Balance and Tranquility

I completed a three year Diploma in Shiatsu with Shiatsu College, London. This brought lots of opportunity to practice shiatsu, learn and discuss, which is what is at the base of the shiatsu I practice.

The first year of the Shiatsu Diploma was focussed on a Certificate in Acupressure Massage. as well as Physiology; Shiatsu involves diagnostic and wider techniques.

'The free movement of energy and achievement of balance are the goals of Shiatsu treatment. A Shiatsu giver will use these to diagnose, interpret and to plan your treatment and they do this by a multisensory engagement with the client'(Shiatsu Society)

The second two years of the diploma taught  'Zen Shiatsu' (originally called Iokai).  It uses a 'two hand technique' / 'mother and child'  hands, This was developed by a key Japanese Shiatsu figure: Shizuto Masunaga,  Zen Shiatsu focusses very much on being present and centred with the Receiver.

The ideas of ancient Chinese medicine which were developed in the Zen ideas of Shizuto Masunaga (who was also a Professor of Psychology) bring Western psychology and physiological knowledge into context with an ancient understanding of the mind, body and emotions which is both simple and of great depth. 

 I've benefited from teaching by Jane Lyons (FwSS), Annie Cryar (FwSS), Clare Gilliver (FwSS), Sebastian Deans (FwSS), Cat Westwood (MrSS), and Debbie Collins (FwSS) Netherlands. I've also been lucky to experience teaching from Carola Beresford-Cooke (FwSS) (internet class), Nicola Pooley (FwSS) (day workshop, London) and Clifford Andrews (internet class), who founded Shiatsu College following their learning with Pauline Suzaki, who was herself taught by Shizuto Masunaga in Japan.
 

Further Courses: 'Ampuku' (Hara/Abdominal Shiatsu) with Philippe Vandenabeele  of the Shinzui Institutute in Japan (online course)'

'Japanese foot massage', with Anne Parry at the S.E.E.D Institute in Surrey. 

I am fully insured via the Shiatsu Society UK and I am a professional member of the society: MrSS, as of September 2024. I qualified in Holistic Acupressure Massage in 2020.

I've volunteered with Women and Health in London. I'll currently be doing shiatsu fortnightly, for staff, at University College Hospital, London.

A quote from Carola Beresford Cooke (author of 'Shiatsu Theory and Practice and co-founder of Shiatsu College,UK) about her practice of shiatsu (from an interview with practitioner Ulli Schmidt on her website): 

Ulli: "What do you think after more than thirty years experience with Shiatsu, is the biggest gain for people?"

Carola: "That is hard to say. To be honest, Shiatsu is not for everyone and it is not a cure-all. But I personally love it, and I speak for myself. Nothing else other than good Shiatsu gives me a pleasurable and relaxing experience that also makes me feel different, more alive, fresher, free of aches and pains, more balanced……. It also gives me a profound reassurance about my inner life, so that I feel deeply at home in my existence, no longer alienated and adrift. And I know that many other people feel the same way. But not everyone."

 Learning about Shiatsu and Chinese Medicine has been a wonderful and inspiring experience which has enriched my appreciation and understanding of life and our connection to one another and the natural world.  -   

I am also an artist with an interest in environmental issues.

I've set up Quiet Stream Shiatsu for the love of shiatsu and sharing this experience with others to aid health and well being