About Us

Toronto’s Only Namikoshi Shiatsu Training School

Shiatsu Academy of Tokyo is Toronto’s only certified Namikoshi shiatsu training school taught by Kensen Sensei, student of the originator of traditional Japanese shiatsu, Tokujiro Namikoshi Sensei and his son, Toru Namikoshi Sensei.

The Academy is the only shiatsu school in Toronto that offers mid-afternoon and evening courses to part-time students. This gives students the freedom to hold a day job while completing a 2-year diploma to become a Shiatsu Practitioner.

The Shiatsu Academy of Tokyo is a Private Career College (PCC) under the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, Province of Ontario. Our programs, courses, student tuition, fees, and the professional qualifications of our teachers have all been subject to Ministry scrutiny before the school could open its doors with Ministry Certification.

The Shiatsu Academy of Tokyo has been recognized by the Japan Shiatsu College as being eligible to teach Namikoshi shiatsu. The Academy is recognized by both Ontario Shiatsu Associations: Shiatsu Diffusion Society (SDS) and the Shiatsu Therapists Association of Ontario (STAO). Graduates of the Academy automatically become members of the Shiatsu Diffusion Society and are eligible to become members of the Shiatsu Therapists Association of Ontario by paying membership fees.

The goal of the Shiatsu Academy of Tokyo is that its students become shiatsu therapists. The school teaches its students the philosophy of healing behind the therapy as derived from Tokujiro and Toru Namikoshi. Both Tokujiro and Toru Namikoshi had faith in the natural healing powers of the body and the body’s life forces and believed that the body was not to be disturbed by drugs or surgery unless absolutely necessary. Instead they believed that the body’s natural healing powers could be aided by the external pressure carefully exerted by trained shiatsu practitioners.

History of the Academy

Tokujiro Namikoshi and Kenso Saito

Kensen Saito Sensei brought Namikoshi Shiatsu to Toronto, Canada on June 6, 1979. Kensen Sensei had received his training from Tokyo’s Japan Shiatsu School which was headed by Tokujiro Namikoshi. He opened his first clinic on March 14, 1981 on Broadview Avenue. With the support of Tokujiro and Toru Namikoshi, he opened the Shiatsu Academy of Tokyo in October, 1990, so that traditional shiatsu could be taught in Canada.

Over the years Kensen’s reputation spread abroad and all over Canada. Several celebrities, such as Brent Carver, Anne Murray, Lenore Zann, and Brian Stokes Mitchell, have received successful treatments from him. He also went to two summer Olympics as a Sports Shiatsu Therapist where he worked with swimmers and gymnasts. Lori Fung and Marcel Gery won gold and bronze medals in their specialties.

Kensen Sensei also published a book, Shiatsu-Doh, in 2003 which details his history and his efforts to foster the growth of Namikoshi shiatsu in North America.