MEISO SHIATSU: HOW IT HAS AFFECTED MY LIFE
By Nella Nucifora
Nella Nucifora is a Meiso Shiatsu Instructor III dan and an Oki do Instructor IV dan who has studied with Master Yuji Yahiro for more than 30 years.
When I first began to study shiatsu, I thought that by learning ‘technique’ I would learn to understand myself more. As I began to practise on others, my attention was drawn away from myself and always onto the other person. The more I concentrated on the other person and tried to communicate what I interpreted from the treatment, the more I realised I did not have a clear understanding of what I was doing. I found myself in a position of being a therapist without truly understanding. I arrived in Italy in 1992 and met Master
Yuji Yahiro. As I began to study Meiso Shiatsu, what I was practising resonated
deeply inside of me. I was touched by the fact that each person’s existence was recognised and I felt that there was a sense of respect towards all who came to study. It was a meeting of life: a life encounter. It was a true and sincere feeling and not something that I recognised from my life’s experience up until then. I wanted to know what the difference was and how that could be the situation, and I decided to continue my studies there. Inside I felt that this could help me make sense of my life, something I internally desired. Through the practice of the three principles that characterise shiatsu (perpendicular,
constant and concentrated pressure) I began a journey to verify my condition. To be able to apply these principles in treatment, I had to practise them in daily
life which naturally led me to a personal practice. And through this personal
practice, I have been able to verify the effect on myself and communicate this to others with a clarity about my process. Communicating my personal experience draws me closer to others and I feel more stable when offering. With this increased consciousness applied to my daily life in all areas of body, mind, soul and environment, I am able to understand myself more deeply and therefore begin to understand others. The realisation that everything starts from myself leads me to accept responsibility for myself and gives me a clearer direction to follow.
When a symptom appears, I now question myself internally as to how and why the symptom has arrived as opposed to relying on others or a specialist to resolve the problem as I used to do. It is possible for me to change my life and the answer is ‘there’ if I am open enough to hear it. I can then accept the message from my life force that there is a reason for this manifestation of imbalance and I can accept it as part of my process to grow and develop. This gives me direction and the possibility of validating myself. Meiso Shiatsu is helping me understand the true meaning of human health. When a symptom appears, I now question myself internally as to how and why the symptom has arrived as opposed to relying on others or a specialist to resolve the problem as I used to do. It is possible for me to change my life and the answer is ‘there’ if I am open enough to hear it. I can then accept the message from my life force
that there is a reason for this manifestation of imbalance and I can accept it as part of my process to grow and develop. This gives me direction and the possibility of validating myself. Meiso Shiatsu is helping me understand the true meaning of human health. I am very grateful that I have met and crossed paths with Master Yahiro who has demonstrated with untiring dedication through study and research that there can be reciprocal respect and that it is possible
to become a true human being.
Nella will be in Melbourne this August as a Co- facilitator of the Meiso Shiatsu Workshop.
Master Yuji Yahiro passed from this life in October last year. (1951 -2025)
Meiso Shiatsu: Therapy and Education for Health and Human Development
BY MASTER YUJI YAHIRO
Review by Matthew Sincock
This highly anticipated English translation of Master Yuji Yahiro’s book would normally be read and then take pride of place on my bookshelf as a great reference. Instead, each day it now travels with me, so that I can practise the learning exercises contained in its pages. This is because Meiso Shiatsu: Therapy and Education for Health and Human Development feels different to any other shiatsu book currently available. What makes this book feel so different is its emphasis on self development — to ‘transform therapy into a path of education for the development of… personal evolution’. The various
learning exercises create an opportunity to increase the consciousness of the
practitioner. This is the fundamental pathway to advance as a practitioner of Meiso Shiatsu. “Meiso is the evolution of our own consciousness expressed through global experience of research and awareness… the ability to develop the Lifeforce, which gives life to each one of us.”
To create his own version of shiatsu, Master Yuji Yahiro combined it with the
practical philosophy of Okido Yoga. (He studied with Master Masahiro Oki.) This
involved many years of personal research while living and teaching in Italy. Perhaps Italians, known for their passion, were the perfect match for Master Yahiro to develop a heartfelt therapy, for, as a teacher early in his life once expressed, ‘Shiatsu is heart’. Part One of the book looks at the evolution of the human being through an exploration of the origin of pressure, breathing, and the laws of nature. This includes a fantastic way of explaining how to develop the correct pressure used in shiatsu: ‘Pressure = Tanden + Gravity through the Hand (in a 10/9 ratio) + Positive Intention + Longer Exhalation.’ Part Two includes a re-examination and expansion of areas of diagnosis, magnetic
energy, gravity, the hormonal system, chakras, vital points, and Shizuto
Masunaga’s Zen Shiatsu meridians. This section includes various techniques for
treating different parts of the body. Master Yahiro also expands the scope of
energetic meridians to include horizontal Communicating Bands (and in much more comprehensive detail than in Tetsuro Saito’s book, Shin So Shiatsu), which interestingly also concurs with Dr Richard Tan’s advanced studies in acupuncture. These horizontal bands link various segments of the body together with meridians. To help learn the principles of Meiso Shiatsu, Part Three of the book includes seven Katas (sequences) to practise: breathing, joints, blood and lymphatic circulation, pressure, regulation of the axis, organs, and the modes of treatments. It also includes insights into the physiology of
the organic systems of the body, and a brief but insightful section on the diagnosis and treatment of specific diseases. This book is an important step for any shiatsu practitioners who have lost their spark because they are ‘unaware of the principles they are manifesting’. The theory comes with practical learning exercises to develop not only as a practitioner, but as a human being. Yet to achieve this, one must simply practise. As Master Yuji Yahiro said when he challenged everyone at the 2014 STAA International Conference: ‘Do not just read the book, you do’. You can purchase Meiso Shistu at the August Workshop.
Source: From Pointers Winter 2026 – STAA
JOURNAL OF THE SHIATSU THERAPY ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA Inc. ISSN 1332-7394
Pointers: Journal of the Shiatsu Therapy Association of Australia Inc. ISSN 1332-7394. Layout & formatting: Jessica Baker-Editing: Belinda McIntosh and Linda Rago-Cover photo by Canva images.
Editorial policy: We reserve the right to edit material when required. This journal is dedicated to the studyof shiatsu and the furtherance of the profession. Articles appearing herein may be reproduced in international non-profit shiatsu publications with the permission of the author. The views presented in articles or advertising in Pointers journal are not necessarily shared by the editor, publisher or the Shiatsu Therapy Association of Australia Inc.
Disclaimer: The Shiatsu Therapy Association of Australia Inc. assumes no responsibility or liability for any injury, loss or damage incurred as a result of any use or reliance upon the information and material contained within this journal. While considerable care has been taken in preparing the information and materials displayed in this journal, STAA is unable to provide any warranty concerning the accuracy or completeness of any information contained herein.
Next edition: Pointers next edition will be in Summer 2026. The deadline for contributions is 1 November 2026. If you have any ideas or comments or would like to discuss a potential article or advertising, please contact: enquiries@staa.org.au
Therapy Association of Australia – PO Box PO Box 22 Chirnside Park Victoria 3116ph :0411 273 270 www.enquiries@staa.org.au www.staa.org.au National Council 2026