Zen Shiatsu Certification

We offer a comprehensive curriculum based on traditional Japanese Zen Shiatsu. Students learn all aspects of the shiatsu practice in a rigorous yet friendly environment.

 

Courses count toward our 500-hour Five Lights Shiatsu Certification which meets all national standards for the profession and enables graduates to apply for membership with the AOBTA (American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia). Professionals, as well as non-professionals, are also welcome to take individual courses. In addition to Levels 1-9 (listed below), certification also includes:​​​​​​​​​

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• 200 hours of core shiatsu curriculum

• 50 hours of elective courses in other bodywork modalities

• 100 hours of anatomy and physiology (can be taken Online - ABMP)

• 100 hours of supervised practice classes

• 50 hours other courses (First Aid & CPR, Ethics & Professional Conduct, Business Skills, Review of the laws, legislation, and regulations for the ABT profession, etc) can be taken Online - ABMP

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Total Time Frame

Part-Time: 500 hours over 14-24 months, 3-6 hours per week, evenings and weekends.

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Massage Therapists with Transfer Credit

Your massage training may cover the Western Sciences and Professional Development classes, combined with Eastern Medicine and elective coursework to qualify you as a graduate of our 500-hour Zen Shiatsu training program. Email your transcript to info@fivelightscenter.com

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Payment Methods

All training courses can be booked individually or in the Certification Bundles. We offer Certification Bundles which include class instruction and materials for introductory, intermediate, or advanced instruction (which you can select upon checking out):

• Bundle 1: Introduction to Zen Shiatsu (Level 1, Level 2, Level 3) = $1200

• Bundle 2: Intermediate Zen Shiatsu (Level 4, Level 5, Level 6) = $1200

• Bundle 3: Professional Competency in Zen Shiatsu (Level 7, Level 8, Level 9) = $1200 

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SAVE $450

 

​Payment can be made via PayPal or Zelle or Check. 
Please let us know your preferred method, and we’ll provide the necessary details.

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Pay 30 days in advance and receive $20 off

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Repeaters receive 50% off the tuition fee

Use the code REPEAT50 when you register

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*Purchase of bundles commits the student to pay for all levels (as indicated above) within 12 months of purchase. If for any reason a student is unable to continue studying at the time that the next level is offered, please let Five Lights staff know to arrange studies at a future time if an opening in the class is available.

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Cancellation Policy

Intensive and weekend workshop refunds: Cancellation 5 days before the course begins - full refund, less $30 withdrawal fee; less than 5 days - no refund but the fee may be transferred to other Five Lights Center courses, less $30 withdrawal fee. No refund in other cases.​​​​​​

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Tracking Progress

Tracking your progress toward the 500-hour Zen Shiatsu Certification with Five Lights Center is now easier than ever!

1. Log in or sign up at fivelightscenter.com (upper right corner)

2. Go to "My Certification" in the dropdown menu

3. Update your address if needed

4. Add missing course records using the provided form
    

Need help?​

If you have questions or feedback about progress tracking, reach out to Claire at claire.froelich@gmail.com.

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Self-reporting ensures all your courses and experience—including those outside Five Lights Center—are tracked in one place for a smooth graduation.​​​​​​

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Affiliations & Accreditations  

We're proud to be accredited and affiliated with: 

• NCBTMB

• NCCAOM

• ABMP

• AFMTE

• FSMTA

• CE Broker in FL, GA, MI, NH, SC and TN 
   

The Five Lights Center of Shiatsu is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork
(NCBTMB) as a continuing education Approved Provider and is also sponsored by NCBTMB to teach New York LMTs
continuing education that is accepted by the state of New York for license renewal.

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Five Lights Center is a CE Broker–approved provider in FL, GA, MI, NH, SC, and TN, offering post-licensure continuing education programs for licensed professionals.

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Regardless of race, socio-economic status, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, nationality, gender, or marital status, we are an organization that celebrates the richness of our community. We are committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in our practice, research and training programs.​​​

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Students who are interested in professional practice of shiatsu or in teaching shiatsu in New York State, need to be licensed in the field of massage therapy. To be eligible to take the New York State Licensing Examination for Massage Therapy, it is necessary to complete a qualifying program in the field. Some of the accredited programs leading to eligibility for taking this exam are offered by Queensborough Community College, Pacific College of Health, the Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences and the Institute for Holistic Health in Poughkeepsie, NY. 

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Out-of-state students should check with their state massage board for specific eligibility requirements for massage therapy licensure to teach and/or practice shiatsu. A summary of state regulations can be found on ABMP (ABMP.com) and AMTA (amtamassage.org) websites for massage professionals.

NCBTMB Approved #: 1000040      CE Broker Tracking #: 50-54805

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Tips for Finding Affordable NYC Hotels:

 Book early — NYC prices go up as rooms fill.
Near Subway Lines — cheaper rooms slightly further from major hubs can still be fast to reach via subway.
Check deals on:

 

• Booking.com

• Hotels.com

• Priceline

• Google Hotel Search

• Airbnb 
   

Parking: 

https://spothero.com/

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Please note the following guidelines:

• Wear loose, comfortable clothing that does not expose the skin

• If needed, bring your own warm cover, scarf, or shawl

• Please remove sharp or pointed jewelry and keep nails trimmed to avoid scratching or harming others

• Avoid strong odors or perfume during class

• Please arrive on time

• No food or drinks during class

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Required & Recommended Learning Resources

First Aid

• American Red Cross
  Location: New York City, etc

Ethics

• AOBTA Code of Ethics & Professional Standards
  https://aobta.org/page/Academy

Business Skills

• SCORE – Small Business Education & Mentorship
  https://www.score.org/

Laws, Legislation & Regulations (ABT Review)

• AMTA Continuing Education – Online Courses
  https://www.amtamassage.org/continuing-education/all-online-courses/

Anatomy & Physiology

• Take 90 hours of Anatomy at NYCTCM and take Additional coursework: Musculoskeletal Anatomy Course

• https://www.massagetherapyceu.com/course_details.php?cid=61

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• ABMP Learning Center
  https://www.abmp.com/learn/

Elective Courses

Workshops offered by the Five Lights Center, including:

• Shiatsu Summit

• Introduction to Reflexology

• Tui Na

• Tai Chi

• Anpuku Zukai

• Embracing the Whole

• Treatment of Joints

• And more

Additional Continuing Education

• Elite Learning
  https://www.elitelearning.com/

• https://www.newenergywork.com/