Shiatsu, Exeter, Devon

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Good Monday Morning! How is your week shaping up?

I am ready to get into a week of Shiatsu treatments, in my special treatment space – know fondly as the Shiatsu Shed!

Shiatsu works on many levels so I get to work with a lot of different clients…..those with pain and physical concerns, those with stress and anxiety, those with fatigue and sadness.

I love that Shiatsu meets the client where and how they would like to be met.

Along with being a physically satisfying experience it can be nurturing, supportive and transformational.

I have watched my clients take control of their situation – be it a bad back, chronic fatigue or a bad life situation – and start to make steps towards a healthier space.

I am looking forward to another week or being in the privilege place of supporting and facilitating people’s journeys.

Shiatsu and Counselling- Exeter, Devon

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So this photo is me walking to my course – 4 weeks to go till the end of year one. Feels like yesterday that I was starting out…..

I have learnt so much, about another therapeutic way to support people, about myself.

It has informed and deepened my Shiatsu practice. My Shiatsu has informed and supported my way of being whilst learning.

I am looking forward to next year when I begin my practise hours but not looking forward to my last essay and prepping for my competencing to practice test.

Here’s to new things – new challenges – shifts and changes – endings and beginnings

Xx

Warming Winter Shiatsu, Exeter, Devon

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The cold weather is upon us. The body is working harder to keep the circulation and energy following and to keep warm.

It can be that this season shows up the imbalances in our bodies, more aches and pains, more breathless, more tired for instance.

Shiatsu is all about ‘the flow,’ looking to balance the energy and open the Meridians (lines of energy) across the body. This relieves symptoms and releases tension, allow the body to work a little less hard.

The space where I work is a very nursing, cosy and warm space that supports the body on this weather.

You may find me, between sessions, making the most of the space. The electric blanket is on warming my clients (and me) through!

If you’re looking for ways to support yourself and your body a good way to start is to consider the kidneys. The burners of the body, if they are working the rest may well work too!

So keep your midriff warm. Drink warming fluids, ginger and turmeric for instance. Try out some Kidney Qi Gong execises. Listen to your body, rest, sleep, reflect and meditate. And of course Shiatsu is he ultimate reboost so have some treatments to warm up and rebalance.

Xx

Trying Shiatsu for the first time

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It can be hard to describe Shiatsu to someone who has not had it before.

Shiatsu isn’t like the type of massage that most people think of. There are no oils and Shiatsu is given through clothes and on a futon mat on the floor.

I’ve heard it described as Acupuncture without the needles. Shiatsu does use the same Meridians (lines of energy) and pressure points as Acupunture. However a Shiatsu treatment uses massage techniques to work the whole meridian and pressure points.

Reflexology and Zero Balancing have a similar feel to Shiatsu. They are different, obviously, but there is a gentle subtleness in all these treatments that can create powerful results.

Someone once said Shiatsu is like Reflexology for the whole body. And another said it’s energy work, like Reiki, but different!

The major comment I get after someone has had a Shiatsu for the first time is how satisfying it is. It is a joy to have physical work done on one’s body, including stretches and rotations on tight, stiff joints.

Every Shiatsu practitioner is different. I offer a very supportive and welcoming practice. I work a lot with the emotional aspects of physical issues and support people looking to make change in their lives.

My Shiatsu can be quite physical, when appropriate. I enjoy working the neck and shoulders and easing the tension and stress people are holding.

I offer 1 hour appointments which include at least 45 minutes hands-on work. There is a quick consultation at the beginning of the session and a little time at the end for coming round from the treatment.

I am always happy to talk Shiatsu and some clients like to discuss the treatment in advance.

However the only way you’ll really know what it is like is to try it out – so why not give it a go?!

Shiatsu, Anxiety and Feeling Off Balance

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2020 has been a year to test us all. So many changes and uncertainties – and it doesn’t look like it’s going to ease up any time soon.

It’s not a surprise that many people are feeling off balance, stressed and anxious. The pandemic has affected everyone’s personal life in some way, be it concern for one’s self or a family member’s health, financial difficulties, work uncertainties or excessive work and stress.

A lot of my work is supporting people through tough times – helping them manage symptoms of anxiety, along with stress and depression at times.

Shiatsu is a naturally supportive therapy and I’ve created a safe and secure environment. It’s a space where clients can connect to their feelings and concerns without any pressure or expectation.

Here is the story of one of my recent clients Shiatsu journey.

The client was feeling anxious a lot of the time and suffering with panic attacks. This in turn was negetively affecting their appetite, with lack of nutrition the mental distress became worse and the cycle continued.

The client arrived for their first session of Shiatsu in a heightened level of anxiety.

I worked on balancing the energy in the body, supporting a good flow throughout. I worked on calming and supporting the central nervous system and settling the mind.

After the first session the client’s anxiety levels were more manageable. Although they still had some panic attacks they were much less frequent.

I continued to support the flow of energy in the body, along with boosting their energy levels and settling the mind and nervous system.

After two sessions the client’s anxiety was completely manageable. Then after a couple more sessions the panic attacks eased completely.

I also focused on the client’s digestive system which now works more smoothly and appetite levels have become consistent. I suggested probiotics to support the gut. With weight gain and better digestion the client feels calmer and in control of their situation.

Throughout the process we looked at gentle exercises and life-style changes that would support a calmer mind and body. For instance I suggested walking barefoot outside, a great grounding exercise, bringing energy and attention away from the mind.

At the moment I am offering normal Shiatsu sessions with at least 45 minutes hands-on work. I have extra measures in place, following government guidance, to ensure my practice is Covid safe.

Right now I’m also offering face to face appointments with no hands-on work – a Shiatsu support session. These sessions are for exploring a client’s anxiety and why they feel off balance. They involve discussion and then suggestions of exercises and lifestyle changes that may help alleviate symptoms.

If you are feeling nervous about getting close to others then a face to face support session may work for you.

If you are self-isolating, or want to stay at home, but still need support then I am offering video Shiatsu support sessions. These, again, involve a discussion and then suggestions of self-shiatsu that may help, along with suggested exercises and lifestyle changes.

I am able to create individual videos for clients, showing exercises and Shiatsu points that may help them specifically.

I take great pleasure in watching clients begin to be back in control of their emotions and their situation. Then there are more possibilities and options open to the client and change can take place

If you would like to know more about how Shiatsu maybe able to support you then get in touch. 07791 070837 amyhinkswright@yahoo.co.uk

Shiatsu Support for Anxiety, Stress and Depression – Exeter, Devon

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My clients come for Shiatsu for all number of reasons; tension, chronic pain, injuries, back issues, big life changes; emotional issues.

I enjoy working with all conditions and concerns and love my clients for taking responsibility for their health and coming for healing treatments.

The biggest percentage of clients who come to me are suffering from either Anxiety, Stress or Depression. For whatever reason their mental health is out of balance and they feel unsettled and out of control of their mental and emotional being.

A lot of these clients come through word of mouth. I have had some really positive outcomes and those clients suggest to others in a similar situation to try Shiatsu.

I have suffered with Depression, Anxiety and Stress, to varying levels over my life. I have natural compassion and understanding of those with these conditions.

Each Shiatsu therapist is different, enjoying working different areas, complaints or conditions that interest them most. I enjoy supporting people to manage and move on from their emotional difficulties.

The Shiatsu I offer is emotionally sensitivity, I am able to sense the emotions of a client in their body. This allow me to identify them for the client, working to release them physically and mentally, both with hands-on work and verbal discussion with the client.

Shiatsu has a framework that allows me to coach an individual on diet and lifestyle changes, helping them support themselves between treatments.

As a hands-on therapy Shiatsu can help a client understand how their emotions affect their physical body. This can help them gain perspective and move forward away from their emotional distress.

I feel so privileged to be able to facilitate people to make positive changes to their health and well-being. Lucky me!

Xx

Shiatsu in the Shiatsu Shed – Exeter, Devon

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I have finally had some photos taken of me giving Shiatsu in The Shiatsu Shed –  the space where I practice.

Lumbar support work – for back ache and boosting vital energy
Working the occipital ridge with client in side position- to ease tension in the head
Working the upper and middle back – to help with back ache, tension and flow of energy
Loosening tension in the neck and head with client in the seated position

You can see more photos of me giving Shiatsu treatments on this page Photos of Shiatsu

The Shiatsu Shed, Exeter, Devon

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Really missing my job now. I have enjoyed making the most of the family time but the longer the lockdown goes on the more I am missing what giving Shiatsu gives me.

Whilst supporting clients to work towards their own health, happiness and wellbeing I also get a chance todo this for myself. I am missing being part of the therapeutic journey.

I also have a quiet, calm and special place to practice. Fondly nicknamed (by me) as the Shiatsu Shed. It is actually a shared space, with many husband who practices meditation teaching in there too.

At the moment the Clematis is blooming beautifully outside the window. This is one of my favourite times to practice Shiatsu as I can catch a glimpse of this beautiful plant through the window. The Shiatsu Shed is a great place to practice, even in the rain or cold. I even gave a Shiatsu whilst a thunder storm took place above.

It is a special place to provide a safe and secure environment for healing to take place. I can’t wait to get back in there. Hoping it won’t be long until I can get back into the flow. Until them I’ll make do with watching the Clematis.

Xx

Anxiety, Stress and Depression Support – using Shiatsu-in Exeter, Devon

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Come on let’s talk about these things. Stress, Anxiety and Depression are discussed more openly these days but it still seems that they are still, at least a little, taboo. In the 10 years that I have been practicing Shiatsu mental strain, Stress, Anxiety and Depression seem to have become more prevalent, I am treating more clients with these types of concerns.

To me it’s not a surprise. I have many clients who come to my Exeter practice and talk about their busy lives. Inevitably they have too much to do, are juggling numerous different priorities and are not getting anywhere near enough personal time. They find themselves spending the little precious time they have in their heads, trying to fathom out how to get out of their current situation.

Work seems to be a big factor in the pressure and stress that people feel in their lives. Jobs are more about targets and financial restrictions that supporting individual workers. Clients often express feeling out of control, trapped, hurt and deeply affected by decisions made in their workplace.

There are many ways to support Mental Health issues, meditation, Mindfullness, taking time out, counselling, cognitive therapies. Shiatsu is one way that someone with Stress, Anxiety or Depression can find support, relief and solutions.

Shiatsu is a supportive and safe form of hands-on therapy. It is always given through clothes, which often eases any fears or concerns about having therapeutic hands-on work. It originates from Japan, so has an Eastern ethos and theory behind it. The treatment looks to balance the energies in the body, to ease ailments, concerns or issues. It is gentle and nurturing but can be more physical and dynamic if appropriate.

Gentle and Supportive Neck and Face work, to ease Tension and Stress

Shiatsu may help to relieve and ease feelings of Stress and Anxiety and may lighten low moods and Depression. It provides deep rest and relaxation, aiding better sleep and softer more flexible thought patterns. It can also provide a sense of support and space, a chance to feel exactly how you feel and maybe let go of some of the mental burden.

What makes Shiatsu different is that the work is totally centered on the body, the tensions and stresses that it holds. When balanced with Shiatsu the body can feel relief, relaxation and release, the mind and emotions can follow what the body does. This can provide the client with a sense of being back in control of themselves, rather than at the mercy of their feelings. With this sense of control comes opportunity, to make changes or take steps forward in their lives.

I would hope Shiatsu would provide some sense of relief and relaxation within a session or two, along with better sleep patterns, if this is out of balance. Then would look at regular Shiatsu treatments following on, to support the body’s balance. The regularity of these sessions would depend on the individual situation. I always work to expand the time between sessions, as quickly as possible, until the client has Shiatsu just a few times a year.

Firm but supportive Pressure, allowing tension to release and be relieved

I have given Shiatsu, here in my Exeter practice, to a number of clients with concerns around Anxiety, Stress and Depression, along with many other issues and concerns. I feel confident working in this area and enjoy watching the positive changes that clients are able to make in their lives.