What Are Internal Techniques?
Internal Techniques involve the conscious and deliberate use of the practitioner’s focused attention as a specific method within a Shiatsu treatment. (In contrast, I would classify the manual work involved in Shiatsu as “External Techniques.”) Practitioners apply this focused attention in the form of images or mental visualizations.
The Internal Technique of the Free Field of Ki
The Free Ki Field technique is remarkably simple: one visualizes Ki oscillating completely freely beneath the working thumb (or fingers, palm, elbow, etc.)
Internal techniques offer the possibility of directing our attention – and thus our Ki – in a targeted manner within Shiatsu. Internal techniques are an important complement to the physical, hands-on Shiatsu techniques, which might also be referred to as external techniques. The effects of Internal Techniques are based on the phenomenon that our thoughts are a manifestation of Ki, and that Ki follows our attention. In other words: wherever my thoughts go, that is where the field of my directed energy extends; the conscious mind is able to direct our Ki field to any point where it can take effect.
The open presence you can cultivate within yourself always affects the body you touch and where your attention rests. It is highly beneficial to harness this effect to create a spatial connection between two points of contact. This reveals the true significance of working with both hands in Shiatsu.
Beginners in Shiatsu often believe that working with the elbow is relatively rough and—more so than other techniques—carries a risk of injury. They are often hesitant to use the elbow and tend to make contact tentatively.
To support our students, we have recorded an introductory video on the topic of the “diagnostic process in Shiatsu.”
Here you can see how to use Shiatsu to relax the neck and head mindfully and sensitively, and how to support the connection extending from the torso’s three “burning chambers” up through and beyond the head.
In meridian-free Shiatsu, the meridian structure – which, in cases of doubt, can provide beginners in particular with a sense of security and guidance – is replaced by attentive awareness, a practice-oriented theory, clear diagnosis and a feel for the effects of the techniques used.
In this meditation, you become aware of your body as a space. Immersing yourself in these body spaces quickly fosters a sense of deep calm. This makes the meditation an ideal starting point for anyone wishing to learn to meditate but struggling to sit still for long periods. However, it is equally suitable for experienced practitioners who wish to leave behind the tension and hectic pace of daily life – by moving through the 12 body spaces – and enter into a longer meditation session.
