Shiatsu-do and the Makka-hos by Meridee Pierson (2007) part 7
Posted by tfootitt on December 14, 2008
Tracy Footitt, Shiatsu
Masunaga suggests from his work that when the Makko-Ho stretches are done regularly they stimulate all the meridians in the body thereby affecting the complete body reducing stagnation and free flow of Ki. He developed a whole range of additional Zen imagery exercises and it would be interesting to explore these further.
CONCLUSION
Although the numbers involved in this dissertation was limited there appears to be an improvement in a variety of different symptoms. I think that the Makko-Hos can be used to improve health and wellbeing and will be recommending them in certain situations to my clients to improve their health.
It would be interesting to do further work with the Makko-Hos in a larger scale project over a longer period of time and to evaluate the benefit of doing assisted Makko-Hos, which I did with a number of my clients.
On a personal level I have been doing them regularly for the past six months and have noticed a significant difference in my flexibility and wellbeing.
I am grateful to all those clients and colleagues who have completed the Makko-Hos and helped me with this dissertation.
In the East the body is regarded as a microcosm of the universe and by being in tune with the cosmic flow of energy we can gain health, peace of mind and spiritual strength. Eastern traditions teach us that when our energy flow is strong and healthy we can realize our true potential.
The Makko-Hos work directly with the energy of the body on physical, emotional and mental aspects of our being often creating an improvement in several dimensions at a time.
Correctly chosen exercise benefits not only the physical body but also the mind and emotions. The bending and stretching of the body, neck, head, arms and legs in certain ways affects the energy flow along the meridians, releasing stagnation and improving the flow of Ki.
Those who stretch regularly recognize its value in enhancing mood, clearing the mind and in promoting harmony, health and well-being. When stretching is added to the common sense approach to diet and sleep, the body is able to find its own natural balance and harmony – the key for radiant health and the foundation of preventive health care.
Meridee is a Shiatsu Practitioner based in East Leake, England. You can find her contact details on the Shiatsu Society website, alternatively I will happily pass details on to her from my own email address given on the ‘About’ page.
You can see a Shiatsu Practitioner doing a Makka-ho stretch with one of her clients on Rias (Ria is based in London, UK) website:
