Here is a feedback from Cassandra Amaral　who is in her final year of the diploma program at the Canadian College of Shiatsu Therapy. She is taking this course as a part time on her own pace. 

Cassandra Amaral                   Canadian College of Shiatsu Therapy

What made you decide to enroll at the Canadian College of Shiatsu Therapy?

My Dad actually. He has been delving into different types of healing for quite some time and has taught me Reiki through his process. I really enjoyed being able to make a difference in the way people live their life and decided that I would like to pursue different types of healing. I was walking through the Lonsdale Quay and saw the satellite clinic that is located there. I was intrigued by the technique used. A couple of my friends were already enrolled in a couple of different massage schools and were beginning to have pain and issues with their wrists, fingers and shoulders; looking at shiatsu I thought, "Wow, that actually looks really confortable. Even for the practitioner!" So I thought I would check it out. I immediately enrolled into the summer Shiatsu Foundation evening course which was great! It was really great being able to work around my schedule being that I was still working when I started the program. I loved the foundation class so much that I enrolled in the diploma program.

What do you like best about the curriculum?

There are a few things that I really like about the curriculum. I love that there is such a mix of courses. My favourite course has to be the Japanese language and culture course. I really got an appreciation for how and why the technique is done the way it is and I really got a sense of the honour and respect between student and teacher, between me and my classmates and in the client practitioner relationship. However, I also like that a course on Traditional Chinese medicine is part of the curriculum. I really believe in "whole body" healing and I appreciate that we were exposed to different healing techniques through the school. I also love that I am able to complete the course in my own time. Sciences were not my forte in high school and therefore I was able to take my time completing the courses, giving me more time to give the attention needed to each course. On that note, I really like that the class sizes are small. This really allowed me to get the help and attention I needed when I needed it.

What else can you tell us about the course set up?

I rally liked the fieldwork component of the diploma. It got me over my marketing fears I had and was really fun to interact on a different level with people passing by our booth or station. I really like that the other part or the practicum is supervised by professional shiatsupractors at the school. I love getting feedback from the different supervisors, everyone has a slightly different touch and getting little adjustments, I think, makes the treatments that I give more enjoyable as I am able to combine what I have learned.  I also really appreciate that the supervisors give advice on how to maintain health as a practitioner. Their advice is very valuable.

What have you received from being in the program?

Well, given that I have not completed yet ( I am in my final year) I am sure there will be many more gifts I receive. Up to now, I have made many great friends from all over the world; I have opened my mind to new cultures and new ways of doing things. But the biggest gift would have to be becoming aware of my own body and how to take better care of myself using preventative treatments.

What advice would you give to new students or prospective students?

Have fun while you are in the program. Get as much help as you need. Exchange treatments with your classmates as much as you can to take care of yourself. Get at least one professional treatment while you are in the school (remember they are professional for a reason). Most of all, even though the years will go very quickly, remember to be present to the wonderful moments you will have with the people in your classes.