So my radio interview has been moved to this Sunday – rather than the week after. I’m looking forward to chatting Shiatsu & introducing this amazing form of therapy to more people across Devon.
So if you fancy tuning in I’m going to be on Bay FM on Sunday between 10am & 11am.
Depression can affect a person’s whole life. It can feel like a lonely place with no way to talk to others. It’s can be like a frozen state, with no ability to see any options of how to feel better & no ideas of how to get out it.
Shiatsu provides a safe & supportive space. Instead of the client having to think about how they feel, or think through ways to feel better, it’s possible for the client to just be. Shiatsu allows the client to feel how they are in their body, it by-passes the analytical.
As is it a safe space the client can feel relaxed & allow tension & stress to release. This can relieve the mental strains & lighten the load.
Shiatsu works to balance the energies in the body. When the body is balanced it can give a sense of relief & ease from symptoms. It can also provide the client with an energy boost which can give a sense of focus & drive & a clarity of thought.
If you like to discuss if Shiatsu massage may be able to support you then do get in touch, details on the ‘contact me’ page. I am always happy to discuss Shiatsu & everything is fully confidential.
I work in Exwick, Exeter. I offer day & evening appointments. I can offer home visits with diwcussion.
Although some days are warmer than normally at this time of year we are, in general, starting to get colder days & nights. The colder weather starts to show up any aches & pains in joints.
Pain is a difficult to live with & I have a huge amount of respect for the many clients I have met with chronic pain.
Shiatsu has helped support clients with pain. Clients have commented that they feel supported with the intense mental strain & stress if their pain. The have commented that they have had relief from their pain. They have also mentioned more flexibility in their joints, less inflammation & less pain.
Shiatsu works to balance the energies in the body. When the body is in balance there is better flow. Then the energy flows through the joints, which can ease pain.
Shiatsu has a whole number of techniques that can be used to work on a problem. Joints can be worked on directly, including rotations & stretches. If this isn’t appropriate the issue can be worked on distally, from another area of the body. Also gentle work can be as effective as more physical techniques.
I am always happy to discuss Shiatsu so do get in touch if you’d think it may be able to support you. Details on the ‘contact me’ page.
Summer seemed to end early & suddenly this year but it feels like Autumn has just arrived in full flow. The leaves are beautiful & scattered on the ground, the apples nestled amongst them, the sun is showing its face, creating a glow across the landscape. This is Earth energy in full flow.
Shiatsu uses Traditional Chinese Medicine & the 5 Elements as part of the diagnosis process. Within the 5 Elements the Earth element relates to this time of year. It is an element of abundance, of eating sweetly & well. It relates to study & learning of new things. It also realtes to how we see ourselves, our self-image & confidence.
This is a time of year when we should be eating the naturally sweet things that are in season, pumpkins, squash, apples. If this element is out of balance there may be a craving for sweet things. It is good to eat these natural sweet fruit & vegetables rather than going for the full on sugar rush.
Also if you feel fuzzy headed, if you struggle to contain information, or to have clarity of thought this is a also a sign that this element maybe out of balance. Taking time out to rest & recouperate can help. Some pamper time or some ‘me’ time is probably needed. Definitely stay off the foods & drinks that contain stimulants, sugar, caffeine, alcohol.
Often the example of an imbalance in this Element is when someone cares for others, either as their job or in their home life, or both. They find they have little or no time to themselves & struggle to know how to care for themselves in the small amount of time they do have. This is a point when you may have to say you can’t do it on your own & you need some help. Have a supportive, relaxing & energising Shiatsu massage, or any massage, any hands-on therapy, just get someone to look after you for a moment or two.
This time of year what should we be doing?
Well today has been pretty miserable, cold & mostly wet. I’ve had a lovely day giving toasty, warm Shiatsu massages in my practice room in Exeter.
Shiatsu can be great at getting the body going, whether it’s poor circulation, or remedying inertia, or rehabilitation after an injury or accident, or moving on from emotional distress.
Today my clients were warmed & ready to face whatever this very inconsistent Autumn is going to throw at us!
Stress can dramatically affect people’s lives & it is a hard thing to manage on your own. Shiatsu is a supportive form of hands-on therapy that may help with stress, anxiety & other emotional distress.
At the beginning of a Shiatsu treatment there is a quick consultation, then as much hands-on treatment as time allows. There is little or no discussion whilst the treatment takes place, giving the client a chance to listen to their body, to feel where & how the stress is affecting them. As Shiatsu provides a safe & secure space, feelings, emotions, distress can be released, generally with a sense of relief or of positive release.
Our bodies hold a physical imprint of the stresses & strains we experience in life, sometimes it is important to talk through these issues, sometimes it is helpful to just feel them & sometimes using a talking therapy alongside a hands-on therapy can be helpful. Shiatsu can involve a level of conversation if the client requests it, I have had clients who have found greater release in discussing what they are experiencing as the massage goes along.
I have experienced clients build a sense of control & confidence after a few Shiatsu treatments. Instead of feeling that they are at the mercy of their condition or situation they feel they are taking action to make changes. Shiatsu is such a supportive therapy, they can build their confidence up knowing they have a space which is confidential & constructive.
Shiatsu works to balance the energies in the body. As these energies come into balance there can be a greater sense of flow & movement in the body, mind & emotions. Clients have commented that they felt energized & revitalized after a Shiatsu massage. This new found energy, alongside a safe space, can allow people to feel confident enough to start making changes, break patterns & learn new ways to support themselves.
If you are interested in discussing if Shiatsu may of help to you then do get in touch, details on the ‘contact me’ page. I’m always happy to talk Shiatsu. I work in Exwick, Exeter, in Devon.
Well my official start offering Shiatsu massage on a Tuesday hasn’t started off so well – I’ve had a cancellation this week, my first Tuesday appointment! On a more positive note I am now able to offer two appointments on a Tuesday, with the aim of building up to a full day of appointments. So I have two spaces this week if anyone fancies a Shiatsu with me!
I feel positive about working more days & I’m sure I will begin to book up. It is a strange thing, starting a new business or expanding a business. I remember, when I first started, sitting wondering where my clients would come from. They did come, from various different forms of promotion, & so I feel a little more confident this time!
You don’t get anywhere not doing anything though do you, it’s better to act than not, so here’s to new ventures & adventures.
I love Shiatsu, & yes I’m looking to make a living from it, but my primary motivation when looking for new clients isn’t to get money it is to help support them with Shiatsu. It is a form of therapy that is suitable for all & can really help with a whole load of complaints, concerns or issues. It is so versatile, supporting on a physical, mental, emotional & mental level. I want to help support people using Shiatsu, I can see that Shiatsu may well help them & I would like them to try it!
There isn’t really a culture in this country of looking after ourselves. Often we don’t have the money to spare to have hands-on therapies. Sometimes there isn’t the confidence that complementary medicine may help. I have met a number of clients who have recognised the importance of hands-on therapy, often they are older, & Shiatsu has helped them keep fit & well, or manage chronic pain. It doesn’t have to be Shiatsu, some people instantly fall in love with this form of therapy & others can take it or leave it. Different people enjoy & benefit from different therapies, it’s good to find one that suits & use it support yourself.
Hopefully, in a few weeks time, I will be blogging about lots of new Shiatsu massage clients who come & see me on a Tuesday, to support themselves in their lives , who love Shiatsu & who benefit from it.
In the meantime if there’s something you are umming & ahhing about why don’t you go ahead & put yourself out there, what’s the worst that could happen? I’m not trying to be clever or preachy, or patronising, I have been so reticent about promoting myself so I’m just trying to support others. Someone said something similar to me, & it really helped.
Happy Autumn Equinox to you all!
I find that these markers in the year a good opportunity to take some time out, to take stock of where I find myself, to evaluate my priorities & to decide my focus for the coming months.
This is an interesting Equinox as it is the start of the days becoming shorter than the nights, the start of the darker part of the year. This could feel depressing & something not to look forward to. We are however in a part of the year that governs personal focus, organisation, drive & directness. This type of energy is around for this Equinox, & feels particularly strong this year. If we can harness this energy & be clear about our intentions & what we want to acheive we may find that we go into Winter with a more positive mindset.
This time of year is also about harvest & storing for the colder months. This is a chance to nurture ourselves with sweet fruit & vegetables, all the squashes & apples are ready now. Beautiful slow baked butternut squash soup or a warm bowl of stewed blackberries & apples.
So maybe a bit of nurturing, enjoying the fruits of the harvest & a bit of intention making for the next few months is in order for us all.
If you feel It is hard to focus or find a sense of direction then you can always try a Shiatsu, similarly if you are dreading the darker months & need a mood-boost. I am always happy to talk Shiatsu so do get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page. I work in Exeter, in beautiful Devon
A couple of months ago we had a beautiful solid wood cabin put up in our garden. One of the reasons for the shed is to provide a space for me to give Shiatsu massage. It is such a lovely, natural space, with the wood natural holding the sun’s warmth & providing a cosy & comfy environment.
It has taken us a while to get all the jobs done, to get the shed Shiatsu ready. The end is in sight now – the electrics are in the carpet is chosen & the insulation & outside path are in progress.
I spent some time sitting in the space, I loved the peacefulness & sense of calm I experienced. I can’t wait to offer Shiatsu massage in it. I will be offering appointments every Tuesday afternoon, Friday morning & every other Wednesday.
Wow so we find ourselves in September, already, & the weather seems to have a harsh lesson for us this year – enough of the Summer, welcome to cold Autumn. No Indian Summer, as yet, no gentle change in temperature, no final days of golden sunshine – just plenty of rain, cold temperatures & harsh winds – great!!!!
This time of year relates to the Earth energy, within 5 Element Diagnosis. This is part of Traditonal Chinese Medicine & is used as a form of diagnosis within Shiatsu. The Earth energy is about gathering fruit & later crops, to begin to settle down into the Autumn & to store for the Winter.
This year the energy seems different. It’s like we have missed a season & similarly have missed an Element within the 5 Elements. It feels like we have moved straight to the Metal element energy & bypassed the Earth energy. The metal energy is about letting go, about boundaries, about organisation & having things in their place.
A lot of the clients I have seen recently have been showing an imbalance with their metal energy & I have been having quite a few conversations with people who are having to let go of big things in their lives. It seems a strong energy this year to let go of things & to adapt to quite big changes. It feels like the Metal energy is insisting that we shed & move on & prepare, already, for the upcoming Winter months.
So how do we support our metal energy at this time – how do we feel alright about these changes?
If you have any questions about Metal energy deficiency or whether Shiatsu maybe able to support you then do get in touch – through the ‘contact me’ page.
I work in Exwick, Exeter, Devon.
Counselling & Shiatsu 