Counselling & Shiatsu

Category: alternative health

  • Shiatsu in the Summertime, Exeter, Devon 

    Shiatsu in the Summertime, Exeter, Devon 

    It has been an interesting week of Shiatsu, the meridians (lines of energy) in the body that relate to the summertime have been really prominent in the treatments. They seem to be even more prominent than other Summers. The weather has been so warm & it has been a ‘real’ Summer, so far & this has fed people’s Fire energy, the energy that relates to this time of year.  
    So what does this mean – there are positive & negative results. The Fire energy is strong & burns brightly, it is perfect for socialising, doing lots of things & making the most of the time.   All my clients this week have been doing a lot & finding that they have the energy to do so.  The warmness in the body has helped the energy move well & change quickly, resulting in symptoms easing & tension releasing.

    Heat rises & this is what happens when there is an excessive of Fire energy, it goes up into the shoulders, neck & head. It creates tension & too much heat in the head. Emotions can also become too big & hot & potentially explosive. In general there has been an excessive of heat in client’s bodies, of course it is the Summer, however this has felt abnormally hot.

    So what to do in this beautiful Summer? Make the most of it! Socialise, party, get out there

    Rembember that the Fire energy is strong, particularly this year. Take time to sit & be still, in a cool place. Drink plenty of water. Try to moderate your intake of sugar, alcohol, spice & other stimulants. All of this will help stop your energy rising, from getting too hot, from emotions exploding or burn-out happening.

    And of course Shiatsu massage can really help! I found this week that people’s bodies were particularly malleable & this meant a lot could be achieved quite quickly & easily in a treatment. If you would like to know more or book a treatment get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page.

  • What To Expect From A Shiatsu Massage – Exeter, Devon 

    What To Expect From A Shiatsu Massage – Exeter, Devon 

    Shiatsu is a form of hands-on therapy. It is generally given on a futon mat on the floor & the client is fully clothed. It uses a lot of different massage techniques & can be quite a physical form of massage when appropriate. Shiatsu originates from Japan & uses the same points & lines of energy in the body that Acupuncture & Accupressure use.

    The aim of a treatment is to balance the energies in the body. With this balance can come a relief from symptoms. It is also a very relaxing & satisfying form of massage therapy.

    A session lasts an hour with 40 to 45 minutes of actual hands-on work. There is a short consultation at the beginning to discuss the client’s health & wishes for the treatment.

    Shiatsu is different every time, it is based on how the client is right then, that day, that hour. It is tailored specifically to their needs.

    I offer Shiatsu massage in Exeter, Devon. I work part-time, I look after my two young boys as well. I work Wednesdays & Saturdays at present but in the Autumn I will be offering other days.

    I am always happy to talk Shiatsu so feel free to get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page.

    Have a Look on my Facebook page or the pages on this site for more info. You can also go to the Shiatsu Society page for more info.

  • Neck Injuries & Shiatsu, Exeter, Devon 

    Having a sore neck can be really tough. I have treated people who have neck injuries due to car accidents, often they have come after some period of time following the accident. I have also had people who have a chronic stiff or tight neck. The other time that clients come with neck pain is when they have over exerted themselves & have pulled a neck muscle.

    Shiatsu is a gentle form of hands-on therapy but is can be powerful & effective. As Shiatsu is generally given on the floor on a futon mat well supported neck stretches can be used to relieve symptoms. If the area is inflamed or very painful it is possible to work on the injury distally, from another point in the body, or to work either side of the injury. There are a number of different ways that Shiatsu massage can tackle client’s concerns.

    Shiatsu can be helpful in easing pain levels, which can be helpful for chronic conditions. Some clients find Shiatsu will relieve or reduce the pain they feel for a period of time after the treatment. As successive treatments are given the length of time that the pain is relieved for does sometimes lengthen.

    If you are suffering from neck pain & would like to discuss if Shiatsu may be able to help support you then do get in touch – through the ‘contact me’ page or on 07791 070837.

    I practice Shiatsu massage in Exeter, in beautiful Devon. I offer evening & daytime appointments.

  • Shiatsu Summer holidays, Exeter, Devon 

    Shiatsu Summer holidays, Exeter, Devon 

    Right now I am in the throws of the very last Sunday night before a week of school for the eldest, pre-school for the youngest & work for my husband & me. Bring on the school holidays, 5 days & counting, how I loathe the amount of preparation I have to do usual on a Sunday.

    I am so looking forward to hanging out as family. Eating breakfast in as many stages as the kids want, rather than trying to make sure enough food has been guzzzled in one quick sitting to get through to lunch. Asking the kids what they’d like to do that day. Heading to the beach, river or moors. Enjoying the world through the eyes of a 5 year old & a 3 year old. Look I know there will be tantrums & fall-outs but there will be jokes & laughter too, plus hoping there will be a little more sleep & a little less tiredness – lets see.

    I am looking forward to the holidays but I am also looking forward to working quite a bit through it. I am still offering my usual availability every week except two weeks (when we hope to be camping.) I love giving Shiatsu & I understand lots of people are away in the Summer but I will be offering relaxing & peaceful Shiatsu massage as much as I am able to.

    I have some spaces left in August so do get in touch if you want to book in.

    So wish me luck for the last week of school, getting us all through it! Have a great Summer & any questions please feel free to get in tiuch through the ‘contact me’ page.

  • A Great Shiatsu Day, Exeter, Devon 

    Had a great day giving Shiatsu massage to lots of people at the Exeter Lions Gala Day. 

    It was a real community event with lots of support organisations that work within the local area. It was a joy to give Shiatsu to lots of carers, support & charity workers. These are the people who work very hard to support others but can find it hard to find the time to get support themselves. 

    We also treated a lot of families, the parents & the children. It’s really great for the whole family to get a Shiatsu massage. For the whole family to have some time out time, some relaxation & also be energised & invigorated. 

    It was a great day all round – the event was in a little known but beautiful park – the music involved a lot of community choirs – there was a mix of things to do, circus skills  bouncy castle, skittles & the local charity & support organisation stalls. 

  • Shiatsu tasters tomorrow, Exeter, Devon 

    Shiatsu tasters tomorrow, Exeter, Devon 

    Come find us – 12-6 – Priory Park, Exeter. 

    Shiatsu massage tasters for just £5 or £10. 

    The weather is supposed to be good – theres loads of other stalls – live music – food & drink 

    Hope to see you there. 

  • Shiatsu this Saturday – Exeter, Devon 

    This Saturday my colleague & I will be at the Exeter Lions Gala Day – in Priory Park, Exeter – giving Shiatsu massage taster sessions – details of the event here 

  • Emotional Support with Shiatsu, Exeter, Devon

    Emotional Support with Shiatsu, Exeter, Devon

    Although Shiatsu is a physical massage therapy it can be really helpful & supportive on lots of different levels. 

    I had a client recently who commented that the treatment was completely emotional for them. Although I was physically massaging the client they felt a strong sense of emotion as I worked them, they said they hardly felt the massage as it was all emotions. 

    The stresses & strains we experience in life are often held in our bodies. Oh bodies become a physical history of our lives, injuries or accidents the body sustains & emotional tension from difficult times or issues we experience. 

    Shiatsu is a supportive hands-on therapy. Just having a gentle human touch can give a sense of support. Shiatsu is a safe space, the body can release tension, the client can feel & listen to their body & any emotional response that arises. 

    A client may find that an unexpected emotion arises but they generally feel safe & secure enough to simply feel the emotion, maybe cry or express how they are feeling. The emotinal release often comes with a sense of relief or acceptance. 

    Further Shiatsu treatments can be booked to work with the emotions further, to deepen the clients understanding of how they are feeling or to release futher emotional tension. Shiatsu massage is gentle, it meets the client how they want to be met & never pushes the client, it gives space to the body to chose to release tension or not.

    If you would like to know if Shiatsu may be able to help you please get in touch – 07791 070837 – or though the ‘contact me’ page.

  • Feeling stuck in a rut? Try Shiatsu – Exeter, Devon 

    Feeling stuck in a rut? Try Shiatsu – Exeter, Devon 

    Shiatsu massage can be a great support if you are feeling like you are stuck in a rut or you feel stuck where you are & have little options for change. Similarly it is a great support if you feel indecisive, if you can’t make a decision or have too many decisions to make.   

    These scenarios indicate a specific diagnosis. The meridians that are affected are the ones relating to the Tree element. This is one of the elements in Five Element Diagnosis, which is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, one form of diagnosis that Shiatsu massage uses. 

    The Tree element is in balance when there is a good flow & fluidity in the body. You can imagine a strong tall tree, that is secure in the ground, is rooted well, it also moves with ease when it is blown by the wind. When the Tree element is out of balance the body is stuck or stagnant, the tree is brittle & inflexible in the wind, branches may snap or the roots may be pulled up. 

    Shiatsu massage works to balance the energy in the body. It can give the client back the flow & fluidity that they may have been missing. When the energy flows better then the mind & emotions also flow & adapt better. I get comments from clients that they feel they have options after having Shiatsu, they are more focussed & motivated, they have their drive & determination back. When you have these things you can make decisions with more ease, you can take steps to make changes & you can feel more relaxed & at ease in general.

    If you would like to know if Shiatsu massage may be able to help support you then do get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page. I’m always happy to talk Shiatsu! 

  • How does Shiatsu massage differ? Exeter, Devon 

    How does Shiatsu massage differ? Exeter, Devon 

    I get asked, quite often, how Shiatsu massage differs from other forms of massage. It’s both hard & easy to answer this question! It is difficult to really know what people’s experience of massage is, as there are so many different types & different practitioners, so it’s hard to compare. It is easier to explain what Shiatsu is…..

     Shiatsu is a hands-on therapy that originates from Japan. It uses Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) & touch as it’s forms of diagnosis. It works to balance the energy in the body, using the same pressure points & meridians (lines of energy) that Acupuncture & Acupressure use. It uses a lot of massage techniques, palming, thumbing, rotations & stretches. The whole body is worked. It can help with physical, mental or emotional issues or concerns. 

    The big differences to massage (ones I’ve had anyway) are:

    • Shiatsu is given on a futon mat on the floor
    • It is always given through clothes
    • It is never the same, it is tailored to that client, on that day
    • It can be quite physical, when appropriate, with stretches & rotations of joints

    If you would like to know more about Shiatsu you may want to visit the Shiatsu Society website.

    I have a Facebook page for details of events & offers.

    You can have a look at the other pages on this site, where there is information & photos.

    You are welcome to get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page with any questions or queries – I’m always happy to talk Shiatsu.