Sei-Ki in Zürich – Reaching Out | Touching Life

A three day workshop near Zurich, Switzerland, with Alice Whieldon MA PhD, of Sei-Ki Hub. This workshop is open to people new to Sei-Ki as well as those who have some experience.

Sei-Ki is the work of Kishi Akinobu. It could be described as the ‘esoteric’ aspect of Shiatsu, or The Way of Touch.

A Way, in Japanese culture, is a path to reality through a specific medium. There are a number of recognised Ways, including the Way of Tea, the Way of Martial Arts, the Way of Flower arranging. They are formal arts or practices that are focused on a prescribed activity, yet the ultimate goal is not so much to learn that activity, as to achieve satori or liberation through its mastery.

Although there are a limited number of recognised Ways, the understanding of practice as Way runs throughout Japanese culture. So Kishi would say that Sei-Ki is a Way in this cultural sense. The form it takes is to ‘touch’ or ‘meet through touch’.

Kishi was steeped in Shiatsu, having studied at Namikoshi’s, Japan Shiatsu School, before becoming Masunaga’s principal disciple for 10 years. At the end of this period, in 1980, his personal realisation and satori emerged through his hands as ‘Sei-Ki’.

Alice Whieldon worked closely with Kishi for some years and co-authored, Sei-Ki: Life in Resonance [2016, Singing Dragon, London], the story of his life in Shiatsu and the development of Sei-Ki. Her mission is to present classical Sei-Ki. She is the Director of Sei-Ki Hub and The Sei-Ki Training.

It generally takes years to learn Sei-Ki, but, even from the start of your journey, you can experience the pleasure and freshness of this work and take it into your personal and professional lives. If you are interested in pursuing The Way of Touch, it is recommended that you attend a minimum of 2 workshops per year and practice as much as possible in between. Ideally, you should apply to join Sei-Ki Hub’s, The Sei-Ki Training for a more intense 8 months, designed to boost your learning. For details, go to https://www.seikihub.com

This 3-day workshop is perfect for newcomers to get a ‘taste’ of this work and for existing students looking for inspiration and experience. Alice will introduce Sei-Ki through demonstration, discussion and practice. In the second half, there will be an opportunity for individual direction in a tutorial-style setting, within the workshop. This will include an invitation to work on Alice or her assistant for personalised feedback and direction within a class or small group context. Even those who prefer not to take up the offer gain considerable insight and learning from observation of this focused teaching.

Learning aims:

Newcomers to Sei-Ki will come away with a basic understanding of what Sei-Ki is and how it fits in the story of Shiatsu. For students with prior experience, this is a chance to deepen your understanding. Students will experience the qualities of Sei-Ki touch and be guided in introducing these qualities in their own touch work for personal or professional development.

Teaching approach:

Demonstration is crucial to picking up the ‘feel’, qualities and basic form of Sei-Ki through active observation and, where possible, experiencing the direct touch of the instructor or assistant.

Practice is central to learning Sei-Ki. Guidance in the form of kata (exercises) will be given, as well as time to freely explore. There will be plenty of space for students to practice and experience this approach with the benefit of gentle supervision.

Discussion in the form of Q&A sessions and short talks to help students understand core principles in Sei-Ki, such as: the nature of ‘help’; right timing; right place; right distance.

Tutorial Monday

Alice will be offering tutorials to a limited number of 4 students on the Monday following the workshop, from 0900-1300. Students will work closely with Alice who will give individual feedback and recommendations for practice.

Apply through Dana Martelli for a place.

The cost for at tutorial place is 170 CHF per student.