MORE ABOUT SHIATSU

SHIATSU

Shiatsu, a traditional healing art from Japan, has its roots in the ancient wisdom and principles of Chinese medicine.  Shiatsu is often called “acupuncture without needles.”  "Shi" means finger and "atsu" means pressure. 

The shiatsu specialist uses thumb and finger pressure to stimulate the entire meridian pathway, rather than inserting needles into a few specific points along the channel.  The benefits include restoring vitality and healthy function to your body, and harmony and clarity to your mind. 

Clients are fully clothed during treatment.  Shiatsu is non-invasive and profoundly effective for a range of common complaints, injuries and illnesses.

A BRIEF HISTORY

Shiatsu is based on the same system as acupuncture, but with shiatsu, no needles are used.  Chinese medicine dates from the 1st century B.C.E. with the oldest written medical text still in existence –  The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine.  This text documents the sphere of bodywork in Asian medicine and states that “finger pressure is used to promote digestive function and restore vigor.”  Asian medicine was brought to Japan by a Buddhist priest, Gan Jin Osho, in 552 C.E.

In Japan, it is believed to this day that no instrument will ever surpass the precision and sensitivity of the human hand for assessing energy and being able to determine the condition of a person’s health.  For this reason, examination and diagnosis by palpation has been developed to an extraordinary degree in Japan. 

The Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare defines shiatsu therapy as “a form of manipulation administered by the thumbs, fingers and palms, without the use of any instrument, mechanical or otherwise, to apply pressure to the human skin, correct internal malfunctioning, promote and maintain health, and treat specific diseases.”  The ministry lists over 200 health concerns for which shiatsu is considered a primary treatment. In the United States, the National Institute of Health (NIH) has come to concur.  The research on acupuncture and massage shows agreement. 

WHAT SHIATSU OFFERS

Shiatsu addresses a wide variety of complaints.  Some of the benefits are:

• Reduced stress and anxiety

• Pain relief from backache, headache, muscle tension or injury

• Increased mobility and flexibility

• Improved digestion

• Better sleep

• Clearer mind

Shiatsu is used to assist recovery from mild to severe injuries from accidents or sports. Shiatsu relieves pain due to backache, headache, arthritis, and sore muscles caused by too much or too little exercise or repetitive motion. Shiatsu boosts the immune system and is effective in the treatment of fatigue, low energy, insomnia and quality of sleep.

Shiatsu has proven successful in treating digestive complaints such as heartburn, constipation, abdominal discomfort and general sluggishness. Shiatsu is commonly used for women’s health, menstrual and menopausal complaints,and  all stages of pregnancy, including fertility and birthing.

Shiatsu is very helpful for respiratory problems such as shortness of breath, asthma, allergies, and sinuses. Shiatsu combines successfully with other forms of treatment.  It strengthens and increases the actions of acupuncture and naturopathy and aids the digestion and absorption of herbs.  It combines very well with chiropractic in two ways:  if received beforehand, it makes manipulations easier; if afterwards, it helps keep adjustments longer. 

Clients report that Shiatsu enhances personal and spiritual development.  They experience feeling grounded and centered and having a heightened awareness of being in the body.  They comment on the added strength, stability and awareness they gain as an extra advantage for their personal and spiritual development. Shiatsu relaxes the mind and strengthens the body.  It promotes health and helps create a positive outlook on life.  It empowers a grounded assessment and interpretation of life’s events, and the ability to respond from the heart. 

WHEN TO SEEK TREATMENT

You can seek out shiatsu treatments for many diverse reasons. You may want to remedy the physical symptoms of acute or chronic pain and discomfort.  You may need some relief from stress, anxiety or tension.  Perhaps you are not really sick but you don’t feel quite up to par.  Maybe your brain is a bit “foggy” and you would like to have better clarity and focus or feel more grounded.  You could be facing the “empty nest” and need a stronger sense of self and of purpose.

Shiatsu has proven effective for treating a variety of mild to severe complaints in categories such as:


Injury –  auto accidents, sports injuries, repetitive motion
Pain – backache, headache, muscle tension, joint pain, chronic pain, neck & shoulders, low back & hips

Digestion – heartburn, constipation/sluggishness, bloating,loose stool/diarrhea
Immune System – fatigue, low energy, sleep problems, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome
Respiratory – allergies, sinusitis, asthma, shortness of breath
Women’s Health – menstrual, menopausal, pregnancy, fertility

Shiatsu also combines successfully with other forms of treatment:

Acupuncture - integrates treatment, assists digestion of herbs
Naturopathy – helps absorb remedies, stimulates detoxification
Chiropractic – makes manipulations easier, sustains adjustments longer

Shiatsu enhances personal and spiritual development. Clients report:

~ Increased vitality and vigor

~ Feeling grounded and centered
~ Awareness of “being in the body”
~ Tuning in to their inner knowing
~ Developing a desire to connect with Spirit

BLUEPRINT OF A SHIATSU SESSION

Before the first treatment I talk with you about your needs and goals and email you some basic information and directions to the office.  When you arrive you fill out a brief health history form, and I will probably have a few more questions based on the information you provide.  When that is complete, you move into the treatment room and change into loose, comfortable clothing.  You lie on the table fully clothed and I come in. 

I apply palms, fingers and thumbs to the entire meridian system (the lines you see on an acupuncture chart that connect the points).  I work through the clothing, so no oils or lotions are used.

• The amount of pressure can vary from gentle to firm, depending on your needs and comfort

• A session lasts approximately 45-60 minutes, determined by the condition of your health at the time of treatment

• Your whole body is addressed, even if your only reason for treatment is a stiff neck (the meridians that treat a stiff neck will run from head to foot) 

• After the treatment, you typically feel very calm, relaxed and clear-headed

• Your complaints will often be either gone, or at least noticeably reduced 

• The results tend to last longer than a regular massage for most people. There is a cumulative effect after  several treatments that lasts even longer – for some clients, as long as months; a few have even said years

In traditional Asian medicine a typical course of Shiatsu treatment for one complaint begins with 10 sessions, 30-50 minutes each, one to three times a week.  These days, in America, we usually see clients less frequently – once a week, once a month, or anything in between.  It depends on the desired results, the severity of the condition, and whether the condition is acute or chronic.  For a strong and healthy person with little or no stress in life, quarterly treatments are recommended at the change of seasons.

We evaluate the effectiveness of treatments every two or three sessions to determine whether the best strategy is to continue with the treatment plan, refine or modify it, or, if resolved, conclude the course of treatment. One fact to keep in mind is that all forms of natural medicine show best results with a cumulative build up. To determine how Shiatsu will work for you, consider an initial series of three consecutive weekly treatments to get a sense of its cumulative effect.

WHAT I PROVIDE AS A SPECIALIST

Since 1975, I have trained extensively with Shiatsu masters, European osteopaths, Asian acupuncturists, American chiropractors and shamanic healers from five cultures.  These, combined with many years of treatment experience, form my personal technique.  I love my work! 

What I bring to the table:

• I have 35+ yrs of experience treating everything from stress and fatigue to backache and headache, from digestion and PMS to accidents and injuries, from depression and insomnia to allergies and sinuses

• I listen intently to what you say as well as to what your body tells me

• I give specific attention to your areas of complaint and pay attention to any additional areas of disharmony

• I track your progress, answer your questions, and help you connect the dots when you can’t make sense of what is going on in your body

• I will always tell you when I think a different treatment will help you, and I will recommend someone whose skills and integrity I trust

My wish for you is that you be happy and healthy!

HAPPY SPRING EQUINOX – March 20, 2014

Ostara

‘Tis the season of the Spring Equinox, the festival of the greening of the earth, when the hours of night and day stand in equilibrium. 

 

At 12:57 PM, Eastern Daylight Time, as the sun passes over the equator, the earth’s gravity is balanced in such a way that you can stand a raw egg straight up on end ~ or so I’ve been told. I have never actually done it myself, but I know people who have. If you want to try it, you only have a few moments to make it work, the moments just before the exact time of Equinox. Here’s how: you find a reasonably level outdoor surface, like a sidewalk or driveway; you place a raw egg on the groundwith the wider end down; and it stands up by itself! The people who told me they did this did it as an activity with their kids, and the kids loved it. Even at my age I know I would love it [if only I could remember not to schedule clients . . .].

‘Eggs’ and ‘balance’ are the keynotes of this seasonal marker. The Vernal Equinox indicates the exact midpoint between the Winter and Summer  Solstices ~ the perfect balance of dark and light, night and day, feminine and masculine, yin and yang. Of course, perfect balance lasts for just a moment (as is borne out with the egg). The light already begins to grow stronger, and Nature’s ability to renew and rebirth herself strengthens as well. And that’s where the egg comes into play.

  Spring is all about Nature’s fertility – new growth and new beginnings – the greening of the earth. It is the time to plan your gardens, start your seedlings, and ready the earth for later spring plantings. It is also the season of mating, which is why the rabbit is another symbol of the season. March hares are famous for their fecundity.  Females can actually conceive their next litter while still pregnant with the first. 

Bunny rabbits, candy, colored eggs and new clothes are all ancient traditions from Ostara celebrations that have carried through into our Easter customs. Easter falls on the first Sunday after the full moon that follows the Vernal Equinox. Ostara (OH-star-a) is the word for the Vernal Equinox from the old Celtic and Germanic languages. It comes from the same root as “east.” The direction ‘east’ is another symbol of new beginnings, as it is the direction of the rising sun.

Whether you call it Ostara, the Vernal Equinox or just Springtime, this is the season of rebirth, renewal and rejuvenation. Celebrate this change of seasons by taking a walk in a park or forest. Notice the new growth that is beginning, and feel how its sweet freshness has a power to it. Try eating fresh spring foods like dandelion greens and nettles.  Or . . . consider a cleansing fast or diet. In Asian medicine, early spring is the perfect time for cleansing the liver and gall bladder.

 

Across the globe, Spring is the time for cleaning.  After clearing out the cobwebs and opening the windows to air out any staleness, you can add another dimension by smudging the house with incense to purify it. Sage and sandalwood are appropriate and very popular, but I don’t find their aromas particularly pleasing. I prefer other purification incenses, like copal, lavendar, cedar or lemon. Walk throughout the house fanning, waving or blowing the smoke from the incense all around the rooms. Intention is everything, so feel free to say prayers as you do this, or voice your needs and wants for the environment.  Don’t neglect the corners and unused areas.  Energy collects and stagnates there, just like dust does. I think you will notice a clear difference after you have completed your purification.  

 

  Renewal is the theme, and renewing ourselves can be done on more levels than the physical realm. We can think in terms of renewing our thoughts, dreams and aspirations, too. A lovely way to do this is with a simple, childlike ritual. Can you remember how at-purpose children with their activities? 




  Choose something you would like to see grow in your mind (gratitude, patience, etc.) or in your life (a project, promotion, etc.) and plant it as a seed. Literally. Hold the seed in your hand, empty your mind of everything but your desire for your goal, and pour that desire into the seed. When you feel complete, focus all your intention into that seed as you plant it. Then focus on the pot of soil after you have planted it. Keep the seed alive and grow it to maturity with love and caring. Every time you take care of it, put yourself in that same concentrated mindset as when you planted it and feel the happiness of your heart’s enthusiasm and purpose.

Happy Ostara as you welcome in the newness of Spring with inspiration! 

 

ANIMAL TOTEMS: THE OLD WAYS ARE NEW AGAIN

You hear people mention Animal Totems more and more frequently these days. You may also have heard them called Spirit Animals or Power Animals. Certainly, the influence of the animal world on the human psyche is undeniable. It has been with us since the earliest of times. We can observe it in the prominence of paintings on ancient cave walls. We can note the recurrence of animals in fairy tales of all cultures since recorded history. They often talk and give help and advice to humans, occasionally even delivering hard lessons by outsmarting people. Our fascination with animals is so innate that we even have a television channel called the Animal Planet where we can watch them anytime, day or night.  And other channels, like Discovery and National Geographic, are filled with documentaries of many of the animals we find most captivating.

Before modern industrialization we were more in tune with the natural world. We were more connected to animals and their wisdom. We learned lessons about life by observing them, and we saw in them a mirror of our own qualities, both good and bad, so that we could improve ourselves and discover how to live in harmony.  This lost awareness is reemerging today. It is, indeed, very accessible through any ancestral roots – European, Asian, African, etc. – but the most common view in our culture at this time is through Native American traditions.

Within these traditions, there are variations from nation to nation, and from tribe to tribe within one nation, but some beliefs are generally held in common. For instance, a common view is that when you are born, you enter this life at a certain place on the Medicine Wheel.  You will traverse the Wheel many times during your life, as the Wheel encompasses all the virtues and imperfections, all the ups and downs that a lifetime entails. However, your particular placement at the time of your birth indicates which life lessons will be most important for you to learn during your lifetime.  Creator gives you help to succeed in mastering these lessons. One such aid is your Personal Animal Totem (or totems, in some cases). In one Cherokee tradition, Creator gives each person seven totems in each of seven categories, for a total of forty-nine. You become familiar with your totems and begin working with them.  You then start paring them down until you discover which totem is your strongest ally. This totem is the most influential helper on your path to becoming a “true human being,” someone who who leads your life “in a good way” by developing your gifts and talents to benefit the people for several generations.

 So how does your Animal Totem help you do this? Well, at the most base level, your Totem helps you muddle through your life with a little more grace and peace of mind. But it can do more than that if you work closely with it. It strengthens and deepens your sense of connection – to family, friends, yourself, your purpose, and to the Great Mystery of life. Your Personal Totem shows you where you belong in the great scheme of things. Creator gives you this gift and asks you to cultivate the bond between yourself and your Totem because, as you begin to integrate it into your daily life, you discover how to use its wisdom to remove barriers to your personal and spiritual development. Unfolding your relationship with your Totems brings self-knowledge, healing and purpose. It deepens your intuition and awareness.  It improves the stamina in your mind and body, and promotes peace and power in your heart and soul. You arrive at a place where you are contributing to the balance and harmony of all things on earth just by being you. Your Personal Totem takes you there.

So, how do you know what your personal animal totem is? And how do you make its acquaintance? Sometimes an animal enters your awareness because it startles you by flying across your windshield or darting in front of your car as you are driving down the road.  Or maybe you just begin seeing a particular kind of animal everywhere you look. People can mistakenly assume that this is their personal animal totem. Usually it is not. Often this is an animal that has come to give you a message for a particular time or circumstance in your life. But your true personal animal totem is there with you throughout your life, all the time, even if you don’t notice it.  The way to discover it is through a traditional method called “journeying.”

A journey is a very deep meditative state arrived at by traditional grounding methods and calling on the assistance of the Four Directions, Mother Earth and Father Sky or Great Spirit. Usually  you have a guide to lead you, accompany you through the Journey, and bring you safely back. The guide does this through guided visualization, which may or may not be accompanied by drumming.  Once you are in the receptive state that Journeying induces, your guide gives you the traditional suggestions that lead to recognizing your Totem, both within you and as a separate being who will assist you. You will be able to ask questions of your Totem, and it will give you insights and answers to what’s been on your mind.  You can see your circumstances from a previously unimagined perspective, and new information is offered for considering whatever is at hand.

Meeting your Personal Totems is a profound experience. It connects you deeply to yourself and to the Great Mystery – Creator, Spirit, God, Goddess, or however you conceive and call the awe-inspiring wonder of creation. Developing your relationship with your Totems brings self-knowledge, healing and purpose. It deepens your intuition and awareness.  It improves stamina in your mind and body, and promotes peace and power in your heart and soul. Its value is timeless – as uplifting and meaningful today as it has ever been.

It has been my great good fortune to have met and studied with some amazing teachers and healers over the years. Medicine people of four cultural traditions have graciously put enough trust in me to give their endorsements so that I might guide others on traditional Journeys to meet their Totems and Spirit Guides, open their Energy Centers (Chakras), find their missing soul pieces (Soul Retrieval), and other such Old Ways of healing. It is a blessing to have received this knowledge ~ and even more so to be able to share this beautiful Medicine with others. 

THE WHEEL OF THE YEAR TURNS - IMBOLC - FEBRUARY 1st – 2nd

The sap is rising in the trees.  Leaf buds are ever-so-slightly swelling.  Under the snow-covered belly of the Mother Earth, the faint stirring of seeds has begun.  Bulbs are pushing up.  Snowdrops and crocuses are breaking through the snow.  You can hear the difference in the chirping sound your backyard  birds are making, and you know they are building nests.  Ewes and nanny goats are ready for lambing and kidding.  The Wheel of the Year has turned once more.  

Warming The Earth from Winter To Spring

Imbolc marks the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Vernal Equinox.  It is the true start of Spring. - - a new awakening under the sparkling frost of the slumbering fields.  This is the time when the waters begin to melt and flow, a time for cleansing and purification.  It is the time when we notice the sun’s light lengthening and our own spirits grow brighter as well.  This is the time, in the Celtic tradition, to honor Brigid (pronounced Bride), the goddess of water and fire, and the patroness of poetry, smith craft and midwifery.  She brings us gifts of inspiration, creativity and healing.  She is the patroness of childbirth and she watches over pregnant women and mothers.

Now is when we start our Spring cleaning, not only of our homes, but also of our bodies and minds.  It is a good time for purification diets (particularly for the liver and gall bladder) and for new perspectives, ideas, plans and goals.  Like the newborn lambs and kids taking their first wobbly steps and suckling mother’s milk for strength and nurturance, we give life and light to our own visions and wisdom, and take the first brave steps toward manifesting them into reality.  We sweep away the cobwebs from the corners of our rooms and minds and clear space for the newness that is blossoming within.

Life In The Belly

The word ‘Imbolc’ is pronounced IM-oke, or IM-ulg, and has two common translations.  One is “in the belly” and refers to the belly of the Mother [Earth] where the seeds are stirring with growth.  This translation can be seen to mean “in the womb,” as it also speaks of lambs, kids and calves that are also “in the belly.”  The second translation  is “ewe’s milk.”  These translations point to the traditional honoring of mothers and healers, and all those who nurture us.

I don’t remember where this chant came from, but I find it to be lovely and completely within the spirit of the emerging Spring.  I like to go from room to room in my house, lighting a candle in each room as I go, saying:

I open

Gently open

To the divine inside me

I open

Gently open

To the sacred light

I wish you strength and warmth in the returning light of the sun.  May you have a happy and blessed IMBOLC!