Seminar Workbook

by Shizuko Yamamoto & Patrick McCarty

Contents
Barefoot/Macrobiotic Shiatsu...........................................................................1 Fundamentals of Health ....................................................................................7 Macrobiotics ........................................................................................................8 Life-style Guidelines ........................................................................................ 11 Cause of Illness .................................................................................................12 Health .................................................................................................................15 Chinese Medical Foundations ........................................................................16 Energy Flow Within The Body........................................................................24 Spiral of Creation ..............................................................................................24 Face Diagnosis...................................................................................................25 Internal Organs, Emotions, and Facial Diagnosis........................................26 Back and Front Points ......................................................................................27 Major Energy Centers (Chakras) ....................................................................28 Shiatsu Techniques ...........................................................................................29 Abdominal Organs ...........................................................................................30 Barefoot/Macrobiotic Shiatsu Treatment......................................................31 Self-Shiatsu Treatment (Do-In) .......................................................................38 Meridians ...........................................................................................................40 Lung..............................................................................................................40 Large Intestine.............................................................................................45 Spleen ...........................................................................................................47 Stomach........................................................................................................50 Heart .............................................................................................................53 Small Intestine.............................................................................................56 Kidney ..........................................................................................................58 Bladder .........................................................................................................62 Liver..............................................................................................................64 Gall Bladder.................................................................................................68 Heart Governor...........................................................................................71 Tripe Heater (Sanjiao).................................................................................73 Governing Vessel ........................................................................................76 Conception Vessel.......................................................................................78 Summary of Meridian Pathology...................................................................80 Circulating Direction of the Meridians..........................................................81 Natural Home Remedies .................................................................................82 Acupoint Names ...............................................................................................98
Copyright 2002 Shizuko Yamamoto & Patrick McCarty All Rights Reserved

Macrobiotic Shiatsu Workbook

Macrobiotic Shiatsu
The Macrobiotic/Barefoot Shiatsu Intensive is an educational forum and a transformational healing workshop. This program is designed to give essential skills to practitioners for professional and family-style treatment. Macrobiotic Shiatsu includes specific techniques and exercises which stimulate the physical structure, nervous and circulatory systems, and all the major internal organs to focus on developing refined strategies for self-correction and improved, vibrant health. Linking mind and body awareness encourages the ability to perceive obvious and subtle body movements and rhythms, awareness of ones tension, and respiratory patterns. The goal is to develop lifetime skills to promote health, happiness, and wholeness.

THEORY OF SHIATSU & PREVENTIVE HEALTH CARE When someone is hurting either physically or emotionally our human instinct is to reach out and comfort that person. This intuitive response is the foundation of shiatsu instinct comes first, techniques follow. Given the proper attitude of caring, technique will always naturally develop. In Japanese the word shi means finger and atsu means pressure. Shiatsu, also called acupressure, is an Asian healing method in which specific points on the surface of the body are pressed. Energy (Qi or Ki) tends to stagnate in specific points along the meridian (pathway of energy) called acupoints. There are hundreds of acupoints on the human body. When

Macrobiotic Shiatsu Workbook

energy is blocked in an acupoint, it becomes sensitive to pressure. In shiatsu the acupoints are pressed to stimulate the movement of stagnated energy as well as to diagnose the presence of disease. Symptoms of illness are protective mechanisms. If we listen and heed the warning then further development is avoided. Shiatsu never cures the patient. It is the patient who heals himself. The practitioner is the stimulus to aid the patient in assuming a proper direction. The practitioner serves as a mirror for the patient, allowing the patient the opportunity to self-reflect on the true cause of his or her condition. Our approach is educational. Shiatsu creates a deep feeling of well-being, vitality, and relaxation, and is an effective tool in preventing disease. Shiatsu can be a pleasurable experience. It encourages communication between family members, couples, and friends. It requires no special equipment, oil, or the removal of clothes. It can be done anywhere, at anytime.

ORIGIN OF SHIATSU Since the beginning of time people have used various styles of touch to try to soothe and heal family and friends. While scholars feel that massage originated in China it is certain that each country throughout the world had developed and passed down their methods for treating the body with the hands. Ancient writings of Egypt, Persia, Greece, Rome, and Asian countries mention the positive effects from the use of massage. We instinctively rub, press, pat, or in some way touch when we ache, feel pain, or just don't feel right. Intuitively we are applying self-treatment to try to create a more balanced state. Everyone is qualified to help themselves and with a little effort, are able to help others too. The simple understanding that humans are equipped to heal themselves, and that we can also help others, is the underlying foundation of shiatsu. If we live according to natural laws we really shouldn't have many troubles. Unfortunately we don't consistently live that way and humankind has had to devise ways to deal with 4

Macrobiotic Shiatsu Workbook

the suffering that we experience. Ultimately to regain wholeness we must change our way of living. There are many tools that we can use in this process. Shiatsu is one of them. The origin of the Japanese word "shiatsu" is not certain. Over the centuries, information that makes up the shiatsu techniques was gathered through trial and error. The healing techniques that are fundamental to shiatsu probably originated in ancient China, and later came to Japan. Shiatsu is a synthesis of Judo principles, Do-In (self massage), and ancient massage. In 1955, the Japanese parliament adopted a bill on revised Amma treatment (ancient Asian massage). Thus, for the first time in Japan, shiatsu was given official endorsement. Neither a thorough physical checkup by a doctor of Western medicine, nor a complete laboratory analysis, can adequately diagnose and cure symptoms caused by nervous and mental disorders and the imbalance of the autonomic nervous system. Shiatsu is a system that has developed from centuries of experience, and has proven effective in curing many symptoms. Among these symptoms are headaches, dizziness, ringing in the ears, eyestrain, general fatigue, stiff neck and shoulders, lower backache, constipation, numbness of limbs, chills, flushes, insomnia, and lack of appetite. Shiatsu and related techniques have also proven effective for curing chronic and painful conditions such as high blood pressure, rheumatism, and general neuralgia.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF MACROBIOTIC SHIATSU

Shiatsu practitioners have long been considered authorities on treating minor diseases in Japan. In general, the Japanese public favors shiatsu treatment and, for many years, these practitioners have played a major role in health maintenance. The practice of eating large amounts of animal food has created bodies that are very

Macrobiotic Shiatsu Workbook

Face Diagnosis

Macrobiotic Shiatsu Workbook

Back & Front Points

INTERNAL ORGANS Lung Heart Governor Heart Liver Gall Bladder Spleen Stomach Triple Heater (Sanjiao) Kidney Large Intestine Small Intestine Bladder

BACK POINTS BL 13 (Thoracic 3) BL 14 (T4) BL 15 (T5) BL 18 (T9) BL 19 (T10) BL 20 (T11) BL 21 (T12) BL 22 (Lumbar 1) BL 23 (L2) BL 25 (L4) BL 27 (Sacrum 1) BL 28 (S2)

FRONT POINTS LU 1 CV 17 CV14 LV 14 GB 24 LV 13 CV 12 CV 5 GB 25 ST 25 CV 4 CV 3

* Back Points are known as Yu points in Japanese and Shu points in Chinese. Front Points are known as Bo points in Japanese and Mu points in Chinese.

Macrobiotic Shiatsu Workbook

Major Energy Centers Chakras

Heavens Force Enters Body from Crown Seventh or Crown chakra Sixth or Midbrain chakra

Fifth or Throat chakra

Fourth or Heart chakra Third or Solar Plexus chakra

Second or Abdominal chakra First or Base chakra

CHAKRA 7th 6th 5th 4th 3rd 2nd 1st

PRIMARY Correspondence Pineal Pituitary Thyroid Thymus Pancreas Adrenal Ovary/Testis

SECONDARY Correspondence Hypothalamus Central N.S. Parathyroid Heart/Lungs Digestive Kidney Blood

Earths Force Enters Body from Feet 8

Macrobiotic Shiatsu Workbook

Macrobiotic Shiatsu Treatment

Barefoot/Macrobiotic Shiatsu takes between 45-60 minutes to complete a full session. The session is done with clothes on. Both practitioner and receiver should wear loose tting cotton clothing. And throughout the treatment session both practitioner and receiver should coordinate the breath so both are breathing together. This strengthens the power of the session.

Basic Macrobiotic Shiatsu Steps

Receiver is seated on the oor or in a chair. 1. Loosen up shoulders.

2. Pound across shoulders.

Receiver lies face down. Arms extended out at the sides, palms at. 3. Foot on hip bone, roll the pelvis.

Macrobiotic Shiatsu Workbook

Meridians
LUNG
In traditional Asian medicine, metal phase, the westerly direction, the season of autumn, the dry climatic condition, the color white, the emotions of sadness and worry, the pungent taste, and the sound of crying. Its opening is the nose, and it governs the skin.

The function of all organs in classical medicine is based on clinical observations of patients over hundreds of years and not necessarily the physical structure of the organ in western medicine. Most of the Lung functions have a common character: they are dispersing and descending in nature, that is they send energy away in different directions and especially downward. The Lung dislikes cold.

When a western anatomical description is explained the organ name is written with a lower case letter e.g. The liver filters the blood. When an Asian medical description is given the organ name is written with an upper case letter e.g. The Liver is responsible for an unrestricted flow of energy.

1. The Lung Governs Qi and Respiration. The term Ki or Qi is often explained as vital energy. Although this term is not totally accurate, and there are different types of Qi, it is sufficient for this purpose. Governing Qi and respiration is the most important function of the Lung, because it extracts clean Qi, energy from the air for the body, which combines with food Qi, energy extracted from food by the digestive system. These two forms of Qi combine in

10

Macrobiotic Shiatsu Workbook

the chest where they form Gathering Qi.

The Lung spreads this newly formed Qi all over the body to nourish the tissues and promote all physiological processes. This Qi also aids the Lung and Heart functions, as well as promoting good circulation to the limbs and controlling the strength of the voice. The strength, tone, and clarity of voice are all dependent on the Lung. The Lungs are the most external of the Yang* organs, they are the connection between the body and the outside world. Therefore the Lungs are easily affected by exterior pathogenic (disease-causing) factors, and are vulnerable to invasion by climatic factors.

* The Lung is classified as a Yang organ within Macrobiotic teaching. It is considered a Yin organ by classical Asian Medicine. Both philosophies considered the organ to be solid.

2. The Lungs Control Pathways and Blood Vessels. While the Heart controls the blood vessels in traditional Asian medicine, the Lungs play an important part in maintaining their health. The pathways refer to where energy flows in the meridians that help nourish the vessels along with the blood flowing with them. When the Lung Qi is strong, the circulation of Qi and Blood will be strong, so the limbs will be warm. While if it is weak, the limbs, especially the hands will be cold.

3. The Lungs Control Dispersing and Descending. The Lungs have the function of dispersing Defensive Qi and body fluids all over the body to the space between skin and muscles. This ensures that ones resistance to external illness is equally distributed all over the body under the skin, performing its function of warming the skin and muscles and protecting the body from external pathogenic factors. A common cold usually manifests as an impairment of the Lung dispersing action. If this defensive energy is chronically weak there are exercises, foods and herbs

11

Macrobiotic Shiatsu Workbook

that can build up the bodys strength.

The Lungs have a descending function because the Lungs are the uppermost organ in the body. The Lung Qi descends to interact with the Kidney, while the Lungs direct fluids down to the Kidneys and the Bladder. If this function is impaired, cough, breathlessness, and stuffiness of the chest may result.

4. The Lungs Regulate Water Passages. After receiving refined fluids from the digestive process, the Lungs spread them throughout the body in the area under the skin and controlling the bodies fluid loss through sweating. The Lungs also direct fluids down to the Kidneys and Bladder. An impaired Lung function could result in urinary retention.

5. The Lungs Control Skin and Hair. The fluids that the Lungs receive from the digestive process and spread throughout the body under the skin gives the skin and hair nourishment. Thus if the Lung function is normal, the skin will have luster, the hair will be glossy, and the opening and closing of the pores and sweating will be normal. Also if this function of the Lung is impaired, besides affecting the quality of the skin and hair, the pores are often open with symptoms of spontaneous sweating. A person with these symptoms is often more vulnerable to attack from external disease causing factors, like catching a cold.

6. The Lungs Open Into the Nose. It is said that the nose is the opening of the Lungs to the outside world. If the Lung Qi is weak, or if the Lungs are invaded by an external pathogenic factor, the nose will be blocked, and there may be loss of the sense of smell and sneezing.

12

Macrobiotic Shiatsu Workbook

Diet Excessive consumption of cold and raw foods is said to affect the Spleen causing it to generate Phlegm that ends up being store in the Lungs. An excessive consumption of milk, cheese, butter, and other dairy products can have the same effect on the Lungs.

Emotions The emotions that can effect the Lungs if they persist over a long period of time are sadness and worry. Prolong sadness disperses Qi, which results in a deficiency of Lung Qi. Prolonged worry causes stagnation of Qi in the chest that affects the Lungs.

Posture Sitting for long periods of time over a desk to read or write can weaken Lung Qi, because the chest is impeded and proper breathing is impaired.

The Lung Meridian of the Hand (Yin Meridian) There are 11 points on the Lung meridian. The Lung Meridian pertains to the Lung and communicates with the Large Intestine through the diaphragm. The meridian also associates itself with the Stomach and the Kidney.

Symptoms and Signs ExternalMeridian: chills, fever, hidrosis or anhidrosis, nasal obstruction, headache, pain in the chest or of the shoulder and the back, decrease in temperature, and pain of the forearm and the hand.

InternalOrgan: cough, asthma, dyspnea (difficulty breathing), fullness of the chest, expectoration, dryness of the throat, color changing of the urine, increase in temperature of the palm, distress or hemoptysis (vomiting blood), accompanying occasionally with fullness of the abdomen and mild diarrhea. 13

Macrobiotic Shiatsu Workbook

LUNG MERIDIAN

Active 3-5 am
14

Macrobiotic Shiatsu Workbook

Natural Home Remedies Index

Brown Rice Cream .............................. 83 Pearl Barley (semen coix) .................. 83 Miso Soup ............................................ 83 Shredded Kombu Soup...................... 84 Carp Soup (Koi Koku)........................ 84 Aduki/Kombu/Squash..................... 85 Carrot/Daikon Mixture ..................... 85 Umeboshi ............................................. 85 Baked Umeboshi or Ume Pits ........... 85 Shiitake Mushroom ............................ 86 Black Soy Beans................................... 86 Gomasio (Sesame Salt) ....................... 86 Tekka..................................................... 87 Shiso...................................................... 87 Small Dried Fish (Chirimen) ............. 87 Rice or Barley/Greens Plaster........... 87 Buckwheat Plaster .............................. 88 Green Plaster ....................................... 88 Miso Plaster ......................................... 88 Taro Plaster .......................................... 88 Potato Plaster....................................... 89 Ginger Compress ................................ 89 Ginger Oil ............................................ 89 Sesame Oil............................................ 90 Body Scrub........................................... 90 Salt Bath ................................................90 Salt Pack ................................................90 Salt Water Wash ...................................91 Bancha (Kukicha) Douche ................. 91 Kombu Water ...................................... 91 Hijiki-Vegetable Saut ........................ 91 Nori Condiment...................................92 Shio Kombu ......................................... 92 Roasted Sea Vegetable Powder ......... 92 Seaweed Powder w/Seeds................ 93 Brown Rice Tea.................................... 93 Barley Tea............................................. 94 Barley/Aduki Tea ............................... 94 Aduki Bean Tea ....................................94 Kombu Tea........................................... 94 Sweet Vegetable Drink ........................95 Daikon Drink No. 1 ............................ 95 Daikon Drink No. 2 ............................ 95 Lotus Tea ...............................................95 Kombu/Shiitake Broth........................96 Shiitake Tea...........................................96 Ume Concentrate .................................96 Reishi Tea ............................................. 96 Ume/Sho/Bancha Drink................... 97 Umeboshi Kuzu Drink........................97 Ame Kuzu Drink .................................97

15

Macrobiotic Shiatsu Workbook

Natural Home Remedies

Brown Rice Cream In a cask iron skillet dry roast 1 cup of brown rice until it is golden color. Do not use oil. Put rice in a pot, add 7-10 cups of purified water (not chlorinated tap water) and bring to a boil. Cover, lower the flame and simmer 3-4 hours. It is quicker to use a pressure cooker. Reduce water to 5 cups and pressure cook for 2 hours. Squeeze cooled contents through a cotton cheese cloth (or a Foley food mill) and save. Add sea salt to your portion as you use it. It can be eaten as is or topped with sesame salt or nori. Uses: recovering from sickness, fatigue, and lack of appetite.

Pearl Barley (semen coix) Make a soup using 1 cup cooked Pearl Barley, carrots, onions, wakame sea vegetable and enough water to make soup consistency. Season to taste. Eat 1 bowl per day. Another method of using pearl barley is to add 10 percent pearl barley to brown rice. Eat regularly. Uses: hemorrhoids, warts, moles, some cancers, and the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. Pearl barley, known as Job's Tears and Hato Mugi in Japanese has been used to reduce tumors, swelling, inflammation, and heat in the body.

Miso Soup 4 cups water 6 inch piece wakame sea vegetable 1/4 cup each of onion, carrot, green vegetable or wild greens 1/2 inch slice tofu (cubed) 1/4 cup barley (or brown rice or hatcho) miso Place sea vegetable and water in soup pot and bring to boil. Simmer while cut the vegetables to similar size and shape. Remove sea vegetable, cool briefly and cut. Return chopped sea vegetable to pot. Add all ingredients to soup pot except miso and slow boil until done, up to one-half hour, depending on how vegetables are cut. Soup vegetables 16

Macrobiotic Shiatsu Workbook

Chinese Medical Foundations

Shiatsu, as well as other natural healing modalities such as acupuncture and herbalogy perform certain functions in Traditional Chinese Medicine. They regulate the flow of Qi through the meridians and Organs, remove blockages, strengthen the bodys protective energy (Qi) and lessen the noxious effect of excesses.

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES

17