well as the condition of the 12 specific organ systems, leading to correct and effective treatment.

In addition to providing important diagnostic information about a person’s Qi and Blood, the pulse is an aid in monitoring treatment in the moment. The pulse will change one or more of its three aspects with the slightest change of input. A practitioner can assess the pulse to throughout the treatment to guide further treatment. We will learn what it means to balance the pulse and how to use the pulse to monitor the effectiveness of our treatment. We will engage in exercises that will train us to detect the slightest change in the condition of the pulse, as well as help us with our point location and choosing correct treatment.

Tui Na I, II, and III with Chris Belskis

Tui Na is an Oriental Bodywork Therapy that has been used in China for 2,000 years. Tui Na uses the traditional Chinese medical theory of the flow of Qi through the meridians and blood through the vessels as its basic therapeutic orientation. Through the application of massage and manipulation techniques Tui Na seeks to establish a more harmonious flow of Qi through the system of channels and collaterals, allowing the body to naturally heal itself. Tui Na is also effectively used to increase the circulation of blood and remove ‘knots’ and minor adhesions in the muscles and connective tissues of the body.

Tui Na methods include the use of hand techniques to massage the soft tissue (muscles and tendons) of the body, acupressure techniques to directly affect the flow of Qi, and stretching techniques to realign the musculoskeletal and ligament relationships. In summary, Tui Na rectifies anatomical anomalies, alters the inner energy state of the biological system and adjusts the bio-information of the body. For soft tissue injuries, Tui Na relaxes muscles and tendons and promotes smooth passage of the channels. It also promotes blood circulation and removes blood stasis.
This workshop is open to all bodywork therapists who have experience with five element theory. Workshop partipants must complete level one in order to attend levels two and three.

Cupping with Jennifer Tongren

Cupping therapy is the application of vacuumed cups on the surface of the body in order to regulate Qi and Blood flow within the meridians and vessels. Cupping has been used all over the Western and Eastern worlds and has been an important part of many local healer and midwife’s toolboxes. Cupping therapy is used in the treatment of many illnesses including back pain, muscular and joint pain, cough and Lung congestion, allergies, abdominal pain, constipation. Cupping can also be used for stubborn muscle knots and sore shoulders. Most patients love cupping and feel immediate benefits after treatment. We will learn the basic methods of cupping including stationary and moving cupping, and their application for the treatment of various disorders.

Chinese Medical First Aid with Jennifer Tongren

Chinese medicine has a long lineage of using external plasters and liniments for the use in ‘first aid’ situations including strains, sprains, bruising, bleeding, muscle and joint pain, and acute colds and fevers. This workshop offers an introduction to the use of some external and internal herbal remedies for these sorts of first aid situations. You will leave with a basic understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of muscle and joint pain, and be able to differentiate Wind Cold and Wind Heat and what formulas to give a person in a straight forward case. We will experiment with various liniments and plasters, and experience ourselves how they act on the body.

So Tai with Chris Belskis

Sotai is a simple yet effective form of interactive therapy intended to restore physical and energetic health in the client through gentle structural realignments of the body. The techniques that will be presented in this introductory class are based on the research of Dr. Keizo Hashimoto who understood that basic human health is dependent on structural integrity and correct posture. Dr. Hashimoto discovered that correcting distortions in the client’s basic physical structure could rectify many common ailments. The effectiveness of the exercises is dependent on the client coordinating the breath with gentle pain free movements that are met with light resistance from the therapist. These therapeutic exercises are used in acupuncture and shiatsu clinics throughout Japan. This course gives the student a theoretical and practical understanding of the basic application of Sotai Therapy for self and clients. Students, upon completion of this course, should have the skills and knowledge to apply basic Sotai techniques in clinical situations to enhance the effectiveness of their treatments.