Zen Shiatsu is a transformative holistic healing experience that is growing in popularity due to its benefits, especially for those who want a gentler and/or holistic approach to healing. Rather than focusing on just the area of discomfort, Zen Shiatsu focuses on the entire person - their mind, body, and spirit - and eases them into a calmer state of being so that the effects will be more sustainable.
What is Zen Shiatsu?
Zen Shiatsu combines the principles of Zen philosophy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the practice of Shiatsu massage originating in Japan. This form of bodywork involves applying gentle pressure to specific points on the body, known as meridians, to release energy blockages and restore the body's natural flow of energy.
At Tune In Shiatsu, I perform this fully-clothed hands-on treatment on a traditional massage table. Shiatsu (“finger pressure”) uses fingers, elbows, and stretches to deeply relax the nervous system in order to relieve muscle aches and pains (like massage), internal organ issues (like acupuncture), and stretch the body’s range of motion (like yoga). These multifaceted techniques make shiatsu effective for treating pain and injury as well as digestive issues, sleep challenges, immune system issues, chronic illness, and even emotional and spiritual health. Rather than "fixing" the body, Shiatsu helps you reconnect with your body's innate healing abilities.
The importance of getting treatments regularly is that shiatsu “interrupts” the body’s habits. For example, if somebody has shoulder pain and restriction, shiatsu can relax the nervous system enough to remind the body what it feels like to move with ease. By returning weekly rather than a few times a year, you consistently “remind” the body what it’s capable of and reset the shoulder’s default.
This style has an energetic approach that recognizes and treats the body as a whole, benefitting more layers than just the physical. By intentionally encouraging more flow of vital force energy, or “qi,” the body becomes more resourced to not only heal physical aches and pain but its physiological functions, such as digestion and immunity, as well as emotional balance, like stress and quality of sleep.
My Philosophy
Whether a client seeks a single shiatsu session or an ongoing combination of modalities, my greatest objective is to create a safe and sacred container. Regardless of beliefs or background, I believe every person deserves space to express themselves honestly as they develop what it means to live in authenticity.
The body, mind, and spirit can make enormous movements when we approach its needs from a holistic framework rather than compartmentalizing singular aspects like muscles or sleep issues. The body is not a machine, but rather an ecosystem that requires balance and tending. In every session, I complete an intake to ask the client what they want to make progress towards. Then, I use my shiatsu training to assess all the organ networks and ask the body what it needs to make that progress. By treating it as a collaborative conversation, progress penetrates deeper levels and aids the body’s own interrelationships of organs, systems, muscles, and chemistry.
Why is your Shiatsu unique?
Having studied the concepts of Yin-Yang, Five Element theory, and Chinese Medicine meridian models, my training as a shiatsu practitioner provided numerous tools and tactics to tailor each treatment to the client’s individual needs and goals. The flow of a zen shiatsu treatment and its range for customization make shiatsu a deeply relaxing and rewarding experience.
In addition to my shiatsu training, I have certifications in Spiritual Coaching, Life Coaching, Reiki, years of experience as an intuitive tarot reader, and over a decade of experience as a professional musician and songwriter. These modalities greatly influence my shiatsu. My coaching training informs my questioning in intakes and how the mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of our lives affect our physical reality. The intuition I’ve developed from tarot reading and performing gives me a deep understanding of what it means to create a life of joy and purpose.
I use these experiences and modalities to formulate a customized experience for each client, encouraging them to step closer to the life they desire. Based on your needs and goals, coaching can be included to help solidify mental or emotional goals, retrain your mind the potential of the body, and believe that physical healing is possible.
It is a journey of self-discovery, self-care, and self-empowerment that can lead to profound transformation on all levels. If you are seeking a holistic healing experience that nurtures your body, mind, and spirit, consider trying Zen Shiatsu at Tune In Shiatsu. I always feel honored to contribute support to those on their wellness journey and help them realize the full potential of their vitality, health, and aligned purpose.
Tune In Shiatsu is located in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago offering Zen Shiatsu, MindBodySpirit Coaching, Reiki Healing, and Intuitive Tarot Readings.
Welcome to my corner of the world,
Abigail
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