# in Zen mode with a Shiatsu massage..

Along with all my other New Years resolutions this year, there are these : be cool, less stressed, less anxious, and to not let my emotions get the better of me.. In short, let go and remain calm and Zen, detached and separated from the emotions and feelings of a life that can be at times difficult and unstable.

Easy to say, but not so easy to put into practice isn’t it ? And whether it be due to the full moon, or getting out of bed on the wrong side, my hormones interfering in things, or simply life not throwing me any favours, all my resolutions go out of the window ! When we are stressed, the body really feels it, and suffers as a result. It manifests itself in physical symptoms, weakness, unbalance, tension and illness…

The ideal solution is to not let it get that far, so I have decided to try the famous Shiatsu massage to help relieve any unwanted tension in both the body and the mind….

Shiatsu : The art of touching, Japannese style

This Japanese method of relaxation, consists of stretching and more or less intense pressures on precise points of the body. It is similar to acupuncture, but the pressure on the energy points and zones is carried out with fingers/thumbs or a stick … Mercifully no needles are required for Shiatsu . .

This energy discipline, besides being soothing and relaxing for the body and the spirit, also favours good circulation of energy, which reduces stress and tension, rebalances the body & soul’s energy, the organs and the nervous system, etc… To be more precise, Shiatsu also helps to calm digestive, respiratory, circulatory problems, migraines,insomnia and muscle or articular pains .. It can also help psychological fatigue, or a reduction in the body’s energy .. Everybody can receive a session of Shiatsu.

Like all oriental medicine, Shiatsu is preventive, which is the complete opposite of Western medicine. We wait until the problem emerges, before we visit a doctor to fix it, rather than helping with prevention. If we correctly maintained our energy flow on a regular basis it would be a lot simpler 😉

The séance :

For over an hour, and after a consultation outlining my expectations, the practitioner examined every point of my body, adding pressure to different areas, sometimes more than in other areas depending on the need. He started with the top of my back all the way to the soles of my feet, and then back up the other side of my body, massaging point by point the different tensions and knots.

Depending on the knots, the pressure can be more painful, but in general the massage remains very soft and relaxing, I almost fell asleep on the table..

My opinion :

This very gentle and soothing massage was just what I needed .. After this massage my body and mind were left feeling calm and completely relaxed. For added comfort, the practitioner came to perform the Shiatsu in my home, so that I did not need to take the subway or drive afterwards, and was able to wrap up in my soft tartan rug and have a cup of tea, whilst remaining in my perfect Zen bubble.. It was really the perfect thing to finish the week smoothly and begin the following one in complete serenity…
I definitely recommend one (or several!!!) small sessions of Shiatsu for everyone who is stressed, anxious and stiff, or simply those wanting a moment to themselves, to feel good…