Counselling & Shiatsu

Category: energy

  • Shiatsu massage for motivation & focus

    Here we are again on a Sunday evening. Lots of us are running around preparing for Monday & the week ahead. I have chosen to take a break from the organising to write this blog! 

    Sunday evenings used to fill me with dread – the feeling used to creep up on me from mid morning, building to its strongest as I tried to get to sleep on a Sunday evening. I had a stressful & not particularly happy-making job. I had chosen to take the job so that I could make the move back to Devon from the Manchester area but the pay off was a long commute on slow, winding Devon roads & a job that was unthankful & relentless when I finally got there. The pay was ok & pretty good for Devon but I spent a majority of it on petrol & car upkeep, then had very little time to spend the rest of it in. 

    I was unsure how I would be able to change my situation, I couldn’t see any options & felt trapped. Sunday evenings were the worst. Not long after starting this job I began my Shiatsu training, the first few months of the 3 year diploma course that I completed in 2010.  I started to do energy work consistently for the first time in my life. I had done yoga & tai chi & meditation at times but I threw myself into my Shiatsu practice & the exercise & meditation to support it.

    I began to feel a fluidity that I hadn’t felt for a long time, I started to see options & opportunities to make changes. I began to feel healthy in body & mind & started to have more energy. I felt more focused & driven & able to take advantage of what opportunities life showed up. Within the first year of my Shiatsu course I had found a new, happier & lot less stressful job. I felt supported & respected by my employer. I did unfortunately spilt with my partner but actually this was a positive change, if not sad at the time.  I made new friends & found new interests.

    I really believe in Shiatsu massage as a form of therapy that can support people to make changes that they hope or wish to make. I have had clients who have felt stuck, who have then felt more movement & energy after their Shiatsu & have been able to implement changes in their lives. 

    If you are feel the ‘Sunday fear’ & feel it’s time to see if you can find a new path then maybe Shiatsu massage will be able to help. It can really transform lives. Get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page or my Facebook page. I work in Exwick, Exeter, Devon on Tuesday’s,  Wednesday’s & Saturday’s. 

  • Shiatsu event – North Devon – April

    Here’s a reminder that I will be at this event next month. Offering sessions of Shiatsu for just £15. 

    You can book in advance here North Devon Mind Body Soul Festival

     You can see more about the event here Facebook event

  • Shiatsu stretch for spring

    Following on from my blog yesterday, about Spring really starting to happen, here is a stretch which is really good for this time of year. It is a strong stretch so take it gently, listen to your body & only do what feels right. 

    Shiatsu has six stretches that support the twelve meridians, lines of energy in the body. Each stretch supports a pair of meridians, this stretch relates to the wood energy, within the 5 elements, the form of diagnosis that Shiatsu uses. There can be a tightness within these meridians that can make you feel inflexible. You can feel like you are unclear of what direction to take, or that you are unable to adapt emotionally to situations. You may get headaches or eye issues. Stretching is really helpful. It can get the flow of energy moving thriugh the meridians & can help you feel fluid on thought & emotion too.

    Here’s a photo of the stretch. 

    It is possible to do this stretch with only one leg straight & the other folded up. Also if you can’t reach your foot, don’t worry just go as far as is comfortable. Hold the stretch for a couple of slow breathes then repeat on other side. Rotations of the shoulders, back twists & inner thigh stretches are also good for these meridians. 

  • Shiatsu, the Spring & joint pain

    Today has been the first proper spring like day, down here in Exeter, Devon. It felt almost tropical (!) with a temperature of a staggering 15 degrees. Look I know that’s not hot but it’s a good 5 degrees warmer than the last few days.

    I have been confined to the house for most the week, thanks to a sick child, so stepping out today felt extra surprising. We headed to the allotment, which me & my boys love. Within minutes we were stripped to t-shirts, water fights were taking place & seeds were being planted. Happy Spring days.

    I am not as young as I used to be, I do generally keep fit & healthy. However my knees ached when I knelt over the strawberry patch, trying to weed. Also my shoulders & neck have been more stiff than usual recently & my hip felt sore as we walked home.

    I have noticed within my Shiatsu massage treatments that the meridians, lines of energy in the body, that relate to the Spring time of year, have started to be more present in a majority of my clients. It happens at the time every year & always takes me by surprise. It shouldn’t, I know, but my clients diagnosis changes, just for a bit around now.

    The meridians that relate to this time of year govern decision making, planning & plotting, they have symtoms including headaches, eye problems & sore joints! So no surprise that my joints ache more than usual then. 

    The spring energy is very strong & it is easy to get carried away in the excitement of some warm weather & more energy. Bit like my boys with their water fight, they soaked each other, ran around laughing then five minutes later they were both crying, cold & uncomfortable & upset with each other. Spring is the time for planning & planting ideas, not for trying to acheive too much. There will be warmer weather & longer days to do that, later in the year.

    If you think Shiatsu may be able something you’d like to try get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page. I work in Exeter, Devon on Tuesday’s, Wednesday’s & Saturday’s.