Shiatsu and the art of Intuition – Exeter, Devon
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
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
Self Care Shiatsu – Exeter, Devon
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
Modern Day Priorities, Shiatsu in Devon
Down here in Exeter, Devon we have had a strong reminder of modern day priorities. A new IKEA has opened in the town & boy do we know about it. The build up has been immense, & the hype has been unbelievable. IKEA were able to show films inside, the general very sacred, Exeter Cathedral, they have put furniture on the high street & rowed a viking long boat down the river Exe. You can’t say their publicity hasn’t been top notch. Local press have been advising people to plan their journeys as the traffic to IKEA is going to cause delays!
Over the past few days I have found myself repeating ‘it is only a shop’ a lot. It has been a strong reminder of the values we seem to have in this society, we value the ability to purchase products, particularly at a reasonable price with some style it seems.
This blog isn’t a rant it is an expression of the sadness I feel with the loss of contact with nature & the world around us. Also the lack of value of our inner world, the peace & calm we can find within. Generally our society doesn’t value self-care & support much either. We are always on the move, with something to get done or somewhere to be, no time to rest, just be, meditate or take care of ourselves.
The people that I meet who are most at peace with themselves aren’t thinking about when they can next go shopping. These people are giving space & time to themselves. I treat a couple of therapists who use Shiatsu as a support tool for their own healing & development.
Shiatsu allows me to reconnect to what is important to me & to be quiet & still for a time. In a Shiatsu session I create a space that is quiet & still & allows the client to just be, to rest & to heal. The space can create time away from modern day expectations & demands, stresses & strains. A chance to get back to what our personal priorities are.
xx
Shiatsu For All – Exeter, Dawlish, Exmouth, Devon
Shiatsu is a gentle & supportive form of hands-on therapy so it suitable for any age . It can be given to children & they often lap it up. I have given family sessions, where the whole family has a treatment. These can be given as a home visit, which is agreed through discussion.
It is very accessible. It is generally given on a futon mat on the floor. I also have a couch & a massage chair so if the floor is difficult then there are other options. Shiatsu can be given with the client lying or sitting in any position, allowing the client to always be comfortable. It always given through clothes but still provides a strong connection & satisfying massage.
Shiatsu provides a safe touch, which allows the client to quickly drift into a deeply relaxed state. As it is a safe & secure form of therapy it can allow a client to explore their emotional or mental balance, feeling this through their bodies rather than thinking or talking it through. This can allow tension caused by stress, depression or anxiety to be released.
Shiatsu is tailored to suit that client on that day, which can make it a satisfying form of therapy, meeting the client how they want to be meet. It is a gentle but powerful form of therapy, although it can be more physical when appropriate, including stretches & rotations.
Shiatsu uses the same Meridians (lines of energy) in the body that Acupuncture uses. We also use the same pressure points on those Meridians. We use massage techniques to work the Meridans & points to help the body to regain balance. When the body is in balance symptoms can ease, energy levels can rise, stress & anxiety can fall away, sleep can become deeper & healthier. The body can feel like everything is working as it is supposed to, there is more flow & fluidity physically, mentally & emotionally.
Shiatsu in Dawlish
I love my new work space in Exeter, just a step out of my door & into ‘The Shiatsu Shed,’ a solid wood cabin. However I also love where I work in Dawlish. I am lucky enough to work with a team of talented & enthusiastic therapists in Dawlish.
The space is called ‘The Studio.’ It is right next to a stream & you can hear the relaxing & soothing water from the treatment space. The Studio is really close to the town centre & is next to a carpark.
I now work in Dawlish every other Friday & offer appointments from 10am. If you are interested in booking in Dawlish then do get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page.
Shiatsu for Relaxation, Exeter, Devon
Having a Shiatsu treatment is relaxing in itself, it is an hour of time out, no expectations, no demands, no responsibilities. It is a gentle hands-on therapy that is tailored to suit that person on that day at that time. This can make it a very satisfying form of therapy, finding the places on the body that want to be worked & then working them in the way they want to be worked.
Shiatsu can support with physical issues but it also good at tackling emotional or mental concerns. There is a short consultation at the beginning of the session & then the rest of the time is hands-on work. Shiatsu allows the client to feel how they feel, there is no need for discussion, although this sometimes takes place. Allowing the client to feel the tension in their body can provide release or relief, from physical tension but also held emotional & mental tension.
The relaxation felt in a treatment can stay with a client for sometime afterwards. Release from tension can make things feel easier, physical effort & also emotional & mental thought can flow with more ease & fluidity. Everything just happens more easily. Shiatsu can also help with energy levels & aid sleep, also providing an ability to relax more easily.
I work in Exeter & Dawlish. In Exeter I have a wooden cabin in the garden, which provides the perfect environment for a relaxing & energising treatment.
Do get in touch through the ‘Contact Me’ page – I’m always happy to talk Shiatsu.
Shiatsu & Well-being – Exeter & Dawlish, Devon
Shiatsu is a gentle form of hands-on therapy. It is based in Traditional Chinese Medicine & uses the same pressure points & Meridians (lines of energy) as Acupucture. It uses the 5 Element diagnosis system, an Eastern, holistic form of understanding the body, mind & spirit.
Shiatsu also uses touch as a form of diagnosis, the practioner follows what they feel, or what they pick up, as they move around the body. Shiatsu is always tailored to that client, on that day, so every treatment is different. It can be a quiet & holding treatment &, when appropriate, it can be a more physical & energetic treatment.
Because of its approach Shiatsu is a very supportive therapy & can help with well-being & energy levels. It meets the client how & where they want to be met, it can meet them on a physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual level. Shiatsu works to balance the energy in the body, when there is balance there can be relief from symptoms & a sense of wellness.
I am offering tasters at an event on Sunday – a good opportunity to try this relaxing yet energising therapy out. The event is in Broadclyst, near Exeter, from 10.30 till 4.30. More details can be found on my Facebook page.
Love is in the Air – Shiatsu & Natural Face Lift Massage – Exeter & Dawlish, Devon
Valentine’s Day is nearly on us. I am offering 10% off gift vouchers purchased before the 14th February, for a Valentine. These vouchers can be used for Shiatsu or Natural Face Lift Massage. Both these treatments are deeply relaxing, nurturing & supportive. They can help with energy levels & release tension & stress. So I reckon they are a perfect Valentine’s present.
I can send vouchers out electronically so still plenty of time to get them arranged. Do get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page to arrange.
If you are interested in finding out more about Shiatsu then have a look at the pages on here. I have a Facebook page where I post details of events & offers. You may also want to check out the Shiatsu Society website for more information on Shiatsu.
Shiatsu by Amy 