toronto

May 7th - 9th, 2004
International Conference on the Art and Science of Traditional Medicine
An International Conference on the Art and Science of Traditional Medicine was held the week of May 7th – 9th 2004, at Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada, where shiatsu was represented. The Conference gave an “unparalleled” opportunity to explore the diversity and richness of medical practices from cultures around the globe, including Aboriginal Canadian, Chinese, Korean, South Asian, South American, African, and European. This groundbreaking international conference included presentations on various traditional medicines in their cultural contexts, demonstrations, workshops, and scientific papers. Samvel Azatyan, technical officer of traditional medicine for of the World Health Organization (WHO), delivered the opening address. The conference concluded with a festive gathering featuring the healing cuisine of First Nations Canadian cultures as well as performances and displays by First Nations people. This Conference will be held annually.

Kensen Saito, Director of the Shiatsu Academy of Tokyo, gave a seminar on “ The History and Philosophy of Shiatsu: Benefits for Stress” which was held Sunday, May 9, 2004 from 10:00 to 10:50 a.m. Dr. Azatyan attended Saito’s lecture and later had a chance to receive a treatment from him at his clinic.

Ryerson University plans to post presentations from this conference in PDF format on their website. If you are interested in the information, go to: http://www.ryerson.ca

May 19, 2004
Health Care Round Table (HCRT)
The HCRT is an affiliation of organizations (including schools and associations of various conventional and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modalities with significant training including a clinical component). The HCRT discussion was held on May 19th, 2004 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Russel St., Tower 321, in Toronto. In attendance to discuss various aspects of treatment involving conventional, complementary and alternative medicine were: Shiastu Academy of Tokyo; Homeopathic College of Canada; Centennial College - Massage Therapy Program; Acupuncture Foundation of Canada; Ayurvedic Academy of Canada; Ryerson University; Ontario Chiropractic Association. Round Table guests included: Ontario Pharmacists’ Association; Canadian Hospital Pharmacists Association; and the University of Toronto, Faculty of Pharmacy. The primary purpose of this meeting is is to get acquainted with other Affiliates and identify some areas for potential collaboration which created a multidisciplinary approach to health care. This was an exciting beginning for integrative medicine in Canada.

Goal – To promote the development of integrative medicine in Ontario and beyond.
They define “integrative medicine” as the collaborative practice of two or more health practitioners from conventional medicine and various CAM modalities in the care of a patient; or the incorporation of conventional medicine with one or more CAM modalities by an individual practitioner in the care of a patient.

Three general meetings of the HCRT will be held a year. Contact Sharon Bernas, Round Table coordinator at (416) 543-3409 for future meeting dates or refer to this newsletter where the information will be posted.

Courses at the Shiatsu Academy of Tokyo
The Shiatsu Academy of Tokyo is one of two facilities in North America offering accredited Shiatsu therapy Training using the methods of the founder of the discipline, Tokujiro Namikoshi. We offer a diploma to graduates of our professional Shiatsu Practitioner course. The curriculum includes: Shiatsu Theory; Shiatsu History; Shiatsu Technique; Shiatsu Philosophy; Anatomy; Physiology; Pathology; Code of Ethics; Eastern Medical Theory; Nutrition Students are now being accepted for the fall semester 2004, inquire now about shiatsu courses.
Website: http://www.kensensaito.com
Tel: (416) 466-8780.


calgary

Grace Visconti will be doing a chair shiatsu demonstration at BLENDS, the Local Roasterie and Cafe, 1312 Edmonton Trail NE, Calgary, AB T2E3K7, Tel: (403) 230-3226 Email: blends@telusplanet.net, on June 12, 2004 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Jeannine Millan RMT will also be there demonstrating massage and Reiki. For more information, call (403) 246-0996 or email Grace Visconti at info@eagleheartdynamic.com.


vancouver

Shiatsupractor® is the name given to the recently introduced international standardized Shiatsu license. This international standardization will not only ensure quality by setting guidelines for the practitioners of Shiatsu therapy, but also for the instructors, worldwide. In the past, in countries where Shiatsu has not been regulated by law, instructors often have not learned the medical basics, such as anatomy, physiology, pathology, which are require subjects in Japan, and those instructors often focus entirely on their knowledge of Kampo medicine. The name Shiatsupractor® was first used in British Columbia, Canada in 1990’s has since been recognized by the International Shiatsu Association as the official name for the of the international standardized Shiatsu license. Presently, at the end of 2003, in the regions of North America (United States and Canada), Europe (member nations of the EU), and Japan, the use of Shiatsupractor® is officially protected as a registered trademark. In Japan, the educational standard for Shiatsupractor® approval corresponds to that of the licenses for Anma, Massage and Shiatsu Practitioners. In other regions, if there are no regulations by public officials in the country or states, the requirements are two years and 2200 hours in North America and two-to-three years and 1600 hours in Europe.

Please note that the Board of Directors of the Shiatsupractors' Association of Canada has established new federal standards of 2200 hours for Shiatsu therapy training. To comply with these new requirements we have developed a new curriculum for the upcoming 2004-2006 Shiatsupractor¨ diploma program. Because program hours have increased, we can offer more extensive knowledge in Shiatsu therapy, basic science courses and other subjects. Health care in Canada, especially in British Columbia is gradually changing because the public began to acknowledge that preventative health care is the basis of a healthy lifestyle. People are concerned about their diet and health so they use allopathic medicine and alternative medicine interchangeably. Shiatsu which was developed in Japan ninety years ago, plays a role of preventative and alternative medicine. In Canada and many other countries, there is an increasing awareness of the benefits of Shiatsu therapy.  The growing awareness will create more demand for Shiatsu therapy. The present reality is that there are not enough Shiatsupractor to serve the expanding market.  Since our therapy is totally different from massage therapy, any other massage schools could not teach the same technique that we teach at this college.  This growth in the popularity of Shiatsu will create excellent opportunities for Shiatsupractor upon completion of our program. For example, a Shiatsupractor¨ may work in a clinical setting with a Chiropractor or other health care provider, work in a Spa or health Club offering Shiatsu as a relaxation tool, work with esthetitians in the anti-aging field or independently open a Shiatsu clinic. Now is the best time to become a Shiatsupractor. We look forward seeing you at our college.
Website: http://www.oyayubi.com/
Contact: Akemi at (604) 904-4187