It may be a few weeks until the Easter weekend but in our house we are on count-down to the school holidays. I am taking some time off to hang-out with the family, let’s hope for good weather and not trying to come up with indoor options for energetic children.

My last day of work is Monday 8th April. I am already full next week and only have a couple of spaces left on Monday 8th. If you feel in need of a relaxing and invigorating Shiatsu treatment before the Easter busyness then get in touch.

This time of year is really interesting in terms of Shiatsu and energy. Everything is coming to life, plants are pushing up and out and there is birth everywhere in nature.

Life feels easier when the temperatures warm but also there is an energy in the air to get things done, to clear out, to start planting and planning. Along with the positives of this Spring energy can come more headaches or sinus issues for those prone to them. There can be too much heat in the body, causing neck and shoulder pain, digestive difficulties and slow circulation. Also it can feel overwhelming at this time of year, so many choices to be made and no clear idea of how to make them, or even where to start.

A session of Shiatsu can help ease symptoms but also help you feel like you should feel! So everything feels a little more in place, both physically but also mentally and emotionally. When we are feeling ourselves again things can seem to work more smoothly and with ease.

So if you are feeling out of sorts, have aches and pains that you would like to loosen and you would like to feel yourself again then give me a call and book a Shiatsu – either before I go on holiday or when I return on April 23rd. Contact details are on the ‘Contact Me’ page.

xx

I would love some time-out, some nurture and some relaxation as a Mother’s Day present. (She says clicking her neck from side to side as she types!) Life seems to be so busy and stopping seems a privilege not a certainty.

What a special gift to give a satisfying and tension-releasing Shiatsu as a present. A thank you for all the support and love. An hour where there are no expectations or demands, where someone is actually looking after you!

I offer gift vouchers, which I can post out, post through letter boxes or send electronically.

Shiatsu is suitable for all. It is always given through clothes which can allow more of a sense of ease than a traditional massage. It is given on the futon mat on the floor but can be given on a couch or chair if needs be.

Shiatsu promotes relaxation and can ease stress, it can help with sleep issues. As it is tailored for each individual it can be a super satisfying treatment, finding just the place that needs to be found.

I work in Exwick, close to the town and train station in Exeter. I have a warm and cosy wooden cabin that I practice in. Easy parking outside allows for even more relaxation.

I work Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesday and Fridays and have evening appointments available as well as the day time appointments.

Do get in touch to arrange a gift voucher. Either call on 07791 070837 or otherwise email me amyhinkswright@yahoo.co.uk

I have been working with a couple of mothers and their babies recently. It is a joy to support and nurture tired mums and a great pleasure to treat their babies too.

Children and babies are very responsive to treatment, they haven’t had years to build up chronic tension like the rest of us. They do, however, have stresses and strains that Shiatsu can help ease.

There is so much development that happens in childhood, particularly babyhood. Generally this development happens with ease but sometimes the baby, or child, needs a little help. Maybe teething is difficult or digestion isn’t happening as easily as it could.

Shiatsu is a gentle treatment and can be quite productive in a short period of time. The babies I have treated have responded really positively. They are more settled, calmer and have better digestion and less signs of distress.

I have also found that Shiatsu has helped in many ways with my boys. I have used it to promote relaxation and calmness but also for stomach ache, constipation, growing pains, earaches, dizziness, travel sickness and many other things.

If you are interested in having Shiatsu for yourself and your children, or you feel your child or children would benefit from a session then do get in touch. A session doesn’t need to be a full hour and pricing is relative to the time required.

xx

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Recently I have had a number of clients with serious back issues and I’ve also had some difficulty with my own back.

There is nothing like being in pain, it is physically and mentally draining and can leave people feeling very isolated. I love that Shiatsu has the ability to ease pain levels and also offer emotional support to those in pain.

Often when the issue at it’s most acute there are small things that a client can do to support their own healing.

Keeping the back warm is essential. Particularly keeping the areas where the Kidneys are well protected. A hot water bottle in the evening. on the kidney area of the back, at the bottom of the ribs on each side, is ideal.

Resting when possible is also essential. The two main Meridians (lines of energy) that run through the back relate to tiredness and rest. Too much exercise is not going to help.

Breathing deep into the area of pain, through it an to the base of the spine. Using Meditations that visualise healing in the spine and areas of pain can also help.

Once the condition has began to strengthen – this may take just a few Shiatsu treatments or may take more, considering the extent of the issue – then other exercises can begin to be used.

Back issues are generated by all number of issues, injury, accident, work, stress, emotional issues. My personal issue is pushing too much, to get too much done, on top of a busy Shiatsu practice. I have decided it is time to get more into shape, on top of a busy family and work life. Funnily enough my back as said ‘slow up!’

I am resting when possible, I am using visual meditation, I am using gentle stretches and exercises and I am listening to my body. The major change is an acceptance of how my body is, where it’s limitations are and letting go of negative self-beliefs that I believe are at the core of the issue.

I am also getting treatments, as it’s not possible, always, to heal ourselves just on our own. It’s important to know when to ask for help. These treatments are providing me with the moral and emotional support I need to continue to ease my discomfort.

Look my back isn’t that bad at all really – just the result of a few busy weeks – but it has helped me to begin to understand how difficult it is to live with chronic pain -and how great it is to find a place of healing and support.

I really enjoy providing a held therapeutic space, where healing and change can take place. If you are reading this and thinking ‘yes it’s time for some change’ then maybe come and try a Shiatsu with me.

Off to fill up the hot water bottle now – here’s to a deeply restful night to you all. xx

I have a lot of conversations about posture, a lot of people feel that their issue or concern stems from having bad posture.

Well this can be true. Standing in an unbalanced way or leaning over for long periods can leave our bodies ouy of shape.

However I’m always more interested in the reason why a body is out of balance. Bad posture is often a symptom rather than the cause.

It isn’t generally something that has just happened. It may be traced back to the job a person has done, very physical or bent over a computer. It may be they are very tall so have become used to bending. It could be there was an injury or accident in their history.

The reason for poor posture could be emotional, our bodies take on our mental strains as well as our physical. Sometimes the poor posture can be traced back to a stressful or sad time for the person.

The bad posture can then exacerbate an underlying issue. It can cause further issues across the body.

When considering bad posture, from a Shiatsu point of view, it can be looked at simply as an energetic imbalance. What Meridians, lines of energy, run through the areas of the body that are out of line? Are those Meridians too full of energy; tight, tense, rigid, bent? Are the Meridians low of energy; weak, loose, crumpled?

Shiatsu looks to balance the energy in the body. It can strengthen the weak areas and loosen the tight areas. When the body is in balance symptoms can ease.

Often clients want to understand what has effected their body. They may only look at this in an anatomical or physiological way. Sometimes it needs to be looked at on an emotional and energetic way.

This is one of the things that makes Shiatsu such an unique form of therapy.

If you are concerned about your posture you may want to try Shiatsu. Within a few sessions you should start to see some changes. I can often give exercise and lifestyle advice to help you continue the healing process yourself at home.

If you are interested in discussing or booking do give me a call on 07791 070837. My email address is amyhinkswright@yahoo.co.uk.

Xx