Advanced Zen Shiatsu Skills Training In Chicago
Advanced Zen Shiatsu Skills: Professional and Self-Development for Dedicated Practitioners
Taught by Grandmother WinterJade Forest
Since 1975, shiatsu has been my full-time occupation – consuming both my mind and my professional career. I have had some amazing teachers along the way, and, in my teaching, I’ve always tried to be conscientious about representing their work authentically and giving credit where credit is due.
But I have recently been asked to say what I feel my own contributions are to the evolution of this living medicine, as well as mentioning other teachers’ names. I responded that I have never felt the urge to claim anything as my own, even though I acknowledge [to myself, at least] that I have made some further original and valuable additions for western people. Be that as it may, there is a quote from Jon Batiste, referring to his album Beethoven Blues, in which he put his own spin on the classical masterpieces. It goes like this: “But, you know what? It’s been 256 years, and it’s due for an update. You mold it, you add to it, and it won’t revoke anything that exists; it’s only adding to the continuum of human creativity.” So, hopefully, I’ve done my part to add to the continuum of human creativity.
For instance….
In the course of studying with Masunaga and Kishi, and memorizing Masunaga’s meridian functions and extended meridian chart, it became clear to me that:
- Joints were very important, simply because of the concentration of acupoints included on the chart in those areas.
- So, over the period of five years, I found several chiropractors and osteopaths whom I could impress with my knowledge and skills, and with whom I could understudy. As I became skillful, I “shiatsu-fied” the adjustments they taught me to make the techniques conform to my scope of practice.
- Although Masunaga, himself, did very concentrated work on the Hara, students in America, Canada and Europe use the Hara almost exclusively to get a Kyo/Jitsu meridian diagnosis.
- Since Masunaga did not speak much English and was not locally available for tutoring, I again identified two osteopaths with whom I could study organ manipulation. And, again, I shiatsu- fied” the techniques to make them relevant to my shiatsu treatments.
- Both Masunaga and Kishi were extremely psychic, and often spoke of making space.
- So, I trained with shamans of four cultural traditions to develop those abilities. I
studied long enough and deeply enough with each of them to be endorsed to carry on their teachings. They were: Kishi (Shinto priest); Grandmother River (Cherokee Medicine Woman); El Herington (Kahuna); and Master Gregory (Russian Shaman). From these mentors I learned to:- work with energies, totems and guides
- consult the Akashic Records
- do quantum soul retrievals
- activate DNA and chakras
- command energy
- facilitate healing on all levels
- strengthen my own etheric field
- …and more
- So, I trained with shamans of four cultural traditions to develop those abilities. I
These trainings gave me a deeper understanding of vibrational energy inherent in Asian medicine and how it manifests in the physical body. That understanding gave me the insight to create the “shiatsu-fied” techniques I developed for joints, Hara, neck, etc. They may be my creations, but they are completely consistent with Masunaga’s and Kishi’s concepts of “from the center out” and “making space.” Another aspect of their teaching that I believe I have developed to a higher degree of understanding for our western culture is the idea of being natural in the performance of shiatsu. After all, Masunaga’s first rule is “Be Natural.”As I enter my 50th year of practicing and teaching this beautiful healing art, I’m feeling that the time has come to take the challenge laid down for me. It’s time to present my accumulated knowledge from the point of view of my acquired expertise gained over thousands of hours of practicing and teaching Zen Shiatsu.So, I would like to put out as much of it as I possibly can in the next 18 months before retiring in mid-2026. I have planned a series of modules to be taught in 2- to 4-day workshops:
- 1st – a 5-part “How To” Level 1 series (see below)
- 2nd – a “Diagnosis and Treatment” Level 2 series
- 3rd – a Level 3 series designed around the needs of the participants of Levels 1 & 2
The first module runs January through July (no June workshop)
Two of the How To workshops place strong focus on self-development. This is the aspect of the work that is so inherent in the Japanese mindset that it was barely ever mentioned (never by Masunaga, and rarely by Kishi), but was always clearly evident. And, clearly expected.
You will benefit from these two workshops even if you are not practicing shiatsu at this time because people like us . . . those drawn toward the call of the truth and beauty of the soul . . . love self-development, even if it’s scary or painful in the beginning. We crave getting beyond self-limiting thoughts and emotions and clearing out our hearts, minds and energy fields. This is an aspect of the training that often has to get left out of entry level programs simply because of time constraints. This advanced program offers the opportunity to recover it.
The other three are more technique oriented. They will evolve and enhance your proficiency. You will learn how to preserve your own energy while improving your technique and raising your client’s energy.
These five weekends, taken together, result in a complete Advanced Zen Shiatsu Skills – Level 1. Taken individually, each “How To” workshop provides a whole and complete training within itself. You may take any one of them independently for the insight, wisdom, skills and benefits they offer.
However, to continue on to Advanced Zen Shiatsu Skills – Level 2 – Diagnosis And Treatment, you must attend at least three of the five workshops in Level 1.
Advanced Zen Shiatsu Skills – Level 1 How To . . .
This module lays a new and substantial foundation on which graduates of the shiatsu program and practicing shiatsu therapists can ground their knowledge and build their skills from their own unique abilities. The outcome is more competence and confidence, as well as comprehensive clinical effectiveness.
Even though there are two hybrid courses in this series, online participants will need a partner for How To Develop Your Intuition. The only workshop in the series not requiring a partner is How To Power Up Your Chakras.
How To Power Up Your Chakras - Hybrid (Jan 31 – Feb 3)
Fri-Mon 12-5pm
Master Gregory’s way of empowering the strength and function of your chakras offers some of the most profound self-development and self-healing effects I have experienced. I don’t have any words to convey how extraordinary it is.
For you personally, if you have any desire for more self-actualization and would like more control over your emotional state, this practice will definitely move you toward your goals.
For you as a practitioner, it clears and fortifies your energy field, vitalizes your treatments, and helps you prevent fatigue and burn-out.
This 4-day empowerment includes:
- New chakra attributes from a perspective different to India’s
- The Crystal Mountain
- 12 aspects of yin and yang
- A practice I call Chakra QiGong (not Master Gregory’s term)
How To Unlock The Mysterious Hara - In Person (March 1-2)
Sat / Sun 12-5pm
Ampuku, the Japanese word for Hara treatment, takes your work to new levels of effectiveness. When done at the end of a session, all the positive changes you’ve catalyzed from the rest of your treatment go deeper and last longer.
Ampuku elicits a fundamental cellular response that increases, strengthens and supports the immune system. It hastens the rate of healing, helps the digestive process of assimilation, promotes good sleep, helps sustain changes made during treatment, and generally lifts the spirits.
Techniques include:
- “Steering Wheel”
- Wave
- “Navajo”
- Ascending transverse, descending, and Sigmoid colon
- Small Intestine
- Ileocecal valve
- Spleen pump and liver pump
How To Develop Your Intuition - Hybrid (April 12-13)
Sat-Sun 12-5pm
Our connection with clients is what creates the space for healing. Our ability to hear with our hands, ears, heart and intuition directly affects the outcome of our treatments.
By learning to listen to our guidance and incorporate it into our senses, we deepen our ability to know, feel and respond to the communication from our client’s body.
New information will include:
- The Material Body
- The Light Body
- The Personal Body
- The Ether Body
- How to Infuse, Stream and Grid the various bodies
- How to look with different eyes
How To Perform the 5 Best Joint Techniques - In Person (May 2-4)
Fri-Sun 12-5pm
!!!LIMITED ENROLLMENT!!! – Student For Life Discount does not apply to this module
We tend to think about joints in terms of the structures that compose them: alignment of bones; tension of surrounding muscles; strength or weakness of tendons and ligaments. These are appropriate considerations. But when we measure the relative health of a joint, we think about its ease of movement. Therefore, the space between the structures that allows for this freedom is an equally fundamental component of joints . . . perhaps the most important one.
After training with expert Asian bonesetters, European osteopaths, and American chiropractors on three continents, I synthesized and refined the techniques – over a period of 20 years – into procedures that would be suitable for shiatsu practitioners. These treatment protocols are unique in their emphasis on joint spaces, rather than on actual anatomical structures.
In this workshop you will learn skills to:
- Stabilize the axial skeleton and enter the joint space
- Feel the joint space as clearly as the joint structures
- Orient palpation skills toward expanding the space
- Use the additional space to mobilize the joint and increase range of motion
- Introduce a pattern of free movement
- Reduce pain and restore function to injured joints
- Optimize the healing response
How To Use Meridians For Muscle Pain - In Person (July 11-13)
Fri-Sun 12-5pm
Is there ever a time when it is appropriate to address both muscles and meridians in a shiatsu treatment? In the case of musculo-skeletal complaints, that may be exactly what is needed. Our touch goes deeper than the skin level, so we automatically contact both muscles and meridians.
In this 3-day workshop, learn how to discern between them, how to work them separately, and how to work them simultaneously.
Practitioners will develop extra kinesthetic awareness and sensitivity to:
- Body mechanics that increase receptivity to kinesthetic information
- Feeling the difference between muscles and meridians by touch
- Altering our touch to address one, more than the other
- Knowing how and when to do which
- Various techniques for addressing each
Advanced Zen Shiatsu Skills – Level 2 Diagnosis And Treatment
This module zeros in on skillfully combining knowledge, intuition and technique for the purpose of interpreting both theory and practical application . . . for yourself and for your clients:
- for yourself – confidence in identifying the best course of treatment for your client, both in the individual treatment you are now performing, and in the course of treatments you may want to recommend
- for your clients – incorporating attitudes and languaging that encourages, uplifts, dignifies and elevates them
Dates and topics will be announced when the next Continuing Education calendar is set.
Advanced Zen Shiatsu Skills – Level 3 – !!! ???
Let’s see what you’re yearning for next . . . and ready and willing to do now!
Great consideration will be given in the creation of this curriculum to the requests you have after completing Levels 1 & 2.
I’m very excited to give all I’ve got to the next generations of shiatsu therapists!
So . . . I’m very much looking forward to seeing you in these classes!
Advanced Zen Shiatsu Skills: How To Register
How To Register:
- Course registrations must be received by 5pm the day before the start of class.
- If you are not ready to pay, you can still add your name to the interest list. Your space will not be permanently held until payment is made.
- To pay by phone, call 847-864-1130
- To pay online, check the box next to the associated start date below and select the “NEXT STEPS ” button. By prepaying you agree to our registration policies.