Counselling & Shiatsu

Category: exeter

  • Shiatsu & Springtime, Exeter, Devon

    Shiatsu & Springtime, Exeter, Devon

    Spring is a time of budding of opening of new life & new starts. This goes for us humans too, Spring is a great time for coming up with ideas & new ventures, for jotting down our dreams & aspirations. A time to enjoy our creativity & draw inspiration from the new life emerging around us. 

    Spring is the time of year that relates to the Wood element, within 5 Element diagnosis, which Shiatsu massage uses as one form of diagnosis.  If you imagine a tall, strong tree moving & swaying in the wind, this is the wood element in harmony. The body feels flexible & fluid. The mind & emotions are flexible & adaptable. Everthing happens with ease, joints move smoothly & the whole body is supple.

    When the wood element is out of balance you can imagine the tree in two ways. One, it is brittle & unflexible, unable to move with the wind, it is stiff & may break, or becomes rigid & stuck in one position. Two, it is too eager to grow & expand, it pushes itself higher forgetting its lower trunk & roots, it becomes thin & weak & can be pushed too much by the wind. Again it’s the same with our bodies, we can become inflexible, rigid with tension, we can become stuck in a rut. Or we can become too driven, push ourselves too hard, we can become driven by our emotions, become angry too quickly for instance. Often this also leads to a lot of tension, headaches & eye complaints. 

    How do we keep our wood energy in balance then? Well Shiatsu massage is a good way to start!! Of course I would say that right – so let’s come back to that. Here’s some tips that you can use on yourself at home. 

    1. Stretch every morning & night – just 5 minute if that’s all the time you have. Be gentle & don’t push too hard, listen to your body. Warm up before stretching. Work on your neck & shoulders & your inner thingh – all places where tension maybe found with excess wood energy.

    2. Massage your feet before bed – just 2 minutes is fine – relax & calm your body to get a good night’s sleep & bring your energy away from your shoulders & neck.

    3. Eat as little fried food as possible. This can really encourage the wood energy to stagnant, so leave it alone where possible.

    4. Eat your greens – not salad or stir fried greens – eat deep, dark, rich greens, steamed with a little soy sauce or sea salt. This supports the flexible & adaptable Wood energy.

    5. Meditate & rest when you can. Quiet, calm stillness builds Water energy & in turn this feeds the Wood energy.

    So back to Shiatsu massage. It can be great if you are feeling stuck or stagnant,  it can be great for tension or strain, Shiatsu massage can be a massive energy boost. It is a relaxing & enjoyable experience & afterwards you may feel invigorated, energized, more flexible & adaptable. 

    Similarly if you are feeling over-worked & stressed, like there is too much happening & you can’t settle, Shiatsu massage can be calming & centering. Bringing you back to a place where you can feel your roots & the strength in your trunk. Quietening the mind & emotions & giving some sense of strength in your core. Shiatsu works to balance the energy in the body, to get the tree strong but flexible as it were. 

    If you’d like to know more please get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page. There’s more info on th e other pages on this site too. 

  • Shiatsu for relaxation, Exeter, Devon

    Shiatsu for relaxation, Exeter, Devon

    Shiatsu massage is a form of hands-on therapy. It is deep & powerful but it is also extremely relaxing. It takes the body to a deeply calm & quiet place where the client has space just to be & to experience deep rest.

    Shiatsu works to create a sense of balance in the body. This sense of balance can help the body relax & feel at ease. Modern life creates so many stresses & strains & our bodies can become full of knots & aches & pains. Shiatsu massage can relieve these tensions, ease the tightness & stretch out the parts of the body holding all the stress.

    Shiatsu massage is also an invigorating form of therapy, it can feel like the body is re-awakened & has the energy is used to have. The body, mind & emotions seem to flow with ease & with this can come a sense of calmness.

    There is always a good amount of hands-on work in a session of Shiatsu. Enough massage to feel satisfied, well-worked & well relaxed. Shiatsu involves various massage techniques so it can be adapted to suit the individual. This can lead to lots of ‘that’s the spot’ moments & a deep & satisfying level of relaxation.

    If you would like to know more then do look at the pages on this site & feel free to get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page.

    Thanks for reading & I hope you have a relaxing evening whatever you are doing!

  • Shiatsu Massage Events Coming up, Exeter, Devon 

    If you aren’t sure what Shiatsu is, or if you’d like to see if my form of this massage suits you, then a taster session is a really good way to check it, & me, out. The next event I am giving Shiatsu at is Exeter Respect Festival. I’ll be there with colleagues on the the Saturday. To find out more about this incredible, free, event head to their website 

    We will be offering 30 minute tasters for just £10. 30 minutes is loads of time & will give you a really good idea of what Shiatsu is. 

    I have further events coming up too – a fair in Budleigh Salterton (more info to follow.) I’ll be doing shorter tasters here – 20 mins for £10 – still plenty of time to check out Shiatsu. Then in July my colleagues & me have another event in Exeter (again details to follow.) 

  • Shiatsu for tiredness & sleep, Exeter, Devon

    Shiatsu for tiredness & sleep, Exeter, Devon

    We have busy lives, try to pack in an awful lot, most of us are pretty tired a lot of the time. On top of that poor sleep or no sleep can heavily affect daily life, making it hard to function & achieve what needs to be achieved. It can affect a person’s mental state, causing depression, anxiety. It can affect self-worth & confidence & personal relationships.

    I have had clients who suffer from general tiredness & low energy. I have had clients who suffer with insomnia or sleep difficulties. Shiatsu can help settle the body, when it is in a state of distress. It is very relaxing & calming, it can take the client to a peaceful place. Shiatsu massage can re-energize & invigorate a client, giving them more energy & strength. Shiatsu works to rebalance the energy within the body & with this rebalancing can come relief from fatigue or tiredness. Sleep patterns may return back to more normal patterns.

    Some clients have expressed that they have found they haven’t had to push themselves to do things, they have had the energy, after Shiatsu massage, to just get on & do it. They have said they have more flow & fluidity, in their bodies, but also with their thoughts & emotions. 

    Because Shiatsu is a gentle, but powerful, form of massage it often works well for people who struggle with sleep. It can help to remind the body of how it should feel at night. Again clients have said they have been able to relax into sleep without working hard to do so.

    I work in Exwick, Exeter, Devon. It’s a lovely, quiet practice room. There is on street parking & it’s easily accessible by bus & train as well.

    Thanks for reading & hope you all sleep well tonight.

  • Shiatsu Massage for Injuries, Exeter, Devon 

    Shiatsu Massage for Injuries, Exeter, Devon 

    Shiatsu can be really good for supporting injuries, from accidents, falls, car accidents for Instance. Shiatsu is a form of massage therapy that has many different techniques, allowing the injury to be treated in a lot of different ways. It is possible to treat directly on the injury, with gentle general or specific pressure. When this is not appropriate work can be done either side of the injury, bringing focus, energy & healing through the injury. Similarly distal work can be used, points relating to but a way away from the affected area can be worked.

    If an injury has been sustained it is good to have Shiatsu massage as soon as possible afterwards. The quicker the injury is worked on the more likely it is to be eased. As time passes injuries become chronic & then it can take longer to see results. It is totally possible to work on chronic issues & our bodies hold a physical memory of what has happened to us I  our lives. 

    I have had clients who have come for Shiatsu massage as they have injuries sustained by a fall. I have had clients come for a frozen shoulder, due to strenuous work. Clients have injuries to their backs, due to the type of work they do. I have used different techniques to support these clients & have seen positive results.

    If you are interested in knowing more then do get in touch through the contact me page.

  • Get up & go – Shiatsu, Exeter, Devon

    Here’s a great stretch for mornings or when you need to get going & don’t fancy doing much! It fills your lungs with fresh air & is a good stretch for the whole body.

    Breathe in as you raise your arms to a comfortable height behind you. Always be gentle & never push to hard.
    Breathe out as you lean forwards, again being gentle – it’s not about going as far as you can it’s about enjoying the stretch, your breathe going out & the feeling of movement as the energy flows around your body. 
    This is a makaho exercise, they go alongside Shiatsu massage. They help stretch specific meridians, or lines of energy in the body, the same lines that Shiatsu massage works with. If you’d like to know more feel free to get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page. 

    Thanks for reading & a happy & calm day to all xx 

  • Shiatsu Massage – Exeter, Devon

    Shiatsu is a form of massage therapy that originates from Japan. Literally translated Shiatsu means ‘thumb pressure.’ 

    Shiatsu massage uses a number of different massage techniques including thumbing, palming, stretches & rotations of joints. It can be quite a strong & physical massage or a quite & gentle massage, it is tailored to the clients needs. 

    Shiatsu massage is given on a mat on the floor, it can be given in a seated position, or on a massage chair. It is always given through clothes. It is relaxing & also energizing. It is enjoyable & satisfying.

    Shiatsu massage is suitable for all & can be helpful for a whole number of complaints & issues. It is good for stress & sleep. I have had success with clients who have come with back, neck, hip & knee pain. I have had clients with chronic pain, emotional distress, headaches, Siatica, digestion issues & work stress. 

    A Shiatsu treatment is roughly an hour long, with a consultation at the beginning & at least 40-45 minutes hands on massage. I work in a quiet practice room in Exwick, Exeter, Devon. Do have a look at the other pages on this site for more information & get in tiuch with any questions. 

  • Shiatsu Event – June – Exeter, Devon

    Shiatsu Event – June – Exeter, Devon

    The year is whizzing by & before we know it, it will be June already. My colleagues & myself will be giving Shiatsu massage tasters at Exeter Respect Festival again. We are going to be in the healing area this year, which is a little away from the noisy main stage & community stalls. The tasters will be 30 minutes long, so not much less than a full treatment. 

    You can find more about the festival here

    It’s a free festival with so much going on & an amazing message behind it. It’s such a happy day & represents Exeter so well. Shiatsu massage fits in perfectly & is a great break from all the dancing, stall-wandering, chatting & fun

  • Shiatsu for well-being – Exeter, Devon

    Shiatsu for well-being – Exeter, Devon

    I have lots of clients who have come for a particular complaint, they’ve had an accident or sustained an injury for instance. Shiatsu can be great at relieving symptoms such as pain or discomfort. 

    I also have clients come for Shiatsu massage for their well-being. They are really good at looking after themselves, they have a healthy lifestyle, they exercise & eat well. They often practice yoga or qigong or meditate. They are looking for some outside support, they can do a certain amount themselves but they know when they need a little extra outside support.

    Shiatsu is great for an energy boost. It works to re-balance the energy in the body, this re-invigorates & re-energizes the client. Shiatsu massage can give a sense of flow & fluidity in the body, things that felt difficult to acheive before a massage can happen with ease afterwards. 

    A Shiatsu is a relaxing experience. It is time out, a chance to just lie & rest. Shiatsu is enjoyable, it is gentle but can be strong when a client suits it.  It can release shoulder & neck tension.  It can make the body feel stretched & loose. It reminds the body of how it should feel! There is at least 40-45 minutes hands-on massage in a treatment so plenty of time to breathe, rest & just be.

    I work in a quiet treatment room in Exwick, Exeter. It’s easy to get to me by car, bus or train. I work Wednesday’s & Saturday mornings. I’m always happy to talk Shiatsu so any questions get in touch, through the ‘contact me’ page.

  • Shiatsu for Pregnancy – Exeter, Devon

    Pregnancy is such a special time for a woman, it’s magical as the body does the most indredible things. Pregnant ladies get told they are ‘blooming’ & they do often look so well. There are times in most pregancy when it is difficult. Tiredness is a big issue, especially at the beginning. Most people are aware of morning sickness but nausea or sickness can be all day, & night, & sometimes for the whole pregnancy.

    A woman’s body generally knows what it’s doing & often when giving a Shiatsu it is just supporting what the body is doing. Sometimes the body needs more help. Sickness can be eased & tiredness can be limited with Shiatsu massage.

    Sometimes the body struggles physically & needs help with flow of blood & fluids, to ease swollen ankles for examples. The pelvis takes a lot of weight as the pregnancy goes on, it is pressed down & the small joints in the pelvic area begin to ache or hurt. Shiatsu can be really helpful for relieving pain & supporting the pelvis so that it can withstand the weight.  The body can be affected in many ways as so much space is taken up by baby, reflux & heartburn can also be eased with Shiatsu massage.

    Shiatsu massage can also be used to jump start labour. Induction treatments can be arranged when full term has been reached. Shiatsu can also be used to turn the baby if they are in a difficult position for birth. In labour Shiatsu can be helpful with a lot of things, exhaustion, pain, quickening the Labour. 

    For pregnant women Shiatsu can take place at any time. Some women chose to wait until 12 weeks before they have Shiatsu massage. Generally I give Shiatsu at my practice in Exwick, Exeter but home visits can arranged for later pregnancy.