The therapeutic art of Shiatsu is now widely practised in the West, yet practitioners find it difficult to acquire the training that will take them beyond the mechanistic level. For many years Akinobu Kishi has been visiting the West to teach, but never before have his ideas been recorded in book form. Regarded as one of the leading exponents of shiatsu, Kishi trained with and then assisted Shizutu Masunaga, and is widely regarded as the heir to his work, developed to the higher level of Seiki Soho, which takes the practice well beyond the realms simply of good technique. With the assistance of his long-term assistant Alice Whieldon, Kishi's theory and practice of Seiki Soho are described and explained for the first time in this important book. Setting his work within the historical context of shiatsu, the long central section of the book consists of questions and answers - and discussion - about the fundamental principles and practice of Zen Shiatsu as taught by Kishi. The final section consists of case studies of practice, including the experiences of people treated by Kishi. This groundbreaking and generous book is illustrated with Kishi's calligraphy and other artwork, and will be essential reading for all shiatsu practitioners and students who want to deepen their practice, and a rich and rewarding read for anyone interested in Eastern approaches to healing.
