New Year’s Resolutions For Shiatsu Practitioners  

Did you know that the practice of setting resolutions has existed since the 19th Century with the earliest recorded resolution dating back to 1671? Anne Halkett, a London born writer and member of the Scottish gentry published a page called “Resolutions” with several pledges reflecting behavioural changes.  

Although they were not referred to as New Year’s Resolutions, throughout the years the habit of making and breaking them became so common that other writers playfully reflected on how these resolutions were made to be broken. 

We do not know for sure where the habit started, but New Year’s resolutions remain a popular trend in contemporary society. So much so that the latest surveys tell us that 3 in 4 Brits (74%) will be setting resolutions to better themselves in 2025. How many of them do you think are Shiatsu Practitioners? 😊  

The Guardian tells us that 17% of Brits give up on their resolution within a month. There is something alluring about setting intentions to better yourself in the new year, but rather than doing them because of societal influences, we want to invite you to connect with your Hara and do them your way.  

If you’re not a fan of New Year’s Resolutions, that’s absolutely fine. You can use this time to reflect on all the blessings that came into your life over the last 12 months.  

We want to share with you a coaching tool called the Wheel of Life which we have adapted to suit your needs as a Shiatsu practitioner, student or enthusiast.  

The founder of this tool is the late Paul J. Meyer who pioneered the coaching industry through his Success Motivation Institute. The Wheel of Life is a visual tool that includes 8 different categories of a balanced life with the aim of helping people understand their level of satisfaction and fulfilment in each category.  

There are many design variations, and in this article, you’ll find the “pie” style which includes the following main areas: family and friends, significant others, career, finances, health, home environment, personal growth, fun & leisure. You’re welcome to change the areas to suit your needs!  

For each area, take a moment to reflect and rate your level of satisfaction and fulfilment now, from 0 to 10.  

If you would like to make a self-care ritual out of it, we suggest the following:  

• Set the environment – find a comfortable space without any distractions. Prepare a cuppa, light a candle or an incense stick, add your favourite playlist in the background. Take out your journal or prepare a few pieces of paper and some colours to help you create your version of the wheel.  

• Connect with your Hara – take a few breaths and connect with your Hara. Sit with each area of life that draws your attention and use this opportunity to reflect on how things have unfolded during the last 12 months. Remember to be gentle and compassionate towards yourself. This exercise is designed to help you bring awareness to what truly matters for you.  

• Set the intention – choose one (or more) areas of your life that you would like to improve over the next year. Write down three new habits and how you intend to integrate them over the next few months. Start small with daily promises that you can honour along the way.  

Now let’s go through each of these areas together and see how we can adjust them to your Shiatsu journey.  

• Family, friends and your Shiatsu community.  

Jim Rohn emphasised the importance of surrounding yourself with people that align with your values with a quote saying that “you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with”. Reflect on this. 

• Significant other:  

In this category you can include anything from “dating” to “life partner”. If you’re in a committed relationship take this opportunity to look at everything that is going well and areas that need a bit more attention. Reflect on how you can bring more gratitude, love and presence in relationship to your significant other. If you’re not in a long-term partnership, use this time to nurture the relationship you have with yourself and gain clarity on what you would like to explore with other people.  

• Career:  

Whether you are a qualified Shiatsu practitioner, student or a simple enthusiast your career takes up a great chunk of your time, energy and resources, so it’s important to discover something that feels fulfilling. Reflect on your gifts and talents and write down a few areas where you would like to develop your skills. What courses, qualifications or mentorship would you require? Did you know that, according to our partners Balens insurance, one of the best things that you can do for your Shiatsu profession is to keep good records. Make sure to add CPD activities to your intentions for the New Year and we will assist you along the way.  

•  Finances: 

In this category you can include anything to do with “money” or “financial security”. Have a look at your income and expenditure over the last 12 months. Discover the areas where financial resources have been allocated efficiently, and which areas need a bit of reassessment. Are you content in this area of your life? If not, how can you use your skills and expertise to enhance your sources of income. For instance, one of your CPD activities could include online courses or workshops that can teach you how to promote your services online.  

• Health: 

As a Shiatsu practitioner or enthusiast chances are that you’re already interested in health and holistic wellbeing. Further commit to nurturing your health and vitality by looking after your: mental health through mindfulness practices; physical health through nurturing foods, regular movement and quality sleep; emotional health by developing emotional intelligence; and spiritual health by engaging in practices that give a sense of purpose, direction and meaning.  

• Home environment: 

This category helps you evaluate your living environment, and it includes anything from your home and neighbourhood to your treatment room or Shiatsu studio. Are these environments welcoming and provide a sense of safety or comfort? If not, reflect on what needs changing. This may be the appropriate time to declutter or release some of the things you no longer need. You could also consider a renovation project or even change the space entirely. Notice what needs or desires come to the surface and gradually prioritise them.  

• Fun and leisure: 

When was the last time you took some space for yourself? We hope that your answer is “recently” but if not, use this opportunity to prioritise this area of your life. What dreams or hobbies are waiting on the shelf for the right moment? Make a list of the activities that you enjoy and that help you relax or recharge and schedule time in your calendar to do them. Remember, you can’t give out an empty cup. Prioritising your needs and wellbeing will benefit everyone around you.   

• Personal growth:  

As Shiatsu practitioners we train our mind and body to pay close attention to subtle sensations and energies. This requires a lot of self-awareness and attunement to the environment. In the personal growth category, we invite you to include anything to do with “learning” and “self-development”. Reflect on how you would like to improve your education through books or courses, what skills you would like to develop, and what are some of the actions and achievements that would help you progress towards personal goals.  

Conclusion 

Being a Shiatsu practitioner requires lifelong learning, continuous study, and personal development. We want our members to find this process inspiring, engaging, and a worthwhile aspect of their professional lives, one which gives them the opportunity to reflect on what they have learned and how they have contributed to their professional growth. 

The Wheel of Life is a really great tool that you can use to assess the different areas of your life at the beginning of the year and at any other stage. If you’d like to complete this exercise you can download a template here.