Book Description

This book shows the courses of the meridians as they were described by Sensei Shizuto Masunaga in his meridian charts originally published in 1970. The sequence of descriptions (e.g., from the shoulder to the hands, from the Hara to the feet), models the flowing of the meridian energy from the body's center (Hara) towards the periphery. Meridians on the side and back of the body that do not pass through the Hara are not featured. Depictions of the meridian pathways usually consist of two parts. In the main text there will be the actual pathway descriptions. The color-contrasting text sections note such information as anatomical explanations, practical orientation, and typical deviations in the pathways. Differences from the depictions on Masunaga's charts are mentioned and described. Although the representations of the meridian pathways make up the core of this Atlas, there is also a chapter with thoughts on the nature of the phenomenon of meridians. Another chapter describes some basic principles of working with meridians.The introductory chapter combines clear descriptions and objective guidelines with a compassionate and refined interpretation of the subjective experience. Shiatsu students will benefit immensely from the detailed illustrations of the Zen Shiatsu meridians. They will also wisely bear in mind the perspective of spaciousness so well articulated by the authors. As practitioners, we will recall that our own qi is an equal participant in the connection with our receiving client-partner, and our own experience of contact with the meridian-vital, rich, imaginative, profound-is an essential element of the process of healing.