Background to Shiatsu

The core principle of Shiatsu is the vital energy [‘Ki’ in Japanese] that flows throughout the body in connected channels called ‘meridians’. Ki can stop flowing freely owing to many reasons, producing symptoms that can then be healed by Shiatsu. It is based on the underlying philosophy of oriental medicine, like acupuncture.

Your practitioner will use a variety of techniques to improve your energy flow taking into consideration your state of health, symptoms and general energy levels. These techniques may include gentle holding, applying pressure with palms, thumbs, fingers, elbows, knees and feet on the meridians and also more dynamic rotations and stretches when necessary.

With changes in the Ki, the symptoms associated with a lack of flow will steadily improve. Shiatsu is a therapy that works on the individual as a complete being—tending to the emotional as well as mental health along with the physical body. A feeling of harmony and relaxation is experienced by balancing the flow of energy.

What to expect in a session

Each session is approximately an hour long. You usually lie on a futon—a padded mat at ground level, although you can do the session on a chair if you are unable to lie down. The client stays fully clothed throughout. At the end of a treatment, you can experience a feeling of increased vitality and you may feel invigorated yet relaxed.

Benefits of Shiatsu

• Calms mind and body
• Restores energy balance
• Relieves tension and stiffness
• Improves breathing
• Improves posture
• Provides for better circulation
• Enhances wellbeing

How to find a qualified practitioner

The Shiatsu Society holds a public register of qualified practitioners, all of whom have undertaken a minimum of three years training. They are fully insured and abide by our comprehensive Code of Conduct and Ethics. Most reputed spas and hotels will have a certified Shiatsu practitioner.

Proof that it works

The European Shiatsu Federation [ESF] commissioned Professor Long at the University of Leeds to look at the research and documentation of experiences and effects of Shiatsu across Europe. The aim was to provide a platform from which to solidly describe Shiatsu and its benefits. The results showed that:

• 89 per cent of Shiatsu receivers felt calmer and more relaxed
• Up to 60 per cent of regular Shiatsu receivers slept better
• Receivers rated their symptoms as significantly reduced throughout the six-month study
• 86 per cent said that Shiatsu was effective in treating stress and tension, structural and postural problems, low energy and fatigue
• They had a reduced use of conventional medicine
• Overall, Shiatsu receivers adopted a more relaxed, healthier and balanced approach to life.

Is it an alternative to mainstream medicine?

Shiatsu is a complementary therapy and is used alongside mainstream medicine.

Techniques that you can use at home

Although Shiatsu is best received from a qualified practitioner, there are techniques or exercises that can be performed at home.

• To calm the mind and settle anxiety, place a stone or crystal in your palm and squeeze tightly for a minute or two, then place it in the other hand and continue alternating the hands. This stimulates the acupressure point Laogong or ‘Palace of Anxiety’ in the centre of the palm. Before a presentation, you can achieve a similar effect by vigorously rolling a pen between the palms.
• To moisten and brighten the eyes, or clear headaches, gently squeeze either side of the highest point of the nose, [the bridge of your nose] close to the corner of the eye socket.
• To give yourself extra energy when flagging, stimulate the area on the outside edge of the shin, four of your own fingers below the bottom of the kneecap. This point on the ‘Stomach meridian’ is called ‘Leg three miles’ and was traditionally used to give Chinese foot soldiers extra energy at the end of a long march.
• To improve digestive function, massage your abdomen using three fingers, starting at the navel and working down to the lowest edge of your tummy, continue in a circle towards the right, across the top and down the left. Repeat this several times on a daily basis. This is part of a system we call Ampuku.
• If you are tired and finding concentration or motivation a problem, try a little Do-In. Start by tapping your scalp with your fingertips, imagine heavy raindrops falling upon your head. Rub your face with your hands as if washing it. Then form a loose fist with one hand and tap the opposite shoulder, work along the inner side of your arm down to the palm and back up the outer edge of the arm to the shoulder. Repeat this several times fairly briskly before starting on the opposite side.

This was first published in the June 2014 issue of Complete Wellbeing.

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• Massages
• Body rituals
• Facials

Spa massages

The massage category includes traditional Swedish, Balinese, deep tissue, as well as more off-beat therapies, like the novel rope massage, geo thermal therapy, lava shell massage and Thai foot reflexology.

Body rituals

The broad category of body treatments includes services like body scrubs or polishes, wraps and specific massages or treatments like the Dr Fish. These treatments can be availed for specific concerns using different products for moisturising, relaxing, brightening and healing.

Spa facials

Facials given in the spa are more elaborate, compared to those in beauty salons. They are also brand targeted.

Massages

Massage techniques are relaxing and have miraculous effects. A massage works on the age-old method of using energy meridians to stimulate the body’s inner power of balance and healing by applying pressure using the fingers, palms, elbows, knees or feet.

If you are looking for a complete body massage to relax yourself, go for a high pressure one such as a rope massage. A high pressure massage uses sweeping movement over the muscles and the ligaments of the body. It’s an excellent treatment for those involved in sports and physical activity and also for people suffering from back problems.

To relieve stress and boost immunity  go for a low-pressure massage such as the Swedish massage, which helps relax, stimulate and detoxify the body.

Few ingredients and massage types aimed at anti-ageing:

Citrus and green tea with Shiatsu

The Shiatsu massage involves stimulating the acupressure points of the body. It detoxifies the body, releases tightness and alleviates tension. It’s a perfect treatment to restore a better body mind balance and recover vitality. Citrus and green tea refresh your skin and help delay ageing.

Cardamom and cocoa with stone therapy

A well-moisturised body doesn’t age fast. Go for cardamom and cocoa body serum or oil as it helps increase your skin’s moisture levels. Stone therapy helps calms nerves, destresses you, thus helping you sleep better.

Body wraps

Body wraps offer relaxation, cleansing and detoxification that enhances the skins texture and vitality. The entire body is moisturised and smoothened, making you feel fitter, healthier and more relaxed. Different spas offer different types of body wraps using various ingredients some of them natural such as algae and others man-made such as chocolate. Most of the ingredients are packed with antioxidants and other nutrients that improve the skin’s texture, lending it a glow.

Before booking yourself for some spa indulgence, research various spas and the treatments they offer. This takes little work, and there is no perfect method to do this. Discuss the treatment in detail with the spa manager. Also discuss if you suffer from a medical condition such as hypertension, in which case you should be avoiding treatments that raise the heart rate such as a sauna, steam bath, or very warm wraps.

If you are still unsure of the treatment to take, simply go for the most basic, gentle massage they have to offer such as the Swedish massage. Keep trying out different treatments from each category. Slowly, you’ll start to get the hang of it and be able to decide on the types of treatment you most enjoy. Then making a choice will be easy.

Facial treatments

Few are spared of skin problems, thanks to pollution, changing weather and erratic eating habits. Spas offer various treatments to rejuvenate your face.

Cleansing is the first step and important in a facial. Insist on cleansing products that have a pH value between 5 and 5.5 as it corresponds to the skin’s natural pH. Using such products will ensure that that skin’s natural pH balance is not disturbed during application and that the skin’s natural acidic mantle that protects remains intact. The cleanser should contain no alcohol so that it doesn’t disturb the skin’s natural moisturizing factor [NMF].

Another ingredient that plays an important role in a spa facial is a serum. Serums or fluids are concentrated formulas for very specific conditions, such as hypersensitivity and dryness, anti ageing and lifting effect. They penetrate faster into the skin than creams. Most of the high-end luxury brand spas always work with different serums or fluid range to get perfect result. Those above 40 years of age can use lifting, collagen booster and direct beauty fluids.

Spas offer basic to specific facials such as lightening facials, age-defying facials, clarifying facials to name a few. Get your skin type diagnosed by the therapist before deciding which treatment is best for you.

If the pressure is not right for you, you can request your therapist to increase or reduce it.

Arrive for your appointment on time. Keep your cell phone on silent mode and always speak in soft tones to avoid disturbing the decorum of the spa.

Always shower/ shave before a body or facial treatment.

Follow the post-therapy instructions given. You may be asked to drink adequate fluids, not wash of the oils immediately after the treatment or take your time getting up after the therapy.

If you have reservations about being treated by a therapist of the opposite gender make them known to the spa manager so that she assigns you a therapist of your gender.

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