Kiyoshi Ikenaga, SPR. Shiatsumaster
Chair, Ikenaga Shiatsu International Holdings
The Founder of the Canadian College of Shiatsu Therapy
Licensed Shiatsupractor with Ministry of Health in Japan
Registered International Shiatsu Instructor

At our Shiatsu Massage Therapy School we offer training in Japanese traditional Shiatsu, which originated with Tokujiro Namikoshi Sensei and is defined by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan as a therapy independent from massage and anma.

Fifty years have passed since Shiatsu was first introduced to North America in 1953. This took place when Tokujiro Namikoshi Sensei, the founder of Shiatsu was personally invited to the Palmer College of Chiropractic in Iowa, U.S.A. by Dr. P. J. Palmer. The word "Shiatsu" and the benefits of Shiatsu therapy have become well known all over the world. However, often the original Shiatsu has been confused with other techniques. Shiatsu is a Japanese hands-on massage therapy that uses exclusively thumbs, fingers and palms of the hand to improve the body's functions and draw out its natural self-healing powers.
 

Our Japanese instructors also provide training in Japanese culture and traditions to our students.

In order to appreciate Shiatsu philosophy, a broad knowledge of Japanese culture and tradition is necessary. The Canadian College of Shiatsu Therapy proudly offers training and education to students with the current Shiatsu standards, as established by the Ministry of Health of Japan. Our training courses include Shiatsu philosophy, theory, history and the latest Shiatsu science. Our chairperson and several instructors are Japanese and follow Japanese traditional style. Our schoolÕs curriculum includes Japanese language and other Japanese therapies such as Kampo medicine and Tsubo Shiatsu.
 

We provide an international Shiatsu linkage for our students.

Our school offers students the opportunity to attend the International Shiatsu Conferences organized by the International Shiatsu Association (ISA) and the Summer Seminars in Japan organized by the Japan Shiatsu Association (JSA). Attending these seminars provides our students with opportunities to enhance their knowledge and form friendships with other Shiatsupractor®s from all over the world. As well, graduates from our school are eligible for Shiatsupractor® status in the Canadian Shiatsu Society of BC (CSSBC) and membership in the Shiatsupractor®’s Association of Canada (SPAC), the JSA and the ISA. Graduates will also be eligible to write the Washington State Massage Board Exam for Licensed Massage Practitioner (L.M.P.) status as well as the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork exam in the USA.
 

We support career opportunities for our graduates.

The urbanization of our complex society has resulted in increased stress for everyone. Results of a recent survey show that the public has a keen interest in preventative and alternative medicine. As appreciation of the benefits of Shiatsu Massage Therapy increases, the demand for Shiatsupractor®s grows. Possibilities exist in many urban settings in Canada for graduates to open their own clinic, to work with other healthcare providers in a clinical setting, to teach, or to work in hospitals, spas and other corporate settings.
 

We are officially registered with the Private Career Training Institutions Agency of B.C.

We are also a member of the BC Career Associations and the National Association of Career Colleges. Our 2200 hour Shiatsupractor® Diploma Program is fully approved by the Washington State Department of Health. American students are eligible to sit for the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork(NCBTMB) exam after completion of our program.

About the Founder
Kiyoshi Ikenaga, Shiatsumaster, Chair of the Ikenaga Shiatsu International Holdings, and the Founder of the Canadian College of Shiatsu Therapy, was born in Tokyo Japan. He is licensed as a Shiatsu Practitioner by the Ministry of Health of Japan. and is a Registered International Shiatsu Instructor with the International Shiatsu Association. He graduated from the Japan Shiatsu College and was a student of the founder of Shiatsu, Tokujiro Namikoshi sensei. His wide experience in the field of Shiatsu has lead to the development of his own derivative style of Shiatsu which he documents in his book, “Tsubo Shiatsu”. He is a director of the Canadian Shiatsu Society.