Discovering Wellness in Balance at Zen Shiatsu Chicago

Zen Shiatsu Chicago, established in 1988, is home to a thriving professional clinic that includes more than a dozen experienced practitioners. The center offers an entry-level education for aspiring professionals and a robust continuing education calendar for massage therapists, physical therapists and others, as well as diverse wellness and special events programming focused on holistic practices and modern spirituality.

Zen Shiatsu Chicago has become a hub for personal and professional development, community growth and inspiration, where mind, body and spirit are one. Zen Shiatsu is a form of bodywork therapy with roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the same system that acupuncturists use for healing, explains Steve Rogne, director. By observing nature and the cycles of life, the ancient masters and teachers of Asia found that what was happening in the apparent external world was also happening internally within our own bodies and minds.

Today, shiatsu practitioners apply this time-tested and honored wisdom through touch therapy to facilitate effortless balancing within the whole person, seeing the essential unity of the whole person with all of nature. Rogne says their practiced philosophy is that there is actually nothing the practitioner can “do” to “fix” the client. Rather, the practitioner must simply remain present, listen deeply and go to where they are called.

“It is the innate intelligence within the client that heals and brings them closer to equilibrium,” explains Rogne. “The practitioner is merely the vehicle for the natural impulse to harmonize with, providing the safe space and right conditions for the movement toward balance and discovering one’s true nature.”

As distinct from Western massage, a Zen Shiatsu treatment intentionally works on many levels of being through the lens of TCM. Rogne states that not only is the practice effective at addressing physical complaints from common aches and muscle tension to chronic pain and disease states, but also offers profound relief of emotional distress and unburdens the constant activity of the mind. “It is understood that the body is always speaking to us through its changing expressions, and by means of observation and awareness, we can come to learn what its messages are telling us,” he adds.

This holistic approach to bodywork has become the foundation for an atmosphere conducive to rich conversation and exploration of ancient and modern teachings, creating a forum for those that find themselves ready to share their discoveries in a conscious community of like-minded individuals.

To serve the community, Zen Shiatsu Chicago hosts inspiring events throughout the month, which might include a guided meditation and viewing a prerecorded satsang (spiritual discourse) from one of today’s leading-edge teachers such as Adyashanti and Eckhart Tolle, followed by an open discussion circle that offers guests the opportunity to collectively tune into the powerful truth and freedom accessible to us all at any moment. Gong sound healing, conscious documentary screenings, community music events and more are planned for this summer. In addition, Zen Shiatsu Chicago hosts a family-friendly monthly Second Saturday Laughter Yoga event, as well as weekly qigong movement meditation classes.

Free, introductory workshops are held periodically. Zen Shiatsu Chicago is located at 825A Chicago Ave., in Evanston. For more information, call 847-864-1130 or visit ZenShiatsuChicago.org.

Tapasya Katarina Stanisavljevic is a shiatsu therapist, instructor and yoga teacher practicing at Zen Shiatsu Chicago, devoted to the well-being and radiant health of all beings.