Program Catalog

Welcome to ISS!  We've been training excellent shiatsu practitioners since 1978. We offer professional career training, continuing education workshops, wellness programs & coaching, shiatsu & various bodywork sessions, tai chi classes,  meditation, yoga, and Macrobiotic cooking classes & macro counseling.

Shiatsu Career Training:

Start today. Enroll for the Beginner's Weekend or Evening course. In twelve hours, you'll learn thetheory of shiatsu and nurturing touch, a  self-development exercise and  the whole body outline using palm and thumb pressure. Classes are offered once or twice in most months. 

Apply for enrollment in the full 700 hour Shiatsu Program.  Students must provide completed application,  three references, high school diploma or equivalency,  current driver's license or other photo id.  Fee of $55.00 is non-refundable. Applications are reviewed each month.

Schedule classes:
 Courses are available in  full time and part time schedules.  Call the director of admissions to discuss options for your situation.  Call for current schedule and prices.

The Foundation Program, requiring 7-18 months, encourages the student's own personal development while deepening awareness of the body's healing and regenerative energy.   The Foundation Program includes 300 hours of theory, lecture and hands-on development and refinement of techniques. Outside reading, study  and treatments are required.   Students may complete one level per semester or take four-week intensives. 

The  Practitioner Program (400 hours) requires an addtional 18 months.  Courses are designed to bring students to a level of excellence, creating  confident, skilled shiatsu practitioners.  Students study  120 hours of advanced techniques, 100 hours of practical clinic, Oriental Medical Theory, Anatomy and Physiology. Additional courses include self care, business skills, communications, and ethics. After meeting all requirements, graduates may join The American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia®  (www.aobta.org ) as professional members. They may also take the annual national exam in Asian Bodywork Therapy  given by NCCAOM® (www.nccaom.org ).   Be sure to check the licensing laws for your state. Do a search or check out  www.abmp.com.

Associations:
Licensed by the Pennsylvania Board of Private Licensed Schools.

Member of the AOBTA®'s Council of Schools, www.aobta®.org. 

Approved Provider for NCBTMB® Continuing Education www.ncbtmb.com 

Member of ABMP® Schools.

Member of AMTA® Schools.

Experience Shiatsu:
  Receive 12 sessions from an AOBTA® Certified Practitioner at a reduced student fee.  Feel the effects of the techniques and integrate levels of your own life.  Bodyworkers need support, nurturing and self-care.

Self-Care & Development:
  Students and the general public may schedule shiatsu appointments with certified practitioners.  On the first Saturday of the month, clinic sessions are available with students.  There is sometimes a limited availability for free sessions during our shiatsu classes.

Wellness Development:
 Classes on traditional forms of exercise such as Tai Chi, Chi Kung, and Yoga are given on an ongoing basis. Tai Chi classes begin every January and September. Natural foods and macrobiotic cooking are part of the professional training program and are  open to the public. For a current schedule, contact the school 215-340-9918.

Click for Course Descriptions:
Foundation Level
Practitioner Level
Professional Teacher's Training
Post-Graduate

Course Calendar 2010-2011

Shiatsu Career Training 700 hour program:

Intro to Shiatsu, Beginner's Course, 12 hours
Foundation Program, Levels one-three, 300 hours
Practitioner Program, Level four, 400 hours

Could one course change your life?   Absolutely!   Try the Intro to Shiatsu, Beginner's Course and learn how you can improve the health and wellness of yourself, family and friends.  In 12 hours, learn the theory and philosophy of shiatsu, nurturing touch, and the relaxation response. Class format is lecture, demonstration and hands-on development of skills.  Experience the classroom setting, the hands-on work and  feel the results.   

Note:  The only requirement is that you be able to sit and kneel on the futon mat on the floor.  For those with knee problems, call us-there are massage table options.

Beginner's Weekends  are offered monthly.

2010:  March 20-21, May 1-2, May 29-30, June 26-27, Sept. 4-5
 Most students begin their studies in September or January.  Call the Director of Admissions to plan your courses for most efficient use of your time.   215-340-9918  learnshiatsu@att.net

FOUNDATION PROGRAM Levels I-III

Learn hands-on techniques, practice and refine each new technique.  The learning may be intense,  but imagine  receiving shiatsu  in every class!  Be nurtured while you learn!

Call now and let us know your interest in future courses. We plan more courses based upon numbers of students ready to enroll. Don't see your needs met by this schedule? Call us!
 

2010 Level one is available in three choices: 

• Four week Summer Intensive: Days May 3-28 or June 28-July 17
• Eight Weekends: April 11-July 25
  
• Four months:  Wed. Evenings & 5 weekends. Sept. 11-Dec. 19th.
  
• Daytime Fall Course:  Mondays 8:30-4:30 September 13-Dec. 20th.
  

Payment:
ISS accepts cash, checks, charge cards..  Approved for VA benefits, GI Bill.
Monthly payment plans may be arranged using a debit or credit card.

• Dates may vary based upon enrollment numbers, instructor's availability and weather conditions
  
• Housing Information sent upon request:   NOTE: ISS reserves the right to reschedule, cancel or postpone courses. Call to verify before booking housing
  
• Students make their own arrangements with hotels or local families.

Practitioner Program:  400 Hours  18 months, two  weekends  per month, plus several Friday evenings and occasional weekdays.

Advanced shiatsu techniques:
    Shiatsu Shintai                
    Structural Alignment,                                           
    Fascia for bodyworkers             
    Advanced Hara 
     Zen Shiatsu                                           

Energetics of Foods & Healing 
   taught by Macro Chef Marilyn Waxman.


Clinical Skills
Clinical skills is a complete unit of courses. All are required in preparation for and in conjunction with the Supervised Clinic.
Communicating with Clients
Ethics (Codes, Standard V)      
Business for Bodyworkers
Supervised Clinic - First Saturday each month October-June   However, there are exceptions  due to holidays, clinic is then the second Saturdays.  Also in Feb. and June there are additional clinic days on the third Saturday.

 
Sciences:

Physiology

CPR & First Aid

 

Optional Courses offered during CE workshops:

Governing Vessel and Spine Mobility:  Sept. 9-14, 2010  30 CE hours
Chakras, to be scheduled

NJ LAWS For Bodyworkers

Chair Shiatsu Basics
Chair Shiatsu Advanced
Orthopedic and Sports Injuries 
Cupping & Gua Sha

NOTE:  ISS reserves the right to reschedule, postpone or cancel courses based upon enrollment and/or weather conditions.
CALL to verify dates and costs before making travel arrangements. 215-340-9918.
HOUSING: Students arrange for their own housing with local hotels or local families.

See Saul's website for course offerings:
Shiatsu Shin Tai Teacher Training
*prerequisite – Governing Vessel & The Spine and Conception Vessel & The Hara
This course develops the skills needed for teaching the governing vessel/conception vessel protocol. This professional seminar series is for all bodywork practitioners that would like to take the next step in their professional development. Taught by Saul Goodman, author of Shiatsu Shin Tai. check schedules on www.shintaiinternational.net

Whole Body Outline Teacher Training  
tba
Prerequisite: completion of a qualified bodywork, professional or healing training.
Expand your practice and significantly increase your earning power by learning the “Whole Body Outline” and how to teach it. This 5 day intensive training will give you the material and confidence to organize workshops and teach. Taught by Saul Goodman, author of the Book of Shiatsu.

Let us know your interests and we'll keep you on the list.

Continuing Education Workshops presented by ISS, approved NCBTMB provider
LaStone, Original Body. Hot & Cold Stone massage. July 19-22, 2010. $550. 30 CE hours
Reflexology with Barbara Panno,  Aug.3-31, 2009 6-10pm $250 20 hours
Reiki with Susan Watson, TBA
Communications for Bodyworkers Oct. 17-18, 2010
Fascia for bodyworkers   May 20-23, 2010  24 CE hours, ISS Instructor Diane Hynes 

Central Channel Releases     Instructor Saul Goodman    www.shintaiinternational.net

Participants will learn to identify specific stress patterns that inhibit the accurate transmission of  vital information through the central channel and its operating components-Governing vessel, conception vessel, spine, nervous system, meninges, and cerebral spinal fluid. Learn precise release techniques to relieve the system interference. Learn about the Three Phases of Life Force Recovery.   
 
                                  
Advanced Central Channel  TBA  24 CE hours   $540.
      This advanced module steps outside the linear structure and explores unique patterns that appear in each client's treatment sequence. Ultimately, an effective treatment shifts seeemlessly between linear and non-linear contacts. Topics include:
         Development of a linear process       Alternative contacts           Cranial suture contacts
                              Sacral zones and the Alert response    Positioning for alignment   
                    Off the body contacts           Proprioceptive exercises for awareness             
                                               Creating deeper resonance  
                                              Expanding the Breath Wave
     In this module, we further define the use of proprioceptive awareness in order to facilitate greater release of the past pattern and faster processing of present time stress.

        

Chakras, Part one  TBA  12 hours,   $175
Chakras, Part two TBA 12 hours, $175
Presented by Saul Goodman www.shintaiinternational.net

NJ Laws for Bodyworkers   TBA   6  CE hours
Presented by Steve Parker,  Attorney and ISS graduate, provides clearer  understanding of the NJ requirements for registration and certification. Suggested for  massage therapists and shiatsu therapists  who  practice in NJ.