ABOUTSHIATSU

WHAT IS SHIATSU?
Shiatsu is a physical therapy that supports and strengthens the body’s natural ability to heal and balance itself. Shiatsu works with the whole person; the physical, psychological and emotional, by working with the energetic flow (Ki) throughout the physical body. The practitioner uses touch, deep pressure and stretching techniques to encourage smoother energy flow, promoting sense of self and wellbeing. 

Using pressure points (in a similar way to that of Acupuncture) and relaxed body weight along channels known as meridians, Shiatsu promotes connection and communication between all areas of the physical and energetic body. Based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and originating in Japan, Shiatsu can enhance general health, improve your sense of well being, provide space to reflect (or 'Be'), and is a deeply relaxing experience.
A BRIEF HISTORY
Massage, along with acupuncture and herbalism, was an integral part of TCM. The Japanese developed and refined many of these methods to suit their own physiology, temperament and climate. In particular, they developed the manual healing and diagnostic aspects of Shiatsu. The Japanese evolved the special techniques of abdominal diagnosis, pressure treatment and massage, still used in Shiatsu today.

In the early part of the 20th century one practitioner (Tamai Tempaku) incorporated what, at at time, were newer Western sciences with Shiatsu, such as anatomy and physiology, and disciplines of physiotherapy and chiropractic. Originally Tamai Tempaku used the term Shiatsu Ryoho, meaning ‘finger pressure way of healing’. Over time this became shortened and is now known simply as Shiatsu, meaning finger pressure.

ACTIONSHOTS

THEBENEFITS

HOW SHIATSU CAN HELP

Shiatsu can be used to assist healing with a variety of physical problems and emotional experiences. Working in partnership with the client, a practitioner uses Shiatsu to help us make the connection to the deeper causes of tension, pain, stress or anxiety. We are contacting our innate potential for self-healing. Shiatsu is also used as a way to maintain general health and well being and get back in touch with who we are.

Some of the more common reasons for having a shiatsu session are:

• Musculo-skeletal problems
• Relaxation: relief from stress and tension
• Low energy or fatigue
• Sleep related issues
• Digestive problems
• Headaches
• Emotional support
• Personal development/recognition

WHY SHIATSU CAN HELP

Shiatsu promotes the adoption of a healthier, more balanced, and relaxed approach to life. As the body (and our whole being!) begins the healing process we are able to more readily recognise our own needs. As we begin to pay attention to these needs, we allow ourselves to make the type of changes to our lifestyle that promote our feeling of well being and improve our experience of daily life.

Shiatsu can have many benefits; often unique to the person but some of the most frequently reported are:

• Feeling calmer, more relaxed
• Being physically more mobile
• More able to cope with daily life
• Having better quality sleep
• Reduced stress and tension
• Improved muscular and postural issues
• Increased energy levels
• Improvement with digestion and skin disorders

HOURS&PRICING

Hours: Tuesday & Friday 9am - 6pm & Saturday 10am - 2pm
Cost for 60 minute session: £40
Cost for 30 minute seated session £25

*First session is half price

Depending on demand I may hold a Saturday afternoon or Sunday clinic. Please contact me if you have questions or would like more information. Thank you!

WHATtoEXPECT

DURING A SESSION
A session lasts 60 minutes with about 45 of those minutes being used for the hands-on part of the session. The remaining time is used in discussions before and after the practical part to cover any health issues and your reasons for coming to the session. Shiatsu is traditionally given on the floor, on a soft futon mattress, through loose and comfortable clothing. On some occasions the session may take place in a seated position if restricted movement prevents the session taking place on a futon. Each session is different, to suit the needs of the client, as we all need and respond in different ways.

Depending on your constitution, general energy levels, and any symptoms you’ve said you’re experiencing, your practitioner will use a variety of techniques to improve the energy flow throughout. These may include gentle holding; pressing with palms, thumbs, fingers, elbows, knees, feet and often, more dynamic rotations and stretches.

AFTER A SESSION
After a shiatsu session some clients experience temporary intensification of symptoms. These transitional responses and experiences are not harmful and are just that--transitional, often passing within a couple of hours or days.

Transitional effects, such as fatigue, show that your body is responding and they will be unique to you. For example, if you feel tired following a session your body is telling you to rest; potentially because this is needed as part of the healing process but it may also be that you've been overburdened and so rest is needed to protect remaining energy reserves and prevent further burnout.

It's not always possible to predict if you will feel any transitional effects after your shiatsu session so it’s a good idea to take things easy afterwards if you can.

CONTACT&FIND

Thank you for taking the time to visit {Love} Shiatsu. If you'd like to book a session or have any questions on Shiatsu, please get in touch. I'd be happy to hear from you!

ABOUTME

As a qualified Accupressure Therapist and a Shiatsu graduate, I’ve recently re-opened my practise after having closed for the pandemic. I've lived in and around Leeds for most of my life and when I met my partner we decided to settle in Garforth. I got into Shiatsu about 25 years ago at a wellness fair in Ilkley. I loved it but my life took a more career based focus as I developed my IT and Managerial skills. I'm now lucky enough to work part-time which has given me the space to rekindle my love for Shiatsu and start my own part-time clinic.

My work (so far) with Shiatsu includes over 200 practical hours, voluntary work at a Womens Wellness Centre in Wakefield, holding Shiatsu taster days for the general public, CPD courses in: Fear and Anxiety, Seiki Shiatsu, Samuri Shiatsu, and attendance of the European Shiatsu Congress. I've also been an active member of the Shiatsu Society (UK Registered Governing Body for Shiatsu) since starting my studies in 2018 and very much appreciate their support.

What I love about Shiatsu is that it's about the whole person. In Shiatsu we might be presented with a bad back and acknowledge that on a physical level but then we go further and ask why the pain exists; is it injury, tension or bad posture from work? Is there an emotional cause, a traumatic event? What does the energetic landscape of the client say to us and how do we begin to move forward with that?

It sounds like a lot to consider but much of this is happening at an energetic level, it's an intuitive conversation that takes place. Our energy connection is doing most of this 'thinking' without us being aware and it's Shiatsu that teaches us how to see these interactions and respond to them . Shiatsu creates an environment that allows the person to begin their own journey of healing. We all have an ability to heal ourselves physically; such as replacing skin cells, knitting together a broken bone; or at a deeper energetic level when we heal from an emotional pain, soften our emotional scars or let go of old habits that no longer serve us.

Shiatsu not only benefits our physical body but acts as a companion for self-development and awareness, to make our day to day lives just that little bit easier--lots of reasons to 'Love Shiatsu'!

LINKS&RESOURCES

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