In late February I took a week out of the clinic, flying to Brisbane. This was to partake in the final of 4 seminars with Shimamura Sensei. I have been following his teachings for the past 4 years, and this was the culmination of that study.
Shimamura Sensei was the last disciple of Master Nagano and has been teaching Nagano style acupuncture to students in America and Australia over the past few years. I have been fortunate enough to have been a part of this training program.
This was a very special and unique learning experience. For 5 days, myself and 19 other practitioners, enjoyed a live-in intensive seminar with sensei. Our setting was an old nunnery surrounded by bushland.
We started the day with early morning meditation at 8 am. Our days were filled with lectures, demonstrations and clinic. After dinner, we had lectures and discussions until the very late hours of the evening. Sensei and Seish (his translator) generously shared their time and knowledge.
Sensei’s desire was to approximate the experience of being in a clinic with him. This emulates the traditional environment in which students would learn from their sensei. We were able to observe him treat complex patients, and have him observe our treatments. This allowed him to provide feedback, refining our skills of palpation, diagnosis and treatment. Whilst there was decades of experience in the room, all were students for this week.
During this week, we offered a free clinic for the community of Brisbane over 3 days. Between us, we treated 450 patients in that short space of time. This was a mammoth organisational task and amazing experience. We had 20 people at a time receiving treatment in the one room. This created a very special healing environment.
The final treatments we performed were on each other, limiting ourselves to 20 minutes and working blindfolded. This was an incredible experience, that concentrated our focus into our hands.
Since returning to the clinic I have been absorbing myself in this style of practice. It has been a part of my work for many years, but I am now exploring the system in depth to deepen my knowledge. Another mentor of mine once told me that when learning a specific style, it is best to focus only on that style. Placing a limit on using other styles and containing yourself within that box. This allows one to discover the true potential of that style. It provides a space for you to learn its secrets, and to discover its limitation.
Those who have been in the clinic with me recently may have noticed some shifts in my practice as a result of this. The intention of this, of course, is for better clinical outcomes for my clients. I am noticing shifts in the treatment results, but it is the experience of change for my clients that can determine the success of treatment.
I have returned to my Melbourne acupuncture clinic with a new level of excitement for my ongoing learning, and hope to bring this to my treatments. I hope you all enjoy receiving this style of treatment as much as I enjoy providing it!
What else would you like to know?
Thanks for reading this far. Have I missed your question? Was something unclear? Let me know in the comments below, I read and respond to everyone!
