Background to the Devon School of Shiatsu

Shiatsu first arrived in the West in the 1970’s, with sporadic visits from teachers from Japan and the U.S.A. This was an exciting time to discover shiatsu, with its wealth of new eastern knowledge and lots of talk of ‘Ki’ or energy.

Oliver Cowmeadow, the founder of the Devon School of Shiatsu, came across shiatsu in 1980 at the Kushi Institute, which was teaching shiatsu as a part of the study of macrobiotics. Macrobiotics is a modern interpretation of traditional Oriental ideas and practices on health, healing and personal development, started by George Ohsawa in the first half of the 20th century, and continued by many teachers including Michio Kushi in the second half.

Learning shiatsu at this time was very inspiring, but also confusing, with different teachers offering very different theoretical frameworks and practical techniques. In the mid-eighties various early students of shiatsu, including Oliver Cowmeadow in 1985, set up schools to offer a more comprehensive training to new students, and a professional organisation, the Shiatsu Society, was formed to promote shiatsu and high standards of training.

The school moved into its present premises on Buckyette Farm in 1990, which have provided an ideal environment for learning this ancient art. It is a non-profit organisation, so all its resources are directed at providing the highest quality of education for its students.

The school is supported by an excellent team of dedicated teachers, several helpful and friendly administrators in the office, and local cooks providing lunches. Altogether there is a strong family atmosphere among all the staff and students at the school.