zenshiatsu-glasgow

One of the benefits of being a self employed therapist is that you get to choose where and when you are available to work.

The back bone of my practice is based at Woodland Herbs, a clinic and shop in the west end of Glasgow. I also see clients at Life Medicine, a practice set up by a few colleagues and myself in the south side of Glasgow.  One day a month I attend a local university to provide on-site shiatsu for staff. The rest of the time I send attending home visits in and around Glasgow for clients who cannot make it to one of the clinics for health reasons.  I like the balance of venues as it provides a bit of variety to how I send my time as well as enabling me to reach more people.

Now usually I keep my home visits limited to Glasgow.  However, a friend and colleague with whom I swap treatments with was looking for some shiatsu in support of her recovery from recent surgery. So for the time being one afternoon a week my time is taken on a return trip by ferry across the Clyde estuary to the Cowal peninsula.

Tags: Shiatsu by john
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This is a Ki-Aikido warm up routine that is included as part of the Do-In class.  As well as a good warm up this sequence when done right also helps co-ordinate mind and body, grounds you and helps you move from your centre.

All exercises are done to the count of eight, then repeated.

Always start to the left

Following exercises are done twice each side (one and two), before repeating on the other side (three and four), etc.

1.    Feet apart, sight bend in knees, rotate upper body 90° to the side, allowing arms to swing out.
2.    Feet apart, bring arm up to the vertical, then bending body sideways past the vertical towards the horizontal on the opposite side.
3.    Feet apart, bend knees, bend body bringing arms and head between your legs for double count, then standing upright extending back beyond the vertical, looking up and back for double count.
4.    Feet apart, looking straight ahead, elbows out, middle fingers touching, twist upper body to the side.
5.    Feet apart, hands on hips, drop head to the side.
6.    Feet apart, hands on hips, drop head forward for double count then back for double count.
7.    Feet apart, hands on hips, turn head to look over shoulder.
8.    Feet together, dip by bending knees then straighten double count, then up on toes again double count.
9.    Turn one foot out extending foot, heel on ground, bend on back leg as bum moves back.

Following exercises are done four times, before repeating on other side.

10.    Arm above head, drop across body allowing to swing out and back up to starting position above head. Change sides on the drop.
11.    Both arms above head, dropping across body and out and back up to start position above head. Change direction from start position, arms dropping out returning up and across the body.
12.    Repeat Number 11 this time bending knees on the drop.

If done right this will have taken 3 minutes.

Tags: Tips and Exercises by john
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Just back from a lovely day at Pollock Country park.  I was part of a team of therapist representing Woodland herbs at the Pollock family day.  The weather was lovely, blue sky and the occasional big fluffy cloud.  As is usual at these events the day started slowly which was great as it gave me the opportunity to have some on-site massage from Mary.  Just the thing for starting the day.  Cheers Mary.

Now while I was having my massage, I caught the smell of Moxa.  Just the thing for my dodgy knee.  So when Mary had finished with me I sat myself down with the acupuncturists, who were playing with a Tiger warmer (An instrument that holds smouldering Moxa that is used to warm acupuncture points).  Kindly, Paula applied the nourishing heat to my knee, heaven. Cheers Paula.

Having had two treatments from colleagues it was only fair that I returned the favour.  Which I did by working on Paula’s shoulders.  As the morning went on I think we all had at least one treatment each.  Filling the time talking by working on each other, talking about our therapies, sharing tips, etc.

By the end of the day I had worked on a few clients, earned a few pennies, watched the presentation of a man dressed as a Knight showing fathers and sons nasty tricks with sharp implements, received some treatment and chatted with my colleagues.  All in all it was a pleasant day.

Tags: Shiatsu by john
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