Counselling & Shiatsu

Category: massage therapy

  • Introducing Shiatsu to Devon! 

    Introducing Shiatsu to Devon! 

    I spent the whole day at a lovely fair in Budleigh Salterton giving tasters of Shiatsu massage today.

    Tasters are the perfect way to give people an idea of what a Shiatsu involves, particularly as it’s a very affordable way to get some massage. 

    Shiatsu is a powerful form of therapy & can have quite an effect in a short period of time.

    I really believe in Shiatsu, enough to complete the 3 years of training, so I love letting new people know about it.

    There were some great comments from people who had tasters, they felt relaxed but with more energy, their tension had eased dramatically, their pain had eased, they thought it was quite an amazing taster.

    A day like this is worth the hassle of trying to get out of the house, endless final kisses for the kids, lunches for everyone ready, everything I need for the day crammed in the car, only having to come back to get one thing I’d forgotten! 

    I felt so energised from the day that I whizzed through my chores when I got home & had plenty of energy to spend some fun time with my boys.

    I hope that the people I treated all went home with the energy to achieve whatever they wanted/ needed to do.  Got to love Shiatsu.

    Xx

  • Shiatsu Gift Vouchers – Exeter, Devon

    Shiatsu Gift Vouchers – Exeter, Devon

    Some of you maybe thinking Christmas already. I offer gift vouchers for Shiatsu massage – in both Exeter.

    The gift vouchers can be the amount of a full treatment or any other denomination.

    This means you could chose to treat someone to a relaxing but invigorating Shiatsu treatment.

    It also means if you love getting Shiatsu you can put it on your Christmas list, without asking for the full cost a treatment.

    Email me to arrange vouchers that you would like or add my website address to your Christmas list too. I can post out vouchers or send them electronically.

    If your not thinking Christmas yet apologies.

    Xx

  • Talking Shiatsu on the radio today

    Talking Shiatsu on the radio today

    I really enjoyed chatting Shiatsu on Bay FM today. I was asked to talk about it on the Sunday morning programme & although I was nervous I couldn’t miss the opportunity.

    I’m passionate about Shiatsu so I wasn’t going to miss the opportunity to get Shiatsu out there.  Once I started talking it was ok – I felt pretty calm as I could focus on the subject. 

    Also I used a Shiatsu pressure point, in the centre of the palm, to help stay calm. 
    The listen again should be available in a couple of days. I’ll put a link up when it’s ready.

  • Shiatsu & depression, Exeter, Devon

    Shiatsu & depression, Exeter, Devon

    Depression can affect a person’s whole life. It can feel like a lonely place with no way to talk to others. It’s can be like a frozen state, with no ability to see any options of how to feel better & no ideas of how to get out it.

    Shiatsu provides a safe & supportive space. Instead of the client having to think about how they feel, or think through ways to feel better, it’s possible for the client to just be. Shiatsu allows the client to feel how they are in their body, it by-passes the analytical.

    As is it a safe space the client can feel relaxed & allow tension & stress to release. This can relieve the mental strains & lighten the load.

    Shiatsu works to balance the energies in the body. When the body is balanced it can give a sense of relief & ease from symptoms. It can also provide the client with an energy boost which can give a sense of focus & drive & a clarity of thought.

    If you like to discuss if Shiatsu massage may be able to support you then do get in touch, details on the ‘contact me’ page. I am always happy to discuss Shiatsu & everything is fully confidential.

    I work in Exwick, Exeter. I offer day & evening appointments. I can offer home visits with diwcussion.

  • Shiatsu for Stress, Exeter, Devon 

    Shiatsu for Stress, Exeter, Devon 

    Stress can dramatically affect people’s lives & it is a hard thing to manage on your own. Shiatsu is a supportive form of hands-on therapy that may help with stress, anxiety & other emotional distress.

    At the beginning of a Shiatsu treatment there is a quick consultation, then as much hands-on treatment as time allows. There is little or no discussion whilst the treatment takes place, giving the client a chance to listen to their body, to feel where & how the stress is affecting them. As Shiatsu provides a safe & secure space, feelings, emotions, distress can be released, generally with a sense of relief or of positive release.

    Our bodies hold a physical imprint of the stresses & strains we experience in life, sometimes it is important to talk through these issues, sometimes it is helpful to just feel them & sometimes using a talking therapy alongside a hands-on therapy can be helpful. Shiatsu can involve a level of conversation if the client requests it, I have had clients who have found greater release in discussing what they are experiencing as the massage goes along.

    I have experienced clients build a sense of control & confidence after a few Shiatsu treatments. Instead of feeling that they are at the mercy of their condition or situation they feel they are taking action to make changes. Shiatsu is such a supportive therapy, they can build their confidence up knowing they have a space which is confidential & constructive.

    Shiatsu works to balance the energies in the body. As these energies come into balance there can be a greater sense of flow & movement in the body, mind & emotions. Clients have commented that they felt energized & revitalized after a Shiatsu massage. This new found energy, alongside a safe space, can allow people to feel confident enough to start making changes, break patterns & learn new ways to support themselves.

    If you are interested in discussing if Shiatsu may of help to you then do get in touch, details on the ‘contact me’ page. I’m always happy to talk Shiatsu. I work in Exwick, Exeter, in Devon.

  • Autumn Equinox & Shiatsu, Exeter, Devon 

    Autumn Equinox & Shiatsu, Exeter, Devon 

    Happy Autumn Equinox to you all!

    I find that these markers in the year a good opportunity to take some time out, to take stock of where I find myself, to evaluate my priorities & to decide my focus for the coming months.

    This is an interesting Equinox as it is the start of the days becoming shorter than the nights, the start of the darker part of the year. This could feel depressing & something not to look forward to. We are however in a part of the year that governs personal focus, organisation, drive & directness. This type of energy is around for this Equinox, & feels particularly strong this year. If we can harness this energy & be clear about our intentions & what we want to acheive we may find that we go into Winter with a more positive mindset.

    This time of year is also about harvest & storing for the colder months. This is a chance to nurture ourselves with sweet fruit & vegetables, all the squashes & apples are ready now. Beautiful slow baked butternut squash soup or a warm bowl of stewed blackberries & apples.

    So maybe a bit of nurturing, enjoying the fruits of the harvest & a bit of intention making for the next few months is in order for us all.

    If you feel It is hard to focus or find a sense of direction then you can always try a Shiatsu, similarly if you are dreading the darker months & need a mood-boost. I am always happy to talk Shiatsu so do get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page. I work in Exeter, in beautiful Devon

  • Shiatsu Shed Update – Exeter, Devon 

    A couple of months ago we had a beautiful solid wood cabin put up in our garden. One of the reasons for the shed is to provide a space for me to give Shiatsu massage. It is such a lovely, natural space, with the wood natural holding the sun’s warmth & providing a cosy & comfy environment.

    It has taken us a while to get all the jobs done, to get the shed Shiatsu ready. The end is in sight now – the electrics are in the carpet is chosen & the insulation & outside path are in progress. 

    I spent some time sitting in the space, I loved the peacefulness & sense of calm I experienced. I can’t wait to offer Shiatsu massage in it. I will be offering appointments every Tuesday afternoon, Friday morning & every other Wednesday. 

  • Shiatsu Massage & the Changing Seasons – Exeter, Devon 

    Shiatsu Massage & the Changing Seasons – Exeter, Devon 

    Wow so we find ourselves in September, already, & the weather seems to have a harsh lesson for us this year – enough of the Summer, welcome to cold Autumn. No Indian Summer, as yet, no gentle change in temperature, no final days of golden sunshine – just plenty of rain, cold temperatures & harsh winds – great!!!!

    This time of year relates to the Earth energy, within 5 Element Diagnosis. This is part of Traditonal Chinese Medicine & is used as a form of diagnosis within Shiatsu. The Earth energy is about gathering fruit & later crops, to begin to settle down into the Autumn & to store for the Winter.

    This year the energy seems different. It’s like we have missed a season & similarly have missed an Element within the 5 Elements. It feels like we have moved straight to the Metal element energy & bypassed the Earth energy. The metal energy is about letting go, about boundaries, about organisation & having things in their place.

    A lot of the clients I have seen recently have been showing an imbalance with their metal energy & I have been having quite a few conversations with people who are having to let go of big things in their lives. It seems a strong energy this year to let go of things & to adapt to quite big changes. It feels like the Metal energy is insisting that we shed & move on & prepare, already, for the upcoming Winter months.

    So how do we support our metal energy at this time – how do we feel alright about these changes?

    • Grasp the nettle & declutter – not all of it! Just have a go at clearing out a corner in your house or sort the piles of letters you have been ignoring!
    • Exercise to get going – no I’m not suggesting you start jogging or weight lifting! Wake the body in the morning – stretch the arms, open the chest, breath deeply, rub your limbs, your face & scratch your scalp. Don’t jump up & start the day, take a couple of minutes to wake the body up.
    • Get out in the fresh air – breathing the, at present rather fresh, air can help balance the metal energy, as can a bit of cardio exercise. A brisk walk, not for long, to open the lungs & energise the body & mind.
    • Then maybe think about what you want or need to let go of & what you really want to hold onto.
    • write a list, get some clarity & focus. This can work either way, you may feel you can’t let go or you may feel you can’t hold on, you may also feel a lack of clarity of thought, you don’t really know how you feel. Try to get your ideas down on a piece of paper as a first step.
    • Of course get some Shiatsu massage! Shiatsu is a safe & secure form of therapy, allowing you to feel how you feel without judgement or expectation. It can help rebalance the Metal energy in your body, removing fuzziness of thought, or fear of letting go or anxiety to hold on. It can help the flow of energy in the body which in turn helps the flow of thoughts & emotions. It provides time out from daily responsibilities & expectations, a quick breather, which can leave the client feeling relaxed but energised & ready to face the world once more!

    If you have any questions about Metal energy deficiency or whether Shiatsu maybe able to support you then do get in touch – through the ‘contact me’ page.

    I work in Exwick, Exeter, Devon.

  • Shiatsu & Reflection, Exeter, Devon

    Shiatsu & Reflection, Exeter, Devon

    I love living in Exeter but, as a family, we like to escape into the countryside as much as we can. Yesterday we headed down to the south Devon coast, even though it was a fairly inconsistent weather day. Breathing the sea air & watching my young sons running as fast & as far as they could on the windswept beach was a real pleasure. 

    It was a moment out of the daily grind, a chance to reflect on the life we lead, a chance to evaluate what is important to us. It also helped that there is little or no phone reception down there so I couldn’t worry about emails I might be missing or if someone was trying to call.

    I came home clear that we should spend as much time in nature as we can. I made a decision yesterday to carry my phone around with me less & to limit, even more than already, the screen time my children get.

    I love those moments where things seem clear & you have the focus & clarity to make decisions & changes. I have experienced these moments for myself, when I have had Shiatsu massage. I have also had clients who have found Shiatsu gives them space to reflect on where they have found themselves. They have been able to look at their situation from a distance, rather than feeling caught up in it. Then decisions & changes can be made.

    Shiatsu is great for focus & motivation, for drive & determination. Instead of feeling like achieving anything is a challenge things can begin to happen with ease & less strain.

    So note to self more trips out into nature & more Shiatsu massage! 

  • Shiatsu & the Emotions, Exeter, Devon 

    Shiatsu & the Emotions, Exeter, Devon 

    Shiatsu is a physical hands-on therapy but it can be really effective at supporting people on an emotional level. 

    Shiatsu massage is gentle but powerful, it isn’t analytical, you don’t have to think or talk through your feelings, it allows the client to see how they feel in their body. This at times can bring emotions to the forefront, it can allow reflection & or release. 

    When emotions or emotional memories come up Shiatsu provides a safe & secure space to feel them. Often a client feels a sense of relief, even if the emotion is a difficult one or is associated with a difficult time or situation.

    Today I decided that in each of my Shiatsu massages I would focus on using a ‘heart energy’ touch. This relates to 5 Element diagnosis, which is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine & is used within Shiatsu as a form of diagnosis. Each of the 5 elements has a type of touch that relates to it. Because I seen so much nurturing & love being given to the smallest children starting school, at my son’s school, this morning I thought the heart touch would be a good focus for the day. 

    This type of touch is nurturing & supportive, it is warming & comforting, it is un-judgemental & without demand or expectation. It is a great touch to allow the client to feel safe & secure, to feel comfortable with exploring what emotions they maybe holding in their body. 

    I had a special day of Shiatsu today, it is a privilege to be part of a healing process & to hold a space for people to get the support they need. I hope to have many more heart-felt, warm & kind days.