Shiatsu is a healing art originating from Japan. The body has a network of energy, referred to as meridians. These pathways flow all over the body and can be likened to a system of rivers and canals. In order to maintain good health it is vital that these pathways or energy systems are free flowing. Sometimes things may occur which cause dams or blockages and stagnant pools of energy and these can lead to physical illhealth, emotional or psycholgical disturbances or maybe just a general feeling of being under the weather.
The Shiatsu practitioner uses a variety of techniques to help encourage the free flow of vital energy throughout the body and help unblock any areas of congested energy. Fingers, thumbs, palms etc. are the tools used in this healing art and the practitioner uses pressure to induce relaxation and enhance wellbeing. Gentle stretching is often used to help release tight muscles and kneading of tense areas encourages this release.
It is very relaxing to receive a shiatsu massage, but also invigorating as the energy or 'chi' flows freely, releasing areas of tension and revitalising areas short of vital 'chi'. The practitioner is able to identify areas of congested energy and encourage enhanced flow with various techniques.
Shiatsu is performed like a moving meditation and is a joy to receive and give. The receiver remains fully clothed and relaxes on a treatment couch. It is a wonderful way in which to relieve the stresses of a busy life and at the same time help support your own health and wellbeing.
In complementary medicene it is generally accepted that illness and disease begins within the energy of a person. Receiving regular Shiatsu is a way to help prevent illhealth by addressing these disturbances of energy and correcting the flow before it has a chance to cause problems in the physical body. As well as relating to the functioning of the internal organs it also works on the mental and emotional levels and helps to maintain balance in these areas. Being a holistic treatment it recognises that balance is needed here as well as in the physical body to promote wholeness, health and enjoyable living.
Many conditions of illhealth may derive benefit from a shiatsu treatment and these include headaches, migraine, acute and chronic back pain, muscle stiffness, arthritis, digestive problems, respiratory disorders, circulatory complaints, reproductive problems and many more. Because it works deeply on the energetic levels it can also be helpful for depression, anxiety and emotional problems. Anyone is able to receive shiatsu, young, elderly, frail or completely healthy. Shiatsu is beneficial for everyone and regular treatments can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.
As with all the other therapies offered at Aurora your first treatment includes a free consultion covering all aspects of your health, medical background, diet, nutrition and exercise. Your treatment can then be based upon your own particular needs and requirements, with the aim of promoting your good health.
There are six main meridians (major organs) that run down into each foot. A reflexology treatment involves acupressure on these as well as on all the reflexes which correspond to every part of the body. Stimulating these meridian sections as well as the reflexes enhances the potency of your reflexology treatment. Over some time Julie Porter has expanded her understanding of the art of reflexology and has concluded that much of the efficacy of reflex zone therapy, as reflexology is sometimes referred to, is due to the fact that these meridians feature so prominent a part of the treatment. She has obtained very good results with her revised treatment which includes meridian therapy as well as traditional reflexology.
Other parts of the body, such as the hands or the iris of the eye, also contain reflex points which correspond to the entire body. However, the feet, being furthest away from the heart, are very prone to poor circulation and a building up of congestion or 'crystals' underneath the skin. On each foot there are thousands of nerve endings, and it is thought that excess acidity in the bloodstream causes a build-up of calcium deposits which eventually lodge themselves in these nerve endings thus affecting the circulation to the feet and also to the corresponding organs. Each foot represents one half of the body, so by breaking down these 'crystals' which are then removed harmlessly in the bloodstream for eventual elimination, the circulation is improved not only to the feet but to the whole of the body, thus enhancing the tone and function of all the organs.
Some people are concerned that their feet are ticklish and that they could not bear to have them touched. Our feet are very often hidden to the world and most new clients feel embarrassed by them in some way. This feeling very quickly dissapates as they relax into their treatment and begin to experience the wonderful sensation of having their feet pampered. Reflexology is not merely foot massage as some people imagine, but involves stimulation of precise pressure points all over the foot, and clients soon experience that the sensation is quite firm and not at all ticklish. Many report that they find the treatment more relaxing than a full body massage. There is something very soothing about having your feet worked upon and the treatment finishes with a massage of the feet and lower legs which is in itself a very relaxing experience. If the only benefits of relexology were relaxation and stress relief then it would be well worthwhile for this alone, but add on top the benefits to your health and wellbeing and its not surprising that this therapy has existed in one form or another for thousands of years.
Reiki is a natural Japanese therapy, and like reflexology is considered by many to have been in existence for thousands of years. It is a wonderful experience to receive a treatment of Reiki, totally relaxing and stress relieving. The treatment is non-invasive and non-manipulative and this makes it suitable for everyone.
The term Reiki can be broken down into two Japanese words 'Rei' and 'Ki'. In very general terms Rei means universal, but in fact Japanese ideograms are written on many differing levels of interpetation, and on a deeper esoteric level Rei means the all-knowing and all understanding higher conciousness, the universal energy. Ki, which is called Chi in China (meaning the vital living energy which connects and flows through all things). This is the same life energy which is used by martial artists in their training. It is possible with the correct training and to manipulate this energy with the mind. This would require a very deep level of understanding and higher conciousness development. This life-force has been photographed by a system called kirlian photography which was developed in Russia by Semyon Kirlian. The aura or radiance around the body appears as a swirl of beautiful colours in a constant change of appearance with every thought and feeling that passes through the physical body and mind. This energy occurs around all objects. Whether inanimate or animate and according to the vibrations affecting it at any time the radiance will expand or shrink as the energy pulls inwards. A number of years ago Reiki Master, Julie Porter, had the opportunity to experiment with this, on a personal development course. Two coins were used, one was placed in the kitchen where, as you can imagine there was a lot of activity, clatter and noise as lunch was being prepared for about one hundred people, the other was put in the library, a very quiet room used only for studying esoteric knowledge or for lectures on the same subject. In this room the atmosphere was very still and calm. After lunch, both coins were retrieved and photographed with the special camera. The one from the kitchen diplayed only a very small aura all around, but the coin from the library had an aura which extended out at least three times further than the other one, which demonstrates how much we are affected by the atmosphere of our surroundings.
With this in mind your treatments at Aurora take place in a room which is dedicated to quietness and calm energy, soft music playing in the background, water gently cascading from a fountain, and candles to enhance the atmosphere, so the mood of relaxation is immediate when you arrive. You receive your treatment lying comfortably on a therapy couch and spend an hour to an hour and a half in a state of deep relaxation. If it is not possible for you to lie comfortably the treaments can be carried out whilst you are seated.
The Reiki treatment involves the therapist using a technique of various hand positions which help to balance and centre the body's energy system. It is a very powerful technique on the body's subtle energies, but very gentle on the physical. In fact it is an ideal introduction to complementary therapies.
Julie Porter is a Reiki Master. This term means that she has reached the level which enables her to teach this art to others.