Brian Skow, Shiatsu, Sotai and Kampo Therapist

07/11/2023

Tomorrow!

Workshop: The 10 Basic Meridian Exercises

Meridian Exercises, arising from Zen Shiatsu and also known as Meridian Stretches or Zen Imagery Exercises, are exercises that open the body and encourage the flow of Ki. The body is positioned to stretch Meridians and their Extensions, the mind is placed in those lines of tension, and the breath is used to tense and release. There are 52 exercises in total, but I’ve found it sufficient for most clients to learn a basic set of ten, with profound results coming from daily practice.

Learning takes an hour, but performing the set takes only ten minutes. The training you'll receive is backed by a handout and a video, and you can always contact me with any questions. For one hour of small group training at half the cost of a private session you'll be able to perform a valuable set of exercises on your own.

Wednesday, July 12th, 5p at Shantiful

$55

Email [email protected] to register and receive an invoice to pay in advance.

I do these every day. My clients that do the same report significant improvements in health and well-being. You, too, can benefit!

07/07/2023

Acupoint Large Intestine 4

I mentioned acupoint Large Intestine 4 in a post that covered acupoint Liver 3. Acupoint Liver 4 is known as "Joining Valley" and, as with Liver 3, is found between two digits, in this case fingers instead of toes. Press in the web between a thumb and the index finger, feeling for a reactive point located toward the index. Once found, press until you feel the most reaction, whether shallow or deep, then release, repeating until the reaction is lessened. The two Liver 3 and the two Large Intestine 4 when used as a combination are known as "The 4 Gates" and produce a strong and temporary pain- and spasm-relieving response for the whole body. On its own, Large Intestine 4 is commonly used to boost immunity when coming down with a cold or flu and to help with issues in the face, eyes, nose, mouth and ears. Have a go, and see how you respond!

06/07/2023

Workshop: Self-Sotai Exercises

Sotai exercises move you away from pain and back into alignment. There are numerous exercises that are applied in therapy, with the therapist guiding the client through particular movements to address specific issues the client is experiencing. But, there are also basic movements to perform preventively on your own to ensure functionality and well-being!

In this workshop you'll learn six Self-Sotai Exercises. Learning takes an hour, but performing the set takes only ten minutes. The training you'll receive is backed by a handout, and you can always contact me with any questions. For one hour of small group training at half the cost of a private session you'll be able to perform a valuable set of exercises on your own.

Wednesday, June 14th, 5p at Shantiful
$55
Email [email protected] to register.

This is my "go to" set when traveling, as all the exercises are performed standing up and take minimal space. Join to explore and enjoy! I look forward to seeing you.

05/26/2023

Acupoint Liver 3

Due to our lifestyle in the West, very often people realize Liver stagnation. This is true for a majority of my clients, with the Hara assessment often indicating Gallbladder and Liver Jitsu (Full) and another Organ pair Kyo (Empty). Treatment then focuses on nourishing the Empty and dispersing the Full.

One of the primary acupoints for freeing up Liver Ki (Qi, Vital Energy) is Liver 3, "Great Rushing." Cover your index finger with your ring finger for strength, then press up and in underneath where the tendons of your big toe and the next meet at the bony prominence on top of the foot. If the point is sore, that's an indication of Jitsu. Press in until you feel the maximum sensation (this is normally not on the surface nor at the depth), then release. Keep this up until the soreness has largely dissipated.

Those of you that have experienced my pressing realize how direct are the effects! Also, how Liver 3 and Large Intestine 4 act to release pain throughout the body. More on that next time.

05/16/2023

What are Meridians?

The cultures of Asia and the West are of different languages and perspectives, and that is reflected in their traditional medical practices. But, that doesn't mean all is separate, as modern research is helping to develop a Western view of traditional Far East Asian Medicine concepts. This is true of the concept of Meridians.

Meridians (Channels) are the pathways of Ki (Qi, Vital Energy) in the body. Each of the 12 Organs has a Meridian associated with it, and on each Meridian are acupoints. While the Meridian itself has functions and any place on a Meridian can be used in treatment (as with the Japanese focus on Meridan therapy), each of the traditional acupoints has its own particular effects on the body. This was not simply "made up," as the system developed over hundreds of years of careful observation.

Still, that may sound esoteric to many in the West. But, think of those times when you've experienced an electrical charge passing in a line from one point to another in your body! I'm sure most of you have had that experience. In addition, modern imaging and testing suggest that the Meridians are part of the nervous system, "housed" in the myofascial tissues. That makes sense, as the Meridians run both superficial and deep.

If you've received therapy from me, you know that acupressure-, stretch- and moxa-based Meridian therapy is highly effective in addressing "dis-ease." It shouldn't be a wonder, as the nervous system controls all and we can stimulate it from the outside. I encourage those that haven't had such therapy to come in! No worries, feels good.

05/08/2023

Spring Equinox Meridian Exercises (Liver and Gallbladder)

Meridian Exercises for Springtime

Two years ago I created the video Spring Equinox Meridian Exercises (Liver and Gallbladder) for the American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia (AOBTA®). I wanted to present it again, because, well, we're still in the spring season and many of you may find the stretches to be soothing! In Five Element Theory the Yin Yan Organ Pair Liver and Gallbladder represent Wood energy and are associated with Spring. That being the case, those Organs and their Meridians have a higher probability of becoming jammed up during this time, and the stretches can help to un-jam.

Note that the video doesn't contain detailed instruction on theory, positioning, Meridian pathways, mindfulness, and breathing, all the things you would receive in a training session. So, come in for a one-on-one session if you're in need of movement. I have plenty of do-at-home exercises for you to perform, whether a full body set for consistent health and wellness support or individual remedial movements for particular issues.

For the Spring Equinox occurring on March 20th, 2021, I volunteered to present a set of season-appropriate Meridian Exercises for the American Organization f...

04/22/2023

An overlooked brain system helps you grab a coffee – and plan your next cup

Everything is connected, movement affects all of you. See me to learn sets of exercises that boost your health and well-being.

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/04/20/1171004199/an-overlooked-brain-system-helps-you-grab-a-coffee-and-plan-your-next-cup

Researchers have found a system in the brain that seems to integrate control of individual muscles with a person's intentions, emotions, and entire body.

04/14/2023

Experiencing Touch Starvation? Here Are The Benefits Of Touch Therapy According To Experts — ESSENCE

Come for compassionate Shiatsu.

Earlier this month, 33-year-old Matye Lisbeth took to TikTok to create a deeply personal and vulnerable video of her struggles with touch starvation, which is a condition that happens when you don’t get as much physical touch as you’re used to or barely any at all, according to WebMD. In her cap...

04/04/2023

Focus: Worry - https://mailchi.mp/a1254490715e/worry

03/06/2023

Being Mindful of Disease

Kaibara Ekiken was a samurai physician who wrote Yojokun: the Way of Nurturing Life to share his decades of experience in how to be well in all ways. Here he encourages you to be mindful with your health:

"If you are mindful while in good health, you will avoid illness. Once ill, even with medicine your recovery will be difficult and slow. Be mindful of even the smallest desire or you could become gravely ill. Being mindful of small desires is easy when you remember that the vexations of a grave illness are many. Think about the pain of illness beforehand and have great respect for the disasters that can come afterward."

So, take great care of your health. Get the care and support you need to find the good path and stay on it. I'm always at your service.

03/03/2023

My first time training at a track in 41 years. So happy that I finally found one open to the public!

For the past four decades my vigorous workouts have largely been a varying mix of calisthenics, plyometrics, running, hiking and sprinting. Last year I decided to have a special focus on sprinting, but went too hard too soon and re-injured my left Achille's tendon. I had to lay off of running and sprinting for a few months, but have worked my way back.

Today's workout was fairly typical as of late, three circuits of five calisthenics exercises, three plyometrics exercises, four sprinting drills, and 2 x (400m + 200m + 100m). I've been reigning it in to not re-injure, and continued that today with the change in surfaces in mind. I've been training on grass fields, and the track is a much harder surface!

I had my stop watch with me, having the intention of seeing where I was at with each of those sprints, but decided not to time after all. I'll wait until I've done many more track workouts and truly feel ready to see. I'm working it up very gradually this year, week by week.

I turn 60 years of age at the end of this month. When I started more focused sprint training last year I had the idea that I might start competing in master's track then. Now I'm thinking I'll wait a few years and continue to build. But, I'll go by feel, that's the best.

02/27/2023

Recent Feedback

In a recent newsletter I presented a psoriatic arthritis case study. The subject of the study enjoyed reading about himself and responded:

"I still do daily meridian and Tibetan Rites, and weights with full range focus. My strength is really improving and I almost have no pain. Most day no pain and feel like I did 10 years ago. My knee pain for some reason is gone too. No shoulder pain either. I don’t take enbrel but have it on standby, just in case. I take low dose naltrexone, and have added in a comprehensive multi vitamin which focuses on raising my carotenoid levels significantly. I track my levels with the machine I am promoting and eat more bright colored fruits and veggies and take the supplements. My family has begun eating healthier too. I can’t pinpoint exactly what has caused my improvement but feel it is a combination of things and being more proactive in my health and well-being. You set me on this path and I am so thankful! You are so skilled and passionate about what you do!"

I was happy to receive the update! The client made two important points. First, that every issue needs to be addressed on multiple fronts. Good health can only be achieved by addressing "the system" comprised of internal and external factors, including behaviors. Second, that I'm a "catalyst." Clients come to me with specific issues for which I provide therapies for immediate relief, but then I advise on behavioral changes and provide exercises to perform. A new path opens, and health and well-being arrive.

Engage with yourself, get the support you need, and thrive!

02/22/2023

How the Muscles Prevent Disease - Medical Frontiers | NHK WORLD-JAPAN On Demand

Focus: Muscle

The amount of muscle you have is a major factor determining your level of health. Multiple studies show this, and it can be observed empirically. NHK World Japan has released the documentary How the Muscles Prevent Disease, which highlights how muscles help prevent type 2 diabetes, colon cancer, and other diseases. Did you know even thin people can come down with type 2 diabetes? I encourage you to watch!

People are always looking for the "one thing," the "golden elixir," or the "magic bullet," and to them I say "strength training." Stretching and aerobic training are good, but the biggest "bang for the buck" is strength training. Muscles pull against the bones and the bones respond by getting into alignment and becoming more dense, "youth hormones" are secreted, and more. You won't be vital unless you have good musculature.

When a client comes to me and they haven't been active, or have been active in ways that have caused injury, I teach them the 10 Basic Meridian Exercises (10BME) first and the Five Tibetans (5T) second. The 10BME are gentle stretches that calm the nervous system and help you to become more bodily aware, while the 5T are a strenuous yoga-like set that actively stretches, strengthens and provides aerobic training for your body. Each takes only ten minutes to perform, and done daily they provide you with a very solid base of health and fitness. From there, much more!

In Japan, researchers have found that inactive, underweight people are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. A mouse experiment showed that just one day of no exercise results in a higher blood glucose level. Researchers have also confirmed that after exercise, the muscles release a substance....

02/15/2023

Read my latest newsletter! Focus: Muscle - https://mailchi.mp/51e63b4ad128/muscle

02/13/2023

Good Advice

Kaibara Ekiken was a samurai physician who wrote Yojokun: the Way of Nurturing Life to share his decades of experience in how to be well in all ways. One example from the book:

"Among the sayings of Doctor Hua T'o is the following: 'The body should labor. If it does, the vitality of the grain [one eats] will dissolve, and blood will circulate freely throughout the vascular system.'

Generally speaking, if you reduce your physical desires, exercise from time to time, put your hands and feet to work, walk and do not sit in one place for too long, your ch'i and blood should circulate well and not stagnate. This is important business for the Way of Nurturing Life, and you must do it daily.

In the Lu Shih Ch'un Ch'iu it says, 'Flowing water does not stagnate, the busy door pivot does not become worm-eaten. This is because they move. Form and ch'i are both naturally so.' Stationary water, an unused door - both will deteriorate if not put to use. When in motion, no disaster befalls them.

You are exactly the same."

This passage makes me think of a seventy-nine year old Japanese grandmother that is a client of mine. She is temperate in her desires, keeps her life simple and possessions few, and stays active. She's the healthiest of all of my older clients. Lessons put into practice, success!

02/07/2023

A quick, easy and nutritious post-workout lunch - Saba (mackerel) canned in miso paste over rice, miso soup, and nori (toasted seaweed). Saba is a great source of protein that is also high in good cholesterol, which helps reduce bad cholesterol. Rice provides instant energy. Miso is a fermented food that is fantastic for your gut microbiome. Nori brings necessary salt and trace minerals. Oh, and I also had green tea!

02/06/2023

~ photo not the actual client ~

Case Study: Psoriatic Arthritis

A fit male in his early-fifties arrived complaining of joint pain, primarily in his knees, hips and shoulders. This was caused by psoriatic arthritis, for which the skin rash was well-controlled by a painful and expensive weekly injection of Enbrel. Joint pain levels were 8/10 fairly continuously, dropping to 6/10 occasionally. Alleve was taken when pain was not well tolerated.

Initial weekly treatments from me included full body Shiatsu and targeted Sotai, with occasional moxibustion on particularly sensitive points. Early on the client learned specific Sotai and Meridian Exercises to perform at home, and eventually he took on the 10 Basic Meridian Exercises and Five Tibetans sets and performed them daily. In addition, we made modifications to his weight training routine, emphasizing full range of motion.

I prescribed the herbal formula Wen Qing Yin (from Sun Ten), which was helpful but was hard on his digestive tract. Wen Qing Yin is a combination of a formula that nourishes blood (Si Wu Tang) and a formula that clears heat (Huang Lian Jie Du Tang), and over time the blood nourishing component seemed much less important than the heat clearing (anti-inflammation) component. So, I switched the prescription to Huang Lian Jie Du Tang (from Honso) by itself, and that proved to be very effective and perfectly tolerated.

Pain levels decreased, and the client was able to extend the time between Enbrel injections from one week to two. Sessions decreased from weekly to every other week. After three and one-half months he worked with his medical doctor and switched from Enbrel injections to "low-dose naltrexone" (LDN), an off-label use of the pill-based drug. The client became self-managing, with the disease in control and pain levels very low.