Featured Shiatsu Practitioner: Cindy Morrissey

Featured Shiatsu Practitioner: Cindy Morrissey

by | Jun 22, 2022 | Featured Practitioner, Shiatsu Articles

INTRODUCING CINDY MORRISSEY

Cindy Morrissey is a Shiatsu Practitioner based in Raheny, Dublin.  She supports women of all ages through:

  • Compassionate Inquiry*,
  • Shiatsu,
  • Reflexology,
  • Aromatherapy,
  • Massage, and
  • Indian Head Massage. 

Cindy often blends different therapies to tailor to each client. She works with to rebalance, gentle movement to mobilise, breathwork to bring back calmness within and compassionate inquiry to talk through the things that we can’t seem to let go.

* Compassionate Inquiry (CI) is a psychotherapeutic approach developed by Dr. Gabor Maté combining talking therapy with body inquiry.

Cindy is a registered therapist with the Shiatsu Society Ireland (SSI), the National Register of Reflexologists Ireland (NRRI) and a certified practitioner of Compassionate Inquiry.  All Irish health insurance providers recognize the benefits of massage and reflexology and most offer refunds on treatment fees paid to registered practitioners.

Shiatsu for Fibromyalgia

Having trained in Shiatsu for Fibromyalgia specifically an initial consultation allows us to explore together what is helpful. Gentle fascia releases often help, holding, breathing, acknowledging whats there … and in between little checkins to negotiate touch and release.. 

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Body Focused Art Therapy

Guided Drawing® is a body work approach that enables us to map body sensations – physical and emotional – in a trauma-informed way. Under Cindy’s guidance we bring inner tension, patterns of fear and pain held in the body to paper. This embodied art therapy approach is informed by neurobiological insights into human stress responses.  Almost all new science around neurobiology and complex developmental trauma promote therapies that have a body focus, are bilateral and movement based, and allow sensory integration. And yet there is scarcity of therapies that can actually facilitate such an approach. Guided Drawing does. 

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Aoibhneas

One day a week Cindy volunteers her time and experience as Shiatsu Therapist in Aoibhneas, a front line refuge from domestic violence for women and children in North Dublin. Experiencing domestic abuse – physical, emotional, psychological or sexual – causes severe stress and and often, trauma. In fact trauma often stays for the long term and well into a woman’s later life.   

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CONTACT CINDY:

EKKO Therapies, 10 Main Street, Raheny, Dublin 5

Tel: 087 6710280

Email:  ekkotherapies@gmail.com
Website: https://ekkotherapies.ie/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ekkotherapies /
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ekkotherapies

ARE YOU A SHIATSU PRACTITIONER, OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE ONE? WHY NOT JOIN THE SHIATSU SOCIETY OF IRELAND?

There are many benefits from becoming a Shiatsu Practitioner, both as a practitioner and as a client of Shiatsu.

If you are interested in becoming a Shiatsu practitioner, or if you are already, why not join the Shiatsu Society of Ireland to receive regular newsletters and update, tips from other Shiatsu Practitioners, and join us for regular meet ups and online talks to benefit your practice.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE SHIATSU SOCIETY IRELAND

 

FIND A SHIATSU PRACTITIONER NEAR YOU

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What Shiatsu means to me: Lynn Pepper, Shiatsu Practitioner

What Shiatsu means to me: Lynn Pepper, Shiatsu Practitioner

by | Jun 11, 2022 | Featured Practitioner, Shiatsu Articles

We sit down with Lynn Pepper, Shiatsu Practitioner of Three Leaf Therapies to find out what Shiatsu means to her on #internationalshiatsuday 2022.

 

1. What attracted you to shiatsu initially?

The idea of working with energy was fascinating to me. I was a massage therapist and knew I was missing something in my treatments, I wanted more. When I started thinking about studying something new involving energy I thought of reiki. But I knew I loved working hands on which is when I found Shiatsu; a perfect combination of hands on and energy work!  

 

2. What is the main benefit of a Shiatsu treatment, in your opinion?

The main benefit is bringing about balance to the body. I personally think this is achieved the practitioner and the client working together. The practitioner helps to bring awareness of an imbalance and alot of the time this awareness on the part of the client is the beginning of change, because you cannot change what you don’t acknowledge. As a practitioner you work with clients who have tried other therapies for an issue and nothing has worked and they nearly try Shiatsu as a last resort! An “alternative ” therapy. And it is when they get a new prespective that something will eventually start to change. 
 

3. What other holistic or wellness practices do you think complement Shiatsu, and do you offer these yourself?

 
I don’t offer it but I think Chi Kong is a brilliant excercise to compliment Shiatsu. The Chi Kong I practice is all about your structure and how the structure creates the shape, of your body and thoughts and ideas. It’s great for alot of things but I think it’s a bit of a secret weapon at a practitioner! I find from practicing it makes my Shiatsu treatments better. I can’t really explain it better than that but it definitely works!
 

4. Has becoming a Shiatsu practitioner helped you (either mentally/physically or both) in your daily life?  Describe how Shiatsu has been of benefit to your wellbeing.

 
Shiatsu has been a benefit to my wellbeing because it has made me more aware of myself and my emotions and I think this awarness has made me a little softer and calmer.
It made me less judgmental of others. 
 

5. How do YOU as a practitioner feel when receiving a Shiatsu treatment?

 
I feel the flow of energy between myself and the practitioner. I become aware of areas that my feel tense or that I am holding onto and I will try to let them relax. If I can’t let them relax then after the treatment I will usually think about why I have tension there, but mostly during the treatment I feel relaxed ☺
 

CONTACT LYNN:

 
May be an image of text that says "hree Leaf THERAPIES MASSAGE, SHIATSU, FACIALS"   

ARE YOU A SHIATSU PRACTITIONER, OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE ONE? WHY NOT JOIN THE SHIATSU SOCIETY OF IRELAND?

There are many benefits from becoming a Shiatsu Practitioner, both as a practitioner and as a client of Shiatsu.

If you are interested in becoming a Shiatsu practitioner, or if you are already, why not join the Shiatsu Society of Ireland to receive regular newsletters and update, tips from other Shiatsu Practitioners, and join us for regular meet ups and online talks to benefit your practice.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE SHIATSU SOCIETY IRELAND

 

FIND A SHIATSU PRACTITIONER NEAR YOU

Click on the link below to find a Shiatsu Practitioner in your area

Click Here

Subscribe to the Shiatsu Society Ireland Newsletter


 


Understanding Qi

Understanding Qi

by | Jun 7, 2022 | News, Shiatsu Articles

ARE YOU A SHIATSU PRACTITIONER, OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE ONE? WHY NOT JOIN THE SHIATSU SOCIETY OF IRELAND?

There are many benefits from becoming a Shiatsu Practitioner, both as a practitioner and as a client of Shiatsu.

If you are interested in becoming a Shiatsu practitioner, or if you are already, why not join the Shiatsu Society of Ireland to receive regular newsletters and update, tips from other Shiatsu Practitioners, and join us for regular meet ups and online talks to benefit your practice.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE SHIATSU SOCIETY IRELAND

 

UNDERSTANDING QI

Yin and Yang: 

 To truly understand qi it is important to understand Yin-Yang.

Yin is that portion of qi that is passive, moist and dark; it is the physical side of the universe.

Yang is delicate, ethereal.  It is active, dry and hot.

Yin and yang do not exist outside of each other, and must be kept balanced in order to create good emotions and health.

 

A chart of different yin-yang relationships

Maintaining Balance of Qi

As with yin-yang, qi needs to balance in order to maintain good health, both physical and emotional.

Curing an imbalance of qi is the basis of healing practices in Traditional Chinese Medicine, such as shiatsu and acupuncture.

Qi Deficiency: Lack of sleep, food, fresh air, exercise, lack of mental stimulation, social interactions and affection or love.

Excess Qi: Too much Qi can affect the body even more so than too little.  This can occur due to excessive exercise, overeating, stress, anxiety or negative emotions.

An advanced diagram showing the relationship between qi and the diurnal cycle.

To avoid this imbalance it is important to be aware of  your qi and nurture it.

A chart of different yin-yang relationships

There are four types of qi within the human body:

 

  • Parental Qi: Inherited from our parents at conception. Parental qi is stored in our kidneys.
  • Pectoral Qi: Produced by breathing. Pectoral qi is stored in the chest area.
  • Nutritional Qi: From eating food, nutritional qi is responsible for bringing nutrition to all parts of the body.
  • Defensive Qi: Responsible for keeping immune systems healthy, and protecting the body from illness. Defensive qi is the yang of nutritional qi, meaning that it is also derived from eating nutritious food.

FIND A SHIATSU PRACTITIONER NEAR YOU

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Shiatsu & Helen Keller

Shiatsu & Helen Keller

by | May 26, 2022 | News, Shiatsu Articles

Shiatsu & Anma

Shiatsu bodywork was made popular in the twentieth century by Tokujiro Namikoshi (1905–2000), and was derived from the ancient Japanese massage modality called anma, a Japanese style of massage which was developed in 1320 by Akashi Kan Ichi.  

Anma was popularised in the seventeenth century by acupuncturist Sugiyama Waichi.  Since then, massage in Japan had been strongly associated with the blind.

Sugiyama, blind himself, established a number of medical schools specifically for the blind.

During the Meiji period from October 23, 1868 to July 30, 1912. the arrival of Western medicine reduced anma’s popularity.

Many of its techniques were subsumed into Shiatsu and Western massage practices, although research into anma for medical purposes continues at Tokyo Kyoiku University.

Anma is still practiced alongside Shiatsu in Japan, with practitioners being certified by the health board of their local prefecture.

Shiatsu and Helen Keller

During the Occupation of Japan by the Allies after World War II, traditional medicine practices were banned (along with other aspects of traditional Japanese culture) by General MacArthur.

The ban prevented many of Japan’s blind community from earning a living practising traditional medicine, including Shiatsu.

Enter Helen Keller, the blind-deaf activist for human rights, who was already popular and loved by Japanese people even before the war, and she visited Japan to experience the devastation in Hiroshima.

When traditional medical was banned in 1948, the blind Shiatsu practitioners reached out to Keller and appealed to her for help.

Helen Keller contacted President Truman directly, and he eventually removed the ban on practising traditional medical in Japan, thereby allowing the blind Shiatsu practitioners to earn a living again.

ARE YOU A SHIATSU PRACTITIONER, OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE ONE? WHY NOT JOIN THE SHIATSU SOCIETY OF IRELAND?

There are many benefits from becoming a Shiatsu Practitioner, both as a practitioner and as a client of Shiatsu.

If you are interested in becoming a Shiatsu practitioner, or if you are already, why not join the Shiatsu Society of Ireland to receive regular newsletters and update, tips from other Shiatsu Practitioners, and join us for regular meet ups and online talks to benefit your practice.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE SHIATSU SOCIETY IRELAND

 

FIND A SHIATSU PRACTITIONER NEAR YOU

Click on the link below to find a Shiatsu Practitioner in your area

Click Here

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with Tsubook,
the new Shiatsu App  

SELF-SHIATSU: LU-10 (Yu Ji) Fish Border

SELF-SHIATSU: LU-10 (Yu Ji) Fish Border

by | May 16, 2022 | Self-Shiatsu, Shiatsu Articles

 LU-10 (Yu Ji /Fish Border)

 

What are the benefits of this point?

This point has been known to reduce chest pain and clear the throat with a cooling effect.

We often forget that asthma has an effect on the throat as well, so this point is a great option to treat the entire respiratory system.

Interestingly, LU-10 is also an excellent acupressure point for snoring problem!

 

How to locate this point

Hold your hand facing palm up, and then locate the lower meatier part of your thumb, which is connected to your palm.

In this area, you will feel a long bone. The LU – 10 point is located mid-way up that bone. Since this area is more muscled, you can apply firm acupressure to this point to receive its cooling and healing effects!

 

5 Element Theory

In the Five Element theory, this point may be used to warm deficient or cold Lung qi.

Because it can benefit the throat so well, by clearing Heat, it actually benefits Lung Yin deficiency as well, so can be used for Yin deficiency Heat conditions.

Lung Yin deficiency conditions include mental agitation, tension and anxiety and physical conditions such as difficulty swallowing.

Locally, LU-10 can be used to help alleviate pain in the palm and thumb.

 

Self-Shiatsu -v- Shiatsu Treatment by a Practitioner

Self-Shiatsu points can alleviate different types of symptoms, and are a useful way to alleviate certain symptoms.

A Shiatsu Practitioner is fully trained and can apply their knowledge to your specific ailments or conditions, and therefore a treatment by a Shiatsu Practitioner is extremely beneficial both physically and mentally to you as a client.  This form of touch therapy is comforting, and is carried out by a highly trained professional.

If you are interested in becoming a Shiatsu Practitioner, or – if you are already – in becoming a member of the Shiatsu Society Ireland, click on the link below to read more.  The benefits of becoming a member of the Shiatsu Society Ireland include regular newsletters with great articles, information on upcoming events and workshops, and a support network with other Shiatsu practitioners in Ireland.

What are the benefits of this point?

This point has been known to reduce chest pain and clear the throat with a cooling effect.

We often forget that asthma has an effect on the throat as well, so this point is a great option to treat the entire respiratory system.

Interestingly, LU-10 is also an excellent acupressure point for snoring problem!

How to locate this point

Hold your hand facing palm up, and then locate the lower meatier part of your thumb, which is connected to your palm.

In this area, you will feel a long bone. The LU – 10 point is located mid-way up that bone. Since this area is more muscled, you can apply firm acupressure to this point to receive its cooling and healing effects!

5 Element Theory

In the Five Element theory, this point may be used to warm deficient or cold Lung qi. Because it can benefit the throat so well, by clearing Heat, it actually benefits Lung Yin deficiency as well, so can be used for Yin deficiency Heat conditions.

Lung Yin deficiency conditions include mental agitation, tension and anxiety and physical conditions such as difficulty swallowing.

Locally, LU-10 can be used to help alleviate pain in the palm and thumb.

Self-Shiatsu -v- Shiatsu Treatment by a Practitioner

Self-Shiatsu points can alleviate different types of symptoms, and are a useful way to alleviate certain symptoms.

A Shiatsu Practitioner is fully trained and can apply their knowledge to your specific ailments or conditions, and therefore a treatment by a Shiatsu Practitioner is extremely beneficial both physically and mentally to you as a client.  This form of touch therapy is comforting, and is carried out by a highly trained professional.

If you are interested in becoming a Shiatsu Practitioner, or – if you are already – in becoming a member of the Shiatsu Society Ireland, click on the link below to read more.  The benefits of becoming a member of the Shiatsu Society Ireland include regular newsletters with great articles, information on upcoming events and workshops, and a support network with other Shiatsu practitioners in Ireland.

ARE YOU A SHIATSU PRACTITIONER?

WHY NOT JOIN THE SHIATSU SOCIETY OF IRELAND?

There are many benefits from becoming a Shiatsu Practitioner, both as a practitioner and as a client of Shiatsu.

If you are interested in becoming a Shiatsu practitioner, or if you are already, why not join the Shiatsu Society of Ireland to receive regular newsletters and update, tips from other Shiatsu Practitioners, and join us for regular meet ups and online talks to benefit your practice.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE SHIATSU SOCIETY IRELAND

FIND A SHIATSU PRACTITIONER NEAR YOU

Click on the link below to find a Shiatsu Practitioner in your area

Click Here

Subscribe to the Shiatsu Society Ireland Newsletter


 
Working in partnership
with Tsubook,
the new Shiatsu App  

My early Shiatsu experience – Diana Cassidy

My early Shiatsu experience – Diana Cassidy

by | May 8, 2022 | Featured Practitioner, Shiatsu Articles

An early Shiatsu experience by Diana Cassidy

Diana Cassidy is a registered Shiatsu Practitioner  based in Cork. 

Here she recalls in a lighthearted way an early Shiatsu experience she had while doing her Shiatsu training, and how that experience resonated with her in her future practice of Shiatsu and the power of healing with touch….

 …………………………………

“I was in my first year of Shiatsu training in London and I had booked to go as a receiver to a 3rd year student that evening.

I had been a keen horse person for most of my childhood and teenage years and the Grand National was running that day. There were 2 horses that I thought would do very well and so I went to put a bet on at the bookies.

Bear in mind that I knew absolutely nothing about betting (and still don’t). It was in 1990 and I put £1 over the counter for a bet on either horse to come in 1st or 2nd.

I was delighted to hear that one of them came in first at 7/2 on (I think). I was in for a payment of £3.50 – or so I thought. I collected my winnings of £0.75. I can’t remember the exact figures but apparently tax was deducted at source and the remainder split between each horse and each position therefore putting £0.20 per horse per position.

I was furious at my lack of knowledge and the fact that I was out of pocket.

I arrived for my treatment with the 3rd year student.

She took my info and started hara diagnosis. When she touched the liver area it felt to me like a total invasion. It was all I could do to keep from belting her one and running out.

Keep calm I told myself, she is learning.

“It’s quite tight there isn’t it?” she said.

“You’ve no idea how close to death you are…” – I replied through gritted teeth.

“Don’t worry, I’ll work on that and we’ll see what happens.” – she replied.

With that, she did liver stretches and worked for about 10 mins in total on the channel.

When she went back to check the diagnostic area again, she could have driven a tractor through it for all the difference it made.

It was a lesson on the effects of thought and relationship with qi and organ response to Shiatsu that I have never forgotten.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Diana Cassidy is a Shiatsu practitioner based in Cork.

You can contact Diana for a Shiatsu treatment at:

Manjaro
Inniscarra
Co. Cork

Tel:  087 207 0132
Email:  shiatsuireland@yahoo.com

FIND A SHIATSU PRACTITIONER NEAR YOU

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Working in partnership
with Tsubook,
the new Shiatsu App