Providing affordable Shiatsu, Qigong and Self-healing techniques across the community

Working with Children

Samurai Shiatsu

 

The Samurai Shiatsu project
an in-school project working with Primary school children

Shiatsu for children - Samurai Shiatsu - children outdoors - medium

 

Kooko and Hanako practise on yellow

Many of us are concerned about the pressures that children are facing at school.  These pressures, combined with postural problems and concentration difficulties, can lead some children to display stress-like symptoms similar to those seen in adults.

Children complain about stomach pains or headaches and report sleeping problems. In school, they come to the attention of professionals because of their difficulties with learning; postural problems make it difficult to sit still on a chair all day and to concentrate for long hours. To alleviate their lack of sensory input, they either squirm or ‘switch off’, no longer engaging with teaching, missing out on vital learning.

“Immensely enjoyable learning within our busy weeks. The children (and staff!) found it relaxing and fun. Please come again soon.” Ben, teacher

“Samurai Shiatsu will benefit any child.” Mark, teacher

 

Shiatsu for Change Samurai childen IMG_0241
Shiatsu for Change Samurai childen IMG_0240
Shiatsu for Change Samurai childen IMG_0234

 

“For particular children who have stressful lives, the Samurai Shiatsu program clearly helped them. This was remarked upon by other staff.” Ben, teacher

“Samurai Shiatsu has given my class a chance to work with each other, to develop a way of understanding of how to use massage to de-stress and increase their focus.” Mark, teacher

“A great program, well thought out and very well received.” Park School, teacher

 

CLICK HERE - to see some of the research

The Robert Koch-Institute (Berlin, Germany) carried out a national, representative children and youth health survey between 2003 and 2006. Around 18,000 children and young people took part in the survey. The data which follows relates to the motor skills module of the children and youth health survey which was carried out by Prof. Klaus Boes at the Institute for Sport and Sport Sciences at Karlsruhe University between 2002 and 2008. The children tested were between 4 and 17 years old.

These are some of the results:

  • 35% of children and young people were unable to balance for two or more steps on a 3 cm wide beam on the floor going backwards;
  • 86% of children could not stand on one leg for one minute;
  • 43% were unable to touch their toes when carrying out a forward bend (this applied to 53% of boys and 33% of girls).

Another survey compiled by German health insurers also showed clearly the urgent need for action with regards to children and young people. The data states that:

  • 71% of all children complain regularly of stomach pains and headaches;
  • 50% of all children have concentration difficulties;
  • up to 65% of all children display postural damages;
  • 40% of all children complain about backache.

The results regarding social status and migration background (especially with regards to girls) impacted on motor ability was damning. Results showed children and young people with a high social status had greater motor ability than those with a lower socio-economic status. These findings were congruent with observations we ourselves made as part of a movement/obstacle course presented to children in Year 5 in a German comprehensive school:

  • out of 181 tested pupils (10 and 11 years old) 134 were unable to stand on one leg for one minute;
  • 131 pupils were unable to reach the floor with their fingertips and extended legs;
  • walking backwards for 3 metres presented a great challenge for pupils – 109 pupils were unable to do so, 31 could walk 2 to 3 steps backwards on the 3 cm wide beam and 41 managed to walk just half the distance.

The movement/obstacle course used in the above survey showed that motor, co-ordination and balance skills were insufficiently developed in most pupils. Observations also showed that daily school life presented a huge challenge for many pupils – be it due to a negative classroom atmosphere or heightened performance pressure and anxiety.

Click here to see the full research article from the European Shiatsu Congress

Click here to see full details of the national, representative children and youth health survey

 

The Samurai Programme

Samurai Programme logo only

It is a practical exercise program which promotes health and wellbeing, improves concentration and can help with stress and anxiety. The children learn a series of bodywork exercises like “Samurai strokes tiger”, which are simple to learn and can be used independently after the program.
The Samurai Programme was developed as a response to these findings. Children are fully clothed and learn to carry out a sequence of Shiatsu ‘moves’ on each other. The Samurai Programme is designed so that through different qualities of touch various sensory systems are encouraged and activated.  The word ‘Samurai’ means ‘servant, companion, guardian’ – and it aims to convey how children can nurture others as well as themselves. Showing respect and becoming aware of one’s own and other people’s boundaries are important principles of Shiatsu and the programme actively works to develop this awareness.

As the Samurai Programme encourages the development of body awareness and taking the load off a strained back, the head is freed up so pupils can concentrate with greater ease. Another aim of the programme is to nurture class cohesion and create greater health awareness for both teachers and pupils which in turn will have a positive effect on the classroom atmosphere.

Kooko and Hanako bowingPracticalities

The various Shiatsu techniques and sequences also include meridian based movement exercises. These are taught in a playful way as part of a story about two Japanese children, a boy called Kooko and a girl called Hanako. Japanese customs are also part of the session, for example to greet each other with ‘Konnichi wa’ (Hello) or to ask ‘O genki desu ka?'(How are you, or more precisely, “how is your Ki?”). Exercises are called “Samurai warms up in the sun, “Samurai holds head up high”, “Samurai, Bear and Tiger meet”.

Children are taught to use ‘strong, firm bear paw touch’ as well as ‘gentle, light tiger paws’ to go up and down the spine.  There are also Do-In games and other body awareness exercises to start and finish a session or for when concentration flags in the classroom.

As with Shiatsu, an important aspect is to respect each individual and not to super-impose exercises and touch where it is not wanted or when the person is not ready for it yet. At the start of each session, children ask each other’s permission before engaging in physical touch. Gentle, respectful touch is taught and children are given the chance to give and receive positive touch regularly.

As well as learning skills to help themselves in class, children also reported helping family members with headaches, sleep and anxiety problems.
Shiatsu practitioners who have trained as Samurai Programme Trainers go into schools and teach children and teachers the programme. Instruction is divided into three sessions which last for up to 45 minutes each. The Shiatsu ‘moves’ are easy to learn and are quickly taken on board by children who then carry on with their practise: with their peers in class and at playtime, their parents, siblings, grandparents and friends at home. In this way, Shiatsu touch is carried into the community. The programme is further supported with a book which includes the story of Kooko and Hanako, two Japanese children.

The Samurai Programme has been introduced into primary schools in Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Netherlands, and most notably Austria – where regional health insurers pay for Shiatsu practitioners to deliver the programme in participating schools. Karin and her husband Thomas Wernicke have also introduced the Samurai Programme both for children and adults in Japan and Australia.

Website of the creators of the Samurai Program

We are looking for funding for this project.

Like to have the Samurai Shiatsu project at your school?

Contact us by clicking here.