About Us

ABOUT THE SCHOOL
The International School of Shiatsu (I.S.S.) was founded  by Saul Goodman in 1978. It is located in Doylestown, PA,  one hour north of Philadelphia.   The 640 hour curriculum combines traditional Shiatsu, Zen Shiatsu, Masunaga meridians, Macrobiotics and Saul Goodman's research on advanced forms of bodywork  known as Shin Tai,  Life Force Recovery  and Light Body Activation. 

Shirley Scranta, a graduate of ISS, is the present owner and Director.   A graduate of Millersville and Villanova Universities,  Scranta enthusiasticly shares her expertise in education, holistic health counseling and nutrition.  She has integrated shiatsu techniques with courses on Stress Management, Brain Nutrition, and Wellness.  If you have any questions about the program or choosing a time to begin studies, make an appointment to discuss your questions.

Statement of Purpose
I.S.S. supports the advancement of the students toward their own individual goals. Whether students intend to pursue training to become full or part-time practitioners, to use Shiatsu as an adjunct to existing skills, or for personal development, the program can be of great benefit. No previous experience is necessary to begin this study. Students need only the desire to grow personally, experience prosperity and help other people.

Professional Affiliations
I.S.S. supports the mission, educational standards and ethical guidelines of the AOBTA (the American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia). Students are encouraged to become student,  associate, and professional members of the AOBTA. ISS graduates  are eligible for professional level memberships. Check details at www.aobta.org
Graduates also qualify to take NCCAOM's  national exam in Asian Bodywork Therapy.  This exam is recognized by many states for licensing or certification.  Check  www.nccaom.org
For your state's licensing regulations, see  www.abmp.com
ISS is licensed by the PA Dept of Education, Private Licensed Schools.

Staff:
The teaching staff is comprised of experienced, practicing professionals who teach in their respective areas of expertise.  A close, supportive relationship exists between administration, faculty and students. Class size is limited to 24.

Administration 
Director:   Shirley Scranta, M.S.,  Dipl. ABT, NCCAOM, CP AOBTA, HHC
Curriculum Director: Saul Goodman, founder, author, C.I. AOBTA**

Administrative Assistant : Morna Glemser
Office:
            Beverley Pattenden
            Danielle Rezykowski
Billing dept: Claudine Wolk

Faculty:
Shiatsu Instructors:
Saul Goodman, AOBTA  CI, Founder of ISS 
Diane Hynes, B.A., AOBTA CP, ABMP CMT
Leo McElroy, B.S., ABOTA CP
Hilde Nieuwenhuysen, AOBTA CP
Rolly Brown, R.Ac., Dipl.Ac. NCCAOM  TCM, Tai Chi, Sword Classes
Susan Watson, AOBTA CP, Dipl.ABT, NCCAOM
Shirley Scranta, M.S. AOBTA CP, Dipl.ABT, NCCAOM, HHC
Maureen Purcell, Reiki, Sacred Geometry, Theta DNA, Bodywork Therapist
John Mohan, Shiatsu Practitioner, AOBTA
Lori Van Fleet, Bodywork Therapist


Guest Lecturers:
Elizabeth Frediani: Communications for Bodyworkers
Steve Parker, Esq.  NJ Laws for Bodyworkers
Alice Rutkowski,   Anatomy of Success, Motional Processing
John Schmidt, PT, CMT, Orthopedic and Sports Injuries
Marilyn Waxman, Macro Chef,   Energetics of Healing Foods
Lynn Wulff,  Reflexology and the Meridians

ISS Shiatsu Practitioners & Graduates:
Call ISS for appointments with our resident Practitioners or for a referral to an ISS graduate in your area.  Our shiatsu practitioners and graduates  have a wide variety of experiences and specialties. They are  available for workshops, lectures, and on-site shiatsu treatments. 
 

Shiatsu Clinic:
From October to June, on the first Saturday of the  month,  the supervised student clinic is open to the public.  This is a great opportunity for the  public to experience shiatsu sessions with our graduationg students who are completing Practitioner Program.   The  45-50 minute sessions are at a reduced fee of $35.  

For the shiatsu session, the client wears soft flexible cotton clothing, clean socks and lies on a cotton futon mat.  The student practitioner will interview the client, assess the energy condition, and select appropriate techniques.  At the end of the  45 minute session, students provide recommendations based on client's needs.  The student's work is then evaluated and discussed within the class structure.

 To be added to our annual clinic mailing list, learnshiatsu@att.net or  215-340-9918.  We send emails and postcards on October 1.  If you don't receive one, please call with your clinic reservations by October 15th.  All clinic appointments are usually filled two months in advance. We will place your name and request on a waiting list.

ISS StressBusters:
 Appointments are available with ISS Shiatsu Practitioners, Shiatsu Shin Tai Practitioners, Asian Bodywork Therapists, and Massage Therapists  who offer Massage, Shiatsu, Shiatsu Shin Tai, Sacred Geometry,  Theta DNA, Reiki, Reflexology, Pregnancy Massage.  The typical session is $70-$85 for 60 minutes.  Longer sessions are available upon request. All sessions are by appointment  learnshiatsu@att.net

Corporate meetings, Conferences:
Our ISS StressBusters appear at many cultural events throughout the year. They are also available for corporate meetings or conferences. Call at least 6 months in advance to schedule.  215-340-9918


Office Hours 
Monday through Friday, 10:00am to 6:00pm EST.   Most staff members are graduates of ISS and shiatsu practitioners who can answer your detailed questions.
215-340-9918  learnshiatsu@att.net  1-800-875-9918

Affiliated I.S.S. Schools
The first affiliated European school was begun as part of the International Macrobiotics Institute located in Kiental, Switzerland. Some of the graduates and instructors, who studied with Saul Goodman, established similar schools and programs. Since then, teaching centers have developed in Austria, Italy, Geneva-Switzerland, Belgium, Spain, Portugal and Croatia. All centers are independently owned and have their own curriculum.

Call 215-340-9918 to contact us
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The Location

I.S.S. is located in Doylestown, PA, in a suburban area, surrounded by  parks and nature preserves. Doylestown is easily accessible by car, bus, train or plane.
Philadelphia is just an hour away and New York City about an hour and a half away.
By car,  Doylestown is intersected by Routes 611, 313 and 202. Do not use computer directions for Doylestown.  Please call us!
By bus, both Greyhound or Transbridge www.transbridgebus.com  are running from New York and arrive directly into Doylestown; SEPTA buses  (R5)  are running from Philadelphia, and points in-between.
By plane, land at the Newark, New Jersey or Philadelphia airports, and take the bus, train or Amtrack to Doylestown. We do not recommend Taxi service as it's very expensive!
By train, the Amtrack, coming from Philadelphia arrives right in the center of Doylestown.

Transportation:
The Doylestown Station, located at Ashland St,  for SEPTA R5, Greyhound and Amtrack is only 3 blocks away from ISS.
Septa: 215-580-7800 (R5 stops at Doylestown)
Amtrack 1-800-7245
Transbridge Bus  1-800-962-9135
Local Bus Service:  Doylestown DART www.doylestowndart.com
Closest Airports:
Philadelphia: 215-937-6937
Newark, NJ 201-961-6000

Housing:  Students who must travel a distance to attend classes can find temporary housing arrangements at several local hotels, inns, or motels. Shared housing or subleasing may also be available. Ask for our housing list.  See www.DoylestownAlive.com for local info and events.
Lodging:
www.1814houseinn.com
www.DoylestownInn.com  (2 blocks away, but expensive!)
www.Stoneridge-farm.com
www.ashmillfarm.com
www.barleysheaf.com
www.peddlersvillage.com  (for those who love to shop)
Courthouse Motor INN  (20 min walk, 5 min by car) 215-348-9222

Call our school for more information on traveling and housing.


The Facility
ISS has no campus, nor housing. Students commute to the school which is
located in the Landmark Building at  the corner of South Clinton and Court Streets. Located on the third floor,  ISS occupies 2,400 square feet, has two classrooms, three treatment rooms, an administrative office and a reception area, which includes the BodyShoppe, where students may purchase books, charts, futons, BodyCushions, study materials and bodywork supplies.  The school is located quite conveniently near Restaurant Row in Doylestown. Starbucks, Bagels, croissants, Thai, Italian, Indian, Japanese cuisine are all within 3 blocks of ISS!



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