Shiatsu Shin Tai

What is Shiatsu Shin Tai? 

Shiatsu is a physical therapy which offers an effective and relaxing way to help you naturally stay well and vibrant for a healthier lifestyle.  It uses a combination of pressure points, gentle manipulation and stretching to re-energise and release tension in the body. Using sensitive, mindful, static touch with thumbs, fingers and palms, Shiatsu affects the functioning of physical systems such as the nervous, circulatory and respiratory, thus supporting the body’s innate self-healing abilities and promoting a sense of relaxation and well-being.  

With its origins in Japanese energy medicine, Shiatsu is a healing art that continues to evolve as it combines East Asian medicine theories with Western bodywork modalities, anatomy and physiology. 

A foundation of Shiatsu practice is that our Vital Life Force energy we call Ki or Qi flows throughout the body’s system as we move through phases and experiences during our lives.  The quality and character of our Qi will be influenced by the experiences we face, the behaviour strategies we develop and the belief systems we hold. We can think of the Qi expressing itself through a network of meridian channels that also relate to the way that the natural world behaves in terms of the Doaist 5-Elements System. Read more here

The primary meridians to form once we are conceived are the Governing Vessel and Conception Vessel which together form a part of the Central Channel - the deepest energy pathway running through our spine. Shin Tai is an “evolution of Shiatsu” that focuses on these channels, as well as the Chakra system and Light Body. Read more here

How can Shiatsu Shin Tai benefit me?

Commonly, people come to Shiatsu to gain: 

  • Pain & tension relief -  back, neck, joints, headaches, frozen shoulder, PMS 

  • Better Digestion

  • Easier Sleep

  • Improved circulation & Breath 

  • Support to manage life’ s challenges - anxiety, overwhelm, feeling stuck 

  • Recovery from Injury 

  • Trauma Release and Integration

  • Immune System support

  • Postural Alignment

  • Vitality, energy and creativity

Demonstrating shoulder work in Shiatsu…

How might a Shiatsu Shin Tai session leave me feeling? 

Most people report feeling looser, lighter, taller and more aware of the inner sense (Interoception) of  their body. Often, vision and mental space looks clearer. Places that felt stuck can move with more ease. New possibilities may come into view. How these shifts affect you in the physical, emotional or spiritual aspects in your life are individual to you. Give it a go for a few sessions and feel for yourself!  

Shiatsu can help to enhance the flow of Qi, shifting the dynamic or shape of the whole body-mind system and long held patterns of tension and stress can release - a gentle process of re-connection, releasing, processing and integration. This can make way for personal growth and transformation to support you to live more fully in the life you truly want to live. 

What happens in a Shiatsu session?

Shiatsu takes place on a futon on the floor or on a massage table. I also use a specially crafted body cushion that helps your spine stay relaxed as you lie on your front and helps with release and alignment. 

To receive, please wear loose comfortable clothing so you can stay warm and move freely. 

We take time to discuss what you want and need. Lying on your back, front or side, with or without the support of cushions, I use hands on soft or firmer pressure, movement of the joints, stretches.  You are in the driving seat and I adapt to how your body responds. I aim to help you to move more freely, breathe more fully and help all parts to connect with each-other.

I’m fully insured through Balens Ltd and a Fellow and recognised teacher of the Shiatsu Society UK.

My approach: “A Listening Touch”

As well as Shiatsu Touch, I use Fascia Release (deep tissue), stretches, elements of Osteopathy, Chiropractic, Cranial Sacral Therapy, breathwork and embodiment practices. 

Clean Language is one way I use to ask simple open questions to help you to tune into your body and listen to what it is telling you. As I guide this self-enquiry you may find that insights occur to you and then the bodywork ‘catches’ those and helps them to integrate.. 

After the session, we may find simple exercises for you to practise at home to support you with what is going on for you and embed the changes you hope to create.  

I will always go at your pace and with what feels right for you. Each experience is unique to you. I encourage you to try it and get a feel for the difference it can make. 

What are the fees and packages available?

  • Single session

    £75 - 75 mins / £85 - 90 mins *

    * A longer session gives time for reflection into your situation and more time at the end for recommendations.

  • 4 Sessions plus: £270

    4 x 75 minute sessions plus one 30 minute ‘Embodied Self-Enquiry’ session in person or online. Here we can include suggestions for the movement of lifestyle ‘practises’ that may help with what you need to attend to right now. .

  • 6 sessions plus: £400

    6 x 75 minute sessions plus two 30 minute ‘Self-Enquiry’ and practise sessions in person or online.

What clients say…

  • “After a long period of emotional stress which had left me feeling depleted, lost, and depressed, I contacted Tracy for a shiatsu session. I found her to be a quiet, still presence, who’s depth of experience was obvious as soon as she began my first treatment. As I have continued to see her regularly, the low mood that had been my norm for a few years began to lift, and I found myself remembering, and reconnecting, with aspects of myself that I thought long gone. After 5 months of fairly regular treatments I feel a renewed excitement for life, and my body feels free of many of the low level niggles and tensions that had accumulated during the preceding high stress years. I would unreservedly recommend treatments with Tracy.”

    —K.E. London

  • “Finding Shiatsu and receiving it from Tracy has been a life-changing experience for me. The impact of shiatsu has been physical and emotional. It has strengthened my energy, increasing my self-confidence as a result. These changes have made a huge difference in how I feel about and deal with the debilitating effect that long-term insomnia has on my body and mind. The ongoing benefits that shiatsu has been having on me and my life are profound and on various levels. It calms and grounds my body while giving me a sense of physical expansion. The effect on my general wellbeing of a long history of not sleeping well, has been eased by the shiatsu. I have not allowed it to worry me in the same way and now I can get on and do so much more in my life. My self-awareness and confidence have also deepened.

    I find Tracy’s approach consistently respectful, professional and knowledgeable. She is a good listener, intuitive, caring and helpful. Last by not least, she has a good sense of humour, which in my view, always helps.”

    — Ana G, London

  • “I commenced my treatment with Tracy because I had stiffness and discomfort in my back that impacted on the right side of my body and caused me to have pain in my hip, neck and right arm. After a few sessions (3-4) I felt that my back became more relaxed and the discomfort in my neck and right arm was alleviated. I continued with the treatments to achieve full recovery and continue to notice increased improvements in my condition. Tracy is a highly intuitive person and this allows her to go to the source of the condition. She was very supportive during my treatments and encouraged me to trust in my body’s ability to heal and was always able to put me in the right direction which I believe contributed to the healing process of my alignment. Of the various treatments I have had: acupuncture; osteopathy; physiotherapy; and sports massage I have found Shiatsu to be the most helpful therapy. It has given me long-term relief and sustainable results. I would highly recommend Shiatsu with Tracy.”

    — Ira, Student

Some words from a client who I treat monthly alongside her husband…

“I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS in 2009 when I was 44 and this led me to start regular monthly Shiatsu treatments happily finding Tracy about 8 years ago. While I’m not very badly affected by MS at present my health is the main reason I originally sought out Shiatsu. Various life events have unfolded since and my partner sadly has developed an aggressive form of young-onset Parkinson’s. Shiatsu is also about helping me to remain strong physically and emotionally in the face of this.

My Shiatsu treatments are an important space for physical and mental retreat, restoration and renewal. There is always a noticeable positive impact on my whole body leaving me feeling rested, released and renewed. Sometimes Tracy pays particular attention to a specific area which is troubling me, carefully working alongside and in collaboration with my breath to release areas of muscular pain. I particularly value the sense of deep emotional safety and holding reached during the treatments.

Tracy’s experience is manifest in her grounded, sensitive and responsive presence during the treatment and in conversations before and after. She brings herself to the treatment in a professional but very human and open way and always leaves me with something new to think about.”

— S.T. Psychotherapist

Locations

London NW3

 

London N11

 

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