Location

The hara is located in the abdomen area around a central point about three finger-widths below the navel known as the tanden.

Hara is also the centre of its “life force”, as well as the pivotal point of the body in terms of weight distribution,

In shiatsu body massage, you always aim to utilize energy from the hara to apply pressure, not the muscular strength of the limb you are using.

Pressure or movement directed from this centre is backed up by the weight and vitality of the body and less exertion is required.