Shiatsu Support for Self-Care – Exeter, Devon

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We have had a lovely half term week. No home-schooling but loads of time out in nature.

Enjoying clear skies and beautiful sunshine

It has been a lovely week but I am now looking forward to the next stage, moving away from lockdown. More kids will be back at school and therefore more people returning to work.

Although I’m not giving hands-on treatments yet I am starting to support clients with their own self-care practice.

There are loads of exercises and Self-Shiatsu techniques that I can show people, either online or if local face to face with social-distancing in place.

Shiatsu is nurturing and supportive in nature so is perfect for self-care.

There are loads of pressure points, the same points used in Acupuncture and Acupressure, that can be held to alleviate symptoms.

There are lots of exercises and stretches that can help energy levels and flow in the body. Good energy flow can help ease symptoms and conditions.

So although there is nothing quite as satisfying as a hands-on Shiatsu treatment there is still loads of ways it can help support a clients and health and well-being.

Who knows what the next few weeks are going to being but I am enjoying starting to support others.

Shiatsu, Secret Pathways and the Seasons – Exeter, Devon

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We started a walk, a few days ago, by going through this beautifully overgrown ‘secret path’

Image may contain: plant, tree, outdoor and nature

Such a great start to what turned out to be a pretty special walk overall. The weather was beautiful, the pace was slow, and nature was doing it’s thing all around us.

There were birds nesting, ducklings in the river and blossom beginning to bloom. Spring is in full flow. This is the time of year that relates to the Liver and Gallbladder Meridians in Shiatsu.

Meridians are lines of energy that run through the body, they relate to certain organs but also to many other symptoms and conditions. They also relate to a time of year. These are the same Meridians used in Acupuncture and Acupressure. Shiatsu doesn’t use needles but massage techniques, through clothes, to help balance the energy in the Meridians.

Spring is a time for ideas and for nurturing new seedlings and buds. The Summer, which is yet to come, is the time to really push for these ideas to come to full fruition. In a way the slowing down of our daily lives, for a lot of us, due to the Coronavirus situation, has allowed us to watch Spring unfurl and take place.

In Shiatsu terms this is more of a correct rhythm for this time of year. The really busy days should be more in the Summer time. Pushing to keep on top of busy work and home lives is exhausting.

At this time of year if your Liver and Gallbladder Meridians energy is out of balance you may notice the following symptoms/ issues:

  • Tightness in the body – muscles and joints
  • Headaches
  • Eyestrain
  • Frustration/ irritation
  • Digestive difficulties
  • High level of thirst

There are other symptoms and issues relating to these Meridians, particularly at this time of year. This list is just a quick insight into what things you may notice if these Meridians are not in balance.

Shiatsu can help ease all of the above symptoms, using relaxing and satisfying massage techniques, to bring the body back into some balance. Getting the energy flowing at this time of year can feel really good, providing relief of symptoms and release of tension.

The Liver and Gallbladder Meridians love the following things:

  • Stretching – gentle movement and stretching of the whole body and rotations of the joints – if you would like more guidance I can always provide this
  • Drinking water – drinking plenty, but not excessive amounts, of water helps the body keep it’s own energy following
  • Creativity – Spring is the time to dust off the easel or pick up that guitar or pen – expressing yourself in whatever way feels good to you

Try these ideas out and see if you do begin to feel a little more in balance with yourslef, nature and the season.

Shiatsu, the Menopause and Peri-Menopausal symptoms – Exeter Devon

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I am now in my mid forties and I feel like each morning and now watch myself age. I see more grey hairs and looser skin around my neck. I’m ok with this really.

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I am also aware of changing inside my body. My menstrual cycle in changing and so is the way by body reacts to excess food intake (this is a no-no now!)

In the past couple of years there has also been moments of full-on emotional strain. They talk about a mid-life crisis and now I have begun to understand what they mean. Suddenly I felt like I had run out of time to do anything else in my life, that my work life was nearly at an end and that I hadn’t achieved anything.

Once I calmed myself down I remembered all the things that I had done. I also realised that I am in a good place, doing a job that I love and loving bringing my kids up. I also remembered that I have years ahead of me, hopefully, and that people continue to strive towards goals and achieve them at all sorts of ages.

I am affected by hormonal imbalances in my body. I am now very much Peri-Menopausal. In the last couple of years I have attracted more clients of my own age and a little older. The women are all showing imbalances that have been diagnosed or suggest they are going through the Menopause or Per-Menopausal. The men are feeling unsettled and unbalanced in themselves and their personal and or working lives.

Shiatsu is great for helping to balance out any imbalance, be in physical, mental or emotional. It can help eased symptoms related to the Menopause. It can allow the client to feel that they have options again, that their symptoms aren’t taking over their life.

I can’t wait to get back to giving hands-on Shiatsu treatments and supporting women going through this process. It can be a challenging phase of life but it is a time of change and this can bring new beginnings and perspectives.

xx

Shiatsu and the Small things – Exeter, Devon

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We have been without an oven for a few weeks now – I became a very creative slow-cooker cook!

Yestersay the oven got FIXED!!!!!! So on the menu last nightt – home-made pizza.

In the grand scheme of things no oven is not a big deal but boy am I feeling grateful for the small things today 😍

Being thankful for the small stuff has really helped me through these few weeks.

Thankful for the sun on my face
Thankful for family play fights
Thankful for not having to cut my nails (have to be short for Shiatsu!)
Thankful for seeing ducklings grow up
Thankful for time to organise my clothes (a job I always leave until I done all the other house jobs)

Having hands-on body work, like Shiatsu, can be similar to recognising how great the small things can make us feel. Listening and feeling how the body feels can allow an understanding of emotional and mental holding. It can provide a different perspective, ‘oh this is actually how I feel’.

I can’t wait to get back to work but until then I am thankful thay we had such a great supper last night

Xx

Shiatsu, Nature and Sanity Exeter, Devon

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No actually paid Shiatsu happening still. I can’t wait to get back to work but looking like I’m going to have to be patient for a while longer.

In the meanwhile I have been using Shiatsu to support myself and my family.

I have used Shiatsu to help me digest – after a large meal! I have used it to keep my energy flowing. I have used it to ground and centre myself – amongst external turmoil.

I have used it to calm the kids when they are hurt or upset. I have used it to help their digestion and to calm before sleep.

I have used Shiatsu to boost my husband’s energy and to loosen tight muscles and joints.

On top of Shiatsu I have found getting out into nature has been a real tonic.

I know this isn’t possible for everyone but the boys, my husband and I have loved our natute hunts and discoveries.

I have appreciated the slower pace that we can go when out – this allows the space to spot things we may have just whizzed past previously.

I have relished watching spring take place – plants blossoming and new life emerging.

I have always known that getting out into fresh air and connecting with nature makes me feel good. In these strange times it has helped me feel grounded and stay calm when there is uncertainty and anxiety around me.

In can be easy to lose contact with nature and the seasons. An easy exercise is to stand, or walk, outside with no shoes on for a few minutes. Another idea is to go for a walk and look for small things – what can you see when you look closely.

We haven’t been able to get into proper nature do everything we have found has been close to our house in Exeter.

So no real Shiatsu practice, to regulate and support myself, but a settled and happy family routine and LOTS of nature!

Xx

Shiatsu and the art of Intuition – Exeter, Devon

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Yesterday I was watering the allotment. This involves carrying two watering cans, a fair distance, a number of times……

When I do this I think about my Shiatsu training and the idea of ‘coming from Hara.’ This is the abdominal area and all my movements when giving a treatment ideally come from this area.

Whilst training I remember trying to do every task from Hara – washing-up, gardening, hoovering – one fellow student even tried to brush her teeth from Hara 😁😂😁

Why is Hara such an important focus in Shiatsu?

In Shiatsu it is the centre of energy in the body.
In a treatment my energy flow is at it’s best when it comes from the Hara. This in turn helps the flow of energy in the client’s body.

It represents the ‘Intuition’ rather than the ‘analytical.’ In a treatment it is a grounded and quiet space. This helps the client to feel safe and secure. It also allows me to hear what treatment the body is asking for.

How is the Hara relevant to everyone?

Often in a treatment it becomes clear that either the client is caught up in their own thoughts – constantly using their analytical brain – or that their life demands they use their analytical brain a lot.

I often suggest to a client that sitting quietly and connecting to their Hara (their intuition) may help still their mind – and may also generate more energy across their whole body.

A good exercise to begin to connect with the Hara is to practice some deep breathing. Taking slow deep breaths right down into the belly area.

Also taking a moment to sit quietly before deciding on a decision. What is your ‘gut’ saying? What is the quiet, centred area of your body saying? What is your Hara saying?

This maybe useful as we head out of lockdown. There is likely to be more decisions to make – and maybe coming from Hara can help.

Xx

For more information on my practice you may like to head to my Facebook page – http://www.facebook.com/shiatsuinexeter

For more information on Shiatsu you may like to head to the Shiatsu Society page – http://www.shiatsusociety.org

Being Grateful – Shiatsu in Exeter, Devon

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When there is soneyimhing to loo forward to or focus on – like VE day or a birthday – this lockdown business seems a bit easier.

The hardest days, in our house, are the ones where there doesn’t seem to be any change of routine for days or weeks on end.

Trying to feel motivated can feel almost impossible. When we are feeling unmotivated we have been thinking about what we are grateful for. Just a simple statement, generally in the morning.

The things the kids have said they are grateful for include that lions exist, that they can play computer games, that we made jam roly-poly….

I have been entertained and motivated by listening to the kids and getting an insight into how they see the world.

I have been grateful for moments of peace – when the kids are quiet and happy – and I can grab a coffee in the garden or sit and read.

What you feel grateful for doesn’t have to be a big thing. It can even be the same as the day before. It’s a moment focusing on a positive that may help motivation for the day..

Xx

Monday Motivation & Shiatsu

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Not much is happening in our house this morning, 6 weeks in and our kids are really not into doing much school work. I really don’t mind, most importantly they are healthy and happy and settled.

As the situation goes on I’m finding it harder to generate the motivation to get myself going. I’m sure we are all in the same boat. So motivationing those around us is getting harder too.

We have come to a compromise of a little work then a break to read a book or play a phonics game. This is working for us. I am using various techniques to keep myself going. The list below is what I aim towards each day. I definitely don’t worry what I get done and what falls to the wayside.

Take time to wake up – I have a quick meditation and stretch as I get up – my body has time to get used to being awake!

Gentle exercise – I have to eat breakfast quickly as I am so hungry in the mornings – then I do a bit of gentle warm up style exercise to wake my body up further.

Shiatsu works to balance the Meridians – lines of energy in the body. With a lack of physical Shiatsu treatments exercise can help by walking the Meridians up and getting the energy following.

Set intentions – I have a basic list of what I’d like to do – as i tick them off through the day it helps me feel I’ve achieved something! Tasks include print out kids school work – tidy living room – tweet about work – easily achievable stuff.

Get into nature – we are lucky that we can get into some level of nature from our home. It helps me immensely to breathe fresh air and see wildlife and plants doing what they do.

Make sure we all eat well – I’ve been eating as well as possible and making good rounded meals for us all.

Take some time in the evening – I take stock of what we have achieved in the day.

Finally I meditate for a few minutes to settle my mind. Also I go to sleep at a sensible time.

Again I really don’t worry about what I don’t achieve and really praise what we managed to get done.

I am available for online consultations where your specific situation can be discussed. I offer tailored exercise plans to help you specifically. Also there maybe essy lifestyle changes that you can implant to help you manage your days at this time.

Do get in touch with questions or to arrange a consultation. Email amyhinkswright@yahoo.co.uk

Xx

Taking Care of the Shiatsu Shed – Exeter, Devon

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In this strange time being at home is helpful in some ways – don’t you think? I have been feeling levels of fatigue and tiredness at times, particularly in the mornings. However when I do have the energy getting to grips with some of those ‘I haven’t got time and space’ jobs has been satisfying.

My husband has been able to give the Shiatsu Shed some care and attention. Giving the outside an extra coat of protection. It is a lovely thing to give some care to our joint work space.

It was looking like it was going to be difficult to fit this particular job in. We use the shed a lot but this unusual situation has provided the space to get this job done.

Whenever the lockdown is relaxed the Shiatsu shed will be ready for more therapeutic and healing work.

Take care all

Xx

Shiatsu and Beltane – Exeter, Devon

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Shiatsu starts with how the body is feeling. Shiatsu uses touch to assess what is happening in the body and what changes take place when a different touch is applied. Is there a release of tension? Is there a better flow of energy.

With a change of energy comes possible relief from symptoms, pain, tightness, weakness. In my experience there is always an emotional and mental attachment to a physical issue, be it an injury, a chronic condition or tension and tightness.

The client maybe able to gain an understanding of how they feel about their health and or situation by experiencing a physical Shiatsu treatment . They can also gain perspective of their mental process and decision making.

This body driven perspective can allow a client to regain control of their situation. My Shiatsu sessions are always a collaboration with the client. I provide suggestions of exercises and lifestyle changes that may help. However clients generally know what they would like to do and what changes may help them to move forward.

Why am I talking about all this today? Well traditionally Beltane was celebrated as a opportunity to look forward and set personal intentions. It’s the end of the Winter and beginning of the Summer. Fires were used to promote fertility of couples, of the land, of opportunities.

Here is a quick video that I made this morning. In the beautiful May Day sunshine, so apt after a week of wet weather.

Supportive Shiatsu for May Day/ Beltane

For those of you on a journey of self discovery towards health and wellbeing why not take the opportunity to focus on what is important to you. Why not make a couple of personal intentions for the next few months. Obviously being able to step out of the house and move freely maybe the first intention for everyone!

Why not identify one or two things that you would like to let go off. Old behaviours that you know don’t work for you. Saying goodbye to decisions or situations you felt were bad for you.

This is a time of new life and new beginnings, right? Nature is doing it all around us. So why not give it a go too, what new things would you like to see in your life? Love to hear your thoughts and whether this is an idea you think could help you.

Xx