What is Acupressure?

Acupressure is an ancient healing art developed in Asia over 5,000 years ago, using the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. When these points are pressed, they release muscular tension, and promote the circulation of blood and the body's life force energy (Qi) to promote health and healing. Using the same points as Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupressure applies a comfortable range of pressure from gentle to firm. Acupressure is well integrated with other bodywork and energywork therapies, therapeutic touch, somatic work, healing imagery, energy psychology, and massage therapy. Acupressure is safe, non-toxic, and definitely habit forming. . .

Benefits of Learning Acupressure

The benefits of learning Acupressure can be summed up in the phrase “Awaken the Healing in Your Hands”. Acupressure can be used for your own Self Care, to relieve aches, pains, and other discomforts along with promoting greater health and wellness. Acupressure can be used as Shared Care, where you share your skills and healing energies with family, friends, elders, pets, and others in need (e.g. volunteering to help people living with chronic or life threatening diseases). With advanced study and dedication Acupressure can also be shared as Professional Care, where you use your skills to earn income attending to and teaching others. At the Acupressure Institute we teach and support our students to use their hands on healing energies in ways that work well for themselves and those they care for.

The Acupressure Institute

Since 1976, the Acupressure Institute has offered comprehensive Acupressure trainings in traditional Asian Bodywork Therapy (ABT) such as Chinese Meridian Massage (Tui Na) and Shiatsu massage. We also teach a subtle touch form of Energy work we call Ren Shen* (“Compassion Spirit”, transliterated Japanese = Jin Shin). We have trained thousands of students from all around the world. Our trainings provide high-quality education supporting each student's educational goals, in a setting that encourages communication, respect, confidentiality and safety for everyone. Students are encouraged to visit our school in Berkeley and meet with a counselor to tailor our acupressure massage training programs to your individual needs and interests. We look forward to “being in touch”.

* Ren Shen is the name we use to describe the subtle energy work taught at the Acupressure Institute.
It should not be confused with either Jin Shin Do ® nor Jin Shin Jyutsu ® two different practices of energy work with unique qualities all their own.
Although both of these practices are respected at the Acupressure Institute, neither are taught as part of Acupressure Institute curricula.