Counselling & Shiatsu

Category: Dawlish

  • 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. 

  • Self Shiatsu, Exeter, Devon 

    There are 6 stretches that relate to the meridians, lines of energy, that are worked on in Shiatsu massage. These stretches can be done away from a Shiatsu session. It’s great to do them daily, they stretch the meridians, bringing energy to places where there is little & loosening tightness & stagnation in other areas. 

    As the stretches are done its important to remember to:

    • Gently warm up before & down after 
    • Listen to your body, be kind & don’t push to hard
    • Take a few breathes in each pose
    • Feel how your body reacts to each pose, tight, loose, easy, tough
    • If the pose feels good stay for a couple more breathes 
    • If the pose feels less good come out after a few breathes
    • Do each pose twice, feel the difference the second time

    I am always happy to show how the stretches go at a Shiatsu massage session.

  • Shiatsu for digestion, Exeter, Devon 

    Shiatsu for digestion, Exeter, Devon 

    Shiatsu aims to rebalance the energies in the body & this can be really helpful for people who suffer with issues with their digestion. When the body is balanced & the energy is flowing well the digestive system works well, the movement of food & liquid is smooth & happens with ease.  

    When the energy is low or stagnant, when there is an imbalance, the digestion system can be easily affected. Maybe there isn’t enough energy to fully break down or move the system along, maybe there is too much energy & there is a tightness, blocks or stagnation. 
    When I have given Shiatsu to clients with digestive problems they have said that the issues have eased or have been relieved & this has happened quite quickly. Shiatsu can get the bodies natural flow & rhythm balanced, so that symptoms are relieved & systems in the body work better. 

    If you would like to know if Shiatsu could be of help to you or if you have any questions please get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page. 

  • Shiatsu Shed, Exeter, Devon 

    The shed in our garden is up! As soon as possible I will be offering Shiatsu massage in this beautiful solid wood cabin. It is going to be the perfect space to rest & relax, to re-balance & heal. It also means that I will have more flexibility of when I can offer Shiatsu. My aim is to offer a few days & a couple of evenings each weekend in Exeick, Exeter.

  • Shiatsu for tension & stress, Exeter, Devon

    Shiatsu can be great at relieving tension & stress in the body. As it is given, generally, on a futon mat on the floor & always through clothes it can be quite a physical form of massage therapy. There can be, when appropriate, great stretches & rotation of limbs & joints, relieving tensions held by the body. Shiatsu is also given when the client is in various positions, including on their side, this allows the shoulders to be worked on & areas of the body to be early focussed on. 

    Shiatsu works on many different levels, physical, mental, spiritual & emotional. The body holds a physical memory of our lives, stresses & strains. Sometimes the tension is relieved by working with the emotional connection to it or the mental strain that has helped cause the tension. This working on different levels can sometimes unlock tension & stress in the body when a solely physical approach is not enough.

    Shiatsu massage is also a gentle form of hands-on therapy. It can help release tension in more delicate areas, such as the neck. Shiatsu works with the the quiet areas of the body, the areas where there isn’t much energy, sometimes these are the weaker areas. By working these areas first the body can be more responsive when working the areas where the tension is held. Shiatsu massage aims to balance the body & when this begins to happen the weaker areas can feel stronger & the tight areas can feel more relaxed.

    Any questions you have please get in tiuch through the ‘contact me’ page. I’m always happy to talk Shiatsu. 

  • The Shiatsu Shed, Exeter, Devon

    Excitingly I will soon be giving Shiatsu at home. We have a shed being erected today & tomorrow. It is a beautiful real wood cabin & feels like its going to be perfect for giving relaxing & healing Shiatsu. It also means I will be able to offe Shiatsu on more days through the week. Can’t wait! 

  • Shiatsu for sleep, Exeter, Devon

    Shiatsu for sleep, Exeter, Devon

    Shiatsu is a form of massage, a hands-on therapy. It can be helpful for a lot of different issues & conditions & it can really help support people who have a struggle or issues with sleep. 

    Shiatsu massage is a relaxing & satisfying treatment that can give a sense of deep rest & relief whilst it is given. It is space away from every day life, a chance to lie down, breathe & be still. Along with being relaxing Shiatsu can be quite a rigorous form of hands-on therapy, when appropriate. The body is moved, stretched & joints are rotated. This can give a sense of space in the body, it can feel like the body is back to the size it should be, instead of compacted from holding the stresses & strains of daily life.

    Lack of sleep can affect every part of someone’s life, the body holds whatever tension is felt emotional or mentally. The aim of Shiatsu is to balance the body & this can ease tensions, physical, mental, emotional or spiritual. This relief can allow clients to sleep with more ease, whether it be getting to sleep, staying asleep or having restful & re-energising sleep.  

    Have a look on the other pages on this site for more information about Shiatsu massage. Please feel free to get in touch to discuss, details on the ‘contact me’ page.

  • Shiatsu for well-being, Exeter, Devon 

    Shiatsu is a form of hands-on therapy which is relaxing & enjoyable to receive. It can help balance the body, relieving tension & aches & pains. Shiatsu can also help with emotional & mental issues or concerns.

    I have a number of clients who come for Shiatsu massage because they appreciate the support it gives them in keeping themselves well, healthy & happy. A common comment I get is that it is nice to be stretched by someone else. Clients may practice yoga or other forms of daily exercise, but it is more satisfying for someone else to stretch your shoulders or rotate your hips. The stretching helps to release tension & pain & allows the body to feel spacious & more flexible. Clients also comment that they have more focus & direction after their Shiatsu treatments. They find they acheive things with more ease, they over-think or worry less. Their emotions feel more balanced

    & their bodies more relaxed.

    I work in Exeter, Devon. Contact me through the ‘contact me’ page.