Creative Changes

Gill Porter Dip H.S.E.C. In Bristol and the South West (UK) Telephone: 0117 923 7439

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A qualified practitioner and facilitator offering

Consultations and One to One sessions in the following:-

Click on the text sections above to find out more:

These simple and effective new skills and consultations aim to enhance your
well-being, personal growth and self awareness/discovery.

Workshops and sessions are for all ages, levels and abilities,
with particular experience in the fields of learning disability and mental health.

What is Shiatsu and how can it help?

Shiatsu is a Japanese Healing Art which uses the power of touch to help us contact our own self-healing for relaxation and well-being. It is a gentle form of bodywork, and is used alongside stretches similar to yoga, breathing and relaxation exercises. The receiver lays fully clothed on a soft mat on the floor, or on a bed or sits in a chair or wheelchair. It can be learned and used by everyone - on a simple level for beginners, to a professional level for qualified practitioners. Shiatsu involves using techniques such as rocking, massage, leaning on the body, gentle rotations and stretching to support (tonify) weak areas and to move energy where it may be blocked.

Our life force/vital energy is called our Ki energy (Chi energy in China). We are born with Ki energy and also create it with the food we eat and the air we breathe. Ki energy flows through our bodies in meridians or rivers of energy. We can liken this to a river or canal system and when the flow of water (or energy) is upset then we get blockages, dams and stagnant pools creating imbalances in our Ki. Along the meridians are to be found Acupuncture points and many of these first-aid points can be located and used by pressing with the thumbs or fingers to relieve pain and other symptoms. Shiatsu means 'finger pressure'.

Shiatsu (like Acupuncture) aims to restore the smooth flow of Ki energy circulating in the body. From time to time our energy goes out of balance and we don't feel quite right, we may have aches and pains, tension, breathing difficulties, and postural problems. Shiatsu helps ease stress, anxiety, depression, body tension, back pain, PMT, headaches, chest and breathing problems, support pregnancy, and help many other conditions.

There are many causes of energy imbalance in our bodies. Some are internal and caused by our diet, lifestyle (overwork or underwork), and our emotions. External imbalances include accidents, the weather (hot, cold, damp etc.), and also physical trauma or shock. In Traditional Chinese Medicine the body and the mind are seen to be inseparable and emotions such as grief, fear, anger, anxiety/hysteria, and worrying can affect our physical body in many ways. Expressions like: 'I don't know how she has the gall to do that' or 'he can't stomach that' or/he's all heart' all show this body-mind link.

Shiatsu uses a system called the Five Element Theory to diagnose and treat imbalances in the body. These Elements are Water, Wood/Tree, Fire, Earth and Metal and are linked to different parts of our body and our organs i.e. kidney/bladder, liver/gallbladder, heart/small intestines, spleen/stomach, lungs/large intestines. Preferences for certain seasons, climates, times of day, colours and tastes i.e. salty, sour, bitter, hot/spicy and sweet are all taken into consideration by a qualified Shiatsu practitioner when diagnosing an imbalance in a person they are working with.

Receiving Shiatsu from a qualified Practitioner involves a willingness to receive, change and grow. In Healing-Shiatsu the client is involved in the healing process to increase well-being and address disease in the body. Clients may be asked to take onboard simple lifestyle changes including dietary recommendations, breathing and shiatsu exercises/stretches called Makko-ho.

SHIATSU-MASSAGE AND PEOPLE WITH A LEARNING DIFFICULTY

Shiatsu is a traditional Eastern Healing Art. It is a non-intrusive and gentle form of bodywork where the client (fully clothed) sits on a chair/wheelchair, lays on the floor on a soft mat, or on a bed. The practitioner mainly uses their hands to work with a person's Ki or vital energy/life force. The theory derives from Oriental Medicine and there are known to be Meridians (likened to rivers of energy) in and on the body which are linked to the vital organs. On these Meridians are to be found the Acupuncture points.

Shiatsu also draws on the knowledge of anatomy and physiology from Western Medicine, and some movements used are similar to physiotherapy. Shiatsu involves techniques such as gentle rotations and stretching, rocking, massage, and leaning on the body to support and tonify weak areas and to move energy where it may be blocked. The aim is to restore the smooth flow of Ki energy circulating in the body. Imbalances in energy can cause pain, tension, breathing difficulties, and postural problems.

Shiatsu can improve body awareness, posture, breathing and concentration span. It helps alleviate stress, anxiety, depression, body tension, back pain, PMT, headaches, chest and breathing problems and many other conditions. Because it encourages physical contact in a supportive and non-intrusive way it can help people to develop trust and confidence in themselves and others.

The aim of a session is to create a safe environment where a person can feel able to let go and release emotional and physical blocks which are often stress related. In time this healing can be experienced as increased well-being on a mental, emotional and physical level. Shiatsu sessions are relaxing and enjoyable, and a warm working relationship develops between the client and practitioner over a period of time. For some people it is a big step in that it is not often that they sit or lay down for more than a few minutes and experience healing therapeutic touch. During and after a session people become more present, relating more directly to those around them and their surroundings, and verbal and non-verbal communication is increased. People may feel more able to come out of themselves. A session can last from a few minutes to 45 minutes, depending on the person's needs and ability to stay with the session. Afterwards people usually feel deeply relaxed with an overall feeling of well-being.

Shiatsu-massage and Mental Health

Chill Out Sessions:

These sessions are run on a weekly and occasional basis. A popular two-hour session can include an hour of gentle stretching and self-healing techniques for the group; in the second hour participants receive a short one to one Shiatsu-massage session. Participants can be taught to give basic Shiatsu-massage to each other, also learning visualisation/total body relaxation, and simple meditation skills.

About the Practitioner:

Gill became interested in holistic health whilst bringing up her three children. She graduated from the Healing-Shiatsu Education Centre in 1994 studying for three years under Master Practitioner, Teacher and Sensei Sonia Moriceau. Since that time she has practised Shiatsu privately from home and at Neal's Yard Natural Therapy Centre, and also in the National Health Service working in hospitals, Community Homes for Social Services, and in Colleges and Centres. Gill continued her studies with post graduate Shiatsu work and studied Feng Shui, and undertook Adult Teaching Certificate. Her interests include Yoga, Chi Gong, Medicinal Herbs, Nutrition, and Mindfulness Meditation all of which bring a unique flavour to her style of working. She has been giving Shiatsu to People with Learning Difficulties for ten years, with one to one and group sessions. Also group work for people with mental health needs, and the elderly. She also runs Women's creative mid-life workshops (with other women practitioners). More recently her work has developed in the field of Advocacy, facilitating groups and working with individuals. Since 2002 her work has grown to include Therapeutic Horticulture at Long Crichel Garden, Nr Wimborne, Dorset.

 

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Last updated 20th December 2009

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