Professional Program

700-Hour Shiatsu

The most comprehensive Shiatsu certification available in New York. 700 hours of Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, meridian anatomy, clinical technique, and supervised practice — developed for practitioners who intend to master the art completely.

🕐 700 Training Hours
📋 Diploma
TCM Foundations
Approx. 10–14 Months
Program Overview

A Complete System of Healing

Shiatsu is not simply finger pressure — it is a complete therapeutic system rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, with its own anatomy (meridians), its own diagnostic framework (hara diagnosis), and its own treatment philosophy. Learning it properly takes time.

NYMI's 700-hour Shiatsu program is the most rigorous Shiatsu certification available in New York State. Students develop a genuine understanding of TCM theory — Yin/Yang, Five Elements, qi, and the 12 meridians — before applying those principles to hands-on treatment. The result is technique informed by understanding, not just memorized kata.

Graduates leave with the theoretical depth of a TCM-informed practitioner and the clinical hours to work confidently with complex presentations. This program is the right foundation for a professional Shiatsu practice, or for practitioners who want to add an East Asian bodywork modality to an existing LMT credential.

Inquire About Enrollment

Program at a Glance

Total Hours700 Clock Hours
Credential AwardedDiploma
PrerequisiteNone
Practicum Hours120 Hours (Clinic + Peer)
FormatDay & Evening Tracks
DurationApprox. 10–14 Months
For LMT Holders

Licensed massage therapists can add Shiatsu as a specialty. This 700-hour program is designed to stand independently or complement an existing LMT credential.

Energy Anatomy

The 12 Primary Meridians

Shiatsu works along the meridian system — channels of qi energy that govern organ function and body balance. Students learn all 12 primary meridians in depth, including their pathways, points, and Five Element associations.

Metal
Lung
LU · 11 Points
Metal
Large Intestine
LI · 20 Points
Earth
Stomach
ST · 45 Points
Earth
Spleen
SP · 21 Points
Fire
Heart
HT · 9 Points
Fire
Small Intestine
SI · 19 Points
Water
Bladder
BL · 67 Points
Water
Kidney
KI · 27 Points
Fire
Pericardium
PC · 9 Points
Fire
Triple Warmer
TW · 23 Points
Wood
Gallbladder
GB · 44 Points
Wood
Liver
LV · 14 Points
Curriculum

700 Hours of Comprehensive Shiatsu Training

1
TCM Foundations & Yin/Yang Theory
60 Hours — Foundational Chinese medicine philosophy, Yin/Yang, Eight Principles
2
Meridian Anatomy & Qi Theory
70 Hours — All 12 primary meridians, pathways, points, and qi dynamics
3
Anatomy & Physiology for Shiatsu
80 Hours — Western anatomy integrated with TCM correspondences and palpation
4
Basic Shiatsu Techniques & Kata
80 Hours — Foundational pressure techniques, postures, sequencing, and body mechanics
5
Advanced Shiatsu Protocols
70 Hours — Full-body treatment design, meridian-specific sessions, tonification/sedation
6
Hara Diagnosis & Assessment
50 Hours — Abdominal palpation, Kyo/Jitsu assessment, treatment planning from diagnosis
7
Five Element Theory & Treatment
60 Hours — Five Element correspondences, element-specific assessment, seasonal protocols
8
Pathology & Contraindications
50 Hours — Common TCM patterns, Western pathology cross-reference, red flags
9
Ethics & Professional Practice
40 Hours — Scope of practice, documentation, working in integrative settings
10
Supervised Clinical Practicum
120 Hours — Supervised clinic sessions and peer practice; full-case management included
Career Outcomes

Where Shiatsu Graduates Practice

🏛

Japanese Wellness Clinics

Dedicated Shiatsu and Japanese bodywork practices in New York and across the country.

Integrative Medicine

Hospitals and integrative health centers increasingly include Shiatsu in patient care programs.

🌿

Acupuncture & TCM Practices

Work alongside acupuncturists and TCM practitioners as a bodywork specialist.

Holistic Health Spas

Premium spas offering Eastern modalities seek practitioners with genuine TCM knowledge.

💼

Private Practice

Build a specialized Shiatsu practice — a sophisticated niche that attracts health-aware clients.

🏥

Hospital Wellness Programs

East Asian bodywork is increasingly offered in cancer centers and palliative care settings.

Next Steps

Begin Your Shiatsu Journey

Speak with an admissions advisor about the 700-hour program structure, start dates, and how to integrate Shiatsu training into your career path.