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 Lockdown 2.0 – Exeter, Devon

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Here we go again. A month of lockdown – lite I guess. Still isolating and difficult for a lot of people. Still lots of adjusting and processing to be done.

We are lucky here in Exeter, Devon as there is easy access to beautiful countryside. It’s still difficult not being able to socialise and see family and friends.

I am offering a few different Shiatsu based services over this month. Basically if you need support I am here.

I am offering online Shiatsu support sessions. These are by donation and are about talking through things that are on your mind, along with suggestions for diet, exercise and lifestyle changes.

I’m also going to create weekly videos – one Thursday – of Shiatsu based exercises that may help support you.

The first video is one full of exercises to support the Lung energy in the body.

The video is on my Facebook page – it seems it is too large to download onto here.

Have a go at the exercises and let me know how it goes. For those of you still working maybe the weekend is a time to try this?

Please do get in touch if you feel the need to. Email amyhinkswright@yahoo.co.uk. Mobile 07791 070837

Take care and see you next week

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 and Business as Usual

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I have come to enjoy airing the Shiatsu Shed between appointments. Watching the curtains move in the breeze and observing the quick shift in energy in the room brings me a deep level of satisfaction.

There is no denying that there is more work to be done – to keep my practice Covid safe. I’m not so keen on the vast amount of washing, so I make the most of the airing.

As best as possible it is business as usual now. The kids go back to school next week and there will be space, for the first time in six months.

I can begin to see more clients and focus more on my beloved Shiatsu business.

I have really appreciated the loyalty of my clients, calling to come back before I was even allowed to begin practicing again.

I have all the extra measures in place to ensure the space is as safe as possible. Plus I have worked hard to keep a relaxing and supportive environment.

So now back to it!

Xx

Shiatsu Therapy in Exeter, Devon

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I am very lucky to be able to give Shiatsu as my job. It is a pleasure to support clients who are looking to make positive changes to their health or wellbeing.

I am loving being back after a lengthy period of time off due to the Covid-19 lockdown.

I have been booked up but now I have a little space available. So if you have been reading my blogs and are considering booking a Shiatsu with me this is your chance.

To discuss how Shiatsu might help you and to book contact me on 07791 070837.

Xx

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 Therapy in Exeter, Devon

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I’ve been quiet on the blog for a while – what with the uncertainty and consistently-changing goalposts around Covid-19 on top of it being the school holidays – it has been hard to find any sort of consistency or focus.

However now I have more space and time to get back to a more straightforward work schedule. I am seeing all my regular clients and picking up the therapeutic and transformative work we were doing before lockdown.

I am really lucky to have a lot of clients who put their hand up and say ‘I am ready for change.’ They are open and willing to accept the bumpy and winding path towards positive health and wellbeing.

I have managed to strike a balance between a support and therapeutic environment and a Covid safe space I have extra measures in place, in line with government guidance. I am doing a lot of washing! Everything gets washed after every treatment so I am confident there is little chance of contamination.

I have adjusted how I work – treating clients mostly on their sides or lying on their fronts and avoiding skin on-skin contact. These changes don’t affect the overall treatment but do help to avoid the risk of contamination. A win-win.

It is great to be back offering my form of Shiatsu – strong, connected, challenging at times, emotionally and spiritually aware plus I love to help ease shoulder and neck tension.

How it works is I send out a couple of documents with all the changes and measures I have put in place. This will give you time to have a read through and get in touch with any questions. When you arrive for an appointment it is pretty much how it has always been with just a few changes

If you are ready for change and committed to moving forward get in touch – amyhinkswright@yahoo.co.uk – 07791 070837.

X

Shiatsu and the art of Intuition – Exeter, Devon

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Yesterday I was watering the allotment. This involves carrying two watering cans, a fair distance, a number of times……

When I do this I think about my Shiatsu training and the idea of ‘coming from Hara.’ This is the abdominal area and all my movements when giving a treatment ideally come from this area.

Whilst training I remember trying to do every task from Hara – washing-up, gardening, hoovering – one fellow student even tried to brush her teeth from Hara 😁😂😁

Why is Hara such an important focus in Shiatsu?

In Shiatsu it is the centre of energy in the body.
In a treatment my energy flow is at it’s best when it comes from the Hara. This in turn helps the flow of energy in the client’s body.

It represents the ‘Intuition’ rather than the ‘analytical.’ In a treatment it is a grounded and quiet space. This helps the client to feel safe and secure. It also allows me to hear what treatment the body is asking for.

How is the Hara relevant to everyone?

Often in a treatment it becomes clear that either the client is caught up in their own thoughts – constantly using their analytical brain – or that their life demands they use their analytical brain a lot.

I often suggest to a client that sitting quietly and connecting to their Hara (their intuition) may help still their mind – and may also generate more energy across their whole body.

A good exercise to begin to connect with the Hara is to practice some deep breathing. Taking slow deep breaths right down into the belly area.

Also taking a moment to sit quietly before deciding on a decision. What is your ‘gut’ saying? What is the quiet, centred area of your body saying? What is your Hara saying?

This maybe useful as we head out of lockdown. There is likely to be more decisions to make – and maybe coming from Hara can help.

Xx

For more information on my practice you may like to head to my Facebook page – http://www.facebook.com/shiatsuinexeter

For more information on Shiatsu you may like to head to the Shiatsu Society page – http://www.shiatsusociety.org