learning the proper alignment and body position for the practitioner, and on memorizing and internalizing the sequence (kata/form) of the massage. Students are exposed to the energetic, theoretical and technical aspects of shiatsu. Theory focuses on learning the channel pathways. Instruction emphasizes kinesthetic learning, alternating between demonstration and practice. Open to all NCNM students
Elective: CCM 997E – Shiatsu II Short Form, Front of the Body
(1.5 lab credits) Shiatsu II is the continuation of Shiatsu I, teaching the second half of the short form. In terms of the kata it covers the front of the body. The front of the body also takes about 45 minutes to do. This course continues the Do-In (Dao-Yin) training with an emphasis on being able to teach it to others. The last part of the course combines the back of the body from Shiatsu I with the front learned in this term to complete the ‘short form’. The whole shiatsu short form takes about an hour and a half to perform and constitutes a very thorough and satisfying massage for both the giver and the receiver. Prerequisite: CCM 991E
Elective: CCM 998E – Shiatsu III Short Form, Integration Practicum
(1 lab credit) Shiatsu III, the short-form practicum, integrates the material learned in Shiatsu I and II. In a mock clinical approach to classroom learning, students bring a different volunteer client to class each week to give them a shiatsu massage. The instructor circulates and provides individualized feedback during each session. The short form constitutes the basic framework for the clinical practice of shiatsu, and by the end of the term the student should be capable of performing it professionally in about an hour and a quarter. Prerequisite: CCM 997E
Elective: CCM 805E – Shiatsu IV Long Form, Back of the Body
prescription for clients. Prerequisite: CCM 998E
Elective: CCM 806E – Shiatsu V Long Form, Front of the Body
(1.5 lab credits) Shiatsu V continues where Shiatsu IV left off, covering the long-form kata for the front half of the body. This course completes the very thorough whole-body treatment, which takes two to three hours to perform. Again, stretches and specific point work are integrated into the kata. Useful for both assessment and treatment, the long form is a comprehensive and satisfying massage. Prerequisite: CCM 805E
Elective: CCM 807E – Shiatsu VI Long Form, Interaction Practicum
(1.5 lab credits) Shiatsu VI is the long-form practicum. Students bring a volunteer client into the classroom to perform a long-form treatment on them. The instructor circulates providing guidance and feedback. Students work on solving their technical difficulties, generally refine their massage technique, and hone their theoretical understanding, while developing their capacity to relate to their clients and discuss shiatsu in a professional manner. Some diagnostic palpation is practiced focusing on Shu and Mu points. Opportunities for improvisation from amongst the myriad of techniques become necessary to keep the treatment to a reasonable length of time. These processes train the student to tailor their treatments in real world settings to their clients’ individual needs and limits within the context of the shiatsu kata, while the kata provides the basis for a consistent product/service that ensures continuity between sessions and across providers. Prerequisite: CCM 806E
Research CCM 992 – Master’s Thesis Tutorial: Research and Writing in Chinese Medicine
(1.5 lab credits) The long form builds on the short form learned in the first year and introduces new techniques. Specifically, stretching maneuvers for all the major joints of the body, along with more specific pressing of acu-points, are integrated into the massage. Pertaining to the self cultivation aspect of the training, another Dao-Yin form is presented. This term the students learn a comprehensive series of stretches, much like yoga, for the practitioner, both as preparation to give as well as receive the shiatsu stretches, but also to generally open and strengthen the practitioner’s body. Intimate knowledge of these stretches also constitutes the basis for the use of stretches as a
(1 lecture credit) This course provides training in CCM scholarship, and prepares students to write the required master’s thesis during the final year of the program. Students get support in choosing and refining the focus of their thesis, which may be on any approved topic pertinent to classical Chinese medicine. By the end of the course, students have produced an abstract and a preliminary outline of their thesis, and received guidance in choosing a thesis committee. Details of the thesis process and requirements are described in the “MSOM Thesis Information Packet” provided in the course.
2012–2013 Catalog | Master of Science in Oriental Medicine
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