Counselling & Shiatsu

Author: amyshiatsuexeter

  • Shiatsu massage as a client

    So I haven’t had a Shiatsu massage myself for quite a while & after a hectic Christmas I decided to book one. I managed to get time away from my children, enough to have a cup of coffee beforehand & a couple of hours after to rest. I was absolutely on time, punctuality is always helpful to a practitioner, & I wanted to get as much hands-on time as possible. 

    I had a brief discussion with the Shiatsu practitioner about why I was there & what I hoped for from the session. This was interesting, being on the client side of the discussion, I realised that up-most on my mind was the wish to be lying down & having the Shiatsu. Note to self: get clients onto the mat as quickly as possible, they are there for the massage!

    I was determined to make the most of the massage, not to be second guessing what my lovely colleague was going to do & critiquing her work. However I enjoyed feeling what was absolutely brilliant & the moments (not many) that were a little less fluid or a little shaky. I chose to say once that I felt the work was a little strong, & I chose to trust the practitioner a couple of other times. 

    I was giving Shiatsu’s later in the same day & I was able to ask my clients at certain points if the work was too strong or too soft. I asked them to be more communicative within the treatments, ensuring they still got the same level of relaxation. I worked hard on seeing the treatment from their point of view, how much movement did I make, how much did I move them, how much quiet work opposed to strong or fast work was there. I hope that the clients felt very well supported & listened to, that there needs were met. 

    Having Shiatsu massage myself helped me give better Shiatsu massage to others. I need to have more Shiatsu! I think I can manage that. 

  • Still time to get a Shiatsu bargain 

    I’m offering Shiatsu massage taster sessions for just £20 – but for just this month only. Sessions are filling up but I do still have some treatments available before the end of January.

    If you’ve not tried Shiatsu before this might be the ieeal opportunity. Maybe you would like to see how it differs from other massages or other alternative therapies; acupressure, reflexology, reiki.

    Or if you suffer with aches & pains, back issues, hip & knee issues, fatigue, stress or you are going through a difficult time at the mkment then you may want to see if a Shiatsu massage can help.

    The sessions are roughly 30 minutes long & they will have has much hands-on in the time as possible. In a short period of time a Shiatsu massage can really help. 

    I practise in Exwick, Exeter, Devon & have been qualified for over 6 years, following completing the 3 year diploma course. I will hapoily answer any questions you have so please contact me – details on the ‘contact me’ page.

  • Well we have got our son to 5 years old!

    When I’m not working as a Shiatsu practitioner I am looking after our two young boys. We celebrated our elder son’s 5th birthday today with a trip to the cinema & a picnic in the park. Aptly we watched a film called Storks, which is about Storks delivering babies, then diversifying to delivering packages, before realising they should be delivering babies after all. It was apt as there were many comical nods to the trials & difficulties that parents face.

    The last five years have been the most rewarding but also the hardest, sleep deprivation, endless logistical organisation, complete mess & chaos, total lack of personal space & button-pushing boundary challenges! There is however nothing like a child climbing into your lap, or taking hold of your hand as you walk along. Watching them learn & explore is fascinating & has re-opened my eyes to the world. Hearing them giggle when you play them warms your soul, or when they quietly come & say ‘Mummy’s the best’

    So why am I writing about this on my Shiatsu page? Well being a parent has allowed me to feel unconditional love & shown me that I have quite a capacity to feel & give love, it has taught me that I can nurture & care for others but also hold boundaries when necessary. These things have helped better my Shiatsu practise. I have become more comfortable & confident when a nurturing or mothering touch is important in a treatment. I feel its important to support Shiatsu clients with an openness & a sense of care, being a parent has given me more confidence to do this fully, knowing I can hold the professional space & boundaries at the same time. This being so important for practitioner & client. So if you would like to try a supportive & nurturing Shiatsu massage with me go to the ‘contact me’ page for details.

  • What is Shiatsu?

    I have recently placed an advert on a different website to I have used previously – I have found myself describing Shiatsu a number of times. I have directed people to this site & the information pages but also to the Shiatsu Society & to my Facebook page. 

    I find that I give slightly different information to each person, generally based on either their e-mail or phone manner, as I don’t see them face to face when they enquire. I try to ask questions & not make presumptions but it’s almost impossible. So I have taken to having a few set phases, but also explaining on how I view Shiatsu. I want new clients & I think Shiatsu is absolutely brilliant so I try not to bombard with huge amounts of information but I want people to know the difference between Shiatsu & other massage. I am incredibly proud to offer Shiatsu & I’ve realised I have to show this when I’m explaining it!

    So what is Shiatsu? It’s a form of body work the originates from Japan. It is gentle & powerful, it works on the principle that there are lines of energy in our bodies & Shiatsu works to rebalance these. It can be energizing & invigorating as well as relaxing. It is given on a futon mat on the floor & the client is fully-clothed. This allows a lot of movement, stretches, rotations, within the massage. It is brilliantly supportive & nurturing & gives space for the body to rebalance & recharge. 

    If you are interested to trying a Shiatsu then please get in touch – details on the ‘contact me’ page

  • The spleen in me! Shiatsu, Exeter, Devon 

    The diagnosis used in a Shiatsu treatment is rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) & the five elements, fire, earth, metal, water & wood. The theory is that when in balance the 5 elements support & feed each other, they also help keep each other in check, the fire is not allowed to burn too brightly for instance. In practice most of us have an imbalance within the five elements. Often the water element is low, this shows through tiredness, lower back ache, fears & phobias along with a number of other symptoms. The idea is that the symptoms shown begin to build a picture which leads to a diagnosis. In Shiatsu, being a hands-on therapy, touch is then used as another form of diagnosis, often supporting what has begun to show through a verbal consultation.

    Personally I have a long history of an imbalance with my earth energy, along with water & wood. The earth governs the idea of self, nurture, ideas & the mother. So having already a tendency to imbalance within this element it is of no surprise that when I became a mother it became more & more pronounced! TCM attaches two meridians, lines of energy in the body, to each element. The meridians are named after organs in the body. This doesn’t mean that all the issues relating to the meridian are specifically to do with the organs. the two meridians that relate to the earth energy are the spleen & stomach meridians. 

    I have recently had a lack of energy & drive (water element) a sense of frustration & inflexibility (wood element) & a tendency to mother anyone who comes within 3 foot of me & to burst into heart felt tears over anything (earth element.) This culminated today in me leaving my eldest son at school & beginning to drive home (he has just begun school this year & doesn’t particularly like it.) I listen to the radio as I drive & someone’s great aunt is about to turn 100, I begin to cry. I walk by the river with my youngest son & another child is trying to feed the ducks but the seagulls keep getting the food,  I start to cry. A friend tells me her son is not working for his exams, I start to cry…..you get the idea. Leaving my son at school is tough & can feel upsetting (he is fine 5 minutes after I leave) but today the balance tipped over, this was an abnormal reaction & not necessary!  After I had picked my eldest up from school I took the children to a pet shop, as I had to pop into another boring shop nearby. I was very close to walking out with a bearded dragon, 2 long-eared rabbits, a handful of hamsters & a poor dog that kept barking in one of the vet consultation rooms! 

    Enough, definitely the balance has tipped , I cannot look after (mother) these poor animals, we have no space & no time.  I cannot kept pretending I have a sniffly nose when I start tearing up in the street! I came straight home & booked a Shiatsu session with a lovely fellow practitioner. I am also about to curl up, with the heater & a fluffy jumper on, to read, now the kids are asleep (finally!) & my mothering duties are done. It is so important to listen & react to our bodies, emotions & our mental state. Shiatsu can really help ease things, like a bit of oil, to get the cogs working together, smoothly again. Also stopping, being & trusting our instincts. Nearly every time my clients know what is going on for them & what might support & help them.  If you are interest in knowing more about Shiatsu massage then please contact me, details in the ‘contact me’ page. 

  • Shiatsu in the workplace, Exeter, Devon

    Wow it can feel hard to get back into a routine after a Christmas/ new year break. Work can be tough, long hours, stress & pressure.  Would a supportive & invigorating massage in your workplace help? Shiatsu massage can be effective in a short sessions, 10 or 20 minutes. These short sessions are much cheaper than a full treatment, just £10. 

    It is easy to bring Shiatsu into a work environment, there just needs to be a space big enough for a massage chair to fit, an employer who is happy for their employees to take a break at the time Shiatsu is available & enough employees to be interested! 

    There can be a lot a benefits for both the employer & the employees. Shiatsu can help with energy levels, motivation & focus. It can help with aches & pains & physical injuries, also with stress & emotional & mental strains. 

    A tester session can be arranged, where the sessions are free. This allows the staff & company to decide if this an employee perk that benefits all. Contact me to discuss this if interested, details are on the ‘contact me’ page.

  • Happy 2017 – May it be full of Shiatsu

    Taken today at the sunny beach – warm sun on our backs, the soothing but strong sound of waves & powerfully fresh air to breathe – what a day before heading back into our daily/ weekly routine. A reminder to try & find space to be outside whenever possible – lifting spirits & stepping out of the drudgery for a while. Obviously Shiatsu is also a quiet moment away from responsiblity & any stresses & strains. A space to breathe, rest & be. Shiatsu also provides a nurturing & supportive hand, a extra help alongside personal strength & movement. A helping hand & a holding hand. If you are interested in trying Shiatsu with me then go to the contact me page for details.

  • Cheap Shiatsu massage in January – Exeter, Devon

    ​If you’ve not had a Shiatsu with me – or want to know what Shiatsu massage is all about – then how about a taster session? For January only these are just £20. I have availability on Wednesday afternoon’s & Saturday morning’s – Wednesday evening’s are very nearly booked for this month. Contact me if you are interested – details are on the ‘contact me’ page.

  • Rain starts the year

    So the first day of 2017 has successfully reflected my mood – keeping up with two young boys, having just had a 3 month spell without my husband around,& then hosting Christmas for my husband’s whole family I have reached a place where my body has said enough is enough. Moving feels like an enormous effort & I have been sleeping in the day, which is unheard of.  I am starting to regain my energy, having given in to my body’s request to rest, but I didn’t get it back in time to see the new year in & make many resolutions. I got as far as go to sleep early when at all possible & my energy was spent! 

    Mid winter is a time when we really need to listen to our body’s calling us to stop & be, if we don’t rest now & recoup there is no back up for when the spring energy starts to rise. It is lovely to have the solstice/ Christmas celebration to bring warmth & light to the dark winter days but it is easy to over do it & then with a new year celebration on top it can deplete the body’s resources so easily.

    So it’s raining on the first day of the year & actually I am quite pleased! It feels like it has gifted me an extra day of rest & a cosy indoor day, an extra chance to recoup. I have had a little time & energy to make some resolutions & catch up with it bejng a new year & the feeling of new starts that offers!

    I have rested but I have also exercised, quietly & gentle, to generate some energy in my body. I have booked a course of Shiatsu treatments to support my own resolves & goals & I have spent time with my family. So no big, wild celebration  last night but a quiet , cosy one today as the rain came down outside.

    If you feel the Shiatsu may help to support you then please contact me.  Details are on the contact me page. All the best for a happy & restful start to 2017 

  • Here comes 2017!

    Well I think for a lot of people 2016 has been an up & down year. There’s been a lot of events we have all been aware of, elections, referendums & deaths of public figures. There also seems to have been a lot of personal shake ups for many people I know & friends, clients & others have mentioned how they are looking forward to 2017 & that we should make it a good one. 

    The beginning of a new year is often a time where we look to make changes, fulfill resolutions & find space & time to do what we would really like to do. The motivation tends to be there at the beginning & for some it continues. For a lot of us trying to make changes, in the cold, dark winter months is tough & resolution begins to fail. This is where Shiatsu comes in. I often have clients saying they just need a boost, a bit of support, help with their drive & their energy. Shiatsu is brilliant at helping the energy in the body flow, where energy flows so do thoughts & drive. This allows the client to feel a sense of everything being as it should be, of not having to push hard to achieve anything but a sense of ease & fluidity.

    If you are looking to make some changes this coming year you may like to come & see if Shiatsu can help provide some energetic backup for your motivation & resolve. You can find contact details on the ‘contact me’ page. There’s also lots of other information about me & Shiatsu on this site. Have a browse & please feel free to ask any questions. A happy 2017 everyone