Linda Cripps

Shiatsu Essay

"LIVE IN THE LIGHTNESS OF BEING”
WHAT IS SHIATSU?

The term Shiatsu is literally translated as finger pressure and may be described as acupuncture without needles.

Each session of Shiatsu starts with a Hara diagnosis, this should help to find blocked Ki in any of the meridians
and by helping to unblock Ki, help it flow through the body. By enabling the Ki to flow through the body the person
will be able to obtain physical and mental health which creates positive thinking.
Where the Ki is blocked the person becomes sluggish and problems could arise in their mind and body.
In a healthy body the Ki flows naturally.

I have always felt the deepness in my heart, soul or spirit, higher self
(or whatever you would like to call it) and as a practitioner I give Shiatsu from this place.
Shiatsu helped me find what I was looking for and to share it with others.
My intention while giving Shiatsu is to create balance and harmony within your body,
helping to create shifts physically, emotionally and psychologically.
The enjoyment of Shiatsu can't really be explained it has to be experienced
as the shifts work at a deeper level within the body.

The essence of our life is the uninterrupted, continuous beating of our heart
and the action of breathing by our lungs.
The meridians are the pathways for the circulation of ki, (chi)
and the life of the body is maintained by its constant flow.
Ki can stagnate along the pathways of the meridians which are caused
by subconscious fears and anxieties that manifest themselves as illnesses and disorders in the mind and body.
Patients become anxious that their state of ill health will continue forever.
This anxiousness or fears creates stress in the sympathetic nervous system which hinders blood flow to the body’s
peripheries, causing muscle contraction and pain in the body.

In every day life most people function from there forebrain
which increases thinking from the conscious action of the ego.
This gradually weakens the ability to empathize with the lives of others
and to actually feel the natural strength and vitality of life energies.
While receiving Shiatsu my hands are placed gently on the body working along the meridian lines,
integrated with gentle stretches of the limbs, this helps the body relax and fall
into deep relaxation and to start functioning from the midbrain where we find the lymbic system.
The lymbic system is the storage place of all memories
of the past created by one’s external experiences and childhood.
The lymbic system is known as the seat of the subconscious self.
Stress, fear and anxiety distort the lymbic system and suppress
the autonomic nervous functions and internal secretions, which reduces immunity to illness.
The psychological burdens from peoples past and the stress created in their different lifestyles
(which could of been created by no fault of their own),
can be very closely linked with their conditions that are present now.
If I can help to create a peaceful calmness and heighten the bodies homeostasis into a balanced form (Yin and Yang)
we would be liberated from over activity of the forebrain
and activate the functions of the lymbic system which is responsible for our autonomic nervous system.
The Lymbic sytem is influenced by touch on the skin, so therefore the steady constant relaxed pressure
of Shiatsu while relaxing the client enhance responses and release disorders in the brain.
Nervous tension helps to create muscular tension but the relaxation of the entire body
while giving Shiatsu causes a catharsis and relaxation in the subconscious.
These are the shifts I speak of. One effect of Shiatsu therapy is helping patients
gain insight into the subconscious cause of their suffering which could of started
in childhood or any disorder that may have happened throughout their lifetime, which they may not even remember.
Through Shiatsu clients are urged to face their problems without the intervention of words.
(Although you are always welcome to discuss any issues that may come up at the time or a while after in confidence).
Also the healing of shiatsu purifies the clients subconscious and can encourage spiritual growth.
Although each client is encouraged to take whatever they need from their treatment whether
it is emotional, physical, psychological or spiritual or to enjoy enhancing their own well-being.

Shiatsu is carried out on a futon on the floor, you remain fully clothed and covered with a sheet.
(Chair shiatsu is also available)

Please wear stretchy clothing Please do not eat at least one or two hours before receiving a treatment