Abdominal Massage

Most traditional cultures have probably practiced Abdominal Massage since ancient times. For centuries and across all cultures, it has been known that the belly button is the center of the body. In the East, Japanese Ampuku (literally: palpating the stomach) evolved into a sophisticated healing art originating with Shinsai Ota in the 17th Century. Ota treated all diseases through the hara regardless of where they manifested in the body and focused on sensing and treating five hara signs: fullness, emptiness, pulsing, tension, and lumps. Ampuku is still practiced in Japan, although skilled teachers and therapists are hard to find.

Chi Nei Tsang (internal organ chi massage) is a Taoist approach to hara massage introduced to the West by Master Mantak Chia. It is a system of healing that focuses on the internal organs, as well as the circulation, lymphatic system, digestive, eliminative, nerve centers of the body, tendon muscle system, and the acupuncture meridians (Chi system). These systems concentrate and cross paths in the abdomen, which acts as their control center. Chi Nei Tsang uses energetic techniques and manipulations to untangle knots and release obstructions.

Another style is Mayan abdominal massage (Arvigo), which originates from traditional South American Indian healing and has been popularized by Rosita Arvigo. Mayan abdominal massage is best known for helping with reproductive system issues, particularly uterus malposition.

Jean Pierre Barral’s Visceral Manipulation uses light touch and principles from cranial osteopathy to work directly with the internal organs. 

Evguenia has been interested in abdominal massage for a long time because she believes working with it can help heal the whole body. She studied Russian Old Abdominal Massage in Russia, Mayan (Arvigo) Technic, Chi Nei Tsang in Thailand, and Visceral manipulations with Barral Institute. She combines her studied techniques to find the right approach for each patient.