Counselling & Shiatsu

Category: relaxation

  • 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! 

  • September Shiatsu – Exeter, Devon 

    September Shiatsu – Exeter, Devon 

    So this month started with a great Shiatsu event – a colleague & myself gave lots of Shiatsu massage tasters at the Exeter Green Fair on Saturday. It’s always an interesting event, with lots of thought provoking stalls, & is set up right on the cathedral green in Exeter city centre. 

    The following day I was supposed to be giving Shiatsu at the St. Thomas Festival, also in Exeter. The weather was ridiculously English, with heavy rain, wind & low temperatures all day. It was not a day that anyone would hang around for a massage so I chose not to attend. Sad as I have attended a lot of years of this great community event. 

    These two events signify the end of the Summer & the beginning of the Autumn for me. We are on full back to school mode in this house & I’m starting to focus on work a bit more again. It’s hard to multi-task work & the school holidays & I am looking forward to some time to focus specifically on work.

    I am also excited as my youngest son will go to pre-school more & I will be offering more availability – Tuesday afternoons to begin with & in time Friday morning’s. I will still offer Wednesday appointments including early evening appointments.

    The new found focus has also affected my husband & I’s drive to get the ‘Shiatsu Shed’ finished & I hope that I will be offering Shiatsu in the solid wood cabin in our garden in the next month – watch this space.

    I am always happy to talk Shiatsu so do get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page or call me on 07791 070837

  • Shiatsu massage tasters today – Exeter, Devon

    Shiatsu massage tasters today – Exeter, Devon

    10-4 today my Shiatsu colleagues & I will be offering tasters at the Exeter Green Fair.

    Come & find us amongst all the great stalls, on Exeter Cathedral Green.

  • Weekend of Shiatsu Massage – Exeter, Devon 

    Weekend of Shiatsu Massage – Exeter, Devon 

    Two events this weekend – in Exeter – where you can get a taste of what Shiatsu massage involves – for a small payment.

    Saturday we will be at the Exeter Green Fair – more details here

    Sunday we will be at the St. Thomas Festival – more details here

    Come and try out a Shiatsu massage – if you’ve not had one before or if you want to see how I give Shiatsu (every practitioner differs a bit.) Or just come & say hello.

  • Shiatsu Event this Sunday – Exeter, Devon 

    Shiatsu Event this Sunday – Exeter, Devon 

    I’m going to be giving Shiatsu massage tasters again at the St. Thomas community festival in Exeter. I will be there just on the Sunday, with my lovely colleague, so hopefully plenty of opportunity to get a quick Shiatsu taster.

    More details of the event can be found here

    It’s a sweet festival with good music, lots of things for the kids to do, nice things to eat & plenty of stalls to wander around. 

    Do spread the word & maybe see you there if you fancy it – come & say hello & get a relaxing but invigorating Shiatsu massage taster.

  • Shiatsu on Saturday, Exeter, Devon

    Shiatsu on Saturday, Exeter, Devon

    I’m going to be giving Shiatsu massage tasters at the Exeter Green Fair on Saturday. 

    More details of the event can be found here

    Please spread the word & maybe see you there.

  • What To Expect From A Shiatsu Massage – Exeter, Devon 

    What To Expect From A Shiatsu Massage – Exeter, Devon 

    Shiatsu is a form of hands-on therapy. It is generally given on a futon mat on the floor & the client is fully clothed. It uses a lot of different massage techniques & can be quite a physical form of massage when appropriate. Shiatsu originates from Japan & uses the same points & lines of energy in the body that Acupuncture & Accupressure use.

    The aim of a treatment is to balance the energies in the body. With this balance can come a relief from symptoms. It is also a very relaxing & satisfying form of massage therapy.

    A session lasts an hour with 40 to 45 minutes of actual hands-on work. There is a short consultation at the beginning to discuss the client’s health & wishes for the treatment.

    Shiatsu is different every time, it is based on how the client is right then, that day, that hour. It is tailored specifically to their needs.

    I offer Shiatsu massage in Exeter, Devon. I work part-time, I look after my two young boys as well. I work Wednesdays & Saturdays at present but in the Autumn I will be offering other days.

    I am always happy to talk Shiatsu so feel free to get in touch through the ‘contact me’ page.

    Have a Look on my Facebook page or the pages on this site for more info. You can also go to the Shiatsu Society page for more info.

  • 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 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.