Counselling & Shiatsu

Counselling and Shiatsu Therapy – Exeter, Devon

  • Shiatsu and Sleep Disorders, Insomnia, Night Fears – Exeter, Devon

    Shiatsu and Sleep Disorders, Insomnia, Night Fears – Exeter, Devon

    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

    Here’s to a good nights sleep tonight.

    Xx

  • Shiatsu for Stress and Anxiety, Exeter, Devon

    Stress and anxiety can be debilitating, taking over or limiting daily life. It can be hard to find a solution; counselling, mindfulness, management techniques can work but sometimes a different approach is required.

    When we talk about stress or anxiety we say we ‘feel stressed’ or ‘feel anxious.’ The physical body ‘feels’ our emotional and mental tensions, holding it as tension, blocks and weaknesses.

    With Shiatsu you can approach stress and anxiety from the body first. How and where is the body holding the stress or anxiety? What Shiatsu touch allows the body to release the holding?

    There doesn’t need to be any discussion before or during the treatment, although sometimes this is what the client would like. There’s no brain work, no analytical process. The client simply lies down and enjoys the relaxing treatment.

    The physical touch can allow a sense of relief from held emotions and tensions. A chance to reset and feel ready to make positive steps forward.

    Shiatsu is also a very safe and supportive form of therapy. In a held space a client can be however they want or need to be. Just feeling like there is a place where there is no need to wear a mask can help. A space where there are no expectations or demands. You don’t even need to be able to say how you feel for a Shiatsu to be a success.

    Clients often express a feeling of physical and mental lightness after a Shiatsu treatment. Their worries and physical discomforts feel less.

    Shiatsu is suitable for all, and has been shown to support people suffering withstress and anxiety, along with a number of other conditions.

    To find out more head to the pages on this site or Facebook page or do contact me at amyhinkswright@yahoo.co.uk

  • Life Lesson number 3,456,250! Be Persistent.

    I love having supervision sessions as part of my Shiatsu practice. They are a chance for me to gain perspective on my Shiatsu and also to chat with another practitioner.

    This session the practitioner I have supervision with was talking about a workshop she had, had to cancel as there was no uptake. My feedback was that I had seen the initial workshop information but hadn’t seen any reminders, it so it had slipped my mind.

    This got me thinking. How many times I have thought ‘Well no-one is interested in my offer or social media post so I’ll just leave it.’ I should be thinking ‘People have busy lives so let’s remindthem, if they are interested what a great reminder, if they’re not I’m not taking up loads of their time.’

    Maybe this is obvious to lots of you guys reading this, but this was a new perspective for me. A realisation that it’s not necessarily that people aren’t interested and it’s okay to push a bit.

    Look your not going to suddenly see a whole influx of aggressive blogs and posts from me! It’s really just a mind shift, not to drop things, to give them at least one extra push.

    Today I am off to deliver 1000 postcards to houses in Exwick, houses of people on my doorstep. People who may not have heard of Shiatsu or may not realise that this sort of thing is available in this area. Instead of worrying about what people might think of the postcard I’m going to think let’s just get it out there.

    Perseverance is my lesson for today, not only in my practice but also in daily life. If I lose my confidence and belief in something I’m going to try at least one more time. Maybe that extra time things will come together and I’ll see a great result.

    Have a good day everyone.

    Xx

  • Client Recommendations

    I have finally managed to get together some client recommendations. Maybe hearing what others think about my work helps new clients get an idea of what it is like to have a Shiatsu with me……

    Head over to the new page on this site by clicking here

    You may also like to look through the blogs I have written over the years. There are various blogs on different aspects of Shiatsu which should help to give a good idea of what Shiatsu involves. So get scrolling and have a look.

    xx

  • Shiatsu and the energy of the air, Exeter, Devon

    It has been a pretty wet week weather wise but I was lucky enough to pick a dry day to head up onto Dartmoor. What a different experience breathing in the air up there is. It is so fresh and crisp, you can almost taste it.

    I enjoyed watching my sons whooping and yelling in the wind as they ran around on the grass and scrambled over the rocks. I could see the energy that they were getting just being up and out of generally polluted air. I took some big, deep breaths in myself. I open my arms and tried to fill my lungs as full as I could.

    Air carries Qi (Energy.) This Qi affects the whole body but particularly the Lung and Large Intestine Meridians. If you are feeling low-minded or like your boundaries are being challenged, if you feel disorganised and fuzzy-headed then a good trick is to breathe! Ideally get up to high ground, away from air pollution generated by towns and cities. Take some breaths in, open your arms and let the air in.

    It is such a simple thing right? Breathing in fresh air but it can have such a great affected on the body and the mind.

    Another way to bring energy into the Lung and Large Intestine Meridians is to use specific exercises that stretch the pathway these Meridians take.

    Take a deep breath in as you extend your arms behind you to a comfortable point. Breathe out as you bend forwards and raise your arms, again to a comfortable extent.

    Whatever this weeks weather holds hopefully you can try out at least the stretch if not getting out for some serious fresh air. Breathe it in guys.

    xx

  • Shiatsu in the Thunder, Exeter, Devon

    What a wet week. So much rain and a full-on thunder and lightening storm as well. I have a lovely, cosy, warm, relaxing wooden cabin in the garden, that I practice Shiatsu in. On Monday this week it was still cosy and warm despite the thunder and lightening right outside it. It was quite an experience, my client was totally relaxed about it, so that was helpful, but it was a little distracting at times.

    It is so tough when it is un-seasonally cold and wet. I have been working a lot this week to get better flow of energy in my clients. To loosen up stagnation and open blocks, allowing the body to fall into it’s natural flow and rhythm. The aches and pains in people’s joints and backs have sneaked back and energy levels have dropped.

    Bring on the sun and the warmth I say. Then our bodies can relax and enjoy the Summer energy, making the most of the longer days, socialising and watching our plans come into action.

    I love that Shiatsu can warm the body from within. It can wake up the energy up and help you feel more like yourself again. Sleep becomes more balanced, energy through the day is more consistent and everything seems to fall into place.

    I hope you are surviving the soggy, damp, weather and if you fancy some warmth and flow maybe try a Shiatsu….

    xx

  • Shiatsu and PMT, Exeter, Devon

    I have suffered, pretty badly, in the past with my menstruation cycle. At one point I was struggling to work, mainly over my actual cycle but also at times over the build up period. It was no fun, I felt out of sorts and out of control for longer and longer amounts of time each month.

    My relief came with Shiatsu. I began having the therapy more regularly than I had done, I then began my three year training course so got loads more then. The relief I felt, that I wasn’t at the mercy of my cycle, that I was more myself as I got near to my period was so great.

    I haven’t looked back. I have months that are more difficult but I know a couple of Shiatsu sessions with ease the issues. I have various techniques that I use for self care that support me and allow me to manage my PMT, when it does appear.

    I used to bleed very heavily for a long period of time. This has also eased, I have no pain and I start with ease and finish quite quickly. Interestingly I feel I have a new challenge on the horizon, I am in my 40’s and I believe I am beginning to be peri-menopausal. I am confident that Shiatsu will help support me through this transformational time, I have treated a number of peri-menopausal and menopausal women with good results.

    I have to say I haven’t had it as bad as some women. Women affected heavily every month, who feel they are controlled by their PMT, who are restricted in their lives due to their cycle.

    Shiatsu is a non-intrusive form of therapy. It looks to balance the body, to ease physical, mental or emotional tension and to support areas of weakness. It can support the body and mind with this natural cycle, allowing the rhythm to happen with more ease.

    Shiatsu is safe and supportive and provides a space for a client to let go off the mental and emotional strain, to feel they are not going through their struggle on their own.

    I always feel lucky to do the job I do. It’s an honor to facilitate and work alongside a client, to support their own health. It’s very special to supporting other women and to help them achieve the relief and release that I experienced.

  • Shiatsu, videos and over thinking – Exeter, Devon

    I finally got together the confidence to film a video of myself talking Shiatsu. It’s ironic as I definitely over thought whether to make a video or not, and guess what it’s about – thinking too much!

    So here is the video. I think it shows the shed, my practice space, in a good light, not so keen on seeing myself.

    I do get a lot of clients who have tried to think themselves out of their situation, and found themselves caught up mentally.

    Our society often puts a much stronger emphasis on analytical decisions than emotional or intuitive ones. So much attention in the head and mind can lead to tight shoulders, necks and headaches. Also causing mental abd emotional strain.

    I love that Shiatsu brings the focus onto the body and how that is feeling first, the mind can come later.

    So I hope you enjoyed my first ever video. I have began to over think the next one already – sorry I mean I am centered and calm about the next one!

    Xx

  • The Shiatsu Shed, Exeter, Devon

    I’m so lucky to have an amazing space to offer Shiatsu in.

    The shed is great in any weather, cosy and nest like in the cold, light and bright in the sun. It is great to hear the wind blow and watch the trees bend and move through the windows.

    Although in Exeter it’s pretty quiet our way and it is a joy to have nature so close whilst giving a treatment.

    Check out this video that I took this morning.

    I offer Shiatsu on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the shed, with evening appointments available.

  • Shiatsu Tomorrow and Sunday in North Devon

    Come out of the cold, windy weather and get a Shiatsu taster session at this lovely event tomorrow.

    It’s on 10 till 4 tomorrow and Sunday and is jam-packed full of exhibitors. Loads of tasters and plently of stalls to check out.

    Come and find me and say hi, and have a Shiatsu if you fancy.

    See you there

    Xz