| Shiatsu has become a widely used and effective | | | | anything go wrong from the treatment you |
| therapy around the world and in the UK alone | | | | provide. The society is also a good way to meet |
| there are thousands of practitioners enjoying the | | | | other shiatsu practitioners and share knowledge |
| profession while working for themselves and | | | | of methods and techniques that can prove |
| earning a decent salary. So how do you go about | | | | beneficial to individuals and the shiatsu therapy as |
| becoming a shiatsu practitioner? Here are a few | | | | a whole. |
| tips to consider: | | | | Get to work - You may be fortunate to find |
| Learn all you can - Probably one of the most | | | | work as a shiatsu practitioner in a clinic or |
| important things anyone can do before choosing a | | | | massage centre but the majority of therapists |
| new profession is to read up on it and shiatsu is | | | | work for themselves or with another practitioner. |
| no different. By understanding how the therapy | | | | If you work for yourself you will need to |
| developed and what it involves you'll answer a | | | | advertise your service so consider building a |
| few questions. Is the job for you? What does it | | | | website and taking a listing on a dedicated |
| involve? What are the skills that will be required? | | | | complimentary therapy directory. Some of these |
| Use the internet, your local library or buy a few | | | | sites offer a website building service for a small |
| books on the subject. Another good idea is to | | | | one off charge and the results are impressive. |
| contact the nearest shiatsu training school to see | | | | This is certainly of interest to anyone not familiar |
| if they offer an introduction course for you to | | | | with web design. By advertising your services on |
| attend. | | | | a dedicated therapy site you'll be guaranteed of a |
| Take a course - You must learn shiatsu from an | | | | high listing on search engines like Google. |
| approved training school and become proficient in | | | | Remember, more and more people are using the |
| the skills required to perform the therapy. Contact | | | | internet to find services such as yours so give |
| The Shiatsu Society (the professional association | | | | yourself the best possible chance for them to see |
| for shiatsu practitioners in the UK) and find out | | | | you. |
| what is required and how many hours it will take | | | | Continue your development - Many shiatsu |
| to gain a recognised certificate of training. The | | | | practitioners also have other skills and have |
| society has developed a core curriculum of theory | | | | trained in other therapies that complement their |
| and practical skills a practitioner needs to pass. | | | | shiatsu work. If you want to be successful then |
| This is usually done over a three-year training | | | | make sure you keep up to date with |
| period at an accredited shiatsu school. | | | | developments and practices within the therapy |
| Join a society - Once you have completed your | | | | and consider other therapies to train in that would |
| training it's a good idea to join a society. You will | | | | be attractive to anyone considering your service. |
| have to abide by a code of ethics and practice | | | | Shiatsu can be a rewarding career that can run |
| and you will receive support and if required | | | | alongside your current job or become your |
| mentoring from an experienced shiatsu | | | | full-time occupation. Ensure you get the |
| practitioner. Membership also provides the public | | | | knowledge, training and membership that are |
| and healthcare industry with certain reassurances | | | | required for a professional shiatsu practitioner but |
| about you and your training/experience which will | | | | above all enjoy doing the therapy as it will show |
| help when you're looking for work. The Shiatsu | | | | to new clients your dedication to the job. Good |
| Society also has an insurance scheme. Insurance | | | | luck! |
| is essential to cover you against liability should | | | | |