Counselling & Shiatsu

Category: health

  • How does Shiatsu massage differ? Exeter, Devon 

    How does Shiatsu massage differ? Exeter, Devon 

    I get asked, quite often, how Shiatsu massage differs from other forms of massage. It’s both hard & easy to answer this question! It is difficult to really know what people’s experience of massage is, as there are so many different types & different practitioners, so it’s hard to compare. It is easier to explain what Shiatsu is…..

     Shiatsu is a hands-on therapy that originates from Japan. It uses Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) & touch as it’s forms of diagnosis. It works to balance the energy in the body, using the same pressure points & meridians (lines of energy) that Acupuncture & Acupressure use. It uses a lot of massage techniques, palming, thumbing, rotations & stretches. The whole body is worked. It can help with physical, mental or emotional issues or concerns. 

    The big differences to massage (ones I’ve had anyway) are:

    • Shiatsu is given on a futon mat on the floor
    • It is always given through clothes
    • It is never the same, it is tailored to that client, on that day
    • It can be quite physical, when appropriate, with stretches & rotations of joints

    If you would like to know more about Shiatsu you may want to visit the Shiatsu Society website.

    I have a Facebook page for details of events & offers.

    You can have a look at the other pages on this site, where there is information & photos.

    You are welcome to get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page with any questions or queries – I’m always happy to talk Shiatsu. 

  • Shiatsu event – Saturday 15th July – Exeter, Devon 

    Shiatsu event – Saturday 15th July – Exeter, Devon 

    A week today a colleague & myself will be at the Exeter Lions Centenary Gala Day – giving Shiatsu tasters for £5 & £10. The event is in Priory Park, Mount Pleasant, Exeter. The park is near to the city centre & there is on street parking. It sounds like there will be lots of stalls, activities & live music. 

    A taster is a perfect way to try out Shiatsu, to see if you like it & whether it has an affect on you. In just 10 or 20 minutes you can get a really good idea of what this form of massage is like. 

  • Self Shiatsu, Exeter, Devon 

    There are 6 stretches that relate to the meridians, lines of energy, that are worked on in Shiatsu massage. These stretches can be done away from a Shiatsu session. It’s great to do them daily, they stretch the meridians, bringing energy to places where there is little & loosening tightness & stagnation in other areas. 

    As the stretches are done its important to remember to:

    • Gently warm up before & down after 
    • Listen to your body, be kind & don’t push to hard
    • Take a few breathes in each pose
    • Feel how your body reacts to each pose, tight, loose, easy, tough
    • If the pose feels good stay for a couple more breathes 
    • If the pose feels less good come out after a few breathes
    • Do each pose twice, feel the difference the second time

    I am always happy to show how the stretches go at a Shiatsu massage session.

  • Shiatsu event, Exeter, Devon 

    Shiatsu event, Exeter, Devon 

    On July 15th a colleague & I will be offering Shiatsu tasters at the Exeter Lions Centennial Gala Day. This event is in Priory Park, in the Mount Pleasant area of Exeter. We will be offering taster sessions for just £5 & £10. More details of the event can be found here.

  • Shiatsu for digestion, Exeter, Devon 

    Shiatsu for digestion, Exeter, Devon 

    Shiatsu aims to rebalance the energies in the body & this can be really helpful for people who suffer with issues with their digestion. When the body is balanced & the energy is flowing well the digestive system works well, the movement of food & liquid is smooth & happens with ease.  

    When the energy is low or stagnant, when there is an imbalance, the digestion system can be easily affected. Maybe there isn’t enough energy to fully break down or move the system along, maybe there is too much energy & there is a tightness, blocks or stagnation. 
    When I have given Shiatsu to clients with digestive problems they have said that the issues have eased or have been relieved & this has happened quite quickly. Shiatsu can get the bodies natural flow & rhythm balanced, so that symptoms are relieved & systems in the body work better. 

    If you would like to know if Shiatsu could be of help to you or if you have any questions please get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page. 

  • The Shiatsu Shed, Exeter, Devon

    Excitingly I will soon be giving Shiatsu at home. We have a shed being erected today & tomorrow. It is a beautiful real wood cabin & feels like its going to be perfect for giving relaxing & healing Shiatsu. It also means I will be able to offe Shiatsu on more days through the week. Can’t wait! 

  • Shiatsu event, 15th July, Exeter, Devon 

    Shiatsu event, 15th July, Exeter, Devon 

    Not long now until my colleague & I will be giving Shiatsu tasters at the Exeter Lions Club Centenial Gala Day. The event is in Priory Park, Mount Pleasant, Exeter. It look like it is going to be a great community event with lots of stalls & things to do. We will be giving Shiatsu tasters for just £5 or £10. 

    As I get more information on this event I will post it up, in the meantime get the date in your diary. Shiatsu is suitable for everyone & if you’ve never had it before this is a great way to try it out. 

  • Shiatsu for sleep, Exeter, Devon

    Shiatsu for sleep, Exeter, Devon

    Shiatsu is a form of massage, a hands-on therapy. It can be helpful for a lot of different issues & conditions & it can really help support people who have a struggle or issues with sleep. 

    Shiatsu massage is a relaxing & satisfying treatment that can give a sense of deep rest & relief whilst it is given. It is space away from every day life, a chance to lie down, breathe & be still. Along with being relaxing Shiatsu can be quite a rigorous form of hands-on therapy, when appropriate. The body is moved, stretched & joints are rotated. This can give a sense of space in the body, it can feel like the body is back to the size it should be, instead of compacted from holding the stresses & strains of daily life.

    Lack of sleep can affect every part of someone’s life, the body holds whatever tension is felt emotional or mentally. The aim of Shiatsu is to balance the body & this can ease tensions, physical, mental, emotional or spiritual. This relief can allow clients to sleep with more ease, whether it be getting to sleep, staying asleep or having restful & re-energising sleep.  

    Have a look on the other pages on this site for more information about Shiatsu massage. Please feel free to get in touch to discuss, details on the ‘contact me’ page.

  • Shiatsu for well-being, Exeter, Devon 

    Shiatsu is a form of hands-on therapy which is relaxing & enjoyable to receive. It can help balance the body, relieving tension & aches & pains. Shiatsu can also help with emotional & mental issues or concerns.

    I have a number of clients who come for Shiatsu massage because they appreciate the support it gives them in keeping themselves well, healthy & happy. A common comment I get is that it is nice to be stretched by someone else. Clients may practice yoga or other forms of daily exercise, but it is more satisfying for someone else to stretch your shoulders or rotate your hips. The stretching helps to release tension & pain & allows the body to feel spacious & more flexible. Clients also comment that they have more focus & direction after their Shiatsu treatments. They find they acheive things with more ease, they over-think or worry less. Their emotions feel more balanced

    & their bodies more relaxed.

    I work in Exeter, Devon. Contact me through the ‘contact me’ page.

  • Shiatsu Massage for Hips, Exeter, Devon 

    Shiatsu massage can be helpful on many different levels, emotional, mental, spiritual & physical. I have found that it has given clients relief from issues with joints, particularly with hips. Shiatsu can be quite physically manipulative, which can work well for hip joints, as they are so large. Ir can also be very gentle when required & still have good results. 

    Shiatsu massage has been able to give relief from Sciatica to some of my clients. It has helped with tight hips & stiffness. It has become clear with some clients that they hold emotional tension in their pelvic area & this has released for them.

    Please get in touch, through the ‘contact me’ page,  if you have any questions or if you would like to discuss if Shiatsu maybe able to help you.