Text

Copy of an article on Workshops at Tabiano Terme

David Home and Bryony Williams have been developing a 5 Element approach to shiatsu for over 10 years, which focuses primarily on being able to generate various forms of touch that express energetic qualities associated with the different Elements of Oriental Medicine. These Elements and their inter-relationships combine and form our internal and external environment, and the interconnection of the two. They are the energetic fabric of what we are (yin) and what we do (yang), and the qualities generated can be applied through any system or approach to shiatsu. A very important part of the study of the 5 Element approach is the experiencing of these elemental qualities through movement, so that the body recognises them and can reproduce them in the shiatsu. The recognition of which Elemental qualities are required is based around the two sets of inter-relationships of the Elements shown in the diagrams below.

The workshops for the weekend in Tabiano Terme explored the qualities of and the relationships between two of the Elements, Metal and Wood, in order to bring awareness to the natural rhythms and flow inherent in the body, essential for fully integrated shiatsu. Participants directly experienced these qualities through organic movement and dance practices and used their discoveries in the shiatsu treatments.

Each session began with a movement practice to explore and directly experience the energetic qualities in these two Essences, and to find clear alignment and posture suitable for giving shiatsu. These Essences are common denominators between movement and shiatsu; as shiatsu is movement, and movement is shiatsu.

In the first workshop we focused on Metal, and it was seen that Metal draws the energies of heaven down to earth and wakes up the root (Water), which is activated by breath through the vertical axis. Thus, the in-breath is the vitalizing part of shiatsu, and breathing deep into Water, visualising breathing from the feet up, helps the practitioner to generate a very strong dynamic base for the entire axis of the body.

All this needs to be embodied in order to give effective shiatsu, and was explored by focusing on the connection to the breath and how it energises and defines our movement, through both free movement and set exercises. We also worked to bring more awareness to the feet/root of the body, and the foundation for good alignment and posture through the vertical axis. Finally we focused the breath through the hands and explored their expressive qualities. We began work on a breathing kata inspired by the words of a short poem by the Vietnamese Buddhist, Thich Nhat Hanh, which is condensed from a much longer traditional Buddhist Sutra on breathing into the twelve words: In Out, Deep Slow, Calm Ease, Smile Release, Present Moment Wonderful Moment. These words express some of the core associations of the 5 Essences of energy: Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Water.

In the shiatsu part of the session the Metal touch quality used was similar to carefully inserting a key into a lock on the out-breath, and then a spiralling and drawing out of blocked energy on the in-breath at various speeds. Although contact was maintained all the time there was the sense of releasing or pulling out blockages, so this touch technique was used for waking up or shifting areas of stagnation almost anywhere on the body; just as the inspiration of the spark of Heaven wakes up the sleeping yin.

In the second session, it was demonstrated that once the Metal inspiration had awoken the root/Water, the Essence of Wood gave the Water Essence courage to move and expand into new areas: the dynamic force behind transformation. This flow is continuous and cyclic, although every cycle is slightly different turning it into a spiral of transformation.

Movements began with strengthening the connection to feet, bending/stretching, rising/lowering - while maintaining an upright posture and strength in the torso, and finding the courage to ‘stand tall’. Fluidity was explored through variations of figure of 8 movements and the organic and sequential flow of movement through the joints in different parts of the body; finally through the body as a whole, spiralling from the feet through the knees, hips, ribs, shoulders, arms, hands and into the fingers; just as the trunk of a tree is the flexible axis linking the strength-giving roots to the expressive branches, and right through to the life-absorbing leaves; giving the tree the true expression of its inner nature, and sense of being. The use of the breathing kata supported this whole theme of a strong fluid core being energised from the roots up.

The emphasis in the shiatsu was looking at stretches and working to open the body sequentially joint by joint in order to create a fully stretched meridian/limb, and rotation, figures of 8 were used to free up different joints. Those practising were also encouraged to move the bones on both sides of the point of articulation at the same time rather than stabilising one side and moving the other. For example, they were asked to move both the forearm and the hand at the same time to free the wrist, and to move the hand while moving an individual finger, and so on. In addition, the notion of the energy of the explorer was introduced, and by allowing the client’s body to lead and inform the stretches rather than imposing a set form, new stretches were found.

The third session began with a general résumé and question/answer section. One question raised was about the confusion of Water as an Essence or Element and water as a substance e.g. a glass of water. This occurred through a discussion regarding Wood Essence having the energetic expression of flow, and Water having the energetic expression of stillness. This confusion often occurs when the word Element is used, which is perhaps why 5 Phases, 5 Movements or 5 Essences are better terms, as they are less likely to become associated to solid western forms, and are simply aspects of energy.

The movement session was also a résumé of some of the principles explored in earlier sessions, including being aware of the root, growth, flow, expansion and alignment of the body. Then, by moving in slow motion, we became aware of subtle shifts of weight in the body, found points of balance and stillness, and worked with partners to feel the connection to another person, centre to centre. We also looked at the inter-relationships between Metal and Wood, where, through the energetic influence of the ‘controlling’ or ‘regulating’ Koh cycle of the 5 Essences, it can be seen that moving under the guidance and support of the breath harmonious flow can be experienced and expressed. The unification of breath and movement, regulation and flow was emphasised in a detailed examination and explanation of the breathing kata. The purpose of working on the kata in every session was to distil and structure all the principles explored over the weekend.

This unification of Metal and Wood energies was brought into the shiatsu practice, where focusing on the in-breath when moving was emphasised. This was done primarily to eliminate all the minor adjustments that tend to be made when settling into a position ready for working on a ‘bit’ of the body. A practitioner must trust they are in the right place and flow from there; energised and filled by the in-breath and fully present on the out-breath: a continuous flow of shiatsu. Once again, slow motion was encouraged to initially gain a sense of the continuity and fluidity, of space and timelessness.

In addition, to these sessions there was an early morning optional movement session focused on exploring ways to wake up/energise/open and harmonise the body in preparation for shiatsu. This included a full body warm-up, free improvised movement and some standing shiatsu, releasing the upper part of the body, and centring by using the ‘Ki Ball’ to lift the yin (front) and anchor the yang (back).

We felt the way the whole weekend seminar was organised was an excellent example of the energies of Metal and Wood and the relationship between them working at their best. There was non-intrusive, clear structure behind it, which had all the precision, clarity and formation to create a strongly held, safe space, where everyone felt free to explore and expand, and where everything flowed harmoniously. The organisation breathed life into the seminar, and we came away enriched because of the willingness, generosity and open-spirited engagement of everybody present. The invisible breath remained invisible but totally essential. The, then, harmonious Wood nourished a glowing Fire, and we felt truly valued, appreciated and heart-warmed.

with much gratitude Dave and Bryony

To see a video of the breathing kata please click

here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTpyhfCoDLA

(Please note that the video is unlisted and

so cannot be seen without the full link pasted above)

Short Slideshow

Back to welcome