The Tai-so Shiatsu therapist

During almost twenty years of coaching gymnastics Maurice has gained a thorough understanding of sports science, sports injuries and body mechanics. Thus he has been able to develop Tai-so shiatsu, Shiatsu, which literally means "FINGER PRESSURE".

Tai-so means "GYMNASTICS" a combination of conventional shiatsu and joint releasing techniques, which can greatly enhance athletic performance.

Maurice was an engineer in the aviation and water industries, but a love for gymnastics led him to train and work as a professional gymnastics coach, under the British National Squad Coaches.

Maurice suffered a shoulder injury which conventional medicine could not fully address.  Upon a friend’s recommendation Maurice tried Shiatsu, and after a few treatments he found himself pain-free and with full range of motion in his shoulder. These dramatic results impressed Maurice so much that he started to study Shiatsu to become a therapist himself.

In his practice, Maurice has helped enhance the performance of gymnasts, martial artists and other athletes by treating their injuries and increasing flexibility.  He does an equal amount of work helping clients clear emotional blocks allowing them to move forward with their lives.

Shiatsu is a holistic therapy that involves the practitioner applying gentle finger and palm pressure along the body's energy meridians to bring physical, mental and emotional balance to the client.  Shiatsu treatments can detect and correct energy imbalances that precede illness.   For those already suffering from health problems, Shiatsu can be of great benefit, both as a discipline in and of itself or in conjunction with other complementary or Western treatments.

Originally an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Shiatsu has developed in Japan over the last century as an official manual therapy.  The key figure in the development of Shiatsu in the latter part of the twentieth century was Shizuto Masanaga who pioneered a system usually referred to as Zen Shiatsu.  Masunaga developed a model of extending the TCM meridians to present an even more complete picture of the body's energy system.

As Shiatsu has spread throughout the world, it has been enriched further and thereby has maintained its relevance in a modern, hectic world. 

Do - the way.  This refers to the practitioner suggesting with the client specific lifestyle changes that are sometimes essential to bringing the client back into balance.  These might include specific exercises and stretches that would complement the treatment or changes in eating and sleeping habits.   This holistic approach is essential to enhance and maintain the beneficial changes that Shiatsu can bring about.

Originally an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine [tcm] it has developed in Japan over the last century as an official manual therapy.

The key figure in the development of Shiatsu in the later part of the twentieth century was SHIZUTO MASUNAGA he pioneered a system, usually referred to as Zen Shiatsu.

Masunaga extended the acupuncture meridians to form a more complex network of traditional and extended or supplementary meridians that give the practitioner increased scope to work creatively with the body’s energy. MASUNAGA also developed a detailed and specific form of abdominal [hara] diagnosis.

There are 14 meridians, a total of 361 points, each point can have between one and twelve action/usage.

Also EP extra point it dose not belong to any meridian, it was recently discovered, shiatsu is a growing and developing discipline.  Far from being trapped in the past or fossilized into set techniques, it is continuing to progress and push back the boundaries of our understanding of Ki energy and our ability to direct KI for healing the body.

History of the BSS-do School

Ray Ridolifi founded the British school of Shiatsu-Do London in 1983. Over the years the BSS-DO expanded to include Branch Schools around the UK. At present the network comprises of schools in London, Nottingham, Farnham and Colchester. The Principal is now Char Scrivener. Other schools exist in London, the European School also the New York based Wataru Ohashi calls his style OHASHIATSU a branch school has opened in London and started its first course Feb 22.02

Prevention & Treatment

Shiatsu is a form of Japanese body work that can alleviate pain, reduce stress and increase one's vitality and sense of well-being. Using finger and palm pressure, the shiatsu therapist works towards rebalancing the body's vital energy or Ki. The more balanced our KI, the less susceptible we are to illness and injury. Shiatsu can also help those already suffering from health problems, either as a single therapy or in conjunction with other modalities. By bringing the body back into balance our own healing processes are set into motion.