I had what I considered the best massage of my life in February at Loew’s Sea Spa in Coronado Bay , CA .  I did not think it could ever be replicated, but to my pleasant surprise, I had a similar experience at Artista Salon and Day Spa in Simsbury , CT.   About 10 minutes into my massage at Artista I figured out the secret:  both used a form of the Asian body work called Shiatsu.

You’re probably wondering why it took me so long to figure this out.  My massage at Loew’s was considered “Deep Tissue” but it was performed by a therapist trained in Watsu (water shiatsu).  I didn’t realize that she was using Shiatsu techniques to work my body.  Once the practitioner Bev at Artista started using the same techniques, I realized that Shiatsu is exactly what I’ve always been looking for in a massage!

Shiatsu is so much different than the typical Swedish massage.  Now that I’ve had Shiatsu, I can never go back.  Swedish is a light, therapeutic massage designed to promote relaxation.  A Shiatsu massage is heavier and really digs into and works across your muscles.  Shiatsu is not even considered a massage, it is a form of Asian body work designed to open the channels of energy and promote the movement of chi (basic life energy).  Whatever all that means, it felt damn good!!!  Finally someone was able to relieve my overworked muscles with strong hands and deep pressure.  And for those of you not comfortable with removing your clothes, Shiatsu is performed with all your clothes on (stretchy workout clothes are recommended).

There are three basic forms of Shiatsu and the one performed on me is called Shiatsu Anma.  It is a combination of Chinese and Japanese forms of bodywork.  The Chinese form works the muscles using kneading, rotating and cross fiber work (stroking across the grain of the muscles rather than stroking up and down with the muscles).  It opens the channelway to the Japanese Shiatsu pressure using all five fingers and palms.  These moves hit all of the key pressure points in your body with authority.  Stretching is also an important part of the therapy to prevent the muscles from closing back up.  It is essential to stretch the meridians (lines of energy connected to the organs).  The therapy finished with Ampuku, stomach work that allows energy to move through the blood and fluids to relax and regulate the body’s system.

Now I’ll let you in on another secret:  the CT legislature is vague about the licensing of Asian body work since it is more complex than massage therapy due to the numerous health and medical benefits and requires more rigorous schooling.  Since the state has not taken the time to learn about Shiatsu and change its laws, the Shiatsu practice is dwindling in the state.  There are no new practitioners being schooled in Shiatsu and there haven’t been for years.  It is difficult to fight the CT legislature and many body work therapists have relocated to Massachusetts .  There are only about 25 therapists practicing Shiatsu in CT (the most common form is Zen) and Bev of Artista is probably the only one using Shiatsu Anma.

LetsGoSpa.com would love to assist in the fight to bring Shiatsu back to the state of CT.  We will be researching this and will let you know if there is anything you can do to help.  But for now, make a trip to Artista in Simsbury and experience Bev’s wonderful body work!

Bev Sonen is a certified Shiatsu Practitioner by the American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia (AOBTA) and has passed the national certification exam for Asian Body Work and Acupuncture (NCCAOM).  Bev was schooled in Minnesota at the center for Shiatsu Studies by a teacher who learned techniques in Japan .  You can schedule an appointment with Bev at Artista Salon and Day Spa in Simsbury , CT on Fridays and Saturdays.