06/01/2025
Just setting up for my first Shiatsu of 2025, it feels good to get the room ready, the mats down and make everything feel fresh and safe for my clients. Shiatsu is a beautiful art, yes it's a type of massage but it also isn't, it's a bit like having yoga done to you, but also not, it's based in acupuncture theories but isn't like acupuncture at all, I'd say it's most likely having Chi Gong given to you, but not many people know what that's like!
I've struggled to explain Shiatsu to people over the years, my usual way is to get them to lay down and feel how it feels, It relies on palming a lot so lots of deep, supportive pressure, interspersed with movement, a balance of yin and yang, it can be really energising with lots of movements, stretching and vigorous pressure and it can also be very still, just holding, or resting a palm on a place that's hurting. I called it an art at the beginning of this, and it really is, its like getting a Dan grade in karate, it takes years of practice, every session is different, it explores us as physical, emotional and spiritual beings.
I remember one of my teachers saying that after 30 years of Shiatsu practice he'd boiled it down to one word......communication, and I believe this to be true, it opens us up to be able to hear and learn the language of our bodies, to hear the hurt, or the tiredness, our depression or anxiety and begin to speak to it, importantly, its done with another human being, its an honour to be able to work with someone, to listen to them and give them space to be and feel.....one that I hope I can carry on practicing for many, many more years!!
I hope to run some small introduction courses this year also to you to can learn the gentle beginnings of this beautiful practice 🙏🙏🙏
Happy new year ❤️