Women seem to be particularly attracted to Shiatsu. There are generally many more women than men attending treatments and the majority of those who study Shiatsu are also women. This may be due to the fact that women are generally more aware of their body and inner, emotional state and are more interested in feeling good. Men, on the other hand, often tend to ignore signs and symptoms of imbalance for as long as possible.
The unmistakable internal clock of women, our cycle, the regular menstruation, also contributes to the fact that physical changes or emotional imbalances in our general state of health become more noticeable and faster. Missing periods, severe menstrual cramps, excessive bleeding or mood swings are clear signals that we can certainly understand as an advantage for women to recognise pathological changes in our bodies.
Contrary to widespread Western thinking, menstrual cramps are not the norm. In the Far Eastern tradition and among indigenous peoples, such strong menstrual symptoms in the female cycle are completely unknown.
This being said, there are many very different reasons why I can recommend women to engage in Shiatsu. Shiatsu is touch and touch is practically in our blood as women. Both touching and being touched are aspects that we are born with. Historically, women have always taken on more responsibility in caring for themselves, their children and their husbands, especially in the event of illness. The satisfaction of helping others through touch (whether physical or psychological) may also be more deeply rooted in the feminine.
The basic understanding of Shiatsu and some basic grips and techniques are easy to learn and can have a lasting effect on everyday life. If you can’t sleep all night because of premenstrual back pain making life difficult for yourself and those around you, then it’s not a purely physical problem. It hurts on all levels and your whole life is affected.
Shiatsu is therefore not just a massage – it is a Far Eastern healing method, a combination of body techniques, the diagnosis of signs and symptoms and a philosophical basis.
In this respect, the use of Shiatsu can have a healing effect in many different areas:
- improving your general health and well-being
- emotional and psychological balance
- easing premenstrual tension
- slowing down the ageing process
- better skin tone and stronger hair (also less grey hair)
- more flexibility and better posture
- less stress and a more stable nervous system
- more vitality
- increased libido and more enjoyment of sex
- a smoother pregnancy and birth
And it’s not that difficult to learn Shiatsu and integrate it into your everyday life, because you’ve basically been practising the basics of Shiatsu all your life. What you can learn from me is to use the power of your touch precisely and with long-time effect. The pressure and stretching techniques stimulate your self-healing powers, quickly bring the body back into balance and release mental and physical tension. If you are suffering from deep-seated emotional conflicts, it may be advisable to consider additional psychological therapy at this point. I work closely with my colleague Manjari Priya, who has developed a gentle but effective mentoring programme for self-reflection and self-healing of emotional problems.
Together we are offering a 2-day weekend retreat on April 26 and 27 in Aracena. For more information contact +34 676 094 417.