What constitutes a ‘good touch’ in shiatsu?

Good touch in shiatsu is not just physical. The touch within the shared resonance field between therapist and client is at least as important as physical touch, and many of the effects of shiatsu are generated here. Professional shiatsu therapists offer their clients this resonance field through open, relaxed body language.

This presence is enhanced when the therapist feels connected to the ground beneath them, rises gently, aligns themselves internally, and expands slightly in the shoulders, arms, and hands during physical contact. They avoid constricting their space, especially in the shoulders and arms. With this open space, they can resonate with and understand the recipient. For the recipient, such touch is dramatically different from purely physical touch.