My practice, Satoro, distils and builds on the many
systems which I have studied, worked with and absorbed and is founded in
a strong theoretical system of traditional Chinese medicine. The notion
of the spiral, unwinding to centre, is central to Satoro,
as is the rocking motion combined with the energetics of Tai Chi - it
has been called the "Tai Chi of Bodywork". The name comes from the
Japanese Satori - enlightenment - meaning to unravel and unwind to its source.
Roy Mulholland, Creator of Satoro
Roy Mulholland, Creator of Satoro
Chi Kung: the missing link?
I would like to share my experience.
I had been giving Shiatsu for 5 years before I discovered Chi Kung.
It transformed my shiatsu.
Click here to read the full article ...
I would like to share my experience.
I had been giving Shiatsu for 5 years before I discovered Chi Kung.
It transformed my shiatsu.
Click here to read the full article ...
Bodyworkers frequently tell me that they know all this (about the specific development of hara, and the many other areas which I cover in 'Chi Kung: the missing link' - my article on Satoro and what it can bring to a variety of bodywork disciplines) already but they might ask themselves honestly if they have got past the first step: breathing, moving from hara, the establishment of hara and the creation of its structure and the pearl at its centre. It is fundamental.
Without the hara connection there is no ability to connect with all that is or even worse a connection is made from the third eye (Yin Tang) or the crown (Bai Hui) with the ungrounded consequences (space cadet syndrome) that follow.
The Hara connection is the anchor.
I describe Satoro as unfurling/unraveling and gathering the chi and use a coil of rope and a katana as the motif. The treatment philosophy is that of following the thread to its cause. It’s rather like digging out dandelions, just pulling off the leaves is only good for making tea.
Another important aspect of Satoro is the position - I like to work from a standing position as degrees of weight can be transferred. It is very comfortable and ergonomic for the giver and most convenient for putting the receiver into stretches and works in a rocking motion.
Mothers rock their babies. Some meditators rock their bodies (releasing their spines) in a motion called Davening. Rocking releases stuck energy and allows the muscle spindles to unwind
and find their natural place. Applied during the treatment to the client, this Chi Kung-like rocking allows the body to unwind. If you have ever seen a dog shake off water you will notice how it begins from its centre outward. Works for the dog!
That is the active stage.
The passive stage is the gathering and listening phase:
to dip the hand in the pool so silently so as not to disturb it, to allow the hot confluence of released energies to settle where they are most needed and in particular the kidneys, liver and hara.
It’s usually during the passive stage that cellular release occurs. It is when the real work is done.
Satoro certainly has a different feel to it, because of its weight and depth and mobility it has been described as the Tai Chi of bodywork.
It is not prescriptive nor denies a practitioner from working within their own style of bodywork, whatever that is. And it can be applied in any situation.
I think Satoro partners some bodywork particularly well: Shiatsu, Thai, Tui Na, Bowen, Polarity, No Hands.
It also links in well with the ‘soft’ martial arts such as Aikido, Judo, Ninjutsu, Tai Chi, Kung Fu who are used to being bodily mobile, using chi and are already founded in a spiritual philosophy, particularly Taoist philosophy.
Satoro was developed for treating injuries and illnesses. It’s also very helpful for practitioners who have work related injuries and find it hard to work on tables or upon their knees upon a futon. Satoro prevents injuries.
Satoro workshops are available on request particularly if a group or a class is formed or for special interest groups such as at dojos, schools and academies.
Satoro happily gives a practitioner more freedom, more gears and more tools to work with.
Roy Mulholland:
Founder of Satoro, Naturopath, Herbalist, Iridologist, Shiatsu & Chi Kung teacher
Tel: +44 (0)7803 498 808
Without the hara connection there is no ability to connect with all that is or even worse a connection is made from the third eye (Yin Tang) or the crown (Bai Hui) with the ungrounded consequences (space cadet syndrome) that follow.
The Hara connection is the anchor.
I describe Satoro as unfurling/unraveling and gathering the chi and use a coil of rope and a katana as the motif. The treatment philosophy is that of following the thread to its cause. It’s rather like digging out dandelions, just pulling off the leaves is only good for making tea.
Another important aspect of Satoro is the position - I like to work from a standing position as degrees of weight can be transferred. It is very comfortable and ergonomic for the giver and most convenient for putting the receiver into stretches and works in a rocking motion.
Mothers rock their babies. Some meditators rock their bodies (releasing their spines) in a motion called Davening. Rocking releases stuck energy and allows the muscle spindles to unwind
and find their natural place. Applied during the treatment to the client, this Chi Kung-like rocking allows the body to unwind. If you have ever seen a dog shake off water you will notice how it begins from its centre outward. Works for the dog!
That is the active stage.
The passive stage is the gathering and listening phase:
to dip the hand in the pool so silently so as not to disturb it, to allow the hot confluence of released energies to settle where they are most needed and in particular the kidneys, liver and hara.
It’s usually during the passive stage that cellular release occurs. It is when the real work is done.
Satoro certainly has a different feel to it, because of its weight and depth and mobility it has been described as the Tai Chi of bodywork.
It is not prescriptive nor denies a practitioner from working within their own style of bodywork, whatever that is. And it can be applied in any situation.
I think Satoro partners some bodywork particularly well: Shiatsu, Thai, Tui Na, Bowen, Polarity, No Hands.
It also links in well with the ‘soft’ martial arts such as Aikido, Judo, Ninjutsu, Tai Chi, Kung Fu who are used to being bodily mobile, using chi and are already founded in a spiritual philosophy, particularly Taoist philosophy.
Satoro was developed for treating injuries and illnesses. It’s also very helpful for practitioners who have work related injuries and find it hard to work on tables or upon their knees upon a futon. Satoro prevents injuries.
Satoro workshops are available on request particularly if a group or a class is formed or for special interest groups such as at dojos, schools and academies.
Satoro happily gives a practitioner more freedom, more gears and more tools to work with.
Roy Mulholland:
Founder of Satoro, Naturopath, Herbalist, Iridologist, Shiatsu & Chi Kung teacher
Tel: +44 (0)7803 498 808