Class Offered


Zen Shiatsu and Body Release I
We have designed this combination class to introduce the many ways of releasing tight, tender areas of the body.
The combined modalities of Body Release I, and the ancient pressure point techniques of Zen Shiatsu can provide therapists and clients gentle, effective means to help release pain and discomfort.




Body Release I

Body Release I is taught by Cynthia M. Nolen, a Wisconsin Certified Massage Therapist. She will present an introduction to several massage modalities.
Combining various massage and bodywork techniques, the class demonstrates methods for release in specific muscles or muscle groups.

The class begins by reviewing "grounding and clearing techniques."

Using breath and gentle touch you can begin learning each client's needs, and how individual bodies release tension.
Blending such techniques as polarity and craniosacral therapies, myofascial and positional release, and gentle stretching and unwinding, you can learn to provide gentle, effective pain relief in the low back, hip, shoulders and neck.

Unlike many hands-on sessions, this class seeks to combine a release protocol while helping heighten therapist sensitivity to reinforce therapist body-listening skills. Listening to clients' bodies is an important step to effective pain, tension, and tenderness treatment.

The class also stresses the value of a "working therapist protocol" based in good body mechanics use, with effective yet gentle techniques.




Zen Shiatsu
Zen Shiatsu is taught by Donna Boucher, an AOBTA Registered Instructor and Certified Practitioner.

Shiatsu is an excellent form of preventative medicine. It evolved from the theory of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), a practice of some 3,000 years of study and theory. It is based on the concept that the body is a microcosmic reflection of the universe and is made up of 12 meridians (lines) of energy.

Shiatsu, a Japanese work meaning finger pressure, is a natural system that releases blocked energy in the meridians. If gone untreated, blocked energy may develop into serious disease.

In this workshop we will begin by opening our channels (meridians) and energizing ourselves to be able to direct energy into our hands. Working on the floor with mats, Shiatsu techniques will be demonstrated using body weight instead of muscle to release blocked energy. We will continue instruction with the Bladder meridian as an example of how to work on the body. The class will also include release techniques for neck, shoulders and hips that will free and balance Qui (the universal life force or energy) which promotes good health, thus averting disease.