Counselling & Shiatsu

Category: personal goals

  • Baby it’s Cold Outside! Shiatsu for warmth, Exeter, Devon

    Baby it’s Cold Outside! Shiatsu for warmth, Exeter, Devon

    Woweee it’s as cold as they said it was going to be – my the wind is bitter & the cold is so sharp it gets into the bones & the core of the body. It is showing up any old aches & pains & is so tiring, to get through the day & to keep the body burning enough to ward off the cold.

    I am in Exeter this week, giving warming & energizing Shiatsu & I still have some spaces available – on Wednesday & Friday. The Shiatsu Shed, the wooden cabin in my garden, is super cosy. I have plenty of heaters & an electric blanket so getting on the mat & under the blanket can feel like getting into bed.

    Shiatsu is a gentle hands-on therapy that looks to balance the energy in the body. It can create a warmth in the core of the body & help with circulation right to the extremities. It can support the body’s natural immune system, to ward off coughs & colds. Shiatsu can help with energy levels, providing more resources, to generate heat, & energy for movement, vital in this cold weather. It may also help to ease the aches & pains that show up in this bitter cold weather.This week I am at home in Exeter – if you would like a warming Shiatsu do get it touch through the ‘Contact Me’ page – I’m always happy to answer any questions too.

    Keep warm this week:

    • Wear an extra pair of socks & even a pair in bed
    • Wrap a scarf around your lower back – keeping your Kidneys & Sacrum warm
    • Make a warming cup of fresh Ginger, Lemon & Honey
    • Wear a good hat & scarf around neck & dropped to also cover the chest

    xx

  • Shiatsu for Joint Pain, Exeter, Devon

    Shiatsu for Joint Pain, Exeter, Devon

    The longer I practice & the more cases I see the more I believe Shiatsu is really helpful for joint pain. It can be good for any pain, providing some level of pain relief but also supporting the client with the mental strain & tension that comes from dealing with pain.

    I have had clients who have come to me because they suffer with pain in their knees, hips, shoulders, wrists & fingers. Clients have mentioned, after their treatment, that their pain is less for some time.

    Shiatsu is a gentle hands-on therapy that works to balance the energy in the body. By holding the joint, or on either side of the joint, Shiatsu can ease the discomfort. There doesn’t need to be stretches or rotations of the joints to give a result, very gentle massage can really help. Sometimes it is appropriate to involve stretches & rotations in the treatment, this can loosen a joint, again giving relief from the symptoms.

    Shiatsu is a very supportive & nurturing form of therapy & can allow the client to feel supported. They don’t feel so alone when coping with the emotional & mental strain of dealing with the pain. Clients have also mentioned that they feel some of the mental & emotional stress eases, thoughts seems to flow more easily.

    Shiatsu can help with energy levels. It can also provide deep relaxation & can aid healthy sleep patterns. Getting proper relaxation & sleep & feeling more energised can help a client feel better & allow them to make positive changes that may help with their health & any pain they are experiencing.

    I love giving Shiatsu & hearing the results from the clients. I’m also always happy to talk Shiatsu so do get in touch through the’contact me’ page with any questions.

    Like my Facebook page for info on events & offers.

  • Shiatsu for Relaxation, Exeter, Devon

    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. 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.

  • Love is in the Air – Shiatsu Massage – Exeter, Devon

    Valentine’s Day is nearly on us. I am offering 10% off gift vouchers purchased before the 14th February, for a Valentine. Deeply relaxing, nurturing & supportive Shiatsu treatments. 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 for Friends & Family – Exeter, Devon

    Shiatsu for Friends & Family – Exeter, Devon

    I use Shiatsu on myself, my husband & children regularly. Not just for relaxation, although it’s great for that. My boys are noisy, energetic & enthusiastic so sometimes it is hard for them to settle at the end of the day.  It is a pleasure to give them a Shiatsu & watch them visibly calm down, breathe more deeply & slow down.  They often talk to me after a Shiatsu, or we play quietly together.  They also sleep well.

    I use Shiatsu on myself to help when my mind is racing, I can slow myself down & think more clearly. I use it to help with digestion & menstruation. I have always suffered with painful periods & uncomfortable digestion, I can manage both a lot better with Shiatsu. I also use Shiatsu to support my motivation & mood.  I have in the past become stagnant & stuck in a rut but now I cam more adaptable & flexible & can make changes with more ease.

    Obviously I am a fan of Shiatsu, I studied it for 3 years, alongside full-time work.  I can also pass on tricks & tips that I have learnt to help other people support their health & the health of their family.  I often give recommendations at the end of a session, lifestyle & diet options.  I also offer ideas of stretches or exercises that may help support their condition, complaint or their well-being.

    I can offer longer Shiatsu appointments, at my home practice in Exeter.  These can include a full Shiatsu treatment plus guidance on ways to support you & your loved ones.

    I’m off to stretch now, to help my circulation & to aid my sleep tonight. xx

  • The Shiatsu Shed – Exeter, Devon

    It was a cold, dark day in Exeter today but the Shiatsu Shed was warm & cosy. 

    I really enjoyed giving Shiatsu in out wooden cabin, it’s perfect for  a relaxing treatment.

    As the wood warms it creates a really pleasing wood smell & feels like a light, warm, tranquil space.

    I feel really lucky to be able to work in it, & it’s just a step out of our house.

    I offer Shiatsu in the Shiatsu Shed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays.

    I’m always happy to talk Shiatsu so do get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page. 

  • Shiatsu in the Winter – Exeter, Devon 

    Shiatsu in the Winter – Exeter, Devon 

    We are having quite a winter, so far. It was so dark & cold today, just right for staying indoors, for resting, for hibernating.

    Chinese medicine suggests this is exactly what we should be doing at this time of year. Reserving our energy, our vital energy. If we work too hard & do too much through the winter months we use up our core energy & risk not having enough energy to make the most of the spring & summer.

    Shiatsu can help give a well-needed energy boost at this time of year. It can warm the whole body & get the energy & blood moving well. It can encourage deep rest, relaxation & sleep. All which can help manage in the cold winter months.

    I work in Exeter, in beautiful Devon. I can discuss the cost of a treatment if needs be, as January can be a tough month.

    You may want to check out my Facebook page. Also the Shiatsu Society website has information about Shiatsu as well.

  • Feeling stuck in a rut? Try Shiatsu – Exeter, Devon 

    Feeling stuck in a rut? Try Shiatsu – Exeter, Devon 

    Shiatsu massage can be a great support if you are feeling like you are stuck in a rut or you feel stuck where you are & have little options for change. Similarly it is a great support if you feel indecisive, if you can’t make a decision or have too many decisions to make.   

    These scenarios indicate a specific diagnosis. The meridians that are affected are the ones relating to the Tree element. This is one of the elements in Five Element Diagnosis, which is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, one form of diagnosis that Shiatsu massage uses. 

    The Tree element is in balance when there is a good flow & fluidity in the body. You can imagine a strong tall tree, that is secure in the ground, is rooted well, it also moves with ease when it is blown by the wind. When the Tree element is out of balance the body is stuck or stagnant, the tree is brittle & inflexible in the wind, branches may snap or the roots may be pulled up. 

    Shiatsu massage works to balance the energy in the body. It can give the client back the flow & fluidity that they may have been missing. When the energy flows better then the mind & emotions also flow & adapt better. I get comments from clients that they feel they have options after having Shiatsu, they are more focussed & motivated, they have their drive & determination back. When you have these things you can make decisions with more ease, you can take steps to make changes & you can feel more relaxed & at ease in general.

    If you would like to know if Shiatsu massage may be able to help support you then do get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page. I’m always happy to talk Shiatsu! 

  • Shiatsu for Anxiety & Depression, Exeter, Devon

    Shiatsu for Anxiety & Depression, Exeter, Devon

    Shiatsu is a gentle & supportive treatment therefore it can be really helpful in supporting clients who have stresses in their lives. At the very least a Shiatsu treatment is some ‘time out’ – a space away from life, there are no expectations or demands on the client.

    The session begins with a short diagnosis, which is a chance for the client to express their issues & concerns. Sometimes this diagnosis is almost as helpful as the treatment. Sometimes the client does not feel that they want to express verbally how they are feeling, they may only say very little.

    Shiatsu massage is very relaxing & can take the client to a place of deep quiet, some clients have said they experience a stillness or quietness, just some space to breathe & just be.

    Shiatsu allows people to feel their stress, anxiety or depression in their physical body. The massage can bring attention to feelings or emotions that the client was not aware they were holding. Sometimes verbal expression doesn’t have enough of an impact for a client, not helping them to find a way forward. Sometimes a physical therapy, like Shiatsu can help to unlock something for the client & they can begin to move forward. Sometimes a talking therapy needs to be used alongside.

    Shiatsu can also relieve tension & distress in the body, some clients have expressed sensations of ‘crawling skin’ being ‘constantly unsettled.’ Shiatsu can bring the body to a place of peace & with this can come a quietness of thought. Clients have also expressed that they have felt ‘right’ after a treatment, they have a flow that they felt they had lost. They have more energy to make changes. This again can help them begin to make steps forward.

    I work in Exwick, Exeter on Wednesdays & Saturdays.   I am always happy to discuss Shiatsu so please get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page.

     

  • Shiatsu & Sorting – a good Saturday, Exeter, Devon

    I did my usual Saturday morning of Shiatsu today, down here in Exeter, Devon. I love giving relaxing Shiatsu massage to people at the end of a busy week. Clients are generally cheery & already quite relaxed when they arrive, which starts the treatments off well.  I finish my morning’s work feeling energized & positive.

    I got home to find my eldest son wasn’t feeling great, it might have had something to do with the busy school trip yesterday. My husband headed out to exercise our youngest child, much like a puppy, young boys need a certain level of exercise & fresh air to feel relaxed in their bodies. Also, to be honest, our house gets wrecked pretty quickly if they have too much energy so we need them to get out & about. I was then stuck in the house energized & ready to do something positive, whilst our eldest took some well needed time out.

    Having young kids means various areas of our house have become dumping grounds, which we just haven’t had the time to clear or organise. The kids are a little older now however I am now working more so still not much time to get stuck in to anything but the daily household tasks.  Before I had a chance to think about how long a job it would be I began clearing the under the stairs cupboard. 

    Although it did take quite a bit longer than I had anticipated, & there were points where I wish I hadn’t started, it was such an incredible sensation of achievement, relief & clarity when I had finally finished. It reminded me that within the 5 Element system, one form of diagnosis used within Shiatsu, organising & sorting, cleaning & clearing can be really helpful & beneficial.  

    If you are struggling to have clear thoughts, they are muddied or keep being swayed by others then you may have a deficiency within the Metal element, of the 5 Element system. The metal element is about boundaries, being able to hold them or being too quick to let them go. It is about organisation or disorganization & it is it about clarity & pinpointed focus or unclear & inconsistent thought. So a little clearing & organising may help, maybe not a massive undertaking like sorting a pit of a cupboard, but just sorting a drawer or a kitchen cupboard, filing a little paperwork or even just writing a to do list. 

    Another good thing to do for a metal deficiency can be cardio exercise, getting air into the lungs, so a brisk walk or even a run up & down the stairs. It depends what exercise you are used to taking,  it’s good to start off with a small amount just to expand the lungs a little. You could even do the hovering, a bit of cardio with a little organising & clearing! The aim isn’t too push yourself, it’s not to get fit or loose weight, it’s about waking up & feeding the Metal energy in the body.

    Following my Shiatsu & Sorting today I did find I had clarity of thought, good focus & drive. I have managed to get a fair few more jobs done, written a list planning next week & generally got myself a little ahead of the game. Good old Metal energy. 

    If you would like to know more about 5 Element Diagnosis or Shiatsu, if you feel you may have a Metal deficiency or you’re wondering if Shiatsu may be able to help you then do drop me a message.  You can do this through the ‘contact me’ page. I’m always happy to talk Shiatsu.