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In the modern world of health, one topic is increasingly coming into focus: balance. Between performance and recovery, activity and relaxation. One method that addresses this very issue is Shiatsu. We spoke with a Shiatsu specialist, namely Tiziana Paradiso, a complementary therapist with an OdA KT industry certificate in Shiatsu, based in Bern. In her practice, she supports people using a holistic approach that equally incorporates the body, mind, and emotions and strengthens self-regulation.

Shiatsu is more than just pressure—it is communication with the body
What exactly is Shiatsu?

Shiatsu is a holistic body therapy with roots in Far Eastern medicine. Ailments—whether acute or chronic—are viewed as an expression of an internal imbalance. The focus is not only on relieving symptoms, but also on resolving underlying patterns of stress. Through mindful, deep pressure applied with the thumbs and palms, as well as through stretches and gentle rotations, the flow of energy in the body is stimulated and harmonized. The treatment takes place in comfortable clothing on a futon on the floor instead of invites you to find peace, let go, and recharge your energy.

The body needs both: activity and relaxation
Why is balance such a central issue today?

Do you know that feeling of constantly being on the go—rushing from one appointment to the next, already mentally on to the next day even though the current one isn’t over yet? Many people manage their daily lives surprisingly well. At the same time, something often gets lost in the process: the connection to oneself. The body sends signals—fatigue,
tension, inner restlessness—but we brush them aside. “Later,” we tell ourselves. But that “later” rarely comes. That’s why balance is no longer a luxury today, but a necessity. It begins in the small moments when you pause, take a deep breath, and feel again what is truly there right now. It’s not about doing everything perfectly, but about finding a balance that sustains you—even when life picks up speed.

Between Activity and Relaxation – Why True Balance Begins Within the Body
How exactly does Shiatsu support this balance?

Imagine a space where nothing is expected of you. No obligations, no need to perform. Just you and your body. This is exactly where Shiatsu comes in.

Through mindful touch and targeted pressure along the meridians, your body begins to release tension. Areas that previously felt tight and blocked slowly start to move again. Often very gently—but noticeably. Many people describe the sensation after a treatment this way:    

• as if they had finally taken a deep breath again
• as if the body were “more alert” and at the same time more relaxed
• as if things had fallen into place inside
• as a new, calm energy that accompanies them in their daily lives

Shiatsu doesn't rush or force anything. It follows your own rhythm—and that is precisely where its depth lies.

Shiatsu is an ideal complement to modern therapy
What role does Shiatsu play in a therapeutic context?

In a therapeutic setting, Shiatsu can help you regain confidence in your body. The goal is not to “get rid of” anything, but rather to strengthen your body’s natural resources and activate its self-healing abilities.

Shiatsu is particularly effective for:

• Stress and exhaustion
• Tension and physical discomfort   
• emotional stress
• the desire for greater inner balance

The focus is always on the person as a whole—with everything that is present at that moment.

Although Shiatsu is traditionally performed with the hands, specific tools can be a valuable aid in both professional treatment and self-care— for as well as for .

1. Active Balance in Everyday Life (Movement and Body Awareness)

SISSEL Pad
SISSEL Board Plus
SISSEL Sport 

• promote balance, deep muscle strength, and body awareness
• support the body's self-regulation through exercise
• perfect for those who are "all head and no body"

2. Relaxation and Letting Go (Regeneration)

SISSEL Roller
SISSEL Roller Pro Soft
SISSEL Soft Ball

• relieve tension and improve blood circulation
• help the nervous system transition into relaxation mode
• very similar to what Shiatsu does—but as a self-care practice

3. Incorporate balance into your daily routine (e.g., while sitting)

SISSEL Sitfit Plus SISSEL
SISSEL Cushion
SISSEL Relax Cushion

• bring movement to sedentary situations (e.g., the office)
• gently strengthen muscles and improve posture
• help maintain balance in everyday life, not just on the mat

Between Activity and Relaxation
Why true balance is achieved in the body

True balance isn’t a concept that arises in the mind—it’s something you feel in your body. I experience this not only in my work but also on a personal level. By nature, I’m more of an active person: movement, sports, strength training—these things give me energy, ground me, and help clear my head. For a long time, I felt that this was the way for me to stay balanced. Calm practices like yoga or mindful stretching often took a back seat for .

But that was precisely where the key insight lay.

Time and again, I've noticed that the moment I consciously take the time for move for and calmly—whether through yoga, gentle stretching, or simply by paying attention to my body—something changes.

I'm getting in touch with my inner self.

My body doesn’t just feel capable; it also feels connected, open, and alive in a quiet, peaceful way. And I’m familiar with this from times when my nervous system is constantly in high gear: You function, you’re present, you get everything done—and often don’t even realize how far you’ve drifted from true relaxation.

This is exactly where Shiatsu comes in.

Mindful touch creates a space where nothing needs to be “done” anymore. Your body is invited to shift from doing to simply being. Your breath becomes calmer, your body relaxes, and your mind grows stiller.

It's as if your body remembers.

In how relaxation feels. In the realization that letting go is possible. And in how he himself regains his balance.

This experience also reflects a central principle of Shiatsu: Health does not arise from one-sided activity or pure relaxation, but from the dynamic interplay of both qualities.

The key lies in balance.

Conclusion

In a world often defined by speed, performance, and constant activity, we easily lose touch with what truly sustains us: our bodies.

Shiatsu reminds us that true balance does not arise in the mind, but through sensation—in the alternation between activity and relaxation, in conscious pauses, and in the trust that our bodies already possess the ability to regulate themselves.

It’s not about doing more or functioning even “better,” but about returning to a state where there is room for both: strength and calm, tension and letting go.

This is precisely where the strength of Shiatsu lies—and perhaps also its quiet invitation: to reconnect with yourself.