Bodywork Education

The Ohashi Institute, N.Y.C. 1995-97

Waturu Ohashi, the man who actually wrote the book on Zen Shiatsu is a master teacher and practitioner of this gentle and loving art.

Ohashiatsu® Level 1 

Be natural… be reverent… be present… be continuous… use both hands. Students learn the fundamental principles of Ohashiatsu/Ohashi Method as they apply to bodywork and, more importantly, to every aspect of life. You’ll learn how to work from Hara: your center and your source of inner strength and calm. You’ll learn:

• How to feel the life force or Ki energy flow in the body
• Location of the meridians along the Back, the Legs and the Arms
• Some of the major tsubos (acupoints)
• Ohashiatsu movements and techniques in supine and prone positions
• At the end of the course students will take the written test.

As you near the end of the course, you will experience enhanced sensitivity as well as increased body awareness and grace, and by the end of the course, you will know how to give a full-body session.

Ohashiatsu® Level 2

Learning the principles and philosophy in the first course gives you the “how” to work with energy meridians. The Ohashiatsu II course provides the “why” to work with specific meridians by introducing the Five Elements of Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood. Our appearance, our habits, our likes and dislikes, our emotions and attitudes are examples of our effort to be in harmony with the Five Elements that are in Nature and within us at all times. You’ll learn:

• The Five Element Makko-ho stretches to open your own meridians and balance the Ki energy
• The Bo and Yu points – diagnostic points on the front and back of the body – to help us determine which meridians most need to be brought back into balance
• Techniques in side position
• At the end of the course the students will take a written quiz

Ohashiatsu® Level 3

This course demonstrates why Ohashiatsu is the best modality for givers. You will learn new techniques using your arms, elbows and knees, which increase body balance and grace, and gives the palms and thumbs a much needed rest. Using knees in conjunction with forearms, elbows or the hands allows the giver to make more than two connections with the receiver, resulting in a nurtured feeling. This is where Ohashiatsu as meditation can begin to be experienced. You will be introduced to:

• Oriental diagnostic areas of the body
• The energy qualities of Kyo and Jitsu
• The psychological/emotional aspects of meridian energy and how they relate to the Five Elements
• Introduction of Masunaga theory
• During the course the students will take a written test

My time spent in California at the Downey Adult School (DAS) has taught me the following modalities. While I have been a Zen Shiatsu practitioner in N.Y.C. since 1997, after graduating from The Ohashi Institute I completed the DAS 600 hour massage program to be in compliance with the laws of the State of California. The following modalities were the subject at DAS.

• Shiatsu
• Infant/Elderly Massage
• Swedish Massage
• Advanced Circulatory Massage
• Myofascial Release
• Stretching/ Resisted Stretching (PNF)
• Deep Tissue Massage
• Sports Massage
• Acupressure

The director of the Massage Program, at Downey Adult School, Mr. Richard Monte is a master massage practitioner and amazing teacher by any standard. He has incredible knowledge and technique that he shares with great passion to his students. It was a blessing to be under his wings while at DAS…I recommend this program with great enthusiasm to anyone seeking a career in bodywork!