Shiatsu and Chronic Fatigue, Exeter,Devon

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I have been working a lot with people with Chronic Fatigue, post viral fatigue, long Covid, Fibromyalgia and MS like symptoms.

It is often sad and sometimes heartbreaking to hear the limitations that conditions involving fatigue have put on clients lives.

Clients have often got very good at pacing – managing their time and tasks. They have learnt what exercise works for them.

But they are often fed-up. They’ve had enough of managing. They may feel frustrated or even angry.

Shiatsu, in my experience, can really help people’s energy levels and start to get them feeling more like themselves. They don’t need to work so hard at everything and can begin to plan and see beyond the relentless pacing and managing.

It’s really cool watching people feeling mentally happier and physically stronger.

Shiatsu is a really subtle, but pretty powerful form of therapy. It may feel like not much is happening in a treatment but by balancing the energies in the body Shiatsu can relieve symptoms and boost energy levels.

Do get in touch if you’d like to discuss further. Contact me through the ‘contact me’ page or email amyhinkswright@yahoo.co.uk

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

Self Care Shiatsu – Exeter, Devon

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Shiatsu is a nurturing and supportive form of therapy. It is a relaxing and enjoyable form of hands-on therapy, a form of massage through clothes. Shiatsu is also great for providing a structure of support for oneself.

In my Shiatsu treatments I nearly always provide recommendations to he client. These maybe around diet or lifestyle and can help the client support themselves between treatments.

I use Shiatsu to support myself and my family. It can be great to calm and ease distress for the kids. It also provides a structure for me to care for myself.

I have designed a course that introduces the principles of Shiatsu, so it can be use on oneself and on one’s friends and family. The course also introduces concepts within Shiatsu that can allow a great self care routine to happen.

If we don’t care for ourselves how do we care for those around us. If we actively take time to experience how we are and where we are we can gain perspective on our situation. With mindful care of ourselves come changes and personal growth. This benefits us but also those around us.

The next Shiatsu Self Care course is on Sunday 26th January. Details of the course can be found here

Shiatsu and Sleep Disorders, Insomnia, Night Fears – Exeter, Devon

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Being a parent and having been through those early years I am aware of the affect of sleep deprivation. I also have some sense of how unsettling it is to lose your own personal sleep rhythm. I have experienced simply surving through the day time, work, home responsibilities, thinking straight, staying awake! Lack of sleep or other sldeep disorders are not funny.

When I have worked clients with sleep disorders, such as insomnia or night fears, there is often a sense that the body is unsettled. Often the client feels like they are on alert at all times.

Generally there is an emotional or mental strain behind the lack of sleep; caring for another, stress or anxiety, personal trauma. This isn’t always the case, there is generally always an imbalance of some sort though.

Shiatsu is essentially energy work and looks to create balance and calmness in the body. This balance can ease the alertness and stress the body and minds feels and can allow the client to relax more. With that relaxation and release can come better sleep patterns.

To really get positive, healthy sleep habits a number of Shiatsu treatments may be required. Each session will build on the previous ones, helping the body to become used to the suggested new habits of calmness and relaxation.

Clients express that they often slept weall the night if the Shiatsu treatment and that they sleep more after each treatment. Night fears have become less frequent for one client, who is more able to wake from them if they do happen.

Shiatsu has been shown to help with sleep disorders. To find out more about Shiatsu and myself have a look on the pages on this site or head to my Facebook Page

Here’s to a good nights sleep tonight.

Xx

Shiatsu Therapy, Exeter, Devon

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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

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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

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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

Shiatsu in Exeter Devon

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I write a lot about what Shiatsu is, trying to describe what it is & what it is actually like to have a treatment. There are pages on this site describing Shiatsu & my background so go check those out if you want to know more about this incredible form of therapy.

Today I thought I’d talk about what Shiatsu means to me. I didn’t realise the effect Shiatsu would have on me personally when I started the three years of training. I changed jobs, homes & relationships & have found myself in a much more real & honest place. I feel more happy & content now than I ever have done.

I feel more connected to my body & how it is reacting to what is happening around it. I also feel more connected to the Seasons & to nature, following the natural flow of things. I feel I can get focused & centered in a way I never could before. I have much better self support practices & this allows me to support clients & those around me with gentle kindness.

I feel very lucky to practice this hands-on therapy as my job.  It doesn’t feel like work. I get so focused on what I can feel as I work on a body that the sessions fly by. I also love holding the space for a client, a healing space to feel safe & to be however they want to be.

Shiatsu is a very clever therapy in my opinion. It bypasses the analytical thought process & accesses feelings & emotions through how & where they are held in the body.  Shiatsu can provide release & relief of physical & emotional tensions.  Often because the tension felt has an emotional aspect to it, that has led to the physical holding.

I like seeing the results that clients experience. I have seen it help with chronic pain, with stress, with Sciatica, with knee & other joint issues. I love the fact that it works well with physical, emotional & mental issues. It holds a client in a particular way, it meets the client how they need to be met.

It is such a privilege to be a therapist for people, it is a very personal relationship & I take it seriously. I am so grateful to be part of someone’s healing journey.  Shiatsu has an ability to raise energy levels & allow clients to make changes that they would like to make. It has allowed them to see options & opportunities where previously they have felt stuck, or at the mercy of their condition or complaint.

I use Shiatsu on a daily basis, on myself & my family. I support my kids with digestive issues, when they are distressed, if they can’t sleep, if they have a temperature. I help family members with Arthritis & pain, with mental strain & tiredness.

I work in a lovely space in Exeter which I feel works perfectly for Shiatsu. We have put up a real wood cabin in the garden, it’s a sanctuary but still in Exeter. I work here most days of the week & offer evening & weekend appointments.

xx

 

Shiatsu for Sleep issues, Exeter, Devon

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If you suffer from fatigue, insomnia, or any sleep or energy related issues you may want to try Shiatsu. This gentle but powerful hands-on therapy looks to balance the energy in the body, to re-balance the body.  When the body is in balance sleep can come more easily, energy levels can be higher & the body clock is more settled.

There are a number of things that are worth trying if you suffer with sleep or energy levels. There are the more obvious things; cutting out caffeine, cutting down on sugar & alcohol, eating earlier in the evening, staying away from screens near to bed time.

Shiatsu is based in Traditional Chinese Medicine. (TCM) This provides further suggestions that may be of help; meditation, eating fish & sea vegetables, sitting & stillness, some cardio exercise.  It is possible to give individual lifestyle & exercise recommendations as part of a session of Shiatsu.

Shiatsu may be able to help. A session is an hour with at least 45 minutes of hands-on work. At the very least Shiatsu provides a space away from daily life, it is a chance to relax, or at least feel how that may feel! It is deeply relaxing & allows the body & mind to rest but it is also energizing & can leave the client with higher energy levels.

Shiatsu is also a very supportive & confidential space where it is completely OK to feel how you feel & be how you want to be. This can provide a sense of relief & release alongside a sense of being held & supported.

Clients have mentioned that they have felt a buzz after a treatment that has lasted for sometime.  They have had deeper sleep than normal, they have change the times that they wake, they have woken less regularly.  They have felt less fatigue & mental strain.  They have felt mentally able to manage their situation more, make changes or achieve what they would like to with ease.

I’m always happy to talk Shiatsu so do get in touch with any questions or queries, if you would like to know more or would like to discuss if Shiatsu may be able to help you.

I work in Exwick, Exeter & also in Dawlish & Exmouth. I offer appointments most days, some evening & Saturday appointments.

xx