Harvard Square Shiatsu is a professional shiatsu studio established in 2003. As skilled and licensed shiatsu practitioners we have treated thousands of clients and providing relief for many conditions ranging from stress to severe aches and pains. A more complete listing of conditions treated can be found here. Each shiatsu session meets the needs of the individual, by either a gentle skilled touch or sometimes more vigorous shiatsu techniques. Shiatsu works by contacting and moving the meridian energy of the body by means of precise physical pressure. Energy blockages are cleared, tensions subside, circulation improves, and the body’s healing process becomes activated.
Appointments are available 7 days a week. Call to schedule a session today. You’ll be glad you did!
Roger Wood, LMT*, Dipl. ABT** is an AOBTA*** certified Zen shiatsu practitioner and owner of Harvard Square Shiatsu. After graduating from the Boston Shiatsu School in 1999, Roger continued his shiatsu studies by completing a post-graduate program in North Yorkshire, England. Roger’s foundational training is based on Shizuto Masunaga’s Zen Shiatsu method. Other influential instructors include; Cliff Andrews, Paul Lundberg, Carola Beresford-Cooke and Pauline Sasaki. Roger is thankful and humbled by the power of shiatsu to tap into the innate healing capacity of the body. He describes the shiatsu experience as a “coming home to oneself” in Mind, Body and Spirit, thereby invoking profound wonder and appreciation for Life. Roger’s other interests and offerings include; practicing and teaching Qigong, Tennis and Argentine Tango.
Roger has been practicing Qigong, pronounced (Chee, Gung) for over 20 years. He began teaching Qigong classes in-person at the Newton Adult Education Center and now continues teaching group and individual Zoom on-line classes. Roger’s lessons emphasize “feeling the Chi” so you then can work with it to nourish your body and mind. Influential instructors include; Dr. Guang-Cheng Sun, Lee Holden, Bruce Frantzis, Mingtong Gu, John Monro , and locally, Jim Roselando of the MIT Wellness Center. Roger believes that practicing Qigong regularly can help everyone live a long healthy and happy life.
Roger began playing competitive tennis in high school. Now he mostly plays recreationally though was captain of the Harvard USTA 4.0 team for 2 years. In the summer of 2020 he began teaching mostly beginner level tennis and soon became an active tennis instructor, all by referrals. Roger’s approach to teaching tennis is from a method he terms, Movement N’ Flow, a method of combining tennis technique with awareness and movement exercises. Roger finds satisfaction in helping students improve their playing level while they also enjoy the learning process.
Roger began dancing Argentine Tango in 2000, soon after completing shiatsu school. Over the years he’s enjoyed dancing at many popular tango festivals and dance workshops in the US, Europe and South America. Locally Roger is a tango DJ for local milongas (social dances) and practicas (community dance practice sessions). He also teaches Argentine Tango at Newton Adult Education and offers group and private dance lessons upon request.
Shiatsu is a touch therapy from Japan. It is effective for treating both stress and pain. Receiving regular shiatsu sessions help keep you healthy. Schedule an appointment today!
Qigong focuses on aligning posture, breathe and mindful movements for the purpose of enhancing energy, health and happiness. Everyone can benefit from qigong exercises. Zoom and in-person lessons are available.
Discover optimal performance, focus and flow in your Life. Learn the principles of Move n’ Flow and apply them to Tennis, Argentine Tango or everyday life activities. Schedule a lesson and enjoy the benefits of Move n’ Flow.
Shiatsu is from Japan and means “finger pressure. It is often described as “acupuncture without needles”. Originating in Japan though now practiced worldwide, shiatsu has gained recognition as an effective bodywork/energy therapy to restore and maintain health.
It is beneficial to receive a shiatsu under many circumstances. Whether you need to de-stress, have generalized or specific pain, are experiencing low energy, want to feel more connected to your body, are rehabilitating from an injury or would like to use shiatsu preventatively as a means of staying healthy.
Massage focuses on relaxing muscles and venous return of blood to the heart. While shiatsu can also do these things it can do much more. Shiatsu focuses on the meridian health, the energy pathway system of the body, much like acupuncture does. By using pressure on acupressure points instead of needles it promotes the circulation of chi or life energy of the body. In this process muscles, connective tissues, and joints relax and expand slightly allowing for more blood and energy movement, vital for nourishing the organ systems (heart, liver, lungs, Intestines, stomach, spleen, bladder and kidneys) as well as detoxifying the body at the cellular level. Shiatsu also differs from massage in that you remain clothed and no oils or lotions are necessary in the session.
I really like going to Harvard Square Shiatsu. Roger is fantastic, professional and he helps me reduce my stress. Don’t hesitate to try shiatsu with him.
I was given a shiatsu massage as a gift and I have to admit I was extremely skeptical about trying it out. I have been suffering from chronic migraines and have tried various preventative and abortive medications to treat my migraines with very little success. I don’t like to take meds and have been desperate to find something besides “break” medication to help. The shiatsu treatment provided a lot of relief. I left the session with less pain and nausea, my wonky migraine vision was gone and the tension and achy muscles is gone. I have not felt so relaxed in a long time. I would recommend this to anyone who suffers from migraines.
Highly, highly recommend!! Really fabulous experience.
Roger was great at his craft. Most relaxing massage I have ever had.
Great massage. Very intuitive healer.
Absolutely amazing – did wonders on my neck!
Very pleasant experience, I will surely be returning
Great Shiatsu treatment! Roger is very kind and gentle – highly recommend! Very relaxing!
I was trained in zen shiatsu in Cambridge at the Boston Shiatsu School. I had a treatment from Roger…fabulous… He has a great manner and good hands. This is the perfect treatment for someone who wants to relax in a soothing environment and treat themselves to an effective and nourishing modality.
My first Shiatsu session.
Roger is great (very professional and intuitive).
I’m looking forward to my next visit.
I had a shiatsu massage last weekend for a an acute neck pain with Roger. A very pleasant experience and would recommend it to anyone who has any issues or just to get their energy flow back in sync. I am so much better following that massage and slept better too.
Roger is gentle, kind and intuitive. Gratitude
I have been getting regular treatments from Roger for a few years. All my shoulder and back pains are gone.
