Our old friend Bridget Scott has been in touch with fresh details of her shiatsu and dance classes. Bridget has been living in Kyoto for over 30 years, teaching shiatsu since 2002, and teaching butoh dance since 2011.
Bridget says,
I jumped into the butoh dance world in 1989, started shiatsu training in 1992 and traditional Japanese dance in 2007. So, I can clearly state that I am well grounded in the performing and healing arts in Kyoto.
I am highly motivated to pass on some of the knowledge I have gained through my experience over the years. I am offering shiatsu workshops as well as dance workshops inspired by my life in the performing arts in Kyoto in both butoh and Nihon buyoh.
Shiatsu Workshops
I can adapt the contents of the workshop whether for informal massage between family and friends or professional practice between practitioner and client.
I always begin the workshops with a grounding exercise and stretching to get the energy flowing.
That’s the starting point for doing shiatsu. From there the workshop can go in any direction depending on the learners request.
Some recent examples of three hour shiatsu workshops:
- A workshop for a couple seeking an introduction to shiatsu, which included a short history of shiatsu in Japan, pair work exchanging shiatsu on legs and feet and finally face shiatsu for self care.
- A workshop for a professional body worker accompanied by her partner as a recipient. This included touch technique, how to treat tsubo and pressure points, working with meridians and face shiatsu for self care.
The minimum number of participants is two. As a learner, it is important not only to give and receive but also to observe the teacher. It is possible to bring a partner or friend just as a receiver.
Bridget recommends receiving one of her shiatsu treatments as preparation for the workshop.
Face Shiatsu
During the pandemic, I began teaching face shiatsu online as a self treatment. The face is like a microcosm of the whole body and is particularly effective before sleep to ease away stress and reconnect with your whole body. I hope that more people can understand how to do face shiatsu as a simple act of self care.
Healthy Body Workshops
Guided movements and self massage for health (including face shiatsu), which are grounded in the healing arts of shiatsu and qigong.

Dance Workshops
Dance workshops can be tailored to the interests and experience of the participants.
- Butoh dance is an avant-garde style of expression originating in Tokyo in the late 1950’s. It has had a great influence on western contemporary dance.
- Nihon buyoh is traditional Japanese dance usually performed with a kimono and a fan by maiko, geiko and kabuki dancers.

A three hour introduction to butoh dance: stretches, exercises with attention to standing, walking, moving, image work and finally showing.
A three hour introduction to Nihon buyoh: wearing kimono, walking, using a fan, experiencing choreography and Bridget’s demonstration of Nihon buyoh dance.
I can also offer a dance workshop which is a synergy of both disciplines.
All workshops need to be scheduled at least one month in advance.
For shiatsu and Butoh workshops please wear clothing that is easy to move in.
For Nihon buyoh workshops, Bridget can loan kimono or yukata (depending on the season).
Both workshops are held in Bamboo Space, Bridget’s studio near Shisendo Temple, Ichijoji, Kyoto. Here is a map.

Be ready for an intense, hands on and focused learning experience!
For more information, please read more details at www.bridgetscott.com
Or you can contact Bridget directly by email at bridgetscottnow@me.com
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