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Shinzui Shuhō 真髄手法 - Core Bodywork is a unique, whole-body manual therapy that integrates the practices of East Asian bodywork, particularly Ampuku, Chi Nei Tsang, and Shiatsu, with the latest developments in Western anatomy and advances in therapeutic bodywork, such as Visceral Osteopathy, Structural Integration, and CranioSacral Therapy.
Firmly rooted in East Asian medicine, Shinzui Shuhō uses the methodology of this ancient healing tradition to treat the body, mind, and spirit. It is taught as a postgraduate course open to all bodywork practitioners.
Shinzui 真髄 is the
Japanese term
for 'essence’ or ‘core,’
and Shuhō 手法
means method or skill.
With the character 手
meaning hand.
Postgraduate Education
Shinzui Shuhō is a further evolution of the East Asian bodywork tradition, developed by Philippe Vandenabeele after more than 30 years of practice, study and teaching. Born out of his hands-on experience - giving tens of thousands of treatments - it fuses different treatment modalities into one comprehensive system. Enriched by Philippe’s research into the roots of Shiatsu and Ampuku, Shinzui Shuhō brings the essence of these East Asian bodywork as part of the rich Daoist traditions to the modern clinical practice of the art of therapeutic touch.
To understand, listen and communicate with the innate body intelligence, the Daoist tradition teaches us the science of Ki. Ki offers us a multi-layered map to understand the workings of the body’s inner landscape. At the core of this multi-layered matrix of life is Wuji or ‘stillness/emptiness/potential’. It is further expressed through the polarity of Yin and Yang, the three Dantien, the Five Transformations, the Six Greater Meridians, and the Eight Extraordinary Vessels.
This sophisticated, all-inclusive mapping of the human body helps us appreciate the body's interconnectedness and make our treatments more effective. As well as learning new techniques, the Shinzui Shuhō training offers practitioners a holistic perspective that allows them to build further on their knowledge.
Shinzui Shuhō is an integrated way of working with the following major body systems:
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Energetic anatomy: The 8 Extraordinary Vessels, 12 organ meridians & 5 transformations, 6 greater meridians & 3 families, 8 Extraordinary Vessels and Bagua, 3 Dantien
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Visceral system: Zang Fu organ network, visceral anatomy, visceral neural and vascular system
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Cardiovascular system: heart, blood vessels, and mesentery
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Craniosacral and Neural system: brain, skull, spine, spinal fluid, and nerves
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Myofascial system: fascia, muscle chains, diaphragms, and tendons
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Skeletal system: bone structure, postural alignment
Inner Cultivation
Cultivating and embracing ‘stillness in action’ is the basis for true mastery of any art, including the art of touch. That is why, in the Shinzui Shuhō curriculum, we give ample time and space for Inner Cultivation. The Daoist practices of Meditation, Qi Gong, Nei Gong and Nei Dan are at the core of our work.
Shinzui Shuhō Curriculum
The curriculum places a special focus on embodying and working with the Eight Extraordinary Vessels. Shinzui Shuhō understands the Great Chong Mai as the centre of this primordial matrix. We connect with and foster our work with these Vessels by taking ample time learning ancient Nei Gong and Nei Dan Inner Cultivating Practices.
Our practice also focuses on working with and balancing the three Dantien. In East Asian medicine, the three Dantien, or ‘Elixir Fields,’ are the main energetic centres linked to the Abdomen, Heart, and Brain. Each of the three Dantiens has its own rhythm or ‘tide’, and in the Shinzui Shuhō training, we learn to connect with these. Working with these rhythms or tides was, until now, mainly seen as the exclusive domain of Osteopathic, Craniosacral, or Visceral practitioners. However, in Shinzui Shuhō, we look at them through the lens of East Asian medicine and recognize them as Yin and Yang body movements. This adds a whole new dimension to understanding and working with the subtle tides, which we then combine with other techniques to address the different body systems.
The full Shinzui Shuhō core program is offered as a 6-day intensive course,
totalling 135 hours.
Who can best benefit from the Shinzui Shuhō training?
The training is open to all professional bodyworkers seeking to develop and deepen their practice. Whether you are a shiatsu practitioner, chiropractor, osteopath, craniosacral therapist, physical therapist, or you practice any other form of manual therapy, Shinzui Shuhō can help increase the effectiveness of your techniques, plus add new techniques to your repertoire. The course also offers new perspectives and an integrated way of working – all the better to help our patients.
Prerequisites:
The Shinzui Shuhō training is open to practitioners, and to students nearing the end of their studies. Participants are asked to provide evidence of over 200 hours of bodywork/manual therapy training.
About the Teacher:
Philippe Vandenabeele is a senior Shiatsu practitioner and certified instructor (American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia) based in Fukuoka, Japan. With over 30 years of clinical practice and international teaching experience, Philippe has consolidated his knowledge, insights, and practical experience to develop the Shinzui Method, a unique approach to bodywork.
He is also the author of ‘Ampuku Abdominal Acupressure: The Classics at the Heart of Japanese Bodywork’ a work which includes the first complete English translation of the Ampuku Zukai and the chapters on Ampuku and Fukushin from the Anma Tebiki.
Read Philippe’s articles:
‘Ampuku at the Heart of Shiatsu’ - Shiatsu Society UK Journal, Issue 160, Winter 2021
‘Touching the Tides of our Being’ - Shiatsu Society UK Journal, Issue 164, Winter 2022
Location:
The courses in Fukuoka are held at the Gyoganji Buddhist Temple. It's a serene and welcoming venue in a very convenient location with easy access to hotels, restaurants, transport, sightseeing and parks.
Gyoganji.com (in Japanese)
Fee:
850 Euros
This fee includes 6 days of in-person classes and unlimited access to the course's online platform and Shinzui Shuhō online community.
Travel, lodging, and meals are not included. There are plenty of hotels and restaurants close by the course venue to serve all budgets and tastes.
Language:
All courses are taught in English.
Private tutorial sessions are also available - at Philippe’s practice in Fukuoka - in the following languages: English, Japanese, French, Dutch and Swedish. Early booking is recommended (a few months in advance) as availability is limited.
Cancellations
Cancellation policy: in general, no refund can be given once a course has been signed up for and paid. For courses involving travel, we recommend that you take travel cancellation insurance when booking your trip.