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ReikiEma offers individual Reiki tutorials with an experienced and compassionate Reiki Master Teacher. Whether you're just starting on your Reiki journey or a seasoned Reiki Master, everyone is welcome to book a session, develop your intuition and grow your skills and understanding of Energy Work. Receive support, inspiration, and a fresh perspective to help you progress on your Reiki path. Trust in ReikiEma for professional, inspirational, and transformational guidance.

I am a qualified, insured and UK Reiki Federation-accredited Animal Reiki Professional Practitioner. Animal Reiki uses different techniques and skills, to understand what the animal's wishes and needs are for their treatment. Sessions last between 20 minutes up to 1 hour, depending upon the animal recipient's wishes, at the time of treatment - I always respect the choice of the animal recipient as to whether or not they wish to receive Reiki. Some of the benefits Reiki can bring to animals include: relaxation, a deep sense of calm and wellbeing, the release of any issues and/or traumas, as well as healing on all levels. I have found that after only 1 or 2 treatments, some animals with a long history of trauma or difficult backgrounds can start to turn the corner towards trust (in themselves and their humans). Habitual behaviours can subside, as the animal becomes more present and mindful, and less locked into reactive cycles of behaviour. As our animals are so in tune with their humans' wellbeing, it may benefit your companion animal for you to receive some Reiki as well - if this is the case, I will offer this as part of the overall therapy time, or as a combined package at a reduced overall amount. *Reiki is never a substitute for medical treatment - animals' behavioural issues can be caused by other conditions. Veterinary advice should be sought before starting a course of animal Reiki  therapy if there is an underlying medical issue.*

Take your Reiki practice to the next level with personalized Reiki classes from ReikiEma. These classes are designed for those who have already attained Reiki level 1 or above and are seeking to deepen their understanding and skills. Through individualised instruction, you'll have the opportunity to explore and expand your Reiki practice in a supportive and enriching environment.

Discover the profound impact of the Holistic Model of 5 Elements Theory on your overall wellbeing and balance. This self-paced course is designed for individuals seeking to enhance their lives through a deeper understanding of the natural elements that influence our daily existence. Whether you're a wellness enthusiast, a holistic practitioner, or someone looking to bring more harmony into your life, this course offers valuable insights and practical applications. What You'll Learn: The foundational principles of the 5 Elements Theory (of Traditional Chinese Medicine); How to identify the influence of each element in your life; Ideas for balancing and harmonising these elements for improved wellbeing; Practical exercises and tools to integrate the 5 Elements Theory into your daily routine. Why Enrol? By the end of this course, you'll have a comprehensive foundational understanding of how the 5 Elements Theory can be used to support better holistic health, emotional balance, and your overall quality of life. You'll gain the skills to notice and benefit from the subtle influences and interactions of these elements, leading to a more intentional and empowered life. Join us on this transformative journey and unlock the secrets to a more harmonious existence, with '5 Elements and You.'

Introduction: The meteoric rise of Reiki Since it was first introduced to mainland USA, in the post-WW2 years by one of the pioneering giants in Reiki, Hawayo Takata (a US citizen, born in Hawaii, who was inspired to share Reiki with the world after receiving Reiki for a health condition, in Japan), Reiki has exploded in popularity amongst people regardless of cultural, social or financial position, and enjoyed celebrity endorsement in the US amongst Hollywood Figures such as Danny Kaye and even possibly the author Aldous Huxley. In recent times, it has come back into the public eye, with celebrities like singers Erykah Badu training as a Reiki Master. The singer Christina Aguilera, and Gwyneth Paltrow (actor & owner of the spiritual lifestyle brand “Goop”), are also reported as having spoken about receiving Reiki treatments. On the other side of the media fence, the Church of England has spoken out against Reiki, and representatives of the Catholic Church (in the United States), and in Ireland have also issued statements warning against using Reiki, and likening it to “Satanism” and talking about it doing harm. However, despite the sensationalist narrative and rhetoric flying about, Reiki has been popular with many individual Christians and local congregations since Hawayo Takata first shared Reiki with Christian students, in the USA. Even some Catholic nuns have apparently trained as Reiki Master Teachers with the full support (moral and financial) of their local congregations! Love it or hate it, it's pretty safe to say that Reiki is fast becoming a household name! Reiki’s growing acceptance by the scientific & medical communities But let’s just step away from the sensationalism of organised religion's condemnation and A-list celebrities' ambassadorship for a moment. Reiki has been making waves in other areas of mainstream society; quietly, outside the spotlight; and it's been having a seriously positive effect! Did you know that Reiki has actually been steadily growing in credibility and acceptance by mainstream Traditional Medicine in the United States and United Kingdom? It’s actually possible to receive Reiki on some Health Insurance plans, as well as to be referred to a Reiki practitioner by your GP. Interestingly, whilst some of the more old-fashioned “establishment” figures in the West, have been pouring scorn on Reiki as a practice and a therapy, and attempting to position it as quackery at best, and dabbling with the forces of evil, at worst (lol!!! My apologies - I couldn’t keep a straight face there); or as unregulated, unscientific and unreliable; these colourful opinions are never backed up by fact, whereas the Reiki Community has quietly been doing the work - Professionalising itself, gaining recognition and accreditation, and working with the scientists, government regulators and National Health Service, to bring a Therapy which has its origins in Buddhism and Shinto, into a respected position, working in tandem with Healthcare Providers in Hospitals, Clinics and Palliative Care and more, in mainstream Western society. The Scientific Proof of Reiki The fact is that scientists have been carrying out a plethora of scientific, professional, scholarly studies into the effects of Reiki, as well as using technology to see what happens during Reiki sessions (studies measuring radiation/bio-electricity coming from Reiki practitioners’ hands during treatments, for example). In one recent notable example in 2018, a series of experiments were carried out to measure and photograph the effects that Reiki has on the molecular crystalline structure of ordinary, bottled, Swiss tap water. In the photos before, taken from the Reiki Academy London Ltd website, you can clearly see the change that the Reiki energy has made to the water, on a molecular level. Reiki Master Teacher, UK Reiki Federation Committee member & Research Co-ordinator, and Hay House Author Torsten Lange, who carried out these experiments at the only specialist lab of its kind, in Switzerland, has shared the extraordinary results of this series of experiments online (images below). Scientific testing and studies in the field of Reiki have been ongoing for at least 12 years - since at least 2010. The UK Reiki Federation has an objective “to provide more information on the type of research that can provide… evidence” to win acceptance of Reiki from scientists and medical professionals. So there is, in fact, a wealth of robust, evidence-based research on the positive and measurable effects of Reiki. Scientists may not be able to explain Reiki, but we do know that Reiki is observable and has measurable (positive) effects – at least one study noted that the effects of Reiki are better than a placebo. Therefore, I would assert, Reiki exists, and it works. The Benefits and effects of Reiki Reiki has been shown to have the following effects and benefits: Encouraging relaxation; Bringing balance to the mind and emotions; Feelings of peace, and/or of being uplifted; Promoting a calm, peaceful sense of wellbeing; Encouraging positive lifestyle changes; A greater inner harmony and balance; Greater emotional resilience; So what’s behind the fact that Reiki is mistrusted and judged out of hand by some? That’s an interesting question. Why does this stigma/prejudice against Reiki (described above) still persist? Is it simply because the conservative tabloid media likes to have a cause célèbre to rail against on slow news days? Or because some of their less open-minded audience have a mistrust of things they can’t easily explain, and haven’t experienced for themselves? It’s quite true that Reiki is difficult to explain, and to describe to someone who hasn’t experienced it before. Maybe this is partly why some people remain mistrustful of Reiki and have negative theories and narratives. However, it should be said that Meditation has some of the same types of effect as Reiki (although meditation generally requires practice, patience and the right teacher to move past the “monkey chatter” of the brain), and yet Meditation tends to be easily understood in light of its Eastern origins. So why not Reiki too? Spiritualism Links Another possible explanation lies in the parallels between Reiki and Spiritualism. The Spiritualist movement began in the 1800s in the USA, and became very popular in Victorian Britain, with the first mediums practising in 1835, and seances becoming very popular in Victorian homes. Spiritualism and Spiritualist phenomena/activities and practises didn’t fit into either of the established categories of mainstream Religion or Rationalist science, and gained such a negative reputation in the United Kingdom that people were being accused under the Witchcraft Act of 1735, and the Vagrancy Bill of 1824 – and Spiritualists were being convicted without the cases even needing to go to court. This became such a problem, and it was such an issue that in 1951 the Fraudulent Mediums Act was passed, to protect the public from being defrauded by confidence tricksters posing as mediums, (and more importantly) protecting genuine practising Spiritualists from being unfairly convicted simply for their beliefs, under those pre-existing laws, and was then superseded by the “Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008”, which protects all consumers from all fraudulent traders. A historical prejudice This prejudice against practices which were being explicable by science, and not fitting within Christianity, could be another element in the context of the UK’s prejudice against Reiki. The fact that Spiritualists were being tried under archaic anti-Witchcraft legislation also to me, suggests that there was an undercurrent of fear and an association in many people’s minds, with Witchcraft and Spiritualism. The fact that the Catholic church has thrown similar fear-based warnings against Reiki (meddling with forces, satanism, danger) as it had implanted in people’s minds around Spiritualism (think of the horror film trope where a group of people recklessly hold a ouija board séance for fun, and end up unleashing forces of darkness which then have to be put back in their box, to make everyone safe), and prior to that, similar stories, fears and persecution was spread, about “witches”, which also led to people being persecuted unfairly. Theosophy and Western Reiki So, it’s worth noting too that Spiritualists also use a (different but similar) form of palm healing to Reiki, and that Hawayo Takata had been supported by, and associated with, the Theosophy Society (a philosophical/spiritual/religious organisation founded in 1875 in the US, with one of its main founders being a Russian Mystic called Mme Helena Blavatsky). The Theosophy Society’s membership also had a cross-section with Spiritualism in the US, despite some of their beliefs and views being different. So the parallel may have been even more strongly present in people’s consciousnesses, whether or not it was spoken of, outright. Inconsistency and historical inaccuracies Another aspect of some Reiki practitioners which may also ring alarm bells (it did rather with me at first too) is the fact that there are so many differences and contradictions between the different lineages of Western Reiki (the Japanese Reiki association called the “Reiki Gakkai” has more recently shared some of the more historically accurate facts and original teachings of Reiki, which are different again, and a more reliable source). The fact that there is seemingly no “one version of the truth” when it comes to Western Reiki certainly doesn’t enhance its credibility, and is likely to turn some folks off – particularly if they’re really interested and engaged with Reiki, learning that the “truth” you were told by your Reiki Master (which has apparently come all the way down from teacher to student from Usui Sensei) could understandably lead some students to feel disenchanted with Reiki and doubtful of other teachings. However, there are actually some very good and understandable reasons for why we’re in this position now – and I do wish that teachers would read this, educate themselves, and change their teaching materials accordingly, to bring them up to date, and remove the unnecessary “safety mechanisms” which were put in place for (as I say) very good reason. The “Why” behind Reiki’s Conflicting Narratives Having been treated and cured by Reiki for major illness, Hawayo Takata learned Reiki from a famous Japanese Master & Practitioner Chujiro Hayashi, who had Professionalised Reiki in Japan, and ran a Reiki Clinic close to a hospital. Takata not only made Reiki famous in Hawaii – she was resourceful and driven, and networked in high places – and somehow she managed to ensure that Reiki could continue being practised during WW2. Let me put this in context – these were dangerous times for US citizens with any Japanese ethnicity – especially those living in Hawaii, as that country is so close to Japan. Hawayo Takata and her family could easily have been seen as a threat to National Security, and given the fact that she had organised (and publicised heavily) a long visit to Hawaii by her Reiki Master from Japan and his daughter, only a matter of months before War was declared, and Japan became the enemy of the United States, there was a very real risk that she could have been put in a US concentration camp for this alone. Doing anything which implied any connection or loyalty to Japan was unthinkably dangerous. So Hawayo Takata continued to practise and offer Reiki, but renamed it. The anti-Japanese sentiment remained strong in the United States, long after the United States and Japan declared peace. Takata’s mission was to spread the practice of Reiki, which she believed the world needed. She travelled to mainland USA, and travelled around, offering Reiki and teaching it to people from different backgrounds and belief systems. She made Reiki as accessible, approachable and relatable to her American students as she could – and this changed from social group to social group, and changed over the decades, with attitude shifts and new generations. As a result, she created variations on the history of Reiki, so that people’s prejudice would not prevent them from learning or practising Reiki. This is the reason why some Reiki Masters still teach that Mikao Usui was a Christian Missionary and was a school teacher, or that he was a Doctor, when in reality, he was none of those things. Reiki in Japan was more easily understood, because of the cultural context. The values and principles of Reiki in the context of the society in which it was born – or maybe the effect of those values and principles in their cultural context, are actually an intrinsic part of using Reiki effectively. Knowledge and understanding of Qi or Ki (energy) is also widespread in Japan – or at the very least, most people had an awareness of it. So Hawayo Takata wanted to spread Reiki quickly across the United States, and teaching people with no common ground in these areas was not on her roadmap. Instead, she tailored her teachings to instil the qualities and ideas/energy behind the culture and principles of Reiki and Japanese culture – translating them and embedding them in her teaching, adapting them to the student group and times, to more efficiently and effectively get Reiki out there. Consequently, teachers she taught early on were still passing down the same teachings they had learned directly from her, whilst her later Master Teachers were taught something very different. And the people she taught in Hawaii were taught something different again. This is also why different lineages teach different “rules” – such as the rule that a person must never give Reiki for free/that it doesn’t work when given for free (along with a parable to illustrate her reasoning), compared with another set of students being taught that a person must never take money for Reiki. Hawayo Takata used “word of mouth” teaching practice, and insisted that no-one was allowed to take notes during her courses (not even the Reiki MasterTeachers she trained). Her courses tended to be short – one or two days long. Word of mouth teaching, when done over a period of time, can be effective, but when a student has only one or two days to learn by heart everything they need to pass on to their students - well the human memory can be patchy at the best of times, especially under pressure, and even more especially when there’s strong energy in the room (which there always is, during a Reiki course). Mistakes, mis-rememberings and the fallibility of the human memory also leads to variations, and changes – especially when this oral tradition is passed from master to student several times over. There is a popularly accepted mistranslation of the word “Reiki” as meaning literally “Universal Energy”. This is absolutely 100% not the case. Rei means spirit, and Ki means energy. “Universal” energy was a term/phrase coined by Hawayo Takata when she was first associated with the US Theosophical Society (as “Universal Brotherhood” is a key concept in the Theosophy), and as it communicates the ethos of Reiki being universally for everyone, and the idea that it comes from the Universe. However – it is possible nowadays to communicate that idea without telling people that it’s literally the translation of the word. Japanese culture Buddhism & Shinto are not so alien to all Westerners these days, and we do have a frame of reference which is easily found. So the fact that the UK Government’s Complementary Therapy Regulator states that Reiki’s translation is “Universal Healing Energy” does rather undermine its credibility – as honest a mistake, made in good faith as it would doubtless have been when this definition was shared with them, there’s no need to hang onto these unhelpful old ways and practices now, in my opinion as a Reiki Master Teacher (and former Public Servant). (A side note) I find this an absolutely fascinating subject (can you tell?), and having researched and read up on the context and the history of it, I now see the discrepancies and variations (which used to concern me) as a connection to the humanity, resilience, persistence and sheer strength of this great, charismatic (yet very human) pioneer in the world of Reiki. However, I do think that we now need to start teaching the facts (as we know them), and teach students about the journey of Reiki, rather than continuing to blindly follow outdated instructions created through necessity, but which no longer have the purpose to serve for which they were created. This is all very interesting, but what is Reiki, exactly? Reiki is a form of energy work, with its roots in Esoteric Buddhism and Shinto, but with its methodology and practice created in the early 1920s, by a Japanese man called Mikao Usui who, after his business failed, left his life behind and tried to gain enlightenment - eventually finding success, on Mt. Kurama (the sacred mountain near Kyoto). Reiki is also a spiritual path, and combines perfectly with other spiritual practises such as meditation. It does not require any belief system, or even any belief, but people of any religion can be attuned to Reiki, should they choose to. Reiki can never do any harm, although Reiki always needs to be practised ethically (informed consent is always needed for a Reiki treatment) Reiki as an energy existed and was known about, before Mikao Usui’s method – and other, not dissimilar Japanese healing/spiritual practises came about in the same sort of way, around the same time as Usui’s Reiki method, and afterwards as well (for example, Sei-ki Soho, which was Akinobu Kishi’s practice, coming from an event which brought a “change of consciousness” (quote Antony Fidler www.easternpeace.com/pdf/seiki-intro) in 1978. All this may seem strange, but if you liken Reiki to meditation or Yoga, then it starts to make sense. And as a side-note, if established Western religions started to preach against practising Yoga or Mindfulness, as meddling with dark forces, or spiritually dangerous, that would seem as preposterous as the statements made by leaders within certain churches, against Reiki. What are the differences between Reiki and other Complementary Therapies? Reiki practitioners all have a lineage back to the founder of Reiki: Mikao Usui. Reiki practitioners are “attuned” to Reiki, by a Reiki Master Teacher, in order to be able to give Reiki (to themselves or others). The first degree of Reiki is primarily for self-treatment and self-development. Many people who are attuned to Reiki find that it enhances their sensitivity to and perception of energy. This can happen immediately, or over a longer time. Forms of “palm healing” exist in martial arts, and “ki projection” in Shiatsu (which is also taking in energy and “projecting” it into the recipient), can be similar to Reiki treatments. But with Reiki the ability to do this can be activated by simple intention. Also, the ability to give Reiki exists in Reiki, immediately after the attunement takes place, with no practice needed (although practice develops and enhances a person’s Reiki abilities). In other modalities, this technique (along with energetic sensitivity, energetic connection and heightened intuition), is an ability which usually requires time, practice and cultivation. Reiki gives these abilities a boost. Because Reiki is treated similarly to Spiritual Healing, under UK law, and because it’s possible to give a highly effective treatment simply by channelling and sharing Reiki with a client, there is no need for training or studying the framework and theories of Qi (including 5-elements theory, Daoism and the meridian systems) which exist in Japan and China, in order for a person to be a Reiki professional. It’s safe for a person to give a powerful and effective Reiki treatment, without any knowledge of energy systems, whereas this would be unthinkable in other modalities, and potentially very dangerous. Complementary therapists in other qi-based modalities, such as Shiatsu, Acupuncture and Reflexology, study theory, meridians, and theory around Traditional Chinese Medicine. This understanding means that they can make informed choices in treatments, and combine theory and practice. This is also possible with Reiki, but in the UK people more commonly simply learn about the basics of the chakra system, and auric fields. Treatments by Reiki practitioners can often be more led by the Reiki’s flow – which goes to where it’s most needed, whether or not the practitioner is aware of the subtleties of what is happening or how. Reiki is not regulated – there is a voluntary Register, but in order to qualify and get professional insurance as a Reiki Practitioner, the only requirement is to have a second level Reiki certificate and a lineage back to Mikao Usui. Some teachers will run a 2-day Reiki 1 and 2 course together, which means that a person can qualify and practice Reiki professionally, after just 2 days of training (and the quality and content of training is also not regulated). Consequently, this means that there are wildly differing qualities of practitioner and teacher, compared with other modalities which are regulated. Where should I start with finding who to I should go to for Reiki? Here are a few pointers and practical suggestions, from someone who has done all the digging and research (yes, you've guessed it - it's me!). Please do share anything I may have missed here - I love to learn :-) The term “Reiki” has been used by creators of numerous other energy-work modalities, many of which have no basis in Usui Reiki. This isn’t to say that that this means they are not effective or powerful healing methods – it’s simply that they are different to, and distinct from Usui Reiki and since Usui Reiki is the original form of Reiki in the West, it’s worth making sure you’re clear on what you’ll be receiving, before you book a treatment: whether it’s the original form of Reiki (Usui Shiki Ryoho or Usui Reiki Ryoho) or a different modality. Some famous modalities in this category are Angelic Reiki, and Holy Fire Reiki. If you’re unsure of who to go to for a Reiki treatment, there are a number of Professional Associations for Reiki, in the UK, all of which are members of the UK Reiki Council. The Professional Associations generally have a searchable list of qualified Reiki professionals and teachers, so you can find a verified Reiki practitioner in your area, and you can be sure that they are insured and have committed to continuous professional development, and a Code of Ethics. Reiki is included in many Health Insurance schemes, and is also available through the NHS. If you’re looking for a Reiki practitioner who is covered under these schemes and within the NHS, then you’ll need to find an accredited, registered professional. The CNHC (Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council) has all the information you’ll need, as well as a searchable list of practitioners in your area. Word of mouth can be a good way to go, if you know someone whose judgement you trust, who’s tried Reiki in your local area. Caught the Reiki bug? Book a Reiki 1 course for yourself, get attuned, and learn more about Reiki and energy work, with Ema.

Discover the power of animal healing meditation with ReikiEma's guided Animal Healing meditation. Learn how to support your animal companion, with this easy to follow, tutorial and guided audio by Ema, in Cheshire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Lancs, UK. You and your furry friend can reap the benefits of Ema's applied experience of this holistic therapy. Find greater calm and bonding through this experience, designed to bring you both deeper, peace and presence. Animal Healing Meditation Watch Preview £ Buy from £ 5.99 Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied

Intuition Development Workshop Online Featuring The Home Healer (Tanvir Anowar) Dowsing Intuition Energetic meditation How to connect with your intuition. Discover your hidden gifts, and develop yourself, to reach your full potential. Wisdom Keepers Video Wisdom Keepers: Connect to the Light Within Watch Preview £ Buy from £ 5 Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied

Experience the healing power of Shiatsu at ReikiEma in Merseyside, Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Lancashire, UK. Discover Shiatsu with a student practitioner. About Shiatsu "The Art of Touch" “Shiatsu is a touch based therapy that applies pressure to areas of the surface of the body through loose comfortable clothing for the purpose of promoting and maintaining wellbeing. A Shiatsu practitioner will initially consult with the client and plan the Shiatsu treatment. The client will then be positioned comfortably, with appropriate adjustments being made throughout the session. Clear and accurate aftercare advice will be given. Shiatsu is a Japanese word that literally means finger pressure and derives its theoretical and practical roots from the ancient traditions of Oriental medicine. Today it is an autonomous treatment method influenced by Chinese, Japanese and Western knowledge. In addition to being regularly used by thousands of people all over the world, a variety of charities, health foundations, NHS trusts and hospitals in the United Kingdom provide Shiatsu to support patients whilst receiving treatment for a range of health issues and to help them maintain their general wellbeing. Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council What is Shiatsu? Welcome to ReikiEma, where I provide a range of holistic therapies to help you achieve balance and vitality. While many people associate Shiatsu with massage chairs and gadgets, it is actually a powerful and little-understood therapy that can have a profound impact on your health and well-being. Allow me to introduce you to this transformative therapy, today. Book now Shiatsu's Background Discover the ancient healing art of Shiatsu at my Holistic Therapy practice. Originating in Japan and rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shiatsu is a holistic approach to healing that focuses on the interconnected relationship between the body, mind, and spirit. With my expertise, you can release tension, reduce stress, and achieve overall balance in your life. Originating in Japan, with its roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Anma (an ancient form of Chinese massage similar to Tui Na, which was taken to Japan in the 10th Century CE.) The system of Anma was later developed as a profession for people who were blind; with Anma schools for the blind being founded across Japan - sighted people were banned from practising Anma! Book now In the 20th Century, Shiatsu was created as a healing modality, in its own right - making use of techniques from Anma, and other Japanese healing therapies, as well as the Traditional Chinese Medicine system of meridians and acupressure points in the body. Since its creation, Shiatsu has been developed and evolved to reflect many different approaches and techniques by different teachers and practitioners, and ranges from taking a Western/Eastern hybrid approach, though Zen Shiatsu, which uses extensions of the Classical Meridians, developed by a prominent teacher/practitioner in the 20th Century: Shizuko Masunaga . There is also "Seiki" - developed by one of Masunaga's top students, Akinobu Kishi . Seiki relies on "being" rather than "doing", more in the realm of the energetic and less on "working" meridians (not Reiki, but with many areas of communality). What connects all of these diverse schools of, and approaches to Shiatsu, are the therapeutic relationship between receiver and practitioner, the element of healing through touch, and the energetic connection between giver and receiver, which takes place during treatments. Book now What happens in a Shiatsu session? Shiatsu is highly adaptable, and can be tailored to people in most states of health and medical conditions. A Shiatsu treatment can be carried out with the receiver seated at a desk, lying on a treatment table, or (more traditionally) on a comfortable futon mat, on the floor. Book now Before a first treatment, the practitioner will often ask their client a fairly detailed set of questions around lifestyle, medical history and about the client's general picture of health and wellbeing. These questions help the practitioner to build up a picture of their client’s energetic picture, and any factors which are likely to be impacting on their overall holistic health and wellbeing. Some practitioners will ask to see a client’s tongue, as the Traditional Chinese Medicine technique of "tongue diagnosis" can be incorporated into Shiatsu; whereas some practitioners use observation of the client’s movements, speech, behaviour (what they say & do as well as how they say & do it) and any other outward signs of energetic or constitutional patterns – sometimes using the 5-elements/phases model as a framework. There will normally be a pre-treatment conversation, which usually covers asking the client which lying positions they are comfortable with, whether there are any areas they would prefer not to be worked on (some people are sensitive about their feet, for example), any symptoms present on that day, as well as giving the Shiatsu receiver the chance to decide/say what they would like to get from that day's treatment. After the pre-conversation, the client will be invited to lie down on the Shiatsu futon or treatment table (wearing comfortable, loose clothing, and having removed shoes and any chunky jewellery/watches/glasses), and offered a pillow and/or blanket/bolsters for additional support/comfort. Book now The Shiatsu practitioner often begins a treatment with “Hara diagnosis” – palpating areas of their client’s abdominal area, each of which correspond to a Traditional Chinese Medicine organ (reflexologists do the same). Hara Diagnosis offers the practitioner the chance to connect with their receiver's energy, to observe the relative qualities of energy in the different Chinese organs, and how they respond to the practitioner's own energy. Shiatsu practitioners will often use the information they pick up during Hara diagnosis, to decide which meridians will likely be their focus for the treatment - this is particularly the case with Zen Shiatsu practitioners. In the treatment itself, the practitioner uses hands (palming), thumbs (thumbing) and sometimes even knees, fore-arms and elbows, to work along the meridian lines (or energy channels) of their client’s body. Sometimes they will incorporate movement into the treatment, and include supported rotations, and/or stretches. Shiatsu practitioners are trained in safely and confidently moving amd supporting their clients’ legs, arms, heads, feet etc, and so if the client is able to completely relax and make their body as loose and floppy as possible, this is best for the treatment. "Helping” by doing the movement yourself actually means that you won’t get the full benefit of the movement – although this isn’t easy to (not) do for everybody, especially if you're new to Shiatsu - and your practitioner should understand if you find yourself not able to fully relax into being moved, straight away. Book now Book now What to expect after Shiatsu After a treatment, clients may feel a little light-headed or “spacey”, and so they’re encouraged to sit and drink some water or tea, and come back fully, before leaving after a Shiatsu session. Their practitioner will offer advice on ways to support their wellbeing (such as activities which will help support the work they have begun in the session, food energetics) and if the receiver has any questions, they are free to ask them – although as with Reiki and other energy-work modalities, the experience of the receiver is most important. It’s advisable to stay well hydrated after a Shiatsu treatment, to take things easy if possible. There may be a few aches and pains after Shiatsu, because it can be uncomfortable to re-establish a flow of energy where there may have been stagnation or deficiency - think about how it feels when the blood starts flowing to a hand or foot again, after circulation has been cut off for a while! The body can also sometimes go into a detoxification state, and some people feel a little under the weather because of this – they might have mild cold symptoms, or a minor headache, for example. This should only last for a day or two at most, and will only be very mild. Book now What does Shiatsu do? Each treatment will feel very different, and will do different things. What you need, and how you'll receive the maximum benefit on the day, depends upon your energy at the time of treatment. And one crucial thing you need to know about energy is that it doesn't stay still! It's always moving, changing and transforming. This is true of the energy around us, as well as the energy within our bodies and the energy that makes us, well, us! Some of the general overall outcomes intended by the practitioner for each Shiatsu session are: to help bring the person’s Qi into better balance; to promote the smooth, healthy flow of Qi through the meridians; and to help alleviate any aches, pains physical discomfort and symptoms which may be present. A Shiatsu treatment can be a deeply relaxing experience, a vigorous enlivening experience, a profoundly moving spiritual experience, and anything in-between! Shiatsu can help people to feel connected into their own bodies – and can bring a sense of peace and stillness. Some people describe it as "like going to church", others say it’s "like connecting into the Universe", and some people find it helps them to have moments of clarity and self-awareness about how they relate to the people in their lives and the world around them. It's probably fair to say that Shiatsu is not your standard massage! Book now How does Shiatsu work? Shiatsu makes use of the same energetic pathways (or Meridians) which Acupuncturists and Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners use. Shiatsu is based on the foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, but many Shiatsu practitioners incorporate other elements into their treatments, as they evolve, learn and develop their practice. This is why it’s helpful to read reviews from other clients and also to talk to your practitioner before trying Shiatsu, to check whether their style and approach resonates for you. Energy work (as other forms of therapy) is always most successful when the client and practitioner’s energy resonate well with each other. Factors to consider are: how confident you feel in them and their skills, whether you feel they are compassionate (if that's what you prefer), whether their approach and way of expressing themselves feels right for you and whether you feel you just click. No matter how amazing a practitioner's skills and knowledge, you have to feel confident and safe with them, in order to reap the full benefits of the treatment. For more information about Shiatsu you can visit the Shiatsu Society (UK) or the CNHC ’s information about Shiatsu. Book now Shiatsu reviews Due to Ema massaging I have more flexibility in my joints less pain and a better understanding of my inner self and my thoughts Ema always takes time to listen to any problems you may be experiencing after my session my posture is so much better Ema is a lovely person Kate Neeson I have been receiving sessions with Ema over the last few months and I have to say they have been truly amazing. From start to finish each session has been a glorious experience. I have felt calmer, more inner peace and energised and much more focused. I highly recommend to anyone looking to improve your overall well being This was my fifth session and each one seems to get better. I was so relaxed during the session today that I nearly fell asleep. I came into the session feeling tired and stressed and left feeling calm, relaxed and energised. Booking my next session soon Shiatsu client at Juniper Clinic Phil Jordan