"Strong emotions have been the order of the day recently. As the UK struggles to wake up to the possibility of life outside of the EU, we are all dealing with our own emotions – shock, anger, disbelief, fear, confusion. Many people may be feeling joy, if the result was in line with their wishes. In these situations we can get caught up in what is called ‘emotional contagion’. This is where we literally ‘catch’ other people’s emotions as though we were catching a virus. We get caught up in collective fear or anger. It works the same way with happiness, but sadly that seems to be in short supply just now.. " - get some practical support from an Edinburgh-based mindfulness expert Ashley Watson 

Forget Phil Spencer: Secret Agent:
how do you sell yourself? .....

People often come to Shiatsu for support in making changes such as:

• posture
• style of living
• even situations, whether at home, work or elsewhere.

​Each change may require us to take small steps, each a tiny change in itself, and many of these tiny changes may involve breaking a habit.

Maybe I come to shiatsu hoping to change the way my body feels (perhaps I feel physical pain, or perhaps I just feel a little 'uncomfortable'). In the course of my treatments, things may start to shift (as muscles relax and tension is eased). And ... as part of the process I may choose to change a habit or two in support of these positive shifts. Changes could be as wide-ranging as dietary habit, exercise or even thought or emotional patterns. Just as an example ... I might choose to sit straight (i.e. stop crossing my legs).
​
Sounds easy? Well, yes it is, I suppose, it’s so small: .....

By Catriona Murray

Shiatsu is a way of creating space:
in our lives - a brief hour in which to chill undisturbed
in our minds - by bringing our attention into our bodies, habitual thought patterns may slow or even stop
in our bodies - gentle movement, whether hip rotations, stimulation of pressure points or vigorous palming, helps blood to flow, nerves to fire and space or a feeling of ease to spread in the body.

Regular shiatsu can support you in handling either daily life, or exceptional circumstances, by providing space in which to relax body, mind and spirit. Aches and pains may be soothed away; stressful situations momentarily suspended.

This is all most helpful, and yet, there are ways in which our own contributions may assist this process: we may help ourselves...

Take time to centre.
Simply paying attention to ...

By Catriona Murray

One of the comments most often heard from clients on receiving Shiatsu is how much more aware of their bodies they are after a session. Although as Shiatsu practitioners we work actively on our clients' bodies, physically moving joints, applying pressure or movement via our thumbs, elbows, fingers palms and feet, what our clients often do not realise is that 50% of the effort comes from them!

Every movement, every ...

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Relaxing and being aware of your body (as you might be in a Shiatsu session or similar) has its own side-effect - the aches that have faded into perception background suddenly get a spotlight, as do emotions and thoughts we keep well hidden. I am certainly not the only person who has experienced feeling like EVERYTHING in my body is tense, achy and just plain WRONG at the start of a Shiatsu or a massage treatment.  This is the start of the process of resolving/ transforming these stale states of being into a healthier you, but it can be a bit of a shock. 

by Catriona Murray

Breath is important. In the last newsletter we touched on how important an awareness of breath is – especially when stressed – and how we can use “3 deep breaths” as a way to consciously calm, ground and center in moments of anxiety.

But we can use breath in so many other ways. It is the cornerstone of many health-giving practices, from yoga to Qi Gong, from singing to pilates.

Sometimes we can even just focus on breathing and forget the physical movement, and still feel a benefit …