Shiatsu is the Japanese word for "finger pressure". However, the spirit of Shiatsu may be described as "communication through touch". While an acupuncturist works with needles and energy points, I apply vertical, listening pressure to the body’s energy canals (meridians) with my thumbs, palms, elbows or forearms and even with my knees and feet. I also use stretching and rotation. All this is done with focused attention and compassion rather than with muscle strength. Clients are asked to wear loose casual clothing for a Shiatsu session, which takes place on a thick mat on the floor.

Although many people appear outwardly healthy, often they don't feel fit. Stress, sleep disturbances, PMS, headaches and pain in the neck, shoulder or back, difficulties of digestion, RSI or problems associated with menstruation or menopause are all examples of states in which a person feels neither ill nor well. Shiatsu can offer significant relief in these cases. The sessions focus on finding the source of these problems and the goal is to help ki (energy) flow through the body unobstructed. In Oriental medicine, the harmonious flow of ki is a precondition for our physical, emotional and mental well-being.

Shiatsu has a positive effect on the mind and body, and most people report that they feel wonderful after a treatment. Your muscles and nervous system relax, your breathing deepens, your thoughts come to a rest, and your energy increases. You will feel as if you are coming back home to your body. Taking Shiatsu treatments on a regular basis will not only strengthen your resistance to illness, stress and burnout but will also make your body more flexible and improve your posture and movement. You will stand strong and happy.

Zen Shiatsu®up

Zen Shiatsu® is a uniquely designed style that is taught at the Zen Shiatsu® institute.

Joyce Vlaarkamp (author of the book "Shiatsu in uitvoering") founded the Zen Shiatsu® institute in 1998. She is still the director and main teacher.

Zen Shiatsu® is based on a book with the same name, which was published in 1977 by Shizuto Masunaga, the founder of the so-called "Meridian Shiatsu" style. It differs from other styles of Shiatsu because of its focus on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine and Japanese acupuncture (e.g. the diagnosis of the belly or hara, the meridian concept, the five phases of transformation and the specific cooperation of the two hands).

Zen refers in this context to the importance of attitude and presence, thus to a spiritual dimension.

Shizuto Masunaga (1925-1981)up

The Japanese practitioner Shizuto Masunaga was an important pioneer in the field of Shiatsu.

He graduated at the Nippon Shiatsu Institute in Tokyo (now Japan's Shiatsu College), where he taught for ten years. He also studied psychology at Kyoto University and led research into traditional Oriental medicine and the roots of Shiatsu.

Based on empirical studies, Masunaga discovered that each of the twelve traditional meridians has an extension in the other limb. For example, according to Masunaga, the classic spleen meridian in the leg has an extension in the arm and the classic large intestine meridian in the arm can also be found in the leg.

Since each meridian is accessible in each posture, practitioners have a broad scale of treatment possibilities (on the back, on the belly, on the side or in sitting position).

But Masunaga also broadened the number of treatment techniques. While previous forms of Shiatsu consisted mainly in applying strong pressure to separate points, Masunaga introduced individually tuned pressure on the whole meridian by using the palms, lower arms, elbows, knees and/or feet too. He also stimulated the use of stretching and rotation.

Due to his physiological and psychological knowledge he was also able to develop a list of typical symptoms of each meridian, depending on the amount of energy running through them (not enough=kyo, too much=jitsu).

However, Masunaga´s most important achievement was probably the fact that he once again integrated Oriental diagnosis (asking, observing, smelling, touching) into the treatment.

Masunaga died in 1981 at the age of 51. His treatment method however is very much alive and still gaining popularity.

The practitionerup

Cordula Quadt (1957, Germany) is a certified Zen Shiatsu® practitioner. She graduated from the Zen Shiatsu® institute in Amsterdam in 2004 and now has her own Shiatsu studio in a small office building (the former hospital Burgerziekenhuis) in Amsterdam East.

She is registered at Zhong (The Dutch Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine) and a member of the Zen Shiatsu® study association.

Most healthcare providers do reimburse the costs of her Shiatsu sessions.

Apart from being a frequent participant at seminars to deepen her knowledge, she is actually taking part in the OhaShiatsu® programme, which has been designed by the renowned Shiatsu teacher and disciple of Masunaga, Wataru Ohashi from New York.

She is also a longstanding practitioner of Zen meditation and has practiced Chi Kung for many years under the guidance of Peter den Dekker.

The costsup

A Shiatsu session takes 60 to 75 minutes. The costs are € 65,- (incl. VAT). A series of four treatments is available for € 240,- (valid 3 month, to be p aid in advance, cancelling is possible 24 hrs in advance).

People without additional insurance coverage (aanvullende verzekering) and/or a very low income ask for a small reduction.

Reimbursement by health insurersup

Most health insurers do reimburse the full amount or a part of the costs of a Shiatsu treatment on the condition that the practitioner is registered.

I am registered at Zhong (The Dutch Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine).

On my Dutch site, you will find a list of healthcare providers who do reimburse your costs. However, I always advise clients to check their insurance because there might be exceptions in you individual case.

A doctor´s prescription is not needed.

The availabilityup    

Appointments are available from Monday to Friday from 10 to 18 hrs. Other times are possible on request.

Please phone or e-mail to schedule a treatment or if you would like more information.

The accessibility up

The studio is situated in a small office building (the former hospital Burgerziekenhuis) in Amsterdam East, near Oosterpark and the Muiderpoort train station.

Public transport
Tram 3, 7 or 9 and bus 22, 37, 59, 120, 126 or 76 stop around the corner. Get out at Linnaeusstraat/Wijttenbachstraat. By car Coming from the ring A10 you take the Diemen exit (s113). Then follow direction Watergraafsmeer and via Middenweg towards the centre of Amsterdam. Continue straight as Middenweg becomes Linnaeusstraat. Pass underneath the train bridge and, just before the traffic lights, turn right into Domselaerstraat. The studio is situated at no. 26.

(Paid) parking is available in the street.
The entrance of the office building is situated at the beginning of the Domselaerstraat, close to Linnaeusstraat. The studio is on the first floor and is only accessible by stairs. There is no lift.

De linksup

- Zen Shiatsu® institute
- The Dutch Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Ohashiatsu® Touch for Peace
- European Zen Center
- Chi Kung training

Aanbevolen links:
- www.lamexicana.nl
- www.dwarsweb.nl
- www.imaginemagazine.nl


Contactup

Cordula Quadt
Phone: 020-6922793
E-mail: info@shiatsu-masunaga.nl