I began my Shiatsu studies at the British School of Shiatsu-Do in London in 2011 after a long career in the civil service. I gained my Practitioner Diploma (Dip BSS) and MrSS (Member of the Professional Register of the Shiatsu Society UK) in 2014.

Since then, I have been practising Shiatsu Shin Tai and continue to work with Saul and Lynn Goodman (Shin Tai International).

SHIATSU SHIN TAI

Shiatsu Shin Tai is a powerful healing touch therapy that was developed by Saul Goodman more than 40 years ago.

Shin Tai expands on traditional Shiatsu and is based on a system of diagnosis and technique that focuses on two primary meridians: Governing Vessel and Conception Vessel.

Treatments include meridian work, fascial unwinding, cranio-sacral techniques, Central Channel release and chakra work to clear meningeal stress and deeply held stress patterns in the body, and soft tissue structural adjustments to correct specific misalignments in the hips, sacrum and spine. Shin Tai work touches on a very deep level, giving the body the space to recover motion and activate the receiver’s own life force and vitality.

Proprioceptive exercises form a key part of Shin Tai practice: these involve a specific type of movement and focus that activates the proprioceptive system (part of the nervous system) and expands one’s perception of space and time, sense of alignment physically, mentally, and emotionally and develops our Inner Guidance System.

When we take the time to find our own alignment, we become more able to support our clients in finding their alignment. We learn to wait, notice and observe how we are and give ourselves the space and time to come back to our centre.

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I have a particular interest in and experience of working with grief, fear, anxiety, depression, insomnia, emotional distress, back pain, arthritis, joint problems, osteoporosis, sciatica and digestive issues.

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I have worked as a volunteer Shiatsu practitioner for a charity in London supporting clients living with HIV and Aids, and at a health centre in an area with a high level of poverty and unemployment in Edinburgh.

In the 1990s, I provided telephone counselling for two London charities: London Friend (supporting the LGBTI community) and London Rape Crisis Centre.

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SHIATSU IS THE THERAPY OF  THE FUTURE

Shiatsu touches something fundamental in us: deeply held memories and experiences which the mind alone cannot understand. A client once said to me: "Shiatsu touches the places that have been forgotten". How we feel in our bodies can tell us a lot about what is really going on with us. We often accept pain and injury, almost get used to it and see it is normal, until we realise that it doesn't have to be this way.

Shiatsu is a lifelong journey of self-discovery and self-development because this therapy works on many levels: spiritual, mental, physical and emotional. 

Keeping an open mind and being aware of how I am during a treatment and seeing everything like a beginner is always a good way to start a shiatsu treatment. The body's own capacity to heal is immense. Possibilities remain open.

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"When you touch one thing with deep awareness, you touch everything." (Lao Tzu)

"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's there are few." (Shunryu Suzuki, Zen Mind Beginner's Mind)

"Work with intention and connect with attention." (Saul Goodman, Shin Tai International)