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culation, and the intestinal system. Shiatsu restores the body’ s circulatory flows. Human and equine shiatsu are based on the same principles. Shiatsu is used to relax the body through proprioceptors. These are sensors under the skin that release endorphins. Shiatsu balances the nervous system and helps shift the body into the parasympathetic state, which promotes slowing down and relaxation.
G. When did equine shiatsu start to develop?
C. H. The practice was created in the 1980s in the USA by Pamela Hannay. She practiced and taught human shiatsu and then adapted it for horses. She trained Liz Eddy, who later founded a school in Scotland. Liz Eddy’ s student, Christelle Pernot, brought the practice to France and subsequently created the first school in France in 2005.
G. How did you start practicing shiatsu?
C. H. I was part of the first graduating class from the shiatsu school founded by Christelle. I was practicing human shiatsu and was looking for acupuncturists for horses. At the time, there were fewer osteopaths and acupuncturists than there are today. I was seeking a solution for issues that were not veterinary in nature. It was during a book signing at the Horse Show that I met Christelle Pernot.
G. What are the applications of equine shiatsu?
C. H. Shiatsu has several applications and benefits. It helps relieve muscular tension, supports horses during convalescence as a complement to veterinary care( shiatsu does not replace veterinary medicine), addresses behavioral issues, deals with stress situations, or helps very stiff horses. It is also beneficial in the lead-up to competitions to improve physical and mental readiness. The goal is to restore the horse’ s body awareness and, essentially, its freedom of movement. Shiatsu teaches how to read the body to understand its dysfunctions. It brings significant well-being and relaxation. It is highly beneficial for supporting horses through stressful periods such as relocations, competitions, or recovering from illness. It improves overall longevity and well-being.
G. Can you introduce the Equine Shiatsu School?
C. H. Claire de Chevigny created the Equine Shiatsu School, affiliated with the French Federation of Equine Shiatsu, in Aix-en- Provence, after Christelle Pernot stopped teaching. Claire and I both followed the same training in equine and human shiatsu. She had many requests in the north of France and asked me to take charge of the branch based in Normandy. Each class in Normandy lasts three years and includes about 15 to 16 students. Al- together, that’ s around fifty students to oversee each year. There are 24 modules to complete, covering major themes such as the five elements of Chinese medicine, the study of meridians, the major body systems, the energetic vision of the body, and Chinese medicine principles, among others. There are both classroom courses and a significant amount of personal work in parallel.
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EVA JONVILLE
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By Anastasia Lebarbier et Paul Casabianca
Trained as a veterinarian, Eva Jonville practices complementary equine medicine. She analyzes the physiology and locomotion of horses through a multifaceted lens: classical veterinary vision, osteopathy, and Traditional Chinese Medicine( TCM), particularly acupuncture.
Galorama. Why did you choose to specialize in acupuncture?
Eva Jonville. Acupuncture appeared to me very early in childhood as a true calling, as I was exposed to traditional medical practices within my family environment. The idea of influenc-
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