Brian Skow, Shiatsu, Sotai and Kampo Therapist

01/20/2025

A good weekend of Jujitsu in Nevada, with knife, combination, and advanced clinics, breakfasts, lunches and a banquet. I led the warm up each day, and scrubbed off the rust to get back into good Jujitsu form through the combination clinic. I’ve not felt worthy of promotions post-Shodan, but have once again been promoted, this time to Yondan.

12/23/2024

A belated Happy Winter Solstice.

The Seasons of Yamato Winter Solstice (Touji) Whispers of Water / The 24 Solar Terms

It's the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. The rice terraces of the Asuka Village are surrounded by trees that still have their autumn colors. Fallen leaves float along in the Asuka River. The end of the year is just around the corner, and a new year is on its way. *According to the 24....

12/18/2024

Sunny and 80F today, performed a Shiatsu therapy in the shade on a client’s patio. Felt luxurious, al fresco!

10/22/2024

My heart rate just before a Calisthenics + Sprinting workout and at the height of it. You, too, can benefit from intense workouts as a senior. But, you must build a proper foundation, and I can help you do that with bodywork, movement, herbal formulas, and instruction.

09/30/2024

09/17/2024

Do what you can to avoid plastics.

More than 3,000 chemicals from food packaging have infiltrated our bodies, a new study has found.

08/31/2024

Looks like I’m doing jujitsu again. How did that happen? 😅

08/30/2024

Kitamuki Kannon Ji

I spent a few weeks in Japan this summer, my sixth time, but it had been six years since the last trip! One of the places I visited is Bessho (https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6070.html), which is an onsen town, but is also known as “Little Kamakura” for the many temples and shrines in the area. I’m drawn to the town, this was my third visit. Standing in front of the six O Jizo San at Kitamuki Kannon Ji, my heart fills, heals, and rounds. Do you have such a place?

08/29/2024

The past year has been one of transitions in many areas of life. With regard to my practice of Japanese medicine, at the beginning of 2024 I decided to semi-retire at office lease end, giving up the office in favor of house calls. That transition was realized at the beginning of June. I kept therapies to a minimum level over the summer, however, as I had other transitions to manage. Now I’m settling into a new groove, and am making myself more available. See my web site - www.shiatsuworks.com - for the new structure. Perhaps I’ll see you soon!

08/28/2024

Received this week, makes me feel like an “elder statesman.” I suppose I am! 😄 I’m sure I’ll come around to contributing again.

06/29/2024

In our “go, go, go” society it’s so important to take a break.

Breaks as short as 10 minutes can boost vigor and reduce fatigue, one analysis found.

06/17/2024

I use my fingers, rather than needles, and bodywork has additional benefits, but this video gives you an idea.

Medical Frontiers Acupuncture to Improve Quality of Life

In Japan, researchers are gathering scientific evidence on the effects of acupuncture and moxibustion. We examine how they improve stroke aftereffects, atopic dermatitis and other issues.

05/29/2024

Last day in the office! House calls only starting tomorrow. Feels right.

Send a message to learn more

05/16/2024

Other aspects of my involvement in the profession.

I’ve enjoyed supporting the profession in a variety of ways, including serving as AOBTA® Arizona State Chapter President in the early 2000s and later as AOBTA® State Chapter Representative for Arizona and many other Western states, participating in the NCCAOM® Exam Development Committee from the late 2000s through the early 2010s, helping to transition the AOBTA® Pulse from paper to email in what seems oh-so-many-years ago, and, in the past nearly five years, performing as Communications Consultant for the AOBTA®. It’s in the latter position in which I’ve perhaps had the most impact, with a focus on production of the Pulse, managing social media, and helping with online educational events including conventions and the Connect & Learn series. But, everything waxes and wanes, and this is my last month as Communications Consultant, a month of transition of the related duties to others.

I want to thank everyone with whom I’ve worked in all the various positions, especially those with whom I worked heavily. They include Deborah Valentine Smith, Michael Casper, Barbra Esher, Lauren Paap, Sarah Goldenberg, Sarah West, KärenElisa Broyles, and, most of all, Wayne Mylin. Good times! DVS, know that I’m always supporting you with my arms, floating you around the hot tub. That’s an inside joke folks! A figurative, “bursting out with laughter” memory of the big online convention that we had during the pandemic.

I made a decision early this year to semi-retire, shifting to exclusively doing house calls for select clients starting June 1. With that also came the decision to leave the position of Communications Consultant on the same date. But, that doesn’t mean I’m disappearing! Even though I’m on the path of minimalism and disentanglement from much of the machinations of society, I may submit an article or add a hand here-and-there now-and-then, and I’m continuing my beloved practice of Japanese medicine, albeit at a reduced pace and with more flexibility. Kondo wa kondo, ima wa ima, I’ll see you around.

Warmth,

Brian Skow
Shiatsu, Sotai, and Kampo Therapist
M.S., AOBTA®-CP, Dipl. ABT (NCCAOM)®
www.shiatsuworks.com
brianskow@shiatsuworks.com

05/04/2024

Because plants work.

It is "the first known case of active wound treatment in a wild animal with a medical plant," biologist Isabelle Laumer told NPR. She says the orangutan, called Rakus, is now thriving.

04/12/2024

House Calls Exclusively from June 1

Starting June 1st, 2024, I’ll go into semi-retirement, performing house calls for select clients. I’ll continue with my personal interests and activities, moving deeper, and I’ll be looking to be of additional benefit to others in a variable and flowing “Ichi-go, Ichi-e” sort of way. Get in your office visits before the end of May!

04/08/2024

I just harvested the first of the fava beans this season, plus some of the larger Tohono O’odham I’itois. Will I get eclipse powers when I eat them? 😀

04/06/2024

Recent Feedback

"Thank you so much for your kind listening and amazing session 🦋 It’s nice to have a new ‘map’ for feeling better." - trauma, overwhelm, fatigue