I am ready to get into a week of Shiatsu treatments, in my special treatment space – know fondly as the Shiatsu Shed!
Shiatsu works on many levels so I get to work with a lot of different clients…..those with pain and physical concerns, those with stress and anxiety, those with fatigue and sadness.
I love that Shiatsu meets the client where and how they would like to be met.
Along with being a physically satisfying experience it can be nurturing, supportive and transformational.
I have watched my clients take control of their situation – be it a bad back, chronic fatigue or a bad life situation – and start to make steps towards a healthier space.
I am looking forward to another week or being in the privilege place of supporting and facilitating people’s journeys.
Come on let’s talk about these things. Stress, Anxiety and Depression are discussed more openly these days but it still seems that they are still, at least a little, taboo. In the 10 years that I have been practicing Shiatsu mental strain, Stress, Anxiety and Depression seem to have become more prevalent, I am treating more clients with these types of concerns.
To me it’s not a surprise. I have many clients who come to my Exeter practice and talk about their busy lives. Inevitably they have too much to do, are juggling numerous different priorities and are not getting anywhere near enough personal time. They find themselves spending the little precious time they have in their heads, trying to fathom out how to get out of their current situation.
Work seems to be a big factor in the pressure and stress that people feel in their lives. Jobs are more about targets and financial restrictions that supporting individual workers. Clients often express feeling out of control, trapped, hurt and deeply affected by decisions made in their workplace.
There are many ways to support Mental Health issues, meditation, Mindfullness, taking time out, counselling, cognitive therapies. Shiatsu is one way that someone with Stress, Anxiety or Depression can find support, relief and solutions.
Shiatsu is a supportive and safe form of hands-on therapy. It is always given through clothes, which often eases any fears or concerns about having therapeutic hands-on work. It originates from Japan, so has an Eastern ethos and theory behind it. The treatment looks to balance the energies in the body, to ease ailments, concerns or issues. It is gentle and nurturing but can be more physical and dynamic if appropriate.
Gentle and Supportive Neck and Face work, to ease Tension and Stress
Shiatsu may help to relieve and ease feelings of Stress and Anxiety and may lighten low moods and Depression. It provides deep rest and relaxation, aiding better sleep and softer more flexible thought patterns. It can also provide a sense of support and space, a chance to feel exactly how you feel and maybe let go of some of the mental burden.
What makes Shiatsu different is that the work is totally centered on the body, the tensions and stresses that it holds. When balanced with Shiatsu the body can feel relief, relaxation and release, the mind and emotions can follow what the body does. This can provide the client with a sense of being back in control of themselves, rather than at the mercy of their feelings. With this sense of control comes opportunity, to make changes or take steps forward in their lives.
I would hope Shiatsu would provide some sense of relief and relaxation within a session or two, along with better sleep patterns, if this is out of balance. Then would look at regular Shiatsu treatments following on, to support the body’s balance. The regularity of these sessions would depend on the individual situation. I always work to expand the time between sessions, as quickly as possible, until the client has Shiatsu just a few times a year.
Firm but supportive Pressure, allowing tension to release and be relieved
I have given Shiatsu, here in my Exeter practice, to a number of clients with concerns around Anxiety, Stress and Depression, along with many other issues and concerns. I feel confident working in this area and enjoy watching the positive changes that clients are able to make in their lives.
I love my job, helping clients ease their issues and concerns. Be it physical issues, neck pain, frozen shoulders, back pain, hip and knee issues. Or emotional or mental strain, anxiety, stress, insomnia, depression.
So to hear from clients about how well the treatments are going is such a pleasure. I received this recommendation just thr other day…
I am so overwhelmed with how I feel after my second treatment with Amy. She is very warm and intuitive and has given me some fantastic and nice to follow up and showed a lot of kindness. Having a safe space to completely relax and explore what my body is holding onto is invaluable to me at the moment. Thank you Amy
I am also very lucky to have such a special space to practice in. My treatment space is ideal for relaxing. Its cosy and warm and a safe space to be in.
I received the above quote as part of another recent recommendation. Again I feel so lucky to be able to help people make changes to their health, feel more in control of their lives and decisions and happier in themselves.
Being a parent and having been through those early years I am aware of the affect of sleep deprivation. I also have some sense of how unsettling it is to lose your own personal sleep rhythm. I have experienced simply surving through the day time, work, home responsibilities, thinking straight, staying awake! Lack of sleep or other sldeep disorders are not funny.
When I have worked clients with sleep disorders, such as insomnia or night fears, there is often a sense that the body is unsettled. Often the client feels like they are on alert at all times.
Generally there is an emotional or mental strain behind the lack of sleep; caring for another, stress or anxiety, personal trauma. This isn’t always the case, there is generally always an imbalance of some sort though.
Shiatsu is essentially energy work and looks to create balance and calmness in the body. This balance can ease the alertness and stress the body and minds feels and can allow the client to relax more. With that relaxation and release can come better sleep patterns.
To really get positive, healthy sleep habits a number of Shiatsu treatments may be required. Each session will build on the previous ones, helping the body to become used to the suggested new habits of calmness and relaxation.
Clients express that they often slept weall the night if the Shiatsu treatment and that they sleep more after each treatment. Night fears have become less frequent for one client, who is more able to wake from them if they do happen.
Shiatsu has been shown to help with sleep disorders. To find out more about Shiatsu and myself have a look on the pages on this site or head to my Facebook Page
Shiatsu by Amy 