‘Relax. You already have everything that you need. Your nature is already whole. Your nature is already pure. There is nothing to obtain. You just have to give up and let go of what is covering it’. Chamtrul Rinpoche.
There is nothing more exhilarating for me than a dip in the ocean. All year round. The shock of the water hitting my body makes me feel alive, free and embodied. The water element cools the fire of emotions and I feel more capable of going with the flow. My Kidney qi feels nourished, grasps my Lung qi, my inner space increases and my breathing deepens. Wild swimming and Shiatsu have a lot of similarities: both boost immunity, promote circulation, release endorphins, ease tensions, assuage anxiety and low mood, produce a profound sense of well-being and settle the mind in the body. They are both particularly effective in supporting an overactive nervous system and in promoting relaxation.
Wild swimming is one of my self care tools for my life and as a practitioner. To be able to nourish others, it’s so important to nourish oneself.
Modern life can be demanding and fast paced with the emphasis on doing rather than being which can make it hard to relax.
Stress is the root of most emotional and physical ailments these days. In his book ‘Why Zebras don’t get ulcers’, Robert Sapolsky describes how both animals and humans exhibit the same fight or flight reaction in response to stress or danger, however, what differentiates us from Zebras and other animals is our ability to activate the stress reponse in reaction to a perceived future danger, resulting in a greater amounts of stress for humans to deal with. In fact, animals, according to Dr Peter Levine, also naturally shake off stress and trauma if they survive a threat to their lives, whereas for humans this excessive stress energy can build up resulting in trauma related conditions in the body and mind. We have become so accustomed to living on high alert and with a nervous system which is switched on a lot of the time. Thus the importance of relaxation. The shock of a cold swim, brings me back into my body and reboots my nervous system as does Shiatsu.
Why is it so hard to be present in the body? A client asked me today. What can prevent us from dropping down deeply into ourselves? An overactive mind propelled by negative patterning and old self beliefs, fear, grief, trauma, pain… As a species, emotional and physical pain are connected to the same part of the brain, the limbic system, which is connected to survival, with pain being equated to a threat to survival. It is therefore normal to resist pain and discomfort, however, relaxation and cultivating trust in ourselves and our bodies is vital for health. Shiatsu can help to return to the safety of the body and touch into a deep place of nourishment.
In my practice (Shiatsu and Ear Acupuncture), many clients present with nervous system challenges – stress, burn out, anxiety and low mood as well as stress based conditions (chronic pain, skin conditions, digestive and hormonal challenges, migraines etc). I work a lot with the Bladder and Kidney for soothing the nervous system, the Lung and Large Intestine for breathing more deeply, creating space to reside more easily within and let go what is not good for us. The Small Intestine is excellent for any kind of trauma and helping to assimilate our experiences. Stomach is important for grounding and digesting and for feeling more embodied. The hara diagnosis is a trusted friend, however, adding pieces of other meridians can also be effective.
According to Buddhism, our true nature, our place of resourcement, is like the sun – always present despite any cloud cover. We all have the capacity for presence and acceptance, but if there is a a build up of stress, one’s capacity and resilience can be weakened. Shiatsu for me, offers a space to really drop into our essence, beyond the frantic projecting mind, into a space where we can really listen to the wisdom of the body, trust and feel nourished. If you imagine a tree being blown about in the recent storms, Shiatsu can root the client into the earth of themselves, allowing them to bend flexibly but not be uprooted, or allow themselves to return to balance after the storms of life have subsided. Furthermore, Shiatsu can offer a deep space of transformation and depth so that although we may be blown by the challenges and stresses of life, we can live less from the periphery of ourselves but from an embodied and authentic place where one can feel nourished and go onto flourish in life! And there is always wild swimming as an additional exhilarating experience!
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I aim to offer presence to my clients, a space of acceptance and ease so that they feel free to trust, deepen and release and emerge free to express their individual and authentic selves!
For Claire, Yoga, Shiatsu and Breathwork are a perfect “trinity” – each enhances wellbeing. With the addition of Tantra she offers many ways to connect body, mind and spirit; take a look at Claire Haugh’s Practice – “HeartSpace”
For Claire, Yoga, Shiatsu and Breathwork are a perfect “trinity” – each enhances wellbeing. With the addition of Tantra she offers many ways to connect body, mind and spirit; take a look at Claire Haugh’s Practice – “heartspace” http://www.heartspace.ie
“There’s a morning when presence comes over your soul.
You sing like a rooster in your earth-coloured shape.
Your heart hears and, no longer frantic, begins to dance”. Rumi
Shiatsu brings me into a place of presence, calms frantic emotions and allows my heart to dance and express it’s true nature!
It was while undertaking an intensive MA degree in 1994 that I first discovered the nourishment and depth of Shiatsu.
Weekly treatments helped to calm my mind, sleep better and ground me back into my body. I was hooked and was determined to train in Shiatsu! That day came while living in Edinburgh and I completed my training with TSSE in 2010. Being pregnant in my second year and having my first daughter, Lucea, in my third led to receiving a lot of treatments for pregnancy and postpartum issues and indeed to me treating a lot of expectant mothers and exhausted postpartum ones! Shiatsu accompanied me in labour too! I also took baby Shiatsu classes, worked regularly on my daughter and incorporated techniques into my practice. Once completing my diploma, I went on to assist at the school for a further three years.
Having studied and practiced in various Buddhist monasteries in Scotland, Canada, India and Nepal, for 4 years until 2001, I have an interest in settling and transforming the mind and in coming home to the wisdom of the body. Shiatsu for me helps me to settle into a meditative space. I am passionate about working to release obstacles and blockages to inner space and freedom. I have undertaken training in trauma and a workshop on SE (Somatic Experience) which has helped me to deepen my practice and understanding. With a background in Community Development and having worked in Social environments for many years, I have a knowledge and understanding of social issues that my clients come with. I have offered treatments in Women’s refuges and run Women’s well-being groups.
I originally trained in Holistic Massage in 1997, so I incorporate a lot of massage techniques into my treatments. I also have diplomas in Ear Acupuncture for detox and relaxation and for the muscular skeletal system from 2013.
I have always loved the holistic nature of Shiatsu, and I feel that it works particularly well with calming emotions and stress and in their physical manifestations in the body. Shiatsu grounds and gives perspective, so that what had bothered someone initially doesn’t seem as challenging after a treatment and equally physical pain or discomfort can more easily be dealt with when one is more relaxed and at ease. Or once the Kyo has been diagnosed and supported, the symptoms of Jitsu often ease or disappear. I also love the wisdom of the hara diagnosis, I trust the diagnosis even if it doesn’t correlate to what the client presents with. Often, the client will emerge from a session using words associated with the meridians which have been highlighted by the hara! This in turn deepens my trust in Shiatsu! I feel that treatments help to settle the client, bring them back to themselves and offer the space to express their authenticity and to dance the dance of life! As one client said to me after a treatment, “I now have a desire to say YES to life!”.
I offer individual Ear Acupuncture treatments as well as Shiatsu. In Ear Acupuncture, the whole body can be mapped in the ear, tiny needles are inserted into the ear to correspond to our emotional and physical body. They can be less painful and intrusive than body acupuncture and work well with Shiatsu. If I am giving Ear Acupuncture as a treatment, I will offer some Shiatsu to begin with. I also offer a Combo of both treatments which is very popular (half physical Shiatsu and half resting with needles in for a deeply relaxing and releasing treatment).
I work a lot with people with stress, anxiety, sleep and hormonal issues, women’s health issues, clients who are looking for ‘maintenance’, physical and emotional release and several clients who have cancer.
I aim to offer presence to my clients, a space of acceptance and ease so that they feel free to trust, deepen and release and emerge free to express their individual and authentic selves!
The recommendations I offer clients are connected to my general interests – meditation and breathing techniques, yoga stretches, nutritional suggestions and basic Shiatsu first aid techniques. I am bi-lingual and offer treatments through French. I work from a futon and a massage table.
Having lived out of Ireland for 20 years, myself and my partner and two daughters moved back to West Cork in July 2017, near Clonakilty. I offer treatments in three locations;
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Often, the client will emerge from a session using words associated with the meridians which have been highlighted by the hara! This in turn deepens my trust in Shiatsu! I feel that treatments help to settle the client, bring them back to themselves and offer the space to express their authenticity and to dance the dance of life! As one client said to me after a treatment, “I now have a desire to say YES to life!”.
Call 086 1510046
I aim to offer presence to my clients, a space of acceptance and ease so that they feel free to trust, deepen and release and emerge free to express their individual and authentic selves!
Facebook: nourishingtherapieswestcork
I offer individual Ear Acupuncture treatments as well as Shiatsu. In Ear Acupuncture, the whole body can be mapped in the ear, tiny needles are inserted into the ear to correspond to our emotional and physical body.
nourishingtherapies08@gmail.com
My journey and exposure to Shiatsu began in 1995 through the beautiful Geraldine Doyle, who was not only my Yoga Teacher in No.4 Longford Terrace, Dublin, but also a Shiatsu Practitioner. She inspired me to study and it was a great day when I qualified in 1999 as a Registered Shiatsu Practitioner following a 4-year training in the Irish School of Shiatsu in No.4 Longford Terrace (again…!). I also decided to study yoga with Belgian-born teacher Marlene ffrench Mullen in Wicklow and finally in 2001 I completed a 1-Year Yoga Teacher Training with Marie Quail YTTC.
At that time I was working full-time as an editor in an Educational Publishers in Dublin, however one day I approached my boss to seek part-time work. Astute man that he was he said he saw it coming. Happy Days..! I worked three days in a wonderful office with a great team, and two days offering shiatsu and yoga locally.
Over several years I worked with many wonderful clients from my home in Clonskeagh. I also presented short introductions to Shiatsu as part of residential yoga weekends in Wicklow. The feedback seemed to imply I was a natural teacher… I just loved sharing simple partner stretches and palming and feeling the energy change in the room. I also brought the word ‘meridian’ into my vocabulary in my yoga classes.
Life threw a curve ball in 2005 when I met a man on a workshop called “Passionate Gastronomy”. As a Dublin Jackeen, I was convinced he lived in “the middle of nowhere” on the Galway/Mayo border…! However, after a lot of commuting for love, I moved West. Soon after, we attended a deeply enriching Seven-Level Tantra Training for Couples over 4 years up to 2011 in the School of Awakening, UK. The best start to any relationship…!!
Through Tantra we re-discovered breathwork (which we both had some previous experience of) and in 2013 we embarked on a joint journey to become Trainers and Facilitators of Transformational Breath®. Here was the final piece to the jigsaw of health and healing for me. Now when I lie someone down for a shiatsu I can’t help but notice the way they breathe…!! Transformational Breath® involves “hands-on” intervention so it is in perfect alignment with my passion for bodywork. Similarly when I teach yoga it is impossible not to bring in an awareness of the seasons and food to support the body or specific stretches to tone the relevant meridians, bringing balance.
For me Yoga, Shiatsu and Breathwork are a perfect “trinity” and each offers something to enhance our wellbeing. With the addition of Tantra we offer singles, couples and groups many beautiful means to connect mind, body and spirit ~ and we have called ourselves “heartspace”.
Stress is such a huge factor in our lives now and sharing the benefits of Yoga, Shiatsu & Breathwork with the office worker or self-employed person, with the busy parent or the overwhelmed carer is very much on my radar. I am delighted to be participating in the AIB Wellness Week in their offices in Sandyford, Dublin on 16th July. Embracing the trinity of modalities I have in my toolbox I will offer a day of 30 minute modules of relaxation through yoga poses that can be done at lunchtime or breathing exercises that can be done in a chair, and while shiatsu will involve individual sessions I look forward to imparting the benefits of “Do-In” and simple Makka-Ho exercises.
2018 has been a year of great stress for both myself and my husband. Michael’s daughter was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer in 2017 and has been treated at home and abroad over the last many months. My dear mother had a stroke on 21st April and has been in the Acute Stroke Ward of St Vincent’s Hospital ever since. Who cares for the carer? Such an important issue for me right now ~ but I have so many tools to support me, especially The Five Elements.
• FIRE – High Summer – Heart/Small Intestine: How I connect with my own needs and communicate with others. Almost daily I connect to sadness and drop in to friends for a supportive cup of tea to accompany my tears.
• EARTH – Late Summer – Stomach/Spleen: How I feel nourished by the sweetness in life. Feeling grounded. Feeling my fatigue I reach out to others for bodywork, breathwork, homeopathy, and I eat food that supports me.
• METAL – Autumn – Lung/Large Intestine: How I appreciate the GOLD inside me. Letting go and Moving on. Seeing my Mum’s journey as hers, I recognise my own grief and celebration for all the good times.
• WATER – Winter – Kidney/Bladder: How I give my body nourishing rest and nourishing activity. Living almost entirely in Dublin now, I’ve joined a tennis club (after a 10 year absence) and I also let myself sleep and sleep and sleep.
• WOOD – Spring – Liver/Gall Bladder: How I shine in my own individual and creative expression. Remembering to diary that Spontaneous Art Workshop for myself, doodling and exploring ways to bring Feng Shui into the Dublin apartment we live in now.
The road is indeed the destiny.
Claire Haugh if available for shiatsu, breathwork, and house yoga in South County Dublin
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Based in the West of Ireland and in South County Dublin we delight in travelling and venturing ‘off the island’ offering Transformational Breath® events home and abroad. In 2014 we were the organisers of the Global Inspirational Conference, a week-long festival. Why not join us this year when we participate in GIC2018 in FRANCE..!
HeartSpace Sancutary
My mission is to create awareness of how, with the power of our breath, we can enhance our aliveness and well-being on all levels and ultimately express who we truly are…!
Claire Haugh
For Claire, Yoga, Shiatsu and Breathwork are a perfect “trinity” – each enhances wellbeing. With the addition of Tantra she offers many ways to connect body, mind and spirit; take a look at Claire Haugh’s Practice – “heartspace”
http://www.heartspace.ie
Five Element Theory and links with Celtic Traditions
by Susan Boyce RPSSI
I hope each one is able to bask in the wonderful warmth and energy radiating from the sun at the moment. At this time of year before the summer solstice on June 21 and before the month of August I think of my Celtic ancestors and their honouring of the things of nature. I like to think that some of their philosophy has a resonance with Shiatsu theory and especially with the Five Element Theory.
The Celtic tribes had reached Ireland by the sixth century BC. bringing with them their skills in crafts and agriculture. Theirs was an Oral tradition and Irish was their spoken language. There were four major dates on the Celtic Ritual Calendar: Samhain (November 1) which was the beginning of their year, Imbolc (February 1), Bealtaine (May 1) Lúnasa (August 1).
These are a few comparisons:
Celtic
Samhain
This journey into darkness and inner world – the barrier between the natural and supernatural world were lowered. There was a movement of darkness into light which was celebrated in the ritual of the winter solstice. Wells were also places of sacred rituals.
Imbolg
This was a fertility ritual – celebrating the fertility of the land and animal world. It was a time when the land was prepared for the sowing of the seeds.
Bealtaine
This was mainly a spring festival to honour the growth taking place and the creativity of people. Many high mountains were used to light bonfires i.e. on Tara, the seat of one of the high kings.
Lúnasa
This was when the Harvest Festivals took place, celebrating the fruitfulness and sacredness of the earth. They danced around in the stone circles and honoured the sun god, Lugh.
Shiatsu
Winter
The Water (blackish blue) travels underground through the soil and caverns which eventually brings enrichment to the land.
Spring
In Shiatsu the Wood element’s power is to give birth which also refers to the energy rising in the sap of trees and plants.
Early Summer
This Celtic season is more difficult to compare exactly but it could be compared to the Fire element of early summer when the land is flourishing and people are more joyful.
Late Summer
This is time there is completion and maturing both in nature and in humans. It can also be a time of stillness which allows for change. We learned in our Shiatsu study that this element allows us to be “grounded”.
These Celtic traditions and their rituals were Christianised around the year 500, without any battles being fought and I hope that those of us who claim some Celtic Roots can still appreciate some of their culture as we continue to learn about our world and to practise Shiatsu.
Anna is a fully qualified and registered (SSI, IMTA) Shiatsu and Zone Face Lift practitioner. Her clinic is located in the luxurious 5-star Urban Wellbeing Centre in Galway city. She is offering holistic health therapies as Zen Shiatsu, Chinese Cupping and Moxibustion, and Innovative Natural Beauty Anti-ageing therapy Zone Face Lift.
Anna is a fully qualified and registered (SSI, IMTA) Shiatsu and Zone Face Lift practitioner. Her clinic is located in the luxurious 5-star Urban Wellbeing Centre in Galway city. She is offering holistic health therapies as Zen Shiatsu, Chinese Cupping and Moxibustion, and Innovative Natural Beauty Anti-ageing therapy Zone Face Lift.
Anna is a fully qualified and registered (SSI, IMTA) Shiatsu and Zone Face Lift practitioner. Her clinic is located in the luxurious 5-star Urban Wellbeing Centre in Galway city. She is offering holistic health therapies as Zen Shiatsu, Chinese Cupping and Moxibustion, and Innovative Natural Beauty Anti-ageing therapy Zone Face Lift.
Anna is a fully qualified and registered (SSI, IMTA) Shiatsu and Zone Face Lift practitioner. Her clinic is located in the luxurious 5-star Urban Wellbeing Centre in Galway city. She is offering holistic health therapies as Zen Shiatsu, Chinese Cupping and Moxibustion, and Innovative Natural Beauty Anti-ageing therapy Zone Face Lift.
Wild swimming is one of my self care tools for my life and as a practitioner. To be able to nourish others, it’s so important to nourish oneself.
