Ki by itself is invisible, but the way ki works can be seen in the body. When a wound is healing by itself, it is the work of ki.

Traditionally everything was seen as an expression of ki. Ki is the origin, the power of life. When ki stagnates, the body becomes ill.

Meridians are channels of ki. There are twelve main meridians. Each meridian corresponds with an organ and is named after that specific organ. Meridians are not only connected to the organ, but also to the eastern concept of the function of that organ.

Shiatsu is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). About 2,500 years ago, in the mountains of Northern China, Taoist priests practiced Qi Gong - a meditative movement revealing and cultivating the vital life force. They believed this force, Ki (pronounced "chi" in China, "ki" in Japan), was inseparable from life itself. They discovered that Ki animated not only body and earth, but was the energetic force of the entire universe.

Historians tell us these were the beginnings of TCM. TCM is a philosophy of preserving health, and is based first and foremost on an understanding of the ultimate power of Ki. In contrast to much of Western medicine, TCM is a preventive practice, strengthening the immune system to ward off disease.

During shiatsu a unique rapport develops between the practitioner and client, because shiatsu relies on the simple but powerful experience of touch to awaken the client's own self-healing powers. This "touch communication" between practitioner and client is intrinsic to all healing methods. No needles, creams, machines, devices, or other paraphernalia are needed for the experience of a complete shiatsu session. The practitioner uses gentleness, fluidity, and rhythmical motion to work with the imbalances in the client's Ki.