Rex Lassalle is a world-renowned Master in the Japanese healing art of Shiatsu and an authority on Oriental Astrology and it’s impact on health. He is also an experienced osteopath and Aikidoka (practitioner of Aikido).

We had the great pleasure and honour of hosting Rex in our Dojo where he taught Be Easy Sōtai; a practice which he has developed over decades of research. The basis of this self help therapy is for the individual to carry out simple checks on their body to determine what feels easy as apposed to difficult or painful. The end goal of this exercise methodology is to make small shifts within the body to improve overall well-being and balance.

Sōtai is a muscular movement therapy that was first developed by a Japanese doctor from Sendai, Japan; Keizo Hashimoto (1897–1993). The term So-tai (操体) is the opposite of the Japanese word for exercise: Tai-so (体操). Dr. Hashimoto argued that Sōtai provides an antidote to the forceful and regimented exercises of Japan. His philosophy was that anyone could practice Sōtai easily to restore balance and health.

Rex’s approach to Sōtai is very simple and direct whereby one follows a pattern of sensory and body assessments to determine a focal point that one can work on.

Below is the summary view of BeEasy Sōtai that was taught by Rex Lassalle.

1- Surrender Your Body

Begin Sōtai with the intention of relaxing or releasing the body. Scan all tension between the crown of the head to the feet and ensure breathing is sync with releasing all muscles.

2 – Sensory Assessment

  1. STIMULATE SENSORY ORGANS by conducting a series of exercises.
    ACTIVATE PRESSURE POINTS – heighten senses by applying circular pressure to facial pressure points.
  2. EYES – Controlled movement of the eyes from left to right, up and down 5 times.
  3. NOSE – Movement of the nose from all directions, apply pressure around the nostrils 5 times.
  4. LIPS – Tightening and loosening of the lips and movement of the mouth clockwise and counter-clockwise 5 times.
  5. TONGUE – Release the tongue and stretch the movements from left to right 5 times.
  6. EARS – Stimulate the lobes and stretch the ears 5 times.

3 – Muscle Response Tests

Conduct a series of tests to determine which side of the body has more tension. Once the most uncomfortable side is established. Stretches are to be conducted on the easy side 5 times and then a retest is to be conducted to determine if there has been any change.

  1. Psoas Muscle Test: Stretch leg to determine what side feels less comfortable.
  2. Hip Test: Walk slowly or bend left to right to determine which side feels uneasy.
  3. Ankle Flexion Test: Rotate and flex ankles to determine which angle is the most challenging.
  4. Wrist Flexion Test: Rotate and flex wrists to determine which angle is the most challenging.
  5. Neck Flexion: Rotate neck slowly to find the most difficult position.