LEVEL ONE
Foundations of Shiatsu
&
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Level 1 is your entry point into the art of Shiatsu and the philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Here, you learn to feel the body differently and an understanding of energy flow.
This level gives you the essential tools to begin supporting yourself, your family, and your community through mindful touch and holistic principles. And for the most dedicated students, Level 1 can even open the door to receiving your first clients as you begin developing your professional path.
What's Included
-
120 total training hours, combining in-person classes, practical exercises, and guided home study.
-
Core training in Shiatsu fundamentals: posture, pressure, breathing, meridian pathways, and the basic full-body sequence.
-
Introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine: Yin–Yang theory, Five Elements, Zang-Fu basics, and classical meridians.
-
Hands-on practice to develop awareness, sensitivity, and correct body mechanics.
-
Supervised practice sessions and supportive feedback to build confidence from day one.
Ideal For
-
Individuals who want to become Shiatsu practitioners, build a meaningful career, and begin creating a consistent income by helping others.
-
Beginners with no previous experience who want a strong, structured introduction to Shiatsu and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
-
People looking to support their own well-being and that of their family through holistic tools and mindful touch.
-
Bodyworkers, yoga teachers, and wellness professionals who want to expand their skillset with energy-based therapeutic techniques.
-
Anyone exploring a new path in holistic health, healing arts, or mind–body awareness.
Learning Formats
(Level 1 is available in two study formats. Full details are provided on the Study Formats page.)
All formats run at 6 hours per day.
Intensive:
• 2 weeks (Monday to Friday)
Weekend Course:
• 5 weekends (Saturday & Sunday)
Choose the structure that best fits your lifestyle, all formats lead to the same Level 1 training hours and certification.
Certificate
After completing Level 1 you will receive the Level 1 Certificate of Completion, confirming your ability to perform a full basic Shiatsu sequence and your understanding of fundamental TCM theory.
This certificate qualifies you to progress into Level 2, where the therapeutic dimension of Shiatsu begins.
Price: $3,490
Here you can find a detailed breakdown of each lesson in the program.
COURSE LEVEL 1: The Foundations of Shiatsu & TCM The Propedeutic and Amatorial Introduction This intensive course is the perfect launchpad for anyone curious about holistic healing. Dive deep into the core philosophy and practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and the fundamental techniques of Shiatsu. What You Will Master (The Core) Essential TCM Theory: Master the principles of Yin & Yang; Zang-Fu Organ System; The 5 Elements Theory; Core Shiatsu Sequences; Practice the main sequences in prone, supine, and lateral positions. Meridian Introduction; Learn the 12 Classical Acupuncture Meridians with basic stretching and treatment techniques. Bodywork Essentials; Practical Anatomy and Physiology foundational to bodywork. Key Techniques; Introduction to Kyo-Jitsu (empty/full) and Perpendicular Pressure. Your Certification & Outcome: You will be able to perform a complete, basic, non-therapeutic Shiatsu treatment. Certification: Certificate of Completion for Level 1. Next Step: Qualified to advance to Level 2. Details: Duration (Total) 120 Hours (60 in-class instruction + 60 home study/practice) Investment $3500 Format Options: (6 hours per day) Intensive: 2 weeks (Monday to Friday) Weekend Course: 5 weekends (Saturday & Sunday) Syllabus Day Topics & Practice Focus Level 1 Syllabus: Foundations of Shiatsu & TCM Daily Schedule: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (7 hours elapsed | 6.0 instructional hours/day) Classroom Contact Hours: 60.0 Hours (10 Days) Home Study & Practicum: 60.0 Hours Total Level 1 Credited Hours: 120.0 Hours Prerequisite for Level 2: Complete and submit 50 home recorded treatments. Day 1 09:00 AM – 09:30 AM (0.5 hr) — Practical: Meridian Stretching, Location Exercises, Chinese Clock, Knee Walking 09:30 AM – 10:00 AM (0.5 hr) — Practical/Lab: Core Principles — Kyo & Jitsu Concepts, Perpendicular Pressure Applications 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM (2.5 hrs) — Lecture: Presentation and Diagnostics of the 12 Classical Meridians 12:30 PM – 01:30 PM (1.0 hr) — Lunch Break (Non-Instructional) 01:30 PM – 04:00 PM (2.5 hrs) — Practical/Lab: Foundational Treatment Sequences in Prone & Supine Positions Daily Subtotal: 6.0 Contact Hours (2.5 Lecture / 3.5 Practical) Day 2 09:00 AM – 09:30 AM (0.5 hr) — Practical: Meridian Stretching, Location Exercises, Chinese Clock, Knee Walking 09:30 AM – 11:00 AM (1.5 hrs) — Practical/Lab: Sequence Review (Prone & Supine Position with Kyo-Jitsu Refinement) 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM (1.5 hrs) — Lecture: TCM Theory — Fundamental Principles of Yin & Yang 12:30 PM – 01:30 PM (1.0 hr) — Lunch Break (Non-Instructional) 01:30 PM – 04:00 PM (2.5 hrs) — Practical/Lab: Side-Lateral Bodywork Sequence & Positioning Techniques Daily Subtotal: 6.0 Contact Hours (1.5 Lecture / 4.5 Practical) Day 3 09:00 AM – 09:30 AM (0.5 hr) — Practical: Meridian Stretching, Location Exercises, Chinese Clock 09:30 AM – 11:00 AM (1.5 hrs) — Practical/Lab: Comprehensive Review of Lateral, Supine, and Prone Sequences 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM (1.5 hrs) — Lecture: Functional Anatomy — Skeletal System (Bones, Joint Mechanics & Landmark Identification) 12:30 PM – 01:30 PM (1.0 hr) — Lunch Break (Non-Instructional) 01:30 PM – 04:00 PM (2.5 hrs) — Practical/Lab: Applied Theoretical Review of Yin & Yang within Sequence Dynamics Daily Subtotal: 6.0 Contact Hours (1.5 Lecture / 4.5 Practical) Day 4 09:00 AM – 09:30 AM (0.5 hr) — Practical: Meridian Stretching, Location Exercises, Chinese Clock 09:30 AM – 11:30 AM (2.0 hrs) — Practical/Lab: Meridian Pathway Mapping (Prone, Supine, and Lateral Positions) 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM (1.0 hr) — Lecture: TCM Physiology — Zang-Fu Organ Systems & Functional Energetics 12:30 PM – 01:30 PM (1.0 hr) — Lunch Break (Non-Instructional) 01:30 PM – 04:00 PM (2.5 hrs) — Practical/Lab: Integrative Zang-Fu Meridian Work across All 3 Body Positions Daily Subtotal: 6.0 Contact Hours (1.0 Lecture / 5.0 Practical) Day 5 09:00 AM – 09:30 AM (0.5 hr) — Practical: Meridian Stretching, Location Exercises, Chinese Clock 09:30 AM – 11:30 AM (2.0 hrs) — Practical/Lab: Advanced Meridian Pathway Location and Direct Pressure Protocols 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM (1.0 hr) — Lecture: TCM Theory — The Five Elements (Wu Xing) Generative & Control Cycles 12:30 PM – 01:30 PM (1.0 hr) — Lunch Break (Non-Instructional) 01:30 PM – 04:00 PM (2.5 hrs) — Practical/Lab: Applying Five Elements Theory to Physical Bodywork Sequencing Daily Subtotal: 6.0 Contact Hours (1.0 Lecture / 5.0 Practical) Day 6 09:00 AM – 09:30 AM (0.5 hr) — Practical: Meridian Stretching, Location Exercises, Chinese Clock 09:30 AM – 11:00 AM (1.5 hrs) — Lecture: Theoretical Synthesis — Integrating Zang-Fu, 5 Elements, and Yin-Yang Dynamics 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM (1.5 hrs) — Practical/Lab: Introduction to Diagnostic Evaluation — Hara (Abdomen) & Back Diagnostic Zones 12:30 PM – 01:30 PM (1.0 hr) — Lunch Break (Non-Instructional) 01:30 PM – 04:00 PM (2.5 hrs) — Practical/Lab: Diagnostic-Based Treatment Flow (Targeting Kyo-Jitsu Meridians) Daily Subtotal: 6.0 Contact Hours (1.5 Lecture / 4.5 Practical) Day 7 09:00 AM – 09:30 AM (0.5 hr) — Practical: Meridian Stretching, Location Exercises, Chinese Clock 09:30 AM – 11:30 AM (2.0 hrs) — Lecture: Functional Anatomy — Muscular System & Joint/Bone Review 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM (1.0 hr) — Practical/Lab: Hara and Back Assessment Zone Refinement 12:30 PM – 01:30 PM (1.0 hr) — Lunch Break (Non-Instructional) 01:30 PM – 04:00 PM (2.5 hrs) — Practical/Lab: Full Body Meridian Sequence Integration (Prone, Supine, Lateral) Daily Subtotal: 6.0 Contact Hours (2.0 Lecture / 4.0 Practical) Day 8 09:00 AM – 09:30 AM (0.5 hr) — Practical: Meridian Stretching, Location Exercises, Chinese Clock 09:30 AM – 12:30 PM (3.0 hrs) — Practical/Lab: Clinical Integration — Combining 12 Classical Meridians with Diagnostic Assessment 12:30 PM – 01:30 PM (1.0 hr) — Lunch Break (Non-Instructional) 01:30 PM – 04:00 PM (2.5 hrs) — Discussion Forum & Lab: Diagnostic Evaluation Debrief, Case Discussion & Refinement Daily Subtotal: 6.0 Contact Hours (1.0 Forum / 5.0 Practical) Day 9 09:00 AM – 09:30 AM (0.5 hr) — Practical: Meridian Stretching, Location Exercises, Chinese Clock 09:30 AM – 11:30 AM (2.0 hrs) — Lecture: Professional Practice — Client Consultation Protocols & Intake Ethics 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM (1.0 hr) — Practical/Lab: Supervised Clinical Treatment Session 12:30 PM – 01:30 PM (1.0 hr) — Lunch Break (Non-Instructional) 01:30 PM – 04:00 PM (2.5 hrs) — Student Peer-Review Forum: Clinical Evaluation, Problem Solving & Troubleshooting Daily Subtotal: 6.0 Contact Hours (2.0 Lecture/Forum / 4.0 Practical) Day 10 09:00 AM – 09:30 AM (0.5 hr) — Practical: Meridian Stretching, Location Exercises, Chinese Clock 09:30 AM – 11:30 AM (2.0 hrs) — Q&A Forum: Comprehensive Theory & Technique Clarification 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM (1.0 hr) — Practical Exam: Full Body Supervised Practical Evaluation 12:30 PM – 01:30 PM (1.0 hr) — Lunch Break (Non-Instructional) 01:30 PM – 03:30 PM (2.0 hrs) — Practical Exam: Secondary Supervised Practical Assessment & Debrief 03:30 PM – 04:00 PM (0.5 hr) — Official Level 1 Certificate Award Ceremony & Closing Remarks Daily Subtotal: 6.0 Contact Hours (2.0 Forum / 4.0 Practical)
