Meet the creators of the
Developmental Concept.

Karin Kalbantner-Wernicke is a qualified Shiatsu teacher (GSD) and Physical Therapist with additional training in children´s physiotherapy. She is Program Coordinator and Lecturer for University Certification Program for Developmental Support.

She has devoted herself to research that combines the: Western medical framework - incorporating child development from a psychomotility perspective, with developmental physiology and child education therapy, and Sino-Japanese philosophy and training. Based on this research she developed together with Thomas the energetic development concept.

Since over 30 years her work as a lecturer in Shiatsu for adults, children and babies takes her abroad on a regular basis to many European countries, to the US, Japan, and Australia. She developed the Samurai Program which found its way into schools, kindergartens, and elder people’s home in more than 10 countries inside and outside of Europe.
As an author of over 100 publications and numerous textbooks, some in several languages (Engl., French., Dutch, Hungarian, Span., Russ., Japan., Arab.), she is a pioneer of a shiatsu for babies and children adapted by the current state of scientific knowledge.

Thomas Wernicke is a General Practitioner with additional training in natural healing methods, acupuncture, chirotherapy, manual infant and child-treatment, diagnostic in early childhood development, classical homeopathy and psychosomatics.

He is medical director of the therapy center therapeuticum rhein-main, where he predominantly treats children. His main interest lies with research and treatment using shōnishin, needle-less Japanese child-acupuncture.
Well-trained in Oasaka by one of the leading Japanese pediatric acupuncturists, Masanori Tanioka, he developed Shōnishin further and set new standards.

As an international recognized and demanded expert in Shōnishin he acts as a training manager in many European countries, Asia (incl. Japan), Australia and in the US. Beside numerous scientific publications he published several textbooks about Shōnishin.

He is a member of the Japanese Science Society for Pediatric Acupuncture (Nihon Shoni Hari Gakkei) as well as president of the International Society for Traditional Japanese Medicine (IGTJM e.V.).

Emily is an Australian based Shiatsu practitioner and Somatic Movement Educator. She is a co-creator for the Developmental Concept online courses.

Emily has trained with both Karin (Developmental Shiatsu) and Thomas (Shonishin) and finds the Developmental Concept a practical and effective model that supports clients of all ages in clinic.

Emily also has a background in health communications and holds a BA in Media and Communication.

shiatsu-somatics.com