Do I have to get naked?
The answer to this common question is no. However you should wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing that is warm. You should remove jewelry and your belt if you are wearing one.

How else can I prepare?
Don't eat heavily before a shiatsu session and don't drink alcohol. Drink plenty of water after your session to help your body flush away toxins and impurities released from the treatment.

Will shiatsu hurt?
Shiatsu manipulates and stretches the muscles so there may be some discomfort but there shouldn't be any pain. Tell your shiatsu therapist about any discomfort immediately. It could be a sign of something more serious.

How does shiatsu diagnosis work?
The shiatsu practitioner will look for irregularities in the body. The postures, muscles, skin all reflect these irregularities. By touching the patient, the practitioner will be able to feel these irregularities and identify them.

How will shiatsu help?
By finding and identifying these irregularities the practitioner can determine the best treatment. Through stretching, rocking and pushing the practitioner will begin to move the energies in the body and release any tension. Shiatsu is a holistic treatment and doesn't focus on just the area of discomfort.

Can shiatsu cause harm?
Shiatsu, by nature is a very safe practice. The purpose of shiatsu is to shift energy and relieve tension. Some side effects of treatment may include headache, stiffness, diarrhea or lethargy cause by the body releasing toxins but these symptoms usually pass after a day.

There can be some emotional release as the body releases tension. These deep-seated emotions may require additional treatments and some talk-through.

What is Yin and Yang?

Yin and Yang is the balance of energies, including Chi. Everyone knows the symbol of the black and white drops circling around with the opposite color in a dot in the center of the drop. What this symbolizes is that there is a little light in every darkness and vice-versa.

The original meaning of Yang was "the sunny side of the valley"; Yin was "the shady side of the valley". Yin therefore was associated with darkness, coldness, resting, and quietness. Yang was the opposite: light, heat, and activity movement.

Chi is affected when the balance of the body, mind and spirit is disturbed. Yin and Yang represent this balance.