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.
The cold weather is upon us. The body is working harder to keep the circulation and energy following and to keep warm.
It can be that this season shows up the imbalances in our bodies, more aches and pains, more breathless, more tired for instance.
Shiatsu is all about ‘the flow,’ looking to balance the energy and open the Meridians (lines of energy) across the body. This relieves symptoms and releases tension, allow the body to work a little less hard.
The space where I work is a very nursing, cosy and warm space that supports the body on this weather.
You may find me, between sessions, making the most of the space. The electric blanket is on warming my clients (and me) through!
If you’re looking for ways to support yourself and your body a good way to start is to consider the kidneys. The burners of the body, if they are working the rest may well work too!
So keep your midriff warm. Drink warming fluids, ginger and turmeric for instance. Try out some Kidney Qi Gong execises. Listen to your body, rest, sleep, reflect and meditate. And of course Shiatsu is he ultimate reboost so have some treatments to warm up and rebalance.
I am very lucky to be able to give Shiatsu as my job. It is a pleasure to support clients who are looking to make positive changes to their health or wellbeing.
I am loving being back after a lengthy period of time off due to the Covid-19 lockdown.
I have been booked up but now I have a little space available. So if you have been reading my blogs and are considering booking a Shiatsu with me this is your chance.
To discuss how Shiatsu might help you and to book contact me on 07791 070837.
I have finally had some photos taken of me giving Shiatsu in The Shiatsu Shed – the space where I practice.
Lumbar support work – for back ache and boosting vital energyWorking the occipital ridge with client in side position- to ease tension in the headWorking the upper and middle back – to help with back ache, tension and flow of energyLoosening tension in the neck and head with client in the seated position
You can see more photos of me giving Shiatsu treatments on this page Photos of Shiatsu
No actually paid Shiatsu happening still. I can’t wait to get back to work but looking like I’m going to have to be patient for a while longer.
In the meanwhile I have been using Shiatsu to support myself and my family.
I have used Shiatsu to help me digest – after a large meal! I have used it to keep my energy flowing. I have used it to ground and centre myself – amongst external turmoil.
I have used it to calm the kids when they are hurt or upset. I have used it to help their digestion and to calm before sleep.
I have used Shiatsu to boost my husband’s energy and to loosen tight muscles and joints.
On top of Shiatsu I have found getting out into nature has been a real tonic.
I know this isn’t possible for everyone but the boys, my husband and I have loved our natute hunts and discoveries.
I have appreciated the slower pace that we can go when out – this allows the space to spot things we may have just whizzed past previously.
I have relished watching spring take place – plants blossoming and new life emerging.
I have always known that getting out into fresh air and connecting with nature makes me feel good. In these strange times it has helped me feel grounded and stay calm when there is uncertainty and anxiety around me.
In can be easy to lose contact with nature and the seasons. An easy exercise is to stand, or walk, outside with no shoes on for a few minutes. Another idea is to go for a walk and look for small things – what can you see when you look closely.
We haven’t been able to get into proper nature do everything we have found has been close to our house in Exeter.
So no real Shiatsu practice, to regulate and support myself, but a settled and happy family routine and LOTS of nature!
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.
In this strange time being at home is helpful in some ways – don’t you think? I have been feeling levels of fatigue and tiredness at times, particularly in the mornings. However when I do have the energy getting to grips with some of those ‘I haven’t got time and space’ jobs has been satisfying.
My husband has been able to give the Shiatsu Shed some care and attention. Giving the outside an extra coat of protection. It is a lovely thing to give some care to our joint work space.
It was looking like it was going to be difficult to fit this particular job in. We use the shed a lot but this unusual situation has provided the space to get this job done.
Whenever the lockdown is relaxed the Shiatsu shed will be ready for more therapeutic and healing work.
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.
Mother’s Day is coming up and I wanted to take the opportunity to write about my own mum. The photo below shows her, on the floor, helping my young son cause chaos.
What the picture doesn’t show is the support and willingness mum always has to help me achieve yet another crazy idea. This photo was taken at, one of many, DIY birthday parties. The type of party that take lots of preparation, lots of helping hands and lots of tidying up.
Mum is great at organising and helping out wherever. she generally ropes her partner in as well. On this occasion they not only help with set up and tidy up (which by the way took ages) they also made jacket potatoes, beans and cheese for a dozen or so children and their adults! It was a cold January day and the kids were still little, good food made for a happy and relatively calm party.
My mum goes along with any of my crazy plans!
Mum is genuinely supportive and generous whenever possible. Although I am an only child she has always been a support to my friends and other children in our lives. These kids know they can rely on her and her problem-solving practicality, now they are adults, they can discuss with her about any situation they find themselves in.
Now she is on serious granny duties, supporting and caring for my two energetic and rambunctious boys. She is again a consistent support to them, they know she will help them practically but also that she accepts them completely. My boys are so comfortable and relaxed around their granny and it’s a joy to see what they get from her and also what joy she gets from them.
Although the times are a little uncertainty right now I wanted to remember Mother’s Day and put a massive shout out for my mum. Amazing support, wisdom and care. Thanks xx
I am offering gift vouchers for Mother’s Day. They can be purchased before Mother’s Day, sent out, dropped through a letter box or sent electronically. Vouchers can be in any denomination.
Shiatsu is a very supportive, nurturing and relaxing treatment – so perfect to treat a well deserving mother or grandmother. It can also be very invigorating and energising, can help with sleep and rest and can ease tension and stress.
Have a look at the pages on this website for further information on Shiatsu and my practice in Exeter. To purchase gift vouchers either head to the ‘Contact Me’ page or call 07791 070837
Shiatsu by Amy 