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Shiatsu Conference 2026

Past, Present & Future Wisdom


Canberra Sept 25 - 27th

Participate in practical workshops and presentations from some of

Australia's most senior shiatsu therapists.

100% tax deductable

Meets STAA's Annual CPE requirements 


Presenters

Lisa Masters

Lisa Masters is an experienced educator, yoga therapy specialist and complementary health practitioner (shiatsu & accupuncture) with nearly forty years of experience across all modalities. Lisa is passionate about empowering people to recognise their natural rhythms, underlying patterns and sustainable self-care practices.

Stuart Forsyth

Stuart began Zen Buddhism training in Japan in the 1970s and was introduced to shiatsu, traditional dry needling and eastern herbal medicine.

Through his own health and injury needs, Stuart deepened his study completing post-graduate training at the Sydney University of Technology (Clinical Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine). Stuart established an eastern massage and shiatsu course at Canberra Institute of Technology in 1999.


Catherine Caven

Catherine is a Ballarat based Shiatsu Practitioner and Multidisciplinary Visual Artist. She operates a private practice Golden Way Shiatsu and is also a Shiatsu practitioner at the Grampians Health Wellness Centre.

This position allows Catherine to provided Shiatsu as a complementary health care option for people receiving oncology care.


Ken McLean

Ken McLean has been a practitioner of Holistic Medicine through Shiatsu and Oriental Therapies for 50 years. He founded Shin Sen Dojo in 1980, a full time Centre where he teaches and practices -

Ki Shiatsu, Aikido, Macrobiotics and Ki Energy Cultivation.


Marjorie Jane Scott

Marjorie Jane has over 40 years of practical experience running workshops in local hospitals and community houses. She is passionate about teaching participants simple ways they can control their asthma. This often helps asthmatics avoid panic attacks. Marjorie is a skilled qigong practitioner and an inspirational guide for students

Lilly Harris

Lilly’s work explores the treatment of meridians through movement including a focus on fascia and the central nervous system (CNS).

Lilly’s professional shiatsu practice in Tasmania incorporates Cranio Sacral Therapy (CST) and Ortho-Bionomy (OB) with embedded counselling.




Conference Timetable

Friday 



12:00- 1:00pm

Open for registration (Tea/coffee provided)

1:00 - 1:30pm 

Smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country 

1:30 - 2:30pm

Welcome to Conference

Session 1 

2:30- 4:00pm  

Energy bridging: meaningful relationships in clinical practice presented by Stuart Forsyth

Session 2 

4:30 - 6:00pm

Diagnosing and treating Meridians: the nervous system expressed through fascia presented by  Lilly Harris 

6:30 - 7:30pm

Dinner

Panel Discussion

8:00 - 9:00pm

The future is in our hands: how to adapt your shiatsu practice in changing times.  Chaired by Dorothy Douglas


Session Information 

Friday



Energy Bridging: Meaningful Relationships in Clinical Practice 

This is an interactive presentation based on transforming certainty into curiosity and answers into questions.



Diagnosing and Treating the Meridians:

The Nervous System Expressed Through Fascia 

An integrated exploration of Shiatsu, CranioSacral Therapy, and Ortho-Bionomy, following the living dialogue between fascia, meridians, and the nervous system. Through attentive palpation in multiple directions, patterns of restriction and ease are met, traced, and gently amplified, allowing a deeper reorganisation of body–brain–body communication.

“Ah Shi” points are explored as moments of clarity in the tissue—where contact and response meet, and change becomes immediately perceptible to both practitioner and receiver, opening a more precise, listening-based engagement with the body.



Panel Discussion 

This panel discussion explores how shiatsu practitioners can adapt their work to meet changing social, professional, and client needs. Drawing on decades of experience, the panel will discuss practical, philosophical, and embodied approaches to sustaining and evolving shiatsu practice—honouring its roots while responding creatively to the times we are in.

reflecting on building a meaningful practice by responding to what life presents, cultivating discernment, and staying engaged with evolving contexts rather than fixed career paths.


Conference Timetable

Saturday 




8:00 - 9:15am    Do In Yoga hosted by Linda Rago

Session 1

9:30 - 1:00pm    Meridian postural adjustments with focus on the neck and ankles.   Presented by Lisa Masters   

1:00 - 2:00pm    Lunch

Session 2 

2:30 - 6:00pm     Shiatsu awareness: a creative exploration of self, Qi & movement. Presented by Catherine Caven

7:00 -8:00pm      Dinner- Japanese Restaurant -  Okami -  Braddon

Session 3

8:30 - 9:00pm      Zen disco facilitated by Emma Strapps & Special Guest


 Session Information

Saturday 



Meridian Postural Adjustments 

This workshop explores meridian‑based postural adjustments with a specific focus on the neck and ankles—two crucial yet often overlooked areas. You’ll examine how their structural, functional and energetic roles influence alignment, mobility, balance, and overall body function, while gaining practical, immediately applicable insights for both therapeutic and movement-based practices.



Shiatsu Awareness:

A Creative Exploration of Self, Qi & Movement

Explore Shiatsu practices for self-awareness, active participation and collaboration with your clients. Catherine will present an overview of Shiatsu creative and somatic practices for expanded care options. In stillness there is awareness, movement and re-patterning.



Zen Disco 

Zen Disco is an invitation to move freely, joyfully, and with awareness. Guided by music and simple prompts, you’ll explore mindful movement that encourages presence, flow, and authentic expression—no choreography, no performance, just listening to your body and letting it lead. This is a space to shake off the busy mind, reconnect with sensation, and experience movement as meditation, balancing playfulness with inner stillness.

 Conference Timetable 

Sunday 

8:00 - 9:15am  Do In Yoga hosted by Linda Rago

Session 1 

9:30 - 1:00pm    Ki in a shiatsu treatment - presented by Ken McLean

1:00 - 2:00pm  Lunch

Session 2

2:30 - 400pm   Brainstorming  asthma:  A facilitated community collaboration for the treatment of asthma  with Marjorie Jane                               

4:30 - 5:30pm  Closing ceremony

 Session Information

Sunday 


 Ki in Shiatsu Treatments 

In this workshop, you will gain practical, embodied skills to strengthen your shiatsu practice through a deeper understanding of Ki principles in action. You’ll learn how to cultivate centering, grounding, energy extension, and meaningful connection, and how refined touch can support nervous system regulation. Through hands‑on exercises and partner practice, you’ll develop greater sensitivity to the energetic dialogue between meridians and related areas, work more confidently with the layers of the energy body (Ki tai), identify master points specific to each client’s condition, and apply an advanced, practical understanding of the Five Energies (Elements) to enhance assessment and treatment outcomes.


SYMPOSIUM Brainstorming Asthma

This symposium is a collaborative project aimed to produce a body of information about asthma, effective treatment and client self management. Participants are invited to join Marjorie Jane in bringing their knowledge and experiences in relation to the treatment of asthma. Please bring relevant case studies, references, reports etc. 

The Venue 

The Pavilion Hotel 

Surround yourself in the natural beauty of the Pavilion on Northbourne Canberra. Light-filled atriums and tropical gardens welcomes you into the hotel's relaxing ambience. The Pavilion on Northbourne offers a few single rooms and a host of twin share rooms. You are free to choose your room mate or we can allocate one for you. 

Drive to the Canberra CBD in under 8 minutes, or catch the Canberra light rail to the CBD. The Canberra International Airport, is only an 11-minute drive away. You can catch the tram, a with a tap on bank card system, or catch an Uber from $25. There is ample free car parking at the venue. 

There is an option for extra night accommodation - book directly with venue. 



WHATS ON IN CANBERRA


Why Not Extend your Stay! 


As spring arrives in Canberra, over one million blooms bring Commonwealth Park to life with colour and the simple joy of being outside in spring. Wander through open, generous gardens and enjoy everything the season has to offer.

12 September – 11 October 2026


The National Gallery of Australia, located in Canberra, is the nation’s premier art institution, home to a world‑class collection of Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Asian, and international art. Known for its striking architecture, sculpture garden, and major exhibitions, the NGA offers visitors a rich cultural experience that celebrates creativity, history, and diverse artistic voices from Australia and around the world.

Open every day: 10am–5pm
Admission is free

Top 10 things to do in Canberra 



Established in 1987, the Shiatsu Therapy Association of Australia Inc. (STAA) is the National Peak Body representing Shiatsu Therapists.

STAA is dedicated to expanding the awareness and recognition of Shiatsu in the Australian community and its integration into the healthcare system.

0411 273 270
Tuesdays & Thursdays
enquires@staa.org.au

PO Box 22
Chirnside Park
Victoria 3116

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