Beginning I -- Inner Strength/Outer Grace
Be natural... be reverent... be present... be continuous... use both hands. During the first five weeks, students learn the fundamental principles of the Ohashiatsu® as they apply to bodywork and, more importantly, to every aspect of life. You’ll learn how to work from Hara: your center and your source of inner strength and calm.  You’ll learn:

• how to feel the life force or Ki energy flow in the body;
• location of the meridians along the Back and Yang Legs
• some of the major tsubos (acupoints);
• Ohashiatsu movements and techniques in supine and prone positions

As you near the end of the course, you will experience enhanced sensitivity as well as increased body awareness and grace, and by the end of the course, you will know how to give a full-body session.

Beginning II -- Five Elements
Learning the principles and philosophy in the first course gives you the "how" to work with energy meridians. The Beginning II course provides the "why" to work with specific meridians by introducing the Five Elements  of Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood. Our appearance, our habits, our likes and dislikes, our emotions and attitudes are examples of our effort to be in harmony with the Five Elements that are in Nature and within us at all times. You’ll learn:

• the Five Element Makko-ho stretches to open your own meridians and balance the Ki energy,
• the Bo and Yu points – diagnostic points on the front and back of the body – to help us determine which meridians most need to be brought back into balance
• techniques in side position

Intermediate I  -- Hara Analysis, Stretching
This course demonstrates why Ohashiatsu is the best modality for givers. You will learn new techniques using your arms, elbows and knees, which increase body balance and grace, and gives the palms and thumbs a much needed rest. Using knees in conjunction with forearms, elbows or the hands allows the giver to make more than two connections with the receiver, resulting in a nurtured feeling. This is where Ohashiatsu as meditation can begin to be experienced. You will be introduced to:

• oriental diagnostic areas of the body,
• the energy qualities of Kyo and Jitsu,
• the psychological/emotional aspects of meridian energy and how they relate to the Five Elements

Intermediate II --  Physiology/Psychology & Meridian Extensions
You will be introduced to the Masunaga meridian extension system. Dr. Masunaga, a psychologist turned shiatsu practitioner and teacher, found that the psychological and emotional aspects of the meridians manifested themselves in other parts of the body than the traditional meridian system had shown. By learning the Masunaga meridian extensions, you will delve deeper into how physical situations can manifest in the emotions and psyche, and how unbalanced emotions can result in physical aches, pains and illness.

Advanced I --Refinement/New Transitions
This level further refines and broadens the techniques and concepts of the Ohashiatsu. Knowledge of all courses is brought together by preparation of case studies before the class begins. New and challenging transitions are taught, as well as new techniques using the sit-up or seated position.

Advanced II -- Zen Mind/Full Circle
This course focuses on the essentials of Ohashiatsu: the difference between homologous and homolateral movement; how to perfect cross patterning movement; use of mother/messenger hands. Other topics include muscle-meridian tonification, muscle meridian activation, muscle meridian sedation, cranial/neck therapy, overview of structural problems; continuity of movement and transitions. One class is reserved for a Practical Application seminar, in which students demonstrate their ability on guests and are evaluated by Ohashi. The course concludes with a written and a practical examination and a tutorial.

Oriental Diagnosis: Reading the Body
This course begins with a thoughtful discussion of the difference between Eastern and Western diagnosis and attitudes towards health. Ohashi compares Eastern and Western approaches with humor and sensitivity, and brilliantly draws out the precepts and seeming paradoxes of Oriental medicine in a language we can all understand. He covers 4 different ways to assess health: Bo-shin--observation; setsu shin --touch; mon shin --questioning; bun shin --listening.  Other topics are back diagnosis with bi-lateral distortion; supine position diagnosis; movement diagnosis, shoe diagnosis. This course helps you to view the human and natural worlds with new eyes and to discover physical, mental and spiritual conditions in yourself and others. The deeper goal of the course is to present unity of body, mind, and spirit, emphasizing that accommodating weakness is as important as utilizing strengths.

Anatomy I
An 18-hour introductory course that covers the musculoskeletal anatomy and physiology, cell and tissue structure, and the nervous system. This course was especially designed to link anatomy to an Ohashiatsu session.

Anatomy II
An 18-hour course that covers Endocrine, Circulatory, Lymphatic, Immune, Respiratory, Digestive, Urinary, Reproductive, and Integumentary Systems. Further, the form and function of anatomy and the correlation of bodily systems are examined within the context of Five Element theory.

Additional Requirements for Graduation

Practice Classes
Weekly practice classes encourage all students to improve the techniques they have learned in class. The instructor leads opening meditation and exercises and then assists students with technique and body posture as they work on each other. Attendance at a minimum of 20 practice classes is required for graduation.

Tutorials
You and three or four classmates meet with your instructor outside of class time in the intermediate and advanced levels. The content is tailored to meet each student's specific needs and areas that need strengthening. Tutorials are recommended at any level and additional tutorials are sometimes required in the upper levels to strengthen the student's knowledge and comfort before moving to the next level.

Case Studies
To assist in developing a cohesive understanding of all the material you have learned, you will prepare Case Studies in the Intermediate II course and before the Advanced I and II courses.

These case studies allow you to apply your knowledge in a real-world setting. Case study guidelines are presented in the first class of Intermediate II course. One case study, consisting of a single session is handed in by the 5th class. Three or four case studies (totaling a minimum of 15 sessions) are due three weeks prior to the first class of Advanced I. A new set of case studies, incorporating the material learned in Advanced I is due three weeks before the Advanced II course.

Private Sessions
Receiving sessions from Certified Ohashiatsu Instructors and Consultants is an important aspect of learning the Ohashiatsu technique. Sessions allow you to actually feel the work and learn directly through your body. Having various sessions with different people also enables you to experience different approaches.

Students are required to have ten sessions from a minimum of four different instructors or consultants before taking the final Advanced II course.

The Ohashiatsu program can be completed within 18-24 months. However, you may take longer as you need.