Has anybody every tried it? I'd like reports, please. For those not familiar with the term, it's a massage performed with the feet. In other words, the therapist walks on your back with bare feet. I used to walk on an old boyfriend's back and he loved it--and it was good for my core muscles, too! Other than having my little niece walk on mine a while back, I'm a ashiatsu virgin. She had great balance but her technique was wanting. (I think she was about eight at the time, so don't try this at home unless the person trodding upon you is, like, half your weight.)
Today practitioners use varying techniques that incorporate quite simple to elaborate systems of bars suspended from the ceiling, which he or she holds onto in order to control the pressure and massage strokes. Sometimes, the massage therapist will stand on the table with one foot and use the other foot to massage, thereby controlling pressure; other times he or she might sit on a massage-table-height stool and let the feet do what the hands normally would.
As with just about all spa treatments, ashiatsu is deeply rooted in ancient practices. This one comes to us courtesy of Buddhist monks who used to perform it on a mat instead of a massage table, which, take it from me, can hurt when them ol' bones grind into the floor. Ashi means "foot" and atsu means "pressure." Some say it combines the best of Thai massage, shiatsu from Japan and Keralite massage from the south of India.
Ashiatsu was trademarked by a Western woman named Ruthie Hardee who founded Ashiatsu Bar Therapy in Denver, CO. That--trademarking ancient practices--is not something I'm sure I know how I feel about.
Anyway, here's a good website. http://www.urbanoasis.biz/services/ashiatsu.php
Of the scads of spas out there, I trust Urban Oasis a lot. They're firmly grounded in the spa industry, being one of the "first on the block" and they consistently awaken us to new treatments that doesn't feel like mass production.
3 comments:
I really like how consistently and well you write. Spas may not be this dumb filmmaker's thing, but you seem to know your stuff. Keep up the good work.
PeterH
Hi Rose!
Nice article about ashiatsu. I am a therapist certified in Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy (I'm just a quick 2 hr drive from Chicago if you'd like to visit and give it a try!)
I just wanted to clarify the trademarking of this technique. "Ashiatsu" is an ancient asian bodywork done with the feet. "Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy" is a Western adaptation of an asian bodywork done with the feet. All of the strokes of Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy were developed, tested, researched, and perfected by Ruthie Hardee. Although the roots of this bodywork are Asian, the technique is truly Western. Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy is trademarked, and recognized as a continuing education provider by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. It is "Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy" that is trademarked, not "Ashiatsu".
If you like deep tissue massage, you should give it a try - it's the ultimate!
Me to hear this word "ashiatsu" very first time, It is so sweet of you to introduce new things to the readers of your blog. Great info, good work Rose. Great link for reference too.
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