Shiatsu Society

By mentees

How Do I Find a Mentor?
See the downloads page for the Mentoring pack and application form. As the service expands, we hope there will eventually be mentors covering the country from Lands End to John O’Groats and beyond, but in the meantime, we will give you the number of someone whom you can at least talk to on the phone. Thee mentors’ names and a few details are also on the website, to make it easier for you to find the right person.

Why do Shiatsu practitioners become involved with Mentoring?
Many of us would like to see more students qualifying and more graduates going on to MRSS. We have enjoyed working to gain our own qualifications but also know how hard it can be at times, just to keep going, and we would like to help other people along the way. Besides which, it does seem that not nearly enough of the public are aware of Shiatsu, and the more of us get qualified the more we will be able to publicise Shiatsu and therefore get more clients for our services.

What sort of Things can I discuss with my Mentor?
Basically, anything you want to discuss, which you feel has a bearing on your Shiatsu. For instance, a mentor may try to help you focus on your skills, look at your strengths, work on weak areas, perhaps help with time management. Some mentees, especially graduates, will be looking more for help with business skills. But remember, it is your time to do what you want with, and it is up to you both to work out how to use the time, and how often you want to meet, or phone, your mentor.

What sort of things should I not expect a Mentor to help with?
Some will be very strong on coping with exam planning or exam nerves, but not so good on business skills, others quite the opposite. You cannot expect your mentor to be qualified as a teacher or tutor (although we are very fortunate in having a few teachers volunteering their help) and you may well find that you are more up-to date on much of the Shiatsu theory than your Mentor. Nor are Mentors there to offer counselling skills. Very few will have such skills, and they would not have that sort of time available. Encouragement, support, a listening ear, a helping hand, are what we can offer, and perhaps sharing some of our own experience, where relevant.

What should I think about before contacting a Mentor?
Think about what sort of areas you feel you need help with, and don’t be afraid to ask your mentor if they feel they can help you in these areas—not every mentor will be right for every mentee. Be prepared to make time for an exploratory discussion. It will always help to start from basics; let your mentor know about your existing skills and experience as well as the gaps!

How much Contact should I have with my Mentor?
Remember, mentors are offering a free service, but their time is limited. All mentors have volunteered on the basis that they will not be obliged to offer more than two to three hours per month. So, obviously, you cannot expect to meet, or speak on the phone, for more than that time, less if the mentor has more than one mentee. And please note, as the service is free, any long phone calls you make to your mentor should be on your phone bill not theirs!

Are Mentors recommended by the Society?
No, we can only refer you to a Mentor, not make a recommendation as such. What’s the difference? Well, the Society cannot be responsible for any advice or suggestions made to you by your Mentor. What we are offering is a kind of self-help network, not a system of trained people working to specific guidelines. The induction days are not a training, simply an introduction to Mentoring where people can share and explore their own ideas, as Mentoring is a relatively new activity, and there are few ‘experts’ in this field. So all the Mentors will be very different individuals with different ideas and attitudes. That said, we can guarantee that they will all be enthusiastic, qualified Shiatsu practitioners who will be keen to see you making progress, otherwise they would not be generously offering their time like this in the first place!

What if I cannot find a Mentor who has the skills and experience I am looking for?
Then you may need to come back for re-referral OR you may be expecting too much from a mentor and you may need more specialist help, such as extra tutoring, which you would of course have to expect to pay for.

What if I am not happy with the help or advice a Mentor is providing?
If you can discuss this directly with your Mentor, this may be enough. Many problems can be sorted out through a frank exchange of views, and it is unfair (and pointless!) not to tell your mentor if you are having reservations. But, again, do get in touch with the Office or the Co-ordinator if there are problems; this is a newish service; we are all learning as we go along.