Traditional Japanese therapies are the topic of a free event at UFSC.

On September 18th and 19th, Florianópolis will host the 2nd edition of the Symposium on Traditional Japanese Therapies, an event that brings together professionals, students, and those interested in Japanese therapeutic practices, philosophy, and culture. The program will take place in the auditorium of the Health Sciences Center (CCS) at the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) and includes classes, lectures, panel discussions, cultural experiences, exhibitions, and workshops. Participation is free, but places are limited and tickets must be reserved in advance through the Sympla platform.

With the concept "Without deep roots, the work loses its essence," the symposium proposes a reflection on the relationship between the identity of the body therapist and the knowledge of the origins, philosophy, and foundations of traditional Japanese practices. The aim is to bridge tradition and professional training, reinforcing that working with these therapies involves not only the choice of techniques, but also knowledge, authenticity, and ethics.

The program brings together 14 professors and specialists from different areas and addresses practices such as Shiatsu, Acupuncture, Moxibustion, Seitai, Reiki, and Anma. Confirmed speakers include Rumi Fukunaga, Rene Cardozo, Eric Carlos Fagundes, Alicio Inafuku, Valério Lima, Murilo de Melo, Daniela Lemos Polla, Fabiana Higa, Luigi Antonio Irlandini, Odilon Luís Faccio, Federico Francisco Dinatale, Margareth Tsuge Takarada, Morgana Tesman, and Wilson Sage.

Conceived by body therapist Paulo Pierin Luz, who has worked with Shiatsu since 2003, the Symposium was created to bring professionals, students, and the community closer to Traditional Japanese Therapies and, at the same time, preserve and transmit the knowledge related to these practices. "Preserving a tradition means keeping it alive through study, practice, research, and the responsible transmission of knowledge to new generations," says Paulo.

In addition to promoting professional development and presenting new knowledge and techniques, the event aims to strengthen the network of professionals working in the field and create opportunities for connection between therapists from Brazil and Japan. The program also seeks to broaden the debate on the role of Traditional Japanese Therapies in the current health landscape and their relationship with Integrative and Complementary Health Practices (PICS).

A panel discussion will delve into issues related to the origins of traditional Japanese therapies, their benefits, the technical training of professionals, and the possibilities for dialogue with the fields of public health and integrative practices. The proposal also aims to discuss preventative care and the relationship of these therapies to body awareness.

Beyond simply presenting therapeutic techniques, the Symposium also seeks to contextualize these practices within the framework of Japanese philosophy and culture. Therefore, the program includes activities such as Origami, Sashiko, and Shuji workshops, a bonsai exhibition, and a workshop on Furoshiki and the concept of Mottainai, related to resource utilization and conscious consumption.

The event is open to the community and to professionals and students in the health field, including physiotherapists, nurses, physical education professionals, body therapists and massage therapists, as well as others interested in Traditional Japanese Therapies.

The Symposium is sponsored by Aflui and Dragon and has the support of Nipocultura, UFSC, the Health Sciences Center (CCS), Dojo Fukunaga, Instituto Kanguedo, Eric Fagundes, and Harmonie Aromaterapia.

  Start: 18/09/2026 13:00

  End: 19/09/2026 20:00

  Values: FREE