Meaning literally"foot strain (as) style," ashiatsu stems from the principles of Ashtanga Yoga, an Indian discipline. Ashtanga, or"eight limbs" yoga, has been introduced to the west by a team of instructors headed by David Banks, who later coached the famed circus performer, Kym Johnson. So as to train her students in Ashtanga style yoga, Banks had to first introduce them to the fundamentals of yoga through Ashtanga and the deep bodywork, which he taught. That's where the Ashiatsu origin story comes in.

Ashiatsu originates from Japan, but contrary to what many assume, it is not an ancient art. Ashiatsu is actually a derivative of yoga and several other spiritual practices that have existed for centuries. As an example, the Japanese Soka schools, who teach Ashiatsu, really trace their lineage all the way back to the seventh century. The exact origin of Ashiatsu has actually been lost in the mists of time.

But many believe that Ashiatsu was influenced heavily by the Western Sahara school of Buddhism, and also by Taoist philosophies and even Chinese acupuncture techniques. Ashiatsu has been known to use such processes as finger tapping and eye movements, as well as the application of hot and cold temperatures on different areas of the body. Interestingly enough, the origin of Ashiatsu actually took place in India, in the region now known as Kerala in India.

Today, lots of people around the world are practicing Ashiatsu as a healing art of Buddhist monks. In actuality, there are lots of Ashiatsu massage parlors located all over the planet. But, what is Ashiatsu exactly? How does one get started getting into this terrific massage therapy? And where can you discover the best kinds of Ashiatsu treatment in the largest areas?


A fantastic place to start the journey towards understanding Ashiatsu is to begin to learn about it's meaning. Among the most commonly known and widely practiced methods of Ashiatsu is foot massage. This can be done while the patient lies on a massage table, or while a client lies on the ground with their feet placed flat on the ground. A skilled Ashiatsu massage therapist will use their hands to apply pressure to certain points on the feet. This is done in order to help alleviate the pressure on the joints, and alleviate the tightness and strain on the muscles of the legs and feet.

A more recent version of Ashiatsu employs the knees and elbows. Again, a qualified massage therapist applies pressure to specific points on the elbows and knees so as to help loosen up the stiff joints and muscles of the body. A popular method used for treating stiff muscles of the back is the so called"hardoe" massage, which is named after the sort of tree that the Ashiatsu massage therapist uses. Examples of hardy trees include the fir, ebony, ashwagandha, thuja, and boxwood.

A less popular type of treatment utilized as part of the healing practice of Ashiatsu is the use of"moisturizing lotion". This sort of cream is applied directly to the skin and may be combined with massage therapy to be able to reduce swelling and relieve pain from cuts, scrapes, and bruises. Lots of men and women who have chosen to receive a foot massage or a deep tissue massage from an experienced Ashiatsu therapist and who have obtained a Barefoot Massage say that they don't observe any difference in their appearance between the two types of treatments, but the Barefoot massage was definitely more enjoyable for them. Many folks agree that the deep tissue massage had an extremely positive impact on their lives.

While Ashiatsu might appear to be a Western invention, many of the traditional Asian techniques for treating the body have been around for many years. Barefoot shiatsu, even though it is occasionally referred to as Japanese shiatsu, has actually existed all over Asia for thousands of years. In Japan itself, the technique originated as a tool for healing and relieving stress for several decades before becoming popular as a fitness and wellness technique from the West. Whatever you call it, the truth is that the roots of barefoot shiatsu have been in traditional Japanese medicine.