Shiatsu in the new year

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Happy New Year everyone. I’m back giving Shiatsu after a quiet winter break

I hope for balance this year – juggling priorities is not my favourite pastime. I am promising myself spaces and to gently manage my family/ work/ life commitments!

Let’s see how it goes….

What do you hope for in 2023 – any gentle letting go you can do? – any focus you can listen to?

There seems to be so many people starting the year with flu. Recovery-wise Shiatsu is helpful for fatigue and muscle aches and pains. It’s supportive and nourishing so great to help get back up and going.

I’ve got my usual offering available – Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in the day. Tuesdays and Thursdays in the evening.

I’m always happy to chat Shiatsu so do get on touch by email – amyhinkswright@yahoo.co.uk or through the contact me page.

Here’s to a good start to 2023

Xx

Who’s got time for Self Care?

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Even in the rain the allotment is a place where I find peace and stillness – a quietness of breath – a slowing of the mind – a reconnection to my centre.

My Shiatsu sessions often have a discussion around self care in them – let’s face it most of us struggle to find a balance, when there is so much happening in our lives.

Client’s express guilt that they can’t find the time to implement a self-care regime….

First they’ve made it to a Shiatsu session – that is serious self care!

Second – let’s not worry about regimes just yet!….how about 5 minutes here or 10 minutes there.

Recognising what feeds us and finding time for that.

Plus small actions in a day – like lying and breathing – like stretching – like listening to our breath. Little moments to slow our thinking and actions and connect to ourselves.

So here I am – after a busy morning – before getting the kids – getting my five minutes of self care, self connection, grounding, joy…..whatever you want to call it!

Xx

Shiatsu Support for Self-Care – Exeter, Devon

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We have had a lovely half term week. No home-schooling but loads of time out in nature.

Enjoying clear skies and beautiful sunshine

It has been a lovely week but I am now looking forward to the next stage, moving away from lockdown. More kids will be back at school and therefore more people returning to work.

Although I’m not giving hands-on treatments yet I am starting to support clients with their own self-care practice.

There are loads of exercises and Self-Shiatsu techniques that I can show people, either online or if local face to face with social-distancing in place.

Shiatsu is nurturing and supportive in nature so is perfect for self-care.

There are loads of pressure points, the same points used in Acupuncture and Acupressure, that can be held to alleviate symptoms.

There are lots of exercises and stretches that can help energy levels and flow in the body. Good energy flow can help ease symptoms and conditions.

So although there is nothing quite as satisfying as a hands-on Shiatsu treatment there is still loads of ways it can help support a clients and health and well-being.

Who knows what the next few weeks are going to being but I am enjoying starting to support others.

Shiatsu and the art of Intuition – Exeter, Devon

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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

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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

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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

Supportive Shiatsu for a positive 2020

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There is always a focus in early January to push the new year, new you drive. It seems a funny time of year to start crazy exercising regimes and crash diets.

Over indulging at Christmas is a strong motivation but deep winter is a time for quiet and rest. With deep winter reflection and meditation comes the energy to push through new growth in the Spring and blossom in the Summer.

Setting resolutions of what we leave behind in the old year and what we look to achieve in the new is really positive right now. Spring is the time to flesh out and explore the details of our plans. Right now is about just sitting with our thoughts and letting them quietly germinate in the soil.

Shiatsu can help keep you get in touch with the seasons and find your own rhythm. With rhythm comes fluidity, of mind and body. Easing of physical symptoms and lightness of thoughts and emotions.

The treatments are intuitive and tailored to the client’s exact needs, whatever they may be. This means you can just relax and know what you need is what you’re going to get. This deep relaxation can generate better energy levels, better sleep patterns and a calmer mind.

Shiatsu can help you connect with what is important to you. It can provide drive and focus to allow resolutions to be followed through and plans to come to fruition.

Shiatsu, in my experience, is beneficial for pain in general. It’s helped clients with joint pain and back pain, digestive and menstrual pain. I have helped clients to gain more mobility and flexibility in their joints, knees, necks, hips.

Shiatsu can help support the physical body and can also help ease mental and emotion strain. Living with physical complaints can affect the mental and emotional balance quite heavily.

So for 2020 how about some space for quiet reflection, regaining one’s balance and taking control of one physical and emotional wellbeing. Bring on the Shiatsu.

Getting started is easy, book in an initial session! We can discuss general health and wellbeing and you get 45 minutes of peaceful and relaxing hands on treatment. At the end I’ll give you an idea of how many sessions, and how regularly, you may need to begin to see a difference.

You can email me at amyhinkswright@yahoo.co.uk or call me or 07791 070837.

If this is the year to make some changes but you’re not sure how then try a Shiatsu.

Xx

Shiatsu Courses, Exeter, Devon

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I am really enjoying offering courses in the “Shiatsu Shed” in Exeter, Devon. The space is perfect for a relaxing and supportive treatment but also big enough to hold small workshop groups.

The Shiatsu Shed ready for a Course

Shiatsu is a very supportive and nurturing form of therapy, that is tailored to the individual. Because the course numbers are limited they also offer a high level of support and guidance, and can be easily tailored to the participants.

The two courses I have run already have been adapted to suit the participants that day. One course became focused on how to support oneself as a carer, and how to use Shiatsu to support someone you care for. The other course focused on how to support oneself as a massage therapist and how Shiatsu can help you find inspiration in your own practice. The second course would work just as well for yoga teachers, reflexology practitioners, acupuncture therapists, counsellors and any other therapists.

In past careers I have always found myself drawn to the training and development aspect of a role. I have gained a fair amount of experience in delivering training and mentoring others. So it feels very special to be able to bring those skills into my Shiatsu business.

I hope to offer more courses in the new year. I am excited to see what type of courses I end up developing and who I am approached by.

The courses are offered in Exeter, Devon, although I can travel. They can be tailored for therapists of all types, massage, yoga, counselling. They can also be for carers, both professional and those who care for family members. The courses would also suit those interested in self care and self development. They would suit a group of colleagues interested in team building, or a professional organisation keen to offer self care and support to their employees.

The courses are designed to provide a basic knowledge of what Shiatsu is, how to support yourself and how to give Shiatsu to friends and family. Numbers are always small and the prices are affordable.

To find out more about my practice head to my Facebook Page

More information on Shiatsu head to the www.shiatsusociety.org

If you are thinking of heading to Exeter from further a field you may want to have a look at the Visit Exeter website.

My practice is close to the main Exeter station – St David’s

If you would like to come by public transport you can come to my practice using the E Bus

To discuss courses do email me at amyhinkswright@yahoo.co.uk

Shiatsu Self Care Workshop

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I have this course coming up in a few weeks time. Shiatsu is so nurturing and supportive and can easily be used to support oneself and those around us.

Thsis course is designed to give an overview of how Shiatsu can help support someone’s self care routine. It will also be a relaxing and pampering day.

Have a look at more details here

Maybe see you there