ZEN ALIGNMENT BODYWORK
Learn alignment.
Deepen your touch.
A Japanese bodywork method combining posture, breath, mindful touch and stillness.
PHILOSOPHY
More than releasing tension.
Restore balance and alignment.
ZEN Alignment Method is about more than simply releasing tight muscles.
By bringing awareness to posture and overall body balance, the body becomes more stable, breathing becomes easier, and unnecessary tension can gradually begin to release.
As the body settles, the mind naturally becomes calmer as well.
Body and mind are not separate.
ZEN Alignment Method is an original bodywork method based on Japanese Seitai, developed through years of studying different forms of bodywork and hands-on experience working with many different bodies.
It combines body alignment and natural body mechanics with Zen principles of posture, breath, mindful movement, and being fully present in the moment.
ZEN-INSPIRED MINDFUL PRACTICE
ZEN Alignment Method is not a religious practice or formal Zen training.
It draws inspiration from mindful aspects associated with Zen — being present, breathing with awareness, and bringing intention and sensitivity to touch.
THREE PRINCIPLES
From alignment to stillness.
Structural Balance
Learn to understand posture through the pelvis, spine and center of gravity, and how to bring the body into a more natural and stable alignment. By improving overall body balance, learn how to help the body become more resilient to recurring tension and discomfort.
Breath
Understand the connection between posture and breath, and create a state where deeper, more natural breathing becomes easier through body alignment. Learn to work with both the practitioner’s and client’s breath, using it to help the body release tension naturally.
Mental Stillness
Through posture and breath, learn to remain calm and grounded as a practitioner, bringing your awareness to the present moment and to the body in front of you.
THE ZEN TOUCH
Healing starts with
your own posture.
Before learning how to work on someone else’s body, ZEN Alignment begins with your own.
You learn to find a stable posture, become aware of your center, and use your body more naturally while giving treatment.
Rather than relying only on arm strength, you learn how to transfer your body weight through a stable position to create comfortable, grounded pressure.
This approach also helps reduce unnecessary strain on the practitioner — an important part of continuing bodywork over the long term.
THE ZEN PROCESS
Observe. Feel. Respond.
Observe
Observe posture, left-right balance, movement and areas of tension to understand the condition of each body.
Feel
Rather than simply following a set routine, learn to feel tension and subtle responses through your hands, and work with the changes you notice.
Respond
Adapt your pressure, direction and body mechanics to each client, choosing the approach that best responds to what their body needs.
Feel what the body tells you.
Respond with intention.
EASY TO INTEGRATE
A complete method on its own.
Easy to combine with the bodywork you already practice.
ZEN Alignment Bodywork can be offered as a complete bodywork session on its own, or integrated into other forms of massage and bodywork.
If you already practice Swedish massage, deep tissue, oil massage or other hands-on techniques, you can incorporate what you learn into your existing style and adapt it to each client.
At our salon, ZEN Alignment Bodywork is popular both as a standalone treatment and in combination with oil massage.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
For those who want to understand more than technique.
The ZEN Alignment Method is designed for people interested in bodywork, wellbeing and the connection between body and mind. Previous professional experience is not required.
- Massage therapists and bodyworkers looking to expand their skills
- Therapists interested in incorporating posture and body alignment into their work
- People interested in beginning a career in bodywork
- Those interested in learning how to work with others through mindful touch
- Those interested in bringing ideas from yoga, meditation or mindfulness into bodywork
- Those interested in learning a form of bodywork inspired by Japanese culture and Zen principles
5-DAY INTENSIVE
From body assessment
to full-body practice.
Five days. Five hours a day. 25 hours in total. Learn practical full-body bodywork, from body assessment and practitioner body mechanics to hands-on techniques and home-care advice for clients.
From Day 2, each day begins with time to review and practice what you learned the day before, ask questions, and then move on to new techniques.
Body Assessment & Back
Build the foundation
Learn the fundamentals of ZEN Alignment Method, including posture, center of gravity, body mechanics, touch and breath. Learn how to assess the body before a session, followed by in-depth hands-on practice for the back.
Legs
Work with the lower body
Begin with a review of the previous day, then learn hands-on techniques for the legs. Practice using your posture, body weight and center of gravity without relying on muscular strength alone.
Abdomen, Arms & Décolletage
Adapt your touch to different areas
After reviewing the previous day, learn hands-on techniques for the abdomen, arms and décolletage. Practice adapting your touch and techniques to the different areas of the body.
Head, Neck & Seated Techniques
Expand your hands-on practice
Review what you have learned so far, then learn hands-on techniques for the head and neck, as well as techniques performed with the client in a seated position.
Review, Full-Body Practice & Home Care
Bring everything together
Review the techniques learned throughout the five days and practice bringing them together into a full-body session. You will also learn how to offer simple home-care advice based on each client’s individual needs.
STILLNESS
When the body settles,
the mind follows.
LEARN IN JAPAN
Five days of bodywork, stillness and Japanese culture.
Group training is planned to be held at a temple in Osaka, Japan. It is a five-day opportunity to learn practical bodywork in a quiet, distinctly Japanese setting.
This training is about more than learning hands-on techniques. Through practical training, you will explore the posture, breath, mindful touch and awareness of the body that are at the heart of ZEN Alignment Method.
At the same time, studying in Japan gives you the opportunity to experience Japanese culture and atmosphere as part of your time here.
* The training venue may vary depending on the schedule and number of participants. In some cases, training may be held in a traditional Japanese-style room rather than a temple.
EXPERIENCE JAPAN
Learn.
Breathe.
Experience.
More than a course.
Make your time in Japan part of the experience.
CERTIFICATION
Certified ZEN Alignment
Practitioner
Participants who complete the five-day ZEN Alignment Method training will receive a Certified ZEN Alignment Practitioner certificate.
After completing the course, you can offer the ZEN Alignment Method as a standalone treatment or incorporate the techniques into your existing massage or bodywork practice.
For those who would like additional practice or review, private follow-up training is available at FLOW from one hour.
Private follow-up training: ¥10,000 per hour
Course retakes are also available for those who would like to go through the complete training again.
EXPERIENCE THE METHOD
Experience Japanese Seitai
at our private salon in Osaka.
If you would like to experience the bodywork before learning it, you can book a Japanese Seitai session at FLOW, our private salon in Osaka.
Experience the alignment, body mechanics, breath and mindful touch that form the foundation of ZEN Alignment Bodywork.
EXPERIENCE JAPANESE SEITAIGROUP TRAINING
¥250,000 (tax included)
Group training is offered seasonally, typically in spring and autumn.
Training is planned to take place at a temple in Osaka. Depending on the schedule and number of participants, a traditional Japanese-style room may be used instead.
Dates and venue details will be announced when registration opens.
PRIVATE TRAINING
¥300,000 (tax included)
Private training is available throughout the year at our salon in Osaka.
The 25-hour program can be completed over five consecutive days or divided into shorter sessions across multiple days.
The schedule can be arranged flexibly to suit your stay in Osaka.
As private training needs to be arranged around FLOW’s regular salon schedule, please contact us as early as possible to discuss your preferred dates.
YOUR STAY, YOUR STYLE
Make your time in Osaka
part of the experience.
Accommodation and meals are not included, giving you the freedom to plan your stay in Osaka your own way.
Choose a hotel, apartment or other accommodation that suits your budget and travel style, and enjoy exploring Osaka’s many restaurants and local food during your stay.
Outside of training hours, you are free to explore the city, relax and enjoy your time in Japan at your own pace.
ZEN ALIGNMENT BODYWORK
Learn with your body.
Work with theirs.
Five days of practical bodywork training in posture, breath, body mechanics and mindful touch in Osaka, Japan.
READY TO LEARN MORE?
If you’re considering joining ZEN Alignment Bodywork Training, tell us a little about yourself and your preferred schedule. We’ll get back to you with the next steps.
JUST HAVE A QUESTION?
Not ready to choose your training dates yet? Feel free to send us a message on WhatsApp.
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