The KI to Health

Make a Difference!

2011-03-23T15:31:00.000-05:00

It's been eighteen years since I first started my studies with Yin Shiatsu in Japan under Master Nobuyuki Takeuchi, and I can still say that this has been the most influential life-changing experience I have ever had. I will be forever grateful...thank-you Master Takeuchi.

Now, with the disaster in Japan, it is even more important than before for me to practice what I was taught. We have the possibility to affect the energies around us, and the events in our lives with our positive consciousness. What we think and HOW we behave MAKES A DIFFERENCE!

If you can, take time to remember our fellow humanity across the oceans. If you cannot donate to the relief fund, do something else that may be of equal importance...use your positive thinking to help the Japanese in their recovery efforts. Now is the time to remember that we are all the same, regardless of culture.

I urge you to use your positive consciousness, your intention, send your prayers out into the universe to bring light and healing to Japan.

Thank-you!

Sarah

Resolve to be good to yourself this year!

2010-12-23T10:46:00.000-05:00

Too often we come off the tails of a holiday season of over-indulgence and excesses, vowing that this year will be different. We say to ourselves things like, ”From January 1st I will not eat sugar, or chocolate. I will run everyday without fail. This year I will be good!” We trip ourselves up with all-or-nothing statements like, “I will NEVER do this”, or “I will ONLY do this”. And while having great discipline can definitely assist our health, it can also cause a lot of stress, and we could be setting ourselves up for failure.

Remember when setting your goals for the fresh New Year, that in 2011 you could be a new you in some very great ways! What if you focussed on what you WILL DO, as opposed to what you WON’T DO? For example instead of saying “I will not eat chocolate anymore”, why not say, “I will make choices in the New Year that will help to nourish my body and mind.” While setting some ground rules is important, practically speaking, moderation in both our behaviours and attitudes can often bring more health and healing than stricture and discipline. That old adage that slow and steady wins the race can apply here; and making lasting changes in our habits takes some time, perseverance, and at the same time a gentle mental attitude. For 2011, why not focus on “What could I do in this moment to greater nurture and nourish myself?”

If you would like to become more active, stretch more, become less stressed, or accomplish specific academic or work goals, it is critical that you set reasonable goals, and reasonable time frames to achieve these goals. It would be even more beneficial to develop a supportive mental attitude to appreciate yourself for your efforts and your growth regardless of the outcome of these goals. After all, life is not about the end result, but instead it is about enjoying THE JOURNEY.

Wishing you all the best in your endeavours for a healthy and happy 2011.

In healing,

Sarah

Raise a Cup to Better Health!

2010-10-28T02:46:00.002-05:00

No, I don’t mean a cup of bubbly, though with the holiday season approaching that may be appropriate as well! Traditional Chinese Medicine utilizes cupping as a type of manual therapy to compliment acupuncture treatments.

The cupping techniques are used to increase the circulation of Qi & Blood both in contracted muscle tissue, and within the channels of energy that run to the internal organs. The cups are placed briefly over a flame and then placed on the body; the heat in the cups creates both a warming effect and also a gentle vacuum that opens up the muscle tissue and vastly increases local circulation of Qi, blood and lymphatic fluids. The cups help to restore muscle and tendon flexibility, while at the same time working the layer of facial tissue that binds between the skin and muscles.

The traditional method for applying cups required a resting time of the cups for 10-15 minutes. The purpose here is to draw stagnation from deep within the body, and this technique often leaves reddish-purple marks on those who have more congestion in their muscles or internally. However, I prefer to practice sliding cupping with oil that acts as a very deep tissue massage, or cupping in which the cups are placed on and removed in rapid succession. This technique can increase the flow of Qi and Blood to help significantly in the reduction of local pain or stagnation, or to move Qi internally in the organs. This technique is particularly beneficial during the fall season in the initial stages of catching a cold, and acts to stimulate the strengthening of the Lung energy and the body’s defensive Qi.

So…why not raise a cup?

How energy work can assist you to heal

2009-07-23T16:23:00.004-05:00

There are many listings out there for alternative health care indicating that they treat 'Mind, Body & Spirit'. If we are indeed a spiritual being living in this wonderful vessel, our body, than we need to have true appreciation for our body. As a house or home for our spirit and mind, our body recieves very little gratitude for all the miles and stresses it takes us through. Just think! If you did not have your body...you would not be able to experience so many joyous things in this world!

Alternative health care, especially the work that has the inclusion of energy that allows the body to heal naturally, can be a fantastic way to express gratitude to our body for all it does for us. Energy work, whether it Shiatsu Massage, Reiki, Craniosacral Therapy or simply the energy that moves naturally with Registered Massage Therapy, has the wonderful capacity to assist us to getting in tune with our body and mind. The time that we spend in deep relaxation during treatment is highly beneficial to assist us in releasing stresses and worries, and helps us to get closer to feeling balanced in mind, body and spirit.

Treatment is a good time to let our nervous system truly wind down...and to allow deep healing to occur. We may choose to become an active part of this experience, being led through guided meditation and deep breathing, or self-awareness. Or we may simply choose to come and allow ourselves to be free of worries and over-thinking during the duration of the treatment.

It is my true pleasure to help facilitate deep healing of all kinds through the use of energy work with my clients through a variety of modalities. Through this process, it is my intention to assist you in forming a deep sense of relaxation, balance and profound well-being.

What is Shiatsu Massage?

2008-12-27T09:20:00.004-05:00

Shiatsu massage originated in Japan and translates directly as "shi", meaning finger, and "atsu", meaning pressure. The earliest text citing the use of Shiatsu for healing was in 1915. There are two main schools of Shiatsu, the Namikoshi school which is shiatsu therapy based on Western anatomy and physiology, and the Masanuga school or 'Zen Shiatsu' based on the roots of Traditional Chinese Medicine. I was lucky enough to study from a great master, Nobuyuki Takeuchi, who created his own form of Yin Shiatsu.

For two and a half years, I studied a traditional apprenticeship training program under Master Takeuchi, and in the last year had the wonderful opportunity to work full-time in the Akahigedo Clinic. Master Takeuchi was an inspiration to watch, as he could create such a deep sense of connection with his patients. His dedication to the healing of others is unparalleled, with early morning cold water meditations and Qi Gong, similar to Tai Chi, and long hours of treatment. He not only worked with his patients physical ailments, but in keeping with the roots of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Master Takeuchi would touch people's hearts and emotions, helping them to heal as a whole person.

I was blessed with an amazing teacher as well, Dr. Akihiko Wakabayashi, who truly took me under wing and passed on to me Master Takeuchi's way. He was at the time the Senior Therapist in the clinic, and dedicated hours to teaching me Master Takeuchi's Yin Shiatsu; the years spent studying the Shiatsu techniques, theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Zen philosophy are well-imprinted on my memory. And I have never forgotten the deep sense of peace and inner healing I received, and witnessed in the patients at the clinic. This for me was the seed of my desire to do healing work, to follow in the footsteps of Master Takeuchi and Dr. Wakabayashi, and to truly make a difference in the lives of my patients.

In Tradititonal Chinese Medicine it is believed that there are twelve channels or meridians of energy running throughout the body and limbs, and that these channels of energy run to and from the internal organs. If there is a blockage of energy along the channel, say due to a blow or accident, than the Qi ('chee') becomes blocked causing pain. If the blockage remains stuck for a prolonged period of time, it may translate through the channel to problems in other areas of the body or the internal organs. Similarly, if there are disharmonies in the interal organ energies, this may translate to pain or discomfort, or unwanted symptoms in the body. Both acupuncture (which I am currently studying) and Shiatsu use techniques which are intended to stimulate the flow of Blood and Qi in the body, therefore releasing the area of blockage (whether it resides in the superficial channel, or in the internal organ), and restoring the body to it's natural state. Shiatsu moves the Qi and Blood through the application of gentle finger and elbow and forearm pressure to various points along the Channels of energy. It is deeply relaxing and at the same time will release tension in tight muscles and tendons.

Master Takeuchi's Yin Shiatsu(TM)is rooted firmly in the traditions of Chinese Medicine, and aims to treat the true 'root' of the illness, rather than just the painful symptom. Master Takuechi created a Triangle Relationship Theory, whereby paired channels from the leg & arm can be used to treat the internal organ disharmony, and also the painful area on the limb, without actually applying pressure to the painful area directly. For example a paired meridian on the back of the right knee may be used to treat the inside of the left elbow. All in all, the purpose of Yin Shiatsu is to get to the "Yin" or deep, inner cause of the pain, and stimulate the body's internal energy to release blockages and access deep healing.

Yin Shiatsu is deeply relaxing, methodical, addresses the root of physical and emotional disharmonies. The depth of pressure is made appropriate to each patient, and a variety of techniques may be used to coax sore muscles and tired minds to release. Shiastu is a dry form of massage and may be done with the patient completely clothed, or may be combined with other massage and treatment techniques, depending on the needs of the client. Yin Shiatsu treats you as a whole person, body, mind and spirit.

Article on Healing by Sarah's Sensei

2008-11-23T00:37:00.001-05:00

How to cure illnesses essentially
By Akihiko Wakabayashi

I would like to share how to cure illnesses essentially for people who have diseases and want to be cured, or simply for those who are trying to take health precautions. This is based both on the wisdom that has been accumulated since ancient times and the latest theory and research.

Ancient people found the law of nature

In ancient China, people thought about the four seasons, such as why summer comes after spring or why it is hot in the summer and cold in the winter. They considered that it depended upon, or was due to the work of "KI" (in Chinese "Qi", or energy). So they named it "the Law of Nature" and systematized it.
All creatures and matter, not only human beings, but also animals, plants, minerals and microbes, are created by the invisible energy called "KI". They grow, mature, age, and go back to the unformed energy. And again, they are re-created. This cycle is repeated.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, "In nature, we have the four seasons and the five energy transformations, namely, wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. These changes and transformations produce cold, summer heat, dampness, dryness, and wind. The weather, in turn, affects every living creature in the natural world and forms the foundation for birth, growth, maturation, and death under ‘the Law of Nature.’ In the human body there are the five organs, namely, the liver, heart, spleen, lung, and kidneys. The qi (prounounced "Chee") of the five organs forms the five spirits and gives rise to the five different emotions - happiness, anger, sadness, worry or fear, and fright."(The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine)

The Ancient Chinese scientists and philosophers exacted their science through careful observation of the world; both the nuances of the natural world outside, and deep observation of humans’ and their internal world. They saw many patterns emerge from their observation. “The I is ‘a reflection of the universe in miniature.’ There are three meanings to the word "I": ease and simplicity, change and transformation, and invariability. But ‘I ‘primarily means change, used interchangeably with the word Tao since Tao is life, spontaneity, evolution, or in one word, change itself." (Ch’u Chai and Winberg Chai, "Introduction" to I Ching, trans. by James Legge).
This Oriental "Law of Nature" was applied to the I Ching (The Book of Changes), feng shui (geomancy), traditional medicine and many other things.. Even now, we (especially in Japan) apply this law in many ways in our daily life, for example, it is used in the selection of Chinese characters for one's name. And when we build our houses, they are designed to face south, to take in the energy of the sunshine (Yang I from the I Ching). The “I” or transformation of energy is reflected in the change of seasons, and so many of our customs reflect this changing energy. When it is Midsummer on the Day of the Ox, in dog days, we eat eels. Also, we have a custom of celebrating certain birthdays. For children we celebrate turning three, five and seven years of age, and the celebration of one's sixtieth, seventieth, and eighty-eighth birthday’s is also based on the Oriental "Law of Nature."

These are all applications of "the Law of Nature", to better use the energy of "I" in our daily life, and they remind us of the flow of "KI". For example, we should take it easy generally and take better care of ourselves after our sixtieth birthday. This awareness of the law of nature will assist us to live healthily and happily.

"KI" generates all matter. Therefore, "KI" is the essential source of every form matter. By understanding the law of the flow of "KI", that is, "the Law of Nature", we can live with a healthy and happy body and mind. Ancient Chinese philosophers thought this to be true.

Applications for the Medical Field

Oriental Medicine focuses on the flow of qi within the body and mind, and in the relationship of this inner qi to the flow of qi within nature, or external qi.

For example, all of these elements are compared from external seasons and weather, to the physical body and finally to our internal emotions and even soul; all of these elements are considered to belong to the element of wood; Spring, East, Wind, Wood, Sourness, Liver, Eyes, Nails, Tendons, Blood in the organs, Blue, Anger, Stress, Soul.

"With the arrival of spring, the flow of qi comes from the east. The sun rises in the east and brings about the wind. The wind flourishingly produces qi of wood, which produces sour taste, and the sour taste strengthens the liver, and qi of the liver nourishes the sinews (muscles, tendons, joints). ‘I’ of the liver appears in the eyes and nails; it nourishes qi of blood; its’ color is blue; it produces angry emotions. The liver is the place where the soul is."(The yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine)

So let us see how to apply this wisdom to patients.
For example, in the case of a patient who has a bad liver, we try not only to cure the bad liver, but we investigate the source of the disease and why the patient came to have this liver trouble in the first place. When we are angry or feel stress, the flow of qi in the liver is weakened, and the proper functioning of the liver is deteriorated. Many other factors, such as changing our natural surroundings, environmental contamination, poor dietary habits and life-style, fluctuating emotions, and our way of thinking also affect the liver. If they impose a burden on our mind and body, then they tend to adversely affect our livers.

For example, the reason for a bad liver will essentially continue to exist unless one changes one's habit of heavy drinking. Then why does a person who knows this fact drink so much?

As an example, a man may drink to release himself of stress from his job, as his boss is a stern man and always scolds him. His stress will last forever unless he changes his way of thinking or his attitude when he gets scolded. Even if his liver may be cured by some treatment, his drinking habit to release his stress will only worsen his liver again. The fundamental solution to the problem is to change this mans’ way of thinking about things.

Human beings think in their brain, and then take action. Our "consciousness", or awareness of any given moment, characterizes various events in our lives, and is always at work. And yet, Western medicine has disregarded an acknowledgement of the "consciousness" when trying to cure diseases. The Western medical approach does not look at our mind and body as an integrated whole, as in Eastern Medicine.
"The law of Nature" in Oriental Medicine says that "Consciousness" is the essence of "I" which creates everything.

Human beings have evolved by applying "the Law of Nature"

As mentioned above, human beings understood "The Law of Nature" even in ancient times, and have since used it to cure disease, improve their quality of life, and to improve the healthy functioning of their societies.
During the last few hundred, it has been popular to try to understand "the Law of nature" through natural sciences. Sir Isaac Newton, who discovered the Law of Gravity, Albert Einstein, who deduced the Principle of Relativity, and Leonardo da Vinci among many others who discovered many laws of nature, and therefore contributed to human progress.
Those who found these laws of nature seemed to have first intuitively felt the existence of such laws. Their intuition apparently exceeded reasoning. For example, it is well known that Sir Isaac Newton discovered the Law of Gravity by intuition, when he saw an apple falling while he stood idling under an apple tree.
In the same way as these early experiences, new trials to understand "The Law of Nature" using our intuition seem to have started in mid-1980s.

The Latest " Law of Nature"

The latest study of "the Law of Nature" is being daily promoted at IFUE (The Institute of Form-Undulatory Energy, with Ikuro Adachi as its’ Director). As our present society understands "the Law of Nature" and applies any new ideas and through modern-day natural sciences, therefore the IFUE collects and studies their intuitive information about the Law of Nature as scientifically as possible. Through application of such information, many clinical cases are reported, in which people with difficult diseases were cured.
Now, I would like to unfold my thoughts in light of The Law of Undulation, by Ikuro Adachi and published by the PHP Institute, which has sold 150 thousand copies so far. [Parentheses indicate quotations from the book.]

[The essence of all matter is the atomic nucleus, inside of which lie neutron, proton, and electron. Then the fact that neutron is "Consciousness" and proton is "Volition" means that absolutely everything is made up of "Consciousness and Volition." This is also true of the air that we cannot even see. Basically any space where there is air is filled with "Consciousness" and "Volition."]

All matter on earth is composed of atoms and atoms are composed of neutrons and protons. If the neutron is "Consciousness" itself, and the proton is "Volition" or will, it can then be said that our "thoughts and mind" directly influence each and every matter in the universe. So, if we happen to have an inharmonious "Consciousness", it will affect the matter that surrounds it. On the contrary, when we have a harmonious "Consciousness", it will harmonize with the surrounding matter. So what is an inharmonious consciousness?

Inharmonious "Consciousness"

[When there is an expansion of the consciousness whose only desire is to keep the body safe, which wants to maintain greater safety only for its own body, its family, its company, its country, its tribe, or "only humans," that consciousness is inharmonious according to "The Law of Nature." Energy is something that flows across everything to harmonize all beings equally and without exception. Consciousness that gives priority to "only humans" is very inharmonious according to the Law of Nature. As long as we act with such consciousness, we always transmit inharmonious wave energy (inharmonious Qi).]

We tend to use CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) just for convenience even though they can destroy the ozone-layer. As a result, a powerful ultra-violet ray is poured on the earth causing many people to suffer from skin cancer. Excessive consumption of petroleum has caused global warming and a country in the south Pacific even sank into the sea. The fundamental cause of these situations is our me-centered "Consciousness" that "everything is acceptable if it is beneficial for humans", that fails to take into account the effect that this approach has on our communities, our health and our world. Human beings have developed various things and promoted civilization based on this "Consciousness". And this has brought about many problems.

The Essence of Disease

[When a human being has a consciousness that only seeks to satisfy its own desires, its constituent neutrons and protons reach a distorted state and lose their normal forms. So a distorted human consciousness produces germs.]

An eastern wise man described this in another way.
"Man is composed of bones, flesh, blood and skin. But these alone would not have given him life. He has a soul, a spirit, which makes him capable of life as a man.
If so, when you fall ill, can you dispose of it simply as a disease in the body?
Until now, these diseases have been considered in most cases to be caused by physical disorders alone and medical treatment has been applied. But there is an ultimate cause deeper than just bacteria. It is that there is something wrong with the mind, something unnatural and distorted. The distortion of the mind, then, which causes a bodily disease, does not really originate in a man's family frictions and business depression, but rather corresponds exactly with such life environment of his. So the fact is that a disease in the body is a danger signal in which are revealed the dark shadows (unnaturalness) of his life (family or business relation, etc.). The way it is given illustrates admirably the unnatural distortions of his mind."(Toshio Maruyama)

Germs are created in each of our consciousness

[Not only that, on Earth, we misunderstand and say that the germs cause diseases. We think germs are "bad." We have the "consciousness" to "fight" and "kill," and hate the germs that we ourselves produce. Basically, the "Consciousness" to "fight" or "kill" itself does not follow the law of nature.
However, as we continue to compete and take from one another, in the end the conscious mind hates the germs that it has produced with its own disharmonized consciousness. The germs that we hate are those that we have produced ourselves; in essence, the germs themselves are not evil, yet we try to kill them by means of disinfections.]

It seems that our "disharmonized conscious mind" and "greed" produce germs and cause diseases. No matter how we cure "diseases" and "disinfect germs", we will not be able to eradicate diseases, unless we change our "disharmonized conscious mind" which produces diseases and germs. After killing germs because "germs are bad," more powerful germs come up and a hospitalized person may die because of an in-hospital infection. Such situations seem to be related to the way of human thinking.
It may be possible that we produce new germs and diseases because we doctors cure diseases everyday, believing that our treatment is right.

Disease is a message

[As regards this, the state changes drastically when a person's "conscious mind" undergoes a consciousness shift in a harmonized direction and the frequency (working of Qi) increases more and more when they take in harmonious action. As the neutrons, protons and electrons head in a normal direction, disease disappears.
Those who have diseases, those who have cancer or AIDS, please do not have the "consciousness" to hate, fight or kill them, but instead understand the law of nature and that AIDS, for instance, is something that your "conscious mind" has produced and that the virus is sending you a message right now. And if you have "consciousness" that says, "Thank you for the message," your "conscious mind" will surely undergo a consciousness shift to a harmonious direction. This is the quickest way to cure disease.
That is why having the "Consciousness" to be healthy and live long is personal greed and is not a fundamental solution to disease. To put it simply, the result of harmony is health and long life.]

Disease is a message to let one realize one's distorted way of living or thinking.
If we have gratitude for this message and change our way of living and thinking, the disease will be cured. Therefore it is very important that we should not pursue curing "diseases", but to divert our "consciousness," which creates diseases, in a harmonious direction. It is important that we do not give gratitude in order to "cure our disease quickly", because this focus on “curing our disease” does not allow us to really have genuine feelings of gratitude to the message that the disease is gifting us with. We need to be very careful not to let a situation of false gratitude to develop.

Curing diseases by exploring the essence

[The reason why we have come not to "have gratitude for the message of a disease" and cure disease quickly, is that we are not exploring the "essence." For doctors, exploring "essence" to cure diseases will mean they should find out what a human is.
If doctors really seriously deal with the study of "what is a human," then they should view things in essence not from what is disease, but "what is a sick person." The necessary approach is not to cure "disease" but to consider what to do in order for the sick person to return to the original "human" state. But unfortunately, today's doctors treat disease by considering the question, "what is disease?" That is why although cancer may be cured, the person may lose some human aspects. Take anti-cancer drugs, for example. Anti-cancer drugs that distort and destroy even normal cells are meant only for curing cancer. When one looks at disease without looking at the "human" who is the sick person, such things can happen. If the question of what is a human were dealt with straightforwardly, today's medicine would definitely change.

It is important for doctors to explore the essence of a disease and realize, "what a human is." When doctors pursue the essence of curing diseases, they should view things essentially not from the standpoint of "what is a disease?" but from the viewpoint of, "What is a sick person?" And doctors should not be expected to cure "disease" but to support sick people in their effort to regain their true essence as human beings. I think these are the attitudes that will be sought after in the medicine of the future.

A child's disease is a message to the family

[The fastest way for the disease to be cured is for the child's mother, father, or brothers and sisters to each think seriously why the child got sick and (1) what meaning is being presented in the state of the disease, (2) why this sick brother or sister exists, and (3) what I can learn from the sick child. There are definitely many things to learn from this. If one learns and becomes aware of even one or two of these things, certainly one can become grateful to that sick child. That means one has to "be thankful for the message".
Then, the messages sent through diseases become unnecessary. What that means is that as a phenomenon, the disease begins to be cured. That is the point. Once one becomes aware of the above points and becomes grateful saying, "Thank you for the message," the disease is really cured. This is certain and the result is definite.
For example, the parents of a child afflicted with an incurable disease say that they have discovered things that they had not been aware of in the daily life of the sick child, and that they have learned much from that. They are grateful to the child from the bottom of their hearts, and the child has already started to recover. Every time they discover such things, they recover.]

In most cases, parents wish to cure the disease quickly when their child becomes sick, because they pity their poor child. But changing their minds and realizing that the child's disease is a message for them and being truly grateful for this message seems to be the essential solution. Actually, I hear more and more parents report that their children's diseases were cured in this way.

For future medicine

So essentially our sickness or illness arrives to inform us that our "Consciousness" and way of living or thinking is not in harmony. Some aspect of disharmony in our conscious thought had caused a dis-ease, or lack of ease in our bodies to give us a message. So then we have the opportunity to learn from the message of the disease, adjust our life-style and thinking in a more positive direction, and as a result the disease is cured thoroughly. That is how to essentially cure disease.
To cure diseases thoroughly, the patients should not depend on their doctors to cure them but try to know the essential reason for their disharmony or disease. Then, they should "change their way of living and thinking", and continue to make daily efforts for this purpose. It seems very important that doctors support their patients not by "curing the disease," but by "assisting the patients to change their ways of living and thinking" and by "providing them with harmonious energy."
It is important that the above concept should be seen as something natural and that more and more doctors should put this principle into practice. The final goal for doctors will be "to create a society where no one becomes sick."
"The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine," which was written three thousands years ago, describes the following;
A low level of doctor can't cure diseases.
A general (middle level) of doctor can cure diseases properly.
An excellent (high level) of doctor can cure "un-diseases."

"Curing un-diseases" means that a truly excellent doctor can prevent diseases before people get sick. After all, this type of doctor will contribute to create the society in which people will not get sick.

For the future, it should be indispensable that the doctor is, not only a technical expert, but also is continuously studying the essences of disease in order to cure it by asking, "what is the human being who is suffering from disease?" and, "what is life itself?" And above all it should be seen as the essential key for curing diseases, that the person suffering from the disease asks them self, if there is disharmonious way of thinking or living" and "what can be learned from disease". Then they should apply themselves in serious efforts to try to live more harmoniously.

I would like to share these concepts with as many people as possible, as a "medical model for the future" to create new medical care.

KI Health Centre
Preventive Medicine Institute
Akihiko Wakabayashi
Doctor of TCM

Wakabayashi Haimu-2F
Taito 2-26-8 Taito-ku
Tokyo, Japan 110-0016

QI KONG CLASSES

2008-03-13T12:31:00.001-05:00

In our fast-paced lives we feel overwhelmed and stressed, both mentally and physically. We need to make time to get back in touch with ourselves and find some inner calm.

Qi Kong (prounouced "Chi Kong") originated in ancient China. It is a combination of gentle movement, breathing exercises and meditation. It is based on the theory that everything in the universe is made up of energy or Chi. Qi Kong can be translated directly as ‘internal energy exercise’. These excercises are therefore intended to help us balance and replenish our internal energy.

These classes will include Qi Kong exercises, as well as some techniques for meditation and developing our positive consciousness. You will need to bring a pillow appropriate for seated meditation.

Dates:
Sundays,
April 13th
April 20th
May 4th
May 11th

Time:
1:15-2:15pm

Cost:
Drop in $14.00
4 Series $48.00
(Cash payments only please)

Location:
Horizon Taekwondo
1027 Speers Rd., #25
Oakville , NW corner of 4th Line & Speers Rd.

Enrollment:
Contact Sarah at 416-274-8117 or
healing.massage.therapy@gmail.com

Craniosacral Therapy and Total Well-Being

2007-12-05T12:32:00.000-05:00

I recently added Craniosacral Therapy to my treatment modalities, studying through the Upledger Institute from the States, and a whole new world of treatment has opened up to me! The effects of craniosacral treatments are both subtle, and at the same time, have a potentially much broader impact on our bodies and on our well-being.

Basically speaking, the craniosacral system deals with the layering of tissues and enclosed cerebrospinal fluid, both of which protect our brain and spinal cord. These layers of tissue are fascia, another type of connective tissue, that runs throughout our bodies. Fascial tissue binds and separates our muscles, internal organs and all structures within the body. It is like an internal 'body stocking' with pockets, within pockets, within pockets. Fascia allows physical support to the functioning of all our various body systems. And because fascia is all continuous throughout the body, tension within the craniosacral system can affect the external body, and tensions within the body can affect the craniosacral system. Ultimately, the ability of our nervous system to operate at peak performance is affected.

Craniosacral Therapy was created in the late 1970's by Dr. John Upledger, an osteopathic physician from the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Michigan State University. Over time the techniques have been refined, and it has been found that this system of deep tissue responds to very gentle techniques. Craniosacral Therapy has a very light-touch approach that coaxes and stretches this deep fascial tissue to release restrictions that are affecting the healthy functioning of the body.

Clients will first receive a craniosacral evaluation for the therapist to assess areas of restriction, and then will be treated with a variety of very light techniques to release tensions in the tissue that surround both the cranium (head) and sacrum (tailbone). The techniques are extremely relaxing and allow the client time to reset their nervous system and release stress.

Because the fascial tissue is all connected, a fall on your tailbone could eventually affect your head or jaw (TMJ). Releasing these fascial restrictions also allows for increased fluid exchange in the body of lymph and blood. Cranial nerves that serve the functioning of things such as our hearing and eye motor control are housed in the cranial meningeal layers, and the "master gland" in our body, the pituitary gland is supported in it's physical position by the same tissues. Each of our peripheral nerves that leaves the spinal cord to serve the body has a 'dural sleeve' of this fascial tissue. It is not hard to imagine how restrictions within the craniosacral system could cause any number of issues within the body.

Craniosacral work has the potential to unlock old patterns of holding or injury from the body, allowing us to return to a more natural state. While it there is no guarantee that release of stuck tissues within the craniosacral system will relieve specific symptoms, our bodies have an innate sense of healing and can be the guide to this healing process. Through a series of treatments, we are allowing the "Inner Healer" within you to surface and bring about change for an overall healthier, well-balanced being.

MEDITATION & HEALING

2007-06-28T18:18:00.000-05:00

These days we seem to struggle constantly with busy schedules, responsibilities and a heavy work load. I often ask my clients, “So, when do you have time for YOU in all of that?” Usually the reply is that they don’t.

Our nervous system is an amazing network of wiring that keeps us physically and mentally together through all kinds of stresses. But the more pressure that is placed on this system, the more stress our body has to cope with. It often takes the first 20 minutes of a massage to get a client to really relax and began to release that stress…and then the truly effective massage work begins.

I have a growing concern for all of my clients who feel that they have no “Me time”, feel wound up and anxious, and typically do not sleep well. It is more common than you would imagine. But it is through sleep and relaxation that we rejuvenate our nervous system, and replace important stores of energy.

Meditation is a wonderful tool to help enrich our lives and feed our spirits. It allows us time to ‘just BE’, to rest our busy minds and find some true relaxation. I love it that many of my clients come to me for just that reason; they appreciate the relaxation and time for themselves that the massage provides. But, if in between massages you could continue to have moments of peacefulness and deep relaxation, why wouldn’t you?

The answer is, that meditating takes a commitment of time…and also a willingness to learn a new skill. If you are new to meditation, start simply. Put on some quiet music and close your eyes. Aim to meditate for 5 minutes to begin with…you might only manage 2 minutes, but it’s a start!

Try this:
Breathe in for a count of 4, Hold for a count of 4, Breathe out for a count of 4
Repeat this about 10 times, and then relax your breathing. Naturally you will have begun to breathe more deeply. Draw your awareness to your spine. Be comfortable but try to elongate your spine up towards the skies. If you have thoughts, don’t try to push them away…just let them pass like clouds.

Amazingly, even a couple of minutes of deep breathing and relaxation will do wonders for your feelings of well-being. This meditative time gives our body a chance to let go of stresses and reset. It will help to decrease both your physical and mental tension, and leave you with a renewed sense of appreciation for yourself, and for your day.

CORE STRENGTH & LOW BACK PAIN

2007-06-14T21:50:00.000-05:00

One of the most effective ways of decreasing or controlling low back pain is through developing core strength. Essentially, the muscles in our abdomen counter-balance the muscles that tend to tighten in our lumbar spine and gluteus region (yes, our butt’s have muscle too!). Typically, low back pain is accompanied by high tension in the glutes; high contracted muscle tissue in these areas can cause a significant amount of pain.

Our abdominal, or core strength acts on our posture helping to bring us back into proper alignment, and therefore supporting our low back. Some of our deep abdominal muscles actually run along the anterior, or front side, of the spine. It’s fairly easy to imagine then, how these core muscles can help to strengthen and maintain proper posture.

I don’t know anyone who truly enjoys abdominal strengthening…but we all LOVE the results!! If you truly feel that you cannot motivate yourself to do abdominal strengthening, there are still things you can do to improve your core.

When you are standing, walking or doing any other upright activities, draw your attention to your abdomen. Think about tucking your pelvis under you, or allowing it to rotate forward by pushing your tailbone towards the floor. To do this you must engage your tummy muscles. Think about tightening that area gently, not ‘sucking it in’…you will get a different result. It also needs to be an amount of tension that you can learn to hold and develop awareness around. The same can be applied to seated posture.

There are many wonderful ways to develop core strength; yoga or pilates classes, ball core strength classes, matt work or even ballroom dancing! If you are not sure about safe and effective exercises to do, please ask a professional health care or fitness advisor. Very simply though, ab crunches need to be slower, and completed with contracting the muscle tissue on both the ‘crunch’ and the ‘release’ stage. Breathe out as you contract and in as you release. But when you release…don’t let go of those abs…then you will really develop them!

So, good luck! As you develop your core and abdominal strength you will be improving and strengthening your posture and helping to have a healthier back.

MASSAGE THERAPY, REIKI, AND EMOTIONAL HEALING

2007-06-07T14:32:00.000-05:00

Massage therapy, or massage treatments coupled with Reiki, have the power to help us do some very deep healing. Sometimes my clients feel they can’t explain why during a massage they suddenly are overwhelmed with emotions but they ‘felt fine’ when they walked through the door. And yet, through recognizing their emotions they felt so much better. We all need an opportunity to relax, to get in touch with ourselves and our bodies.

Have you ever had a massage therapy treatment where your level of relaxation went so deep that you felt as if you were in a meditative state? Or that you could let all of your barriers down, and just be? It’s a wonderful and comforting feeling.

Our bodies have a huge role in our emotional and spiritual well-being; the body and mind are linked. That is why it is sometimes a struggle for those who suffer from chronic pain to stay positive. When emotionally charged situations in our lives are not resolved or dealt with, the body can act as a recording system for those experiences. The stress has to go somewhere, and the body takes on that stress in a physical form until we are ready to release it.

When I worked in Japan as a Shiatsu Therapist and studied Eastern medicine, I found that the mind-body link is commonplace in Eastern theories. Each internal organ has an emotion related to it; the stomach is related to anxiety, the liver to anger, the kidneys to fear, the lungs to sorrow and so on. The idea is that if we have a physical blockage of energy in the body due to an injury or repetitive strain, it can affect our emotional energy. And conversely, if we have an emotional blockage it can affect our physical body.

Reiki, in a similar fashion to Shiatsu, has the intention of releasing energy blockages and opening up our charkas, meridian channels and nerve pathways. Through the placement of hands and intention on the part of the therapist, our own innate sense of healing is encouraged. Reiki can have a huge effect on releasing emotions, calming the mind and creating deep relaxation.

I often work with a combination of Massage and Reiki within a treatment. While Reiki acts upon our energetic being, Massage Therapy acts on the nervous system. When we become tight and tense the nerves that go from our muscles to the brain get locked onto the message ‘it’s tight here’, causing a reflex arc that continues to re-create that same message. Through slow, repetitive movements that increase blood circulation, we eventually over-write the message that is on that nerve pathway and break the cycle of pain or tension. The combination of Massage Therapy and Reiki is perfect to help release both physical and emotional stress, leaving us feeling relaxed, rested and refreshed.

HELPING YOURSELF TO HEAL

2007-05-31T15:36:00.000-05:00

So what can you do to increase the effects of your massage? A massage therapy treatment can be effective on it’s own in reducing stress and increasing the health of our physical body, but it can be even more effective combined with self-care. How we care for our bodies in between massages can make a measurable difference in our success and our feelings of physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.

First, learn to listen to your body. Aches and pains that go unchecked or ignored for long periods of time can develop into more serious problems and chronic pain. I often hear clients say, “I have no idea what I did to cause this pain”. But with continued discussion we find out that the client has been working on average 12 hours a day on the computer and can remember feeling discomfort in the area for over 5 or 6 years!! We don’t have to have a traumatic injury to create pain…the simple repetitive strain of our jobs and daily posture can cause severe pain; neck and shoulder discomfort that goes unchecked has the potential to become a nerve impingement with referral symptoms (deep ache, numbness or tingling) that runs into the arm, elbow, wrist and hand. Learn to listen to the signs…when you feel tension and discomfort, aching, burning, or sharp twinges…these are messages from your body to take care of yourself.

Stretching is critical to the healthy maintenance of our muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints. As a physically active person, massage therapist, runner, and weight trainer…I have to make sure that I stretch regularly and well. There have been times in my life where I have trained for marathon distances and gotten lazy about the stretching, only to wind up with an injury. With instruction on proper stretching from your massage therapist, and daily efforts to stretch the areas that need it the most, you are increasing the effects of your massage!

Pay attention to your posture. Whether you are sitting, standing, lifting or working on the computer maintaining a healthy posture can do so much for decreasing the instances of pain or discomfort. Check the height of your chair, the positioning of your computer screen & keyboard, bend from the knees and avoid locking your knees if you are standing a lot. Get up frequently to move around, stretch and clear your head.

If you have an injury the use of ice or heat, as instructed, can reduce the effects of inflammation and relieve tight muscles. Ice decreases blood circulation, encouraging a flush of the excessive blood and lymph in the area. On the other hand, heat may be used to increase blood circulation and bring fresh nutrition into the muscles, helping them to lengthen and relax.

Most importantly, in today’s society we are all moving too fast and carrying with us high amounts of stress. Most people feel that they are too busy to take time for themselves, and mental stresses are not released. When stress is not released, it is taken on by the body in a physical form. Learning to take time for ourselves, to rest, read, journal, meditate and breathe are all an important part of the healing process.

How do I choose the right massage therapist for me?

2007-02-02T22:41:00.000-05:00

If you have never had a massage therapy treatment before, you might be asking yourself, "How do I choose the right massage therapist for me?". All registered massage therapists in Ontario, have the same intensive training and study of anatomy, pathology and clinical practice. Registered massage therapists must pass a rigorous examination process to register with the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario, but not all massage therapists are the same.

It's important to think about what you want from your massage...the experience of receiving a massage in a spa setting and a clinical setting could be quite different. I often tell people that it's very important to find a massage therapist who has the type of touch that they like. Deep tissue massage can be both effective and comfortable at the same time. It's absolutely amazing when you can get the type of pressure and attention to detail you need, and at the same time you are able to achieve a very profound sense of relaxation.

If you have specific issues that you would like your therapist to deal with, such as low back or neck pain, then communicate this to your therapist. A good massage therapist should plan time accordingly to focus on the areas which cause you the most pain or discomfort. Does your massage therapist ask for feedback from you during, and after the massage? And do they give you excercises to do, such as strengthening or stretching to help your healing process, or to maintain your good health?

Massage therapists are trained to treat a wide variety of conditions including things that you might not realize can be treated with massage, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, nerve impingements, sciatica, arthritis, knee or jaw (T.M.J.) pain. They are also trained to try and spot the postural imbalances which often cause discomfort in the body. As a massage therapist, I love to help people by making my best effort to get a the root of the problem. I enjoy taking an active role in the healing, and health of my clients.

I recently went in search of a new massage therapist for myself. I looked for these things; a therapist who I felt comfortable with, and one who would work at my specific problems areas, while at the same time allowing me to relax. I chose a massage therapist who would be dedicated to my health and well-being. I know that for myself, I seek out a massage therapist who treats me with the same sincerity and integrity that I do with my clients.

So, when you are looking for a massage therapist, think about what it is you really want from the experience, shop around, and follow your instincts.

Preventative Health Care Vs. the Band-Aid Approach

2007-01-11T19:40:00.000-05:00

Although I treat clients with a wide variety of clinical conditions from carpal tunnel syndrome and sciatica to sports injuries, the most common thing I see is what I would call the “Band-Aid Approach” to health care. People often disregard their health until they are in a state of pain; pain that is affecting their ability to function in their daily lives. But pain and injury are usually caused by long-standing issues within our bodies.

Posture is the most frequent culprit that needs to be addressed through massage therapy. We all have slight postural imbalances due to our basic physical structure, muscle imbalances, and the repetition of positions within our day. Even the most diligent of office workers, who has an ergonomic chair, a desk of the correct height, appropriate keyboard and monitor, and phone headset, is still subject to the force of gravity acting upon their posture as it remains largely in the same position throughout the day. The same could be said with any career where there is little or no variety in activity, causing stress for the same muscle groups, joints, and supportive tissues (fascia, tendons and ligaments). Can you imagine painting overhead ceilings everyday for eight hours and not causing stress to your neck, back and knees?

Having said this then, our posture does not and did not change overnight. These imbalances (muscle weaknesses or conversely tension) have built up over time. They predispose us to injuries, or bouts of both chronic or acute pain. Muscle spasms, muscle tension or contracture, nerve impingements and even symptoms related to our internal organs or head (ie.- migraines) may be the result of such postural issues.

If we have an area of the body that is overworked, even through healthy weight-lifting or sports activities, we also have the potential to develop strain simply due to the high load and expectation on those frequently used muscle groups. In the building stages, muscles take up to about six weeks to achieve proper length. And without proper, and regular stretching, our muscles may continue to be short and taut, predisposing them to injury. It is clear that even healthy and active muscles can be subject to repetitive strain.

So, if it often takes time for these changes to occur in our bodies, why do we expect that one massage session will cure our pain. In my experience, that first session often can release a large amount and in many cases most of the pain that the client is experiencing at that time (depending on the condition, of course!). What concerns me is that within 3-6 sessions and some regular maintenance care after that, I have a much better chance of affecting the actual cause of the pain instead of just providing temporary relief for the issue.

The pain that people experience is simply the loudest of their bodies’ messages, but by this time the body is screaming to be heard. I always sincerely hope to change a client’s long-standing discomfort and pain into a non-issue, so that one day they realize how great they feel! It’s the difference between using natural health care as a preventative medicine, and the band-aid approach.

Sarah