Shiatsu and Counselling- Exeter, Devon

Leave a comment

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

Shiatsu and Lockdown 2.0 – Exeter, Devon

Leave a comment

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

Hello Monday- Autumn is here!

Leave a comment

We’ve woken up to a misty, cool air morning here in Exeter, Devon. Autumn is definitely here and I am looking forward to seeing what patterns occur in my Shiatsu treatments this week.

There are particular Meridians – lines of energy- that relate to each season. When the seasons change often the focus of my treatments changes too.

Autumn is the time that relates to the Lung and Large Intestine Meridians. This is the time to let go and move on.

Both these Meridians are related to the element of Metal. They are around the emotional issues of grief and personal boundaries, along with clarity of mind.

To get going this week – and to get going with Autumn – below is a stretch for the Lung and Large Intestine Meridians. To begin to get into the feel and idea of the Autumn energy.

As with all stretching go gently, listen to your body, don’t push it and warm up and warm down.

Great Shiatsu stretch for Autumn

These two Meridians also enjoy cardiovascular exercise- so get out in the fresh air for a walk. Doesn’t have to be long or fast, choose your pace, listen to your body.

You may also want to do some cleaning and organising (you are not obliged to!) Getting things organised or scrubbing your cupboards is in time with the Metal element and these Meridians.

Have a good week whatever you are getting up to. I’m always here for advice on individual exercises and recommendation.

Xx

Shiatsu Therapy in Exeter, Devon

Leave a comment

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

Leave a comment

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

The Shiatsu Shed, Exeter, Devon

Leave a comment

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

Shiatsu for Mothers – Exeter, Devon

Leave a comment

Mother’s Day is coming up and I wanted to take the opportunity to write about my own mum. The photo below shows her, on the floor, helping my young son cause chaos.

What the picture doesn’t show is the support and willingness mum always has to help me achieve yet another crazy idea. This photo was taken at, one of many, DIY birthday parties. The type of party that take lots of preparation, lots of helping hands and lots of tidying up.

Mum is great at organising and helping out wherever. she generally ropes her partner in as well. On this occasion they not only help with set up and tidy up (which by the way took ages) they also made jacket potatoes, beans and cheese for a dozen or so children and their adults! It was a cold January day and the kids were still little, good food made for a happy and relatively calm party.

  • My mum goes along with any of my crazy plans!

Mum is genuinely supportive and generous whenever possible. Although I am an only child she has always been a support to my friends and other children in our lives. These kids know they can rely on her and her problem-solving practicality, now they are adults, they can discuss with her about any situation they find themselves in.

Now she is on serious granny duties, supporting and caring for my two energetic and rambunctious boys. She is again a consistent support to them, they know she will help them practically but also that she accepts them completely. My boys are so comfortable and relaxed around their granny and it’s a joy to see what they get from her and also what joy she gets from them.

Although the times are a little uncertainty right now I wanted to remember Mother’s Day and put a massive shout out for my mum. Amazing support, wisdom and care. Thanks xx

I am offering gift vouchers for Mother’s Day. They can be purchased before Mother’s Day, sent out, dropped through a letter box or sent electronically. Vouchers can be in any denomination.

Shiatsu is a very supportive, nurturing and relaxing treatment – so perfect to treat a well deserving mother or grandmother. It can also be very invigorating and energising, can help with sleep and rest and can ease tension and stress.

Have a look at the pages on this website for further information on Shiatsu and my practice in Exeter. To purchase gift vouchers either head to the ‘Contact Me’ page or call 07791 070837

Shiatsu Therapy, Exeter, Devon

Leave a comment

So what is Shiatsu? How does if work?

A client once said ‘It’s not like any massage I’ve ever had.’ It does use massage techniques but is always given through clothes. It is also given on a futon mat on the floor, although can be given on a couch or chair.

Although it isn’t a talking therapy, psycho-therapy or counselling it can release held emotions, traumas, stresses and strains from the body.

Shiatsu is body-work, most definitely and although it comes at things from a different angle to physiotherapy or sports massage, it can still help ease pain and increase mobility.

Shiatsu is energy work. Although it is different to Reiki and other forms of healing it can still help build the levels of energy in the body. Shiatsu can help with the balance of mind and body and spirit.It is an unique form of hands-on therapy that can provide balance in the body. Whether the clients concerns are physical, emotional, mental, spiritual or a bit of all of them, Shiatsu has the ability to re-balance the energy and ease the symptoms. It can be good for aches and pains, for stress and anxiety, for sleep and relaxation.

It is a pretty physical form on therapy, with some great stretches and rotations. Obviously it is only as physical as appropriate for each client. It is a little like Thai or Yoga massage but looks to work the Meridians, lines of energy, that Acupuncture and Acupressure use.

Maybe you have tried various forms of massage and other therapies, Acupuncture, Reflexology for instance. If what you have tried hasn’t scratched your itch, as it were, then you may want to try a session on Shiatsu with me.

I am interested in providing a space for my clients that is safe – where they can feel and express in anyway they want to. Clients have their own stories and journeys and generally want to move on, away from physical issues or leaving behind past habits or upsets. I look to support them to do this by bringing their attention to their bodies, where and how is the body holding trauma and what touch provides relief or release.

I work in Exwick, in Exeter, just behind Exeter St. David’s train station. I offer appointments on most days of the week and I have evening appointments available.

Check out my Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/shiatsuinexeter

Have a look at the Shiatsu Society Website http://www.shiatsusociety.org.uk

Thanks for reading

Shiatsu for Mum’s, Exeter, Devon

Leave a comment

I have recently worked with a couple of mums who have really benefited from their sessions of Shiatsu with me.

Both women are just into their 30’s and have at least 3 children each.  They have both just had another child and were really feeling the strain of their expanded family.

Both women are incredibly independent and  the type of person people will come to for support and nurture. This was adding extra strain to their lives.

Both were finding their bodies weren’t recovering from the birth of their child as quickly as they had hoped.  They had physical pain in the pelvis and lower back.  Both had began their menstrual cycle quickly after the birth and this was causing mental distress and physical pain.

They were also carrying a large amount of physical tension in their upper back, shoulders and neck, from busy lives, physical jobs, carrying babies and children.

The shock for them was that they weren’t able to push through like they had previously been able to.  This affected them both physically and mentally.  It also brought up emotionally distress, both present and historical.

Gentle and supportive Shiatsu gave them the space to relax and rest. Just lying on the futon mat on the floor, on which Shiatsu is given, was a relief for them.

Shiatsu helped their bodies re-balance after giving birth.  Their physical and mental symptoms began to ease.

The Shiatsu strengthen the weaker areas; pelvis, lower back and eased the areas of tension; shoulders, neck.

They expressed that they felt more themselves and that they could go with the flow more easily.

They had better energy levels and were able to manage the full-on physicality of their busy lives.

They came weekly and began to see big changes after two Shiatsu sessions. When working with anyone who is under strain I like to work weekly if at all possible. I would then hope to extend the space between sessions until the client is only coming two or three times a year for on-going support.

A session of Shiatsu is an hour long with 45 minutes of hands-on work.  The rest of the hour is used for a short consultation at the beginning and time at the end to ‘wake up’ from the Shiatsu. I charge £40 a session but cost can always be discussed.

I work in a really love space in Exwick, Exeter.  We have a wooden cabin in the garden, it is solid wood and provides a clean and natural environment to enjoy this unique therapy.

I offer Shiatsu appointments on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.  I have evening appointments available.  As well as Exeter I have pop-up clinics in Dawlish and Exmouth. Watch out for dates for these two places.

I have loads of photos of Shiatsu here and these are a great way to get an idea of what a treatment involves.

If you wanted to know more about Shiatsu have a look on the pages on this site or head to the Shiatsu Society website for their info.

I’m also happy to answer questions so do call me on 07791 070837 or email me on amyhinkswright@yahoo.co.uk

xx

 

Shiatsu Awareness Month

Leave a comment

September is Shiatsu Awareness Month. The Shiatsu Society are promoting this amazing hands-on therapy with information about how it can support & help clients.

I have only managed one event this September, to promote Shiatsu, but I am always happy to talk about it, discuss whether it may be of help & to answer any questions. You can contact me through this site or on 07791 070837

Xx