Table Shiatsu is the ancient Chinese and Japanese art of acupressure massage, Shiatsu, given to a client on a treatment couch.

Though traditionally this Zen Masunaga style of Shiatsu has been given to a client on a ground level futon, Andrew Staib has successfully brought this therapy onto the massage table and for the last five years has taught hundreds of students throughout the UK and mainland Europe.

Table Shiatsu offers an exciting combination of dynamic and fast ‘Yang’ techniques and gentle, calm ‘Yin’ techniques.

YANG Techniques

The convenient height and three dimensions of a treatment couch allows very swift, flowing arm stretch sequences, body sweeps and leg stretches, as well as quick, responsive changes in the angles of pressure a practitioner can apply.

This style is especially good for clients with very excess, full conditions who crave stretches, openings and dynamic release work and movement to free up tension and stress.

YIN Techniques

The ability of our legs in the standing position to support us for long periods of time mean that in Table Shiatsu we can sustain very still, holding pressure especially when using specific Qi Gong postures like Horse Stance. Being able to sit on a chair can allow us to do effortless palm healing, hand and foot massage and holding various Yin points such as on the CV Channel, without getting tired.

This style is especially effective for clients who need calming, settling and centering, where, with the patient hands of the therapist, they can learn to Be rather than Do, allowing the Para synthetic aspects of their body to re-establish themselves.