Shiatsu break 

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I have had to have the best part of the week off, no Shiatsu & plenty of bed. Our eldest son started school this year & I definitely feel like a first time school parent, I’ve caught everything he has bought home. I can only hope that I am building up my immune system as I hope he is. 

This time the virus has been a particularly nasty one & definitely the flu. I’m not going to go into details but just to say it’s been days & days in bed. I have used a few Shiatsu points to support various things. I have had an earache & pain on the side of my face. I have managed to help relieve this using points both around the ear but also down into the arms, wrist & hand. I also had restless legs & l used points for moving the energy in the legs which relieve this symptom & allowed me to sleep. Both of these have been so important & allowed me to rest.

I love that Shiatsu has this ‘first aid’ aspect to it, I forget that I use it almost daily on my family & myself. If you are interested in finding out more get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page.

Shiatsu massage, Exeter, Devon

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I offer gentle but powerful Shiatsu massage here in Exeter, Devon. Shiatsu originates from Japan & literally translated means ‘thumb pressure.’

As Shiatsu is given on a mat on the floor it can be quite an active massage, when appropriate.

It’s relaxing & also invigorating 

If you like to know more please get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page

Shiatsu massage for motivation & focus

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Here we are again on a Sunday evening. Lots of us are running around preparing for Monday & the week ahead. I have chosen to take a break from the organising to write this blog! 

Sunday evenings used to fill me with dread – the feeling used to creep up on me from mid morning, building to its strongest as I tried to get to sleep on a Sunday evening. I had a stressful & not particularly happy-making job. I had chosen to take the job so that I could make the move back to Devon from the Manchester area but the pay off was a long commute on slow, winding Devon roads & a job that was unthankful & relentless when I finally got there. The pay was ok & pretty good for Devon but I spent a majority of it on petrol & car upkeep, then had very little time to spend the rest of it in. 

I was unsure how I would be able to change my situation, I couldn’t see any options & felt trapped. Sunday evenings were the worst. Not long after starting this job I began my Shiatsu training, the first few months of the 3 year diploma course that I completed in 2010.  I started to do energy work consistently for the first time in my life. I had done yoga & tai chi & meditation at times but I threw myself into my Shiatsu practice & the exercise & meditation to support it.

I began to feel a fluidity that I hadn’t felt for a long time, I started to see options & opportunities to make changes. I began to feel healthy in body & mind & started to have more energy. I felt more focused & driven & able to take advantage of what opportunities life showed up. Within the first year of my Shiatsu course I had found a new, happier & lot less stressful job. I felt supported & respected by my employer. I did unfortunately spilt with my partner but actually this was a positive change, if not sad at the time.  I made new friends & found new interests.

I really believe in Shiatsu massage as a form of therapy that can support people to make changes that they hope or wish to make. I have had clients who have felt stuck, who have then felt more movement & energy after their Shiatsu & have been able to implement changes in their lives. 

If you are feel the ‘Sunday fear’ & feel it’s time to see if you can find a new path then maybe Shiatsu massage will be able to help. It can really transform lives. Get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page or my Facebook page. I work in Exwick, Exeter, Devon on Tuesday’s,  Wednesday’s & Saturday’s. 

Shiatsu stretch for spring

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Following on from my blog yesterday, about Spring really starting to happen, here is a stretch which is really good for this time of year. It is a strong stretch so take it gently, listen to your body & only do what feels right. 

Shiatsu has six stretches that support the twelve meridians, lines of energy in the body. Each stretch supports a pair of meridians, this stretch relates to the wood energy, within the 5 elements, the form of diagnosis that Shiatsu uses. There can be a tightness within these meridians that can make you feel inflexible. You can feel like you are unclear of what direction to take, or that you are unable to adapt emotionally to situations. You may get headaches or eye issues. Stretching is really helpful. It can get the flow of energy moving thriugh the meridians & can help you feel fluid on thought & emotion too.

Here’s a photo of the stretch. 

It is possible to do this stretch with only one leg straight & the other folded up. Also if you can’t reach your foot, don’t worry just go as far as is comfortable. Hold the stretch for a couple of slow breathes then repeat on other side. Rotations of the shoulders, back twists & inner thigh stretches are also good for these meridians. 

Shiatsu, the Spring & joint pain

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Today has been the first proper spring like day, down here in Exeter, Devon. It felt almost tropical (!) with a temperature of a staggering 15 degrees. Look I know that’s not hot but it’s a good 5 degrees warmer than the last few days.

I have been confined to the house for most the week, thanks to a sick child, so stepping out today felt extra surprising. We headed to the allotment, which me & my boys love. Within minutes we were stripped to t-shirts, water fights were taking place & seeds were being planted. Happy Spring days.

I am not as young as I used to be, I do generally keep fit & healthy. However my knees ached when I knelt over the strawberry patch, trying to weed. Also my shoulders & neck have been more stiff than usual recently & my hip felt sore as we walked home.

I have noticed within my Shiatsu massage treatments that the meridians, lines of energy in the body, that relate to the Spring time of year, have started to be more present in a majority of my clients. It happens at the time every year & always takes me by surprise. It shouldn’t, I know, but my clients diagnosis changes, just for a bit around now.

The meridians that relate to this time of year govern decision making, planning & plotting, they have symtoms including headaches, eye problems & sore joints! So no surprise that my joints ache more than usual then. 

The spring energy is very strong & it is easy to get carried away in the excitement of some warm weather & more energy. Bit like my boys with their water fight, they soaked each other, ran around laughing then five minutes later they were both crying, cold & uncomfortable & upset with each other. Spring is the time for planning & planting ideas, not for trying to acheive too much. There will be warmer weather & longer days to do that, later in the year.

If you think Shiatsu may be able something you’d like to try get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page. I work in Exeter, Devon on Tuesday’s, Wednesday’s & Saturday’s.

Supported Shiatsu 

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It is important to feel comfortable when having a Shiatsu massage. As it is given on a futon mat on the floor some pepple may feel that they arent gojmg to able to have a Shiatsu massage. If it some possible to get to the floor seated Shiatsu is possible. If a client can get to the floor there are various positions that they can lie in, to ensure comfort. They can also be supported in various ways. Cushions can be placed to ease tension.

A large roll can be placed under the knees to support any discomfort in the lower back.

Shiatsu can be given with the client lying in their side. This can support clients with back pain or hip or shoulder issues. 


Shiatsu massage is fairly adaptable & is suitable for all. It is possible to work on the body in many differnet ways & still get a great affect, the client feeling relaxed but energized. It is also possible to work an injury or condition without working right on the specific area. This can be really helpful if the area is painful or inflamed or if the client is unable to lie in the most ideal position. 
I work in Exwick, Exeter, in a quiet & peaceful practice room. I work Tuesday’s, Wednesday’s & Saturday’s. I offer appointments on Wednesday evenings for those who work. To discuss please contact me through the ‘contact me’ page. 

What you can expect from a Shiatsu massage, here in Exeter, Devon

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Shiatsu sessions are an hour long with a good 40-45 minute hands-on. The session begins with a consultation about the client’s health. There are 5 minutes at the end to allow the client to ‘come round’ from the treatment. 

Shiatsu massage is given on a futon mat, on the floor. It can be given seated if it isn’t possible to get to the floor. The client is fully clothed, so it’s important to wear comfy clothing. The client just has to relax, they may have to move to a new position on the floor or take some deep breaths, but generally they can just lie, relax & enjoy.

Each Shiatsu massage is different. The treatment focusses on what the client needs then. The practitioner follows what they feel through their touch. There will quiet relaxing work & some stretches & rotations as well.

Clients have said thay they have felt different things whilst the Shiatsu is taking place. They may feel a sensation in a different part of their body to the part being working on. They have said that they have felt emotions that they have not felt for a long time or that have surprised them. They have felt ‘good pain!’ Where the massage really hits the spot.

After the Shiatsu massage the client may feel tired & a little spaced-out. This generally passes quickly, however sometimes a client can feel tired for a while, because they are actually very tired but have continued tp push through, the Shiatsu has made them realise how they really feel. 

Shiatsu massage continues to have an affect for a couple of days, so rest is good, to make the most of the treatment. If there is a specific issue it is often worth having a cluster of treatments close together, then spreading them out a little as the condition begins to ease or becomes manageable. 

If you would like to discuss if Shiatsu may be of help to you the get in tiu2ch through the ‘contact me’ page.

How can Shiatsu help? 

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I have clients visit me for Shiatsu massage, here in Exeter, for a large number of conditions & complaints. I have had some great, positive feedback letting me know that the client has found their massage treatment really helpful. 

There is some medical research that can be found on the Shiatsu Society website, particulary supporting shiatsu for health & well-being benefits & for helping to ease the need for excess medication & at times. 

What I have found in my Shiatsu massage practice is that clients have found Shiatsu successful in supporting them to make changes that they want to, in their lives. That it helps them have a sense of motivation & that it can give a sense of ease & flow. Shiatsu has had success in relieving symptoms for my clients of lower back ache, hip & pelvic pain & Sciatica & knee pain. My clients have also found Shiatsu relaxing but also invigorating & energizing. 

Shiatsu massage treatments continue to work for a couple of days after the actual session. Clients have found they can feel a renewed sense of focus & drive. They have expressed that symptoms have been relieved for a period of time, short or long, or permanently. 

If you suffer from any of the above & would like to discuss then do getn in touch, through the ‘contact me’ page. If you have symptoms of conditions that I have not mentioned than also get in touch. I haven’t mentioned everything clients have come for & Shiatsu is suitable for all, so it may well be anle to help you. 

You can follow me on twitter – @amyhinks or see more on my Facebook page.