Gill Porter
Dip H.S.E.C.

Bristol
Bristol 0117 923 7439

What is Shiatsu

and how can it help?

Shiatsu is a Japanese Healing Art which involves 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 weak areas and to move energy where it may be blocked.

Our life force or 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 blockages, dams and stagnant pools occur, 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.

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.

These sessions are run on a weekly or occasional basis.

A typical two-hour session for the group can include gentle stretching. Participants can also learn essential life skills in visualisation, total body relaxation, and simple meditation techniques. In the second hour short one-to-one shiatsu-massage sessions are offered.

Gill became interested in holistic health whilst bringing up her three children. She completed a three year practitioner training at the Healing-Shiatsu Education Centre studying with Master Practitioner, Teacher and Sensei Sonia Moriceau. She has since practiced Shiatsu for fifteen years, from home and at Neal's Yard Natural Therapy Centre; and also in the NHS, working in hospitals, community homes for Social Services, and in Colleges and a Medical Health Centre. Gill continued her studies with post graduate Shiatsu work and studied Feng Shui, and gained an Adult Education Teaching Certificate.

Her interests include Yoga, Medicinal Herbs, Nutrition, and Mindfulness Meditation all of which bring a unique flavour to her style of working. She has been providing Shiatsu to People with Learning Disabilities for ten years, working with one to one and group sessions. She also works with people with mental health needs, and the elderly,and runs Women's creative mid-life workshops (with other women practitioners).

Since 2002 her work has also grown to include Therapeutic Horticulture at Long Crichel Garden, Wimborne, Dorset

More recently her work has developed in the field of Advocacy, facilitating groups and working with individuals.