Shiatsu Volunteers at the
Honolulu Marathon Dec. 2009
On December
13, 2009,
the 37th Honolulu marathon was held in Hawaii.The
Honolulu marathon
is globally famous and was 1st held in 1973, and was recognized as the
best marathon
in the world in 1995. Annually shiatsu volunteers give free shiatsu
treatments
to marathon runners. Over 30 years, Fumihiko Indei sensei, principal of
HawaiiAisenShiatsuSchool, and
his wife, Elaine sensei, have put hearts to cheering for the Honolulu marathon
runners. CanadianCollege of Shiatsu Therapy participated as a
sponsorship party in the
annual volunteer work for the first time. Kiyoshi Ikenaga sensei and
his wife, Hikari sensei, participated from the college.
Lecture
at Kapiolani Community College
Dr. Wakabayashi, a professor of the KapiolaniCommunity College medical school, gave a lecture about caring
for special needs prior
to the Honolulu marathon. Dr. Wakabayashi teaches physical
therapy and occupational
therapy in the college. Kiyoshi Ikenaga sensei, Hikari sensei and also 20 students
from the TokyoJudoSeihukuSchool, one of
the sponsorship parties of the annual volunteer work, gathered at the
lecture.In this
lecture, Dr. Wakabayashi mainly talked
about how to take care of people who need special care. He especially
emphasized
the importance of avoiding damage on yourself when you are taking care
of
patients.
At the end of the lecture, a wheelchair
race was carried out with participants. It was a precious opportunity
to
experience and to know how hard people who are living with a wheelchair
use their
muscle.
Lecture about caring for special needs
Wheelchair race
All
the participants
Shiatsu
Volunteers for wheelchair runners
Every
year, prior to the Honolulu marathon, the
Honolulu wheelchair marathon is carried out. Shiatsu
volunteers received the
opportunity to give shiatsu treatment to wheelchair marathon runners
after the
orientation that was carried out the day before the Honolulu marathon. Kiyoshi Ikenaga sensei and
Hikari sensei participated as shiatsu volunteers. YAKU shiatsu volunteerathon ay beforeto know and
gave shiatsu treatments to the athletes. Kiyoshi Ikenaga sensei
said in his blog that it is necessary to understand the feeling of
patients.
The knowledge acquired and learned are necessary in offering shiatsu to
various
patients.
Shiatsu volunteers for wheelchair runners
Shiatsu volunteers for wheelchair runners
All participants of the Honolulu marathon head for the goal.
Shiatsu
Volunteer for Honolulu Marathon runners
Even though the Honolulu marathon
started at 5 o'clock in the morning, the participants had gathered
from 2 o'clock. Shiatsu volunteers also assembled at a
special shiatsu tent at 5 o'clock They helped Mr. and Mrs. Indei, who have
organized the annual
volunteer work for over 30 years, set up the tent and waited for the
marathon runners
to finish. About 2 hours and half from the start, many finished runners
came inside
the tent and it became full. There was a long line up for shiatsu
treatment
outside of the tent. Without taking a rest, Kiyoshi Ikenaga sensei and
Hikari sensei continued giving shiatsu treatment one after another.
More than 30
runners per volunteer were treated in 7 hours. It was the first time
both Kiyoshi Ikenaga
sensei and
Hikari sensei volunteered together. Kiyoshi sensei said in his blog
that it was
a very valuable experience to feel happiness as a shiatsupractor. (Blog
http://ameblo.jp/shiatsuvancouver/)
It is hoped that many shiatsupractors who see this article will
participate in the
annual volunteer work for the Honolulu marathon in the next year.
The Honolulu marathon starts at 5:00 a.m.
Shiatsu volunteer booth
Shiatsu booth become full in a flash
Shiatsu volunteer booth
Kiyohi-sensei, and Hikari-sensei doing Shiatsu treatment for the runners of the Honolulu marathon
It was the first time both Kiyoshi sensei and
Hikari sensei volunteered together
A long line up for shiatsu
treatment
outside of the tent
Kiyoshi sensei, Hikari sensei,
and Fumihiko Indei sensei, the principal of the Aisen Shiatsu School
