Rise & Shine in Ross on Wye

These ongoing sessions will help us energise body and mind using routines from several traditions.

Next class starts 22nd September '09

Classes are held at:

The Ryefield Centre

Grammar School Close

Ross on Wye

Herefordshire HR9

You may join these classes at any time. Cost is charged per 10 sessions £35.00

These classes offer you routines and exercises to create a practice of your own. The weekly class will be a powerful way for us to connect and explore energy work more deeply.

Each week will focus on one tradition. There will be variety to keep it interesting and eventually you will learn which exercises suit you best.

From Shiatsu we will use "Do-In" and "Makka-ho".

Do-In is a sequence of self-massage and tapping which wakes up the surface and muscular levels of our body. It raises energy which is important for our immune systems and generally makes us feel more awake.

Makka-ho is stretching. The stretches we use (some standing, some on the floor) aim to improve the internal flow of energy around the body. They may seem like Yoga but the focus is slightly different. We will look at postures used in every day movements, such as lifting a heavy object or resting in contemplation, and then use a stretch to make the movement easier.

From Aikido we will look at "Ki development" exercises. Ki is Japanese and Aikido (which means The way of Harmony) is a non-aggressive martial art which aims to harmonise with the energy of an opponent. We will not be looking at the martial art but at the exercises which help to create free flow of energy and improve our mental focus.

Tai Chi is well known and we will use its gentle movement to improve our balance and look closely at how we move.

Qi-Gong literally means energy work and we will learn The Eight Strands of the Brocade (Taoist) and Shibashi (Tai Chi qi gong).

Shiatsu Introduction - week1 notes

The focus of this week was to introduce several basic strands to giving Shiatsu. Each week will start with a similar warm-up:

• stepping forward and swinging the arms above the head while breathing in and then stepping back breathin out. Do this about 12 times (6 leading with each foot) every morning and see how much more energised you feel
• Stretching and squatting. It is important for ease of movement that the hips be as open as possible so it is worth perservering with this

The prime basis of Shiatsu is relaxed leaning where we consider a partnership between giver and receiver. Don't overwhelm and don't be overwhelmed. We practised leaning on eachother - both active - before moving to the Shiatsu position on the floor.

When moving the weight over the receiver's body remember to imagine a pencil dropping from a point just below the belly button and draw a line with the pencil. Note the pressure increasing in the hands and try to keep it even between the two.

We looked at extending Ki using the unbendable arm exercise. Try to use alive relaxation rather than dead relaxation. Keep the arms naturally straight (not locked) and the hands as soft as possible.

We used working on the back as our start routine. With both hands in contact when leaning and 1 hand in contact at all times when moving work down the spine towards the sacrum - one hand on the sacrum staying still and the other moving. Achieve movement by leaning the weight on and off the body. Then work down from the sacrum to the heel of the leg closest to you.

We looked at ease of movement. Try to move without the support of your hands so that when you have the support of the receiver it seems very easy, smooth and natural.

Remember the principles I try to work with:

1. Relax at all times - soft hands
2. Have no aims to change anything
3. Create an energetic intention to connect below the surface of the body and
4. Ask yourself how you feel

Please ask questions and give me feedback with the comments form.

See you next week.

Clients have said ...

I decided I would keep a list of little gems clients have said, normally on their next visit but sometimes at the end of a session. Most of my work is with people affected by cancer and so most of the comments below are from them. For many the Shiatsu acts as deep relaxation but in addition it also, in a very important way, gives clients tools that they can use. The simplicity of breath, learning to expand around a pain, rather than contract against it, learning to let the neck turn rather than turning it and others. I see myself as inviting clients to try out new ways of being. The more Shiatsu they have the more self-reliant they become. It is wonderful.

Thank you to all the clients that give me such positive feedback. I wish them all well.

I feel deeply relaxed yet I can feel all my blood and something else - energy - moving everywhere in my body. I feel so warm.

I have never been so relaxed

It is the only thing that has boosted my energy

I’ve never felt anything like it before – and I’ve tried a lot

I’d forgotten that I even had a pain

I feel much better than when I came in

I am a happier person because of Shiatsu – thank you

It felt like layers being peeled off and each one was something I wasn’t aware of

Even if I have only learnt about breath awareness it has been great, even when walking the dog it makes a difference

As soon as you touch me there is a deeper level of relaxation than I can find by myself

The touch is so important

I don’t know what you do but it is wonderful – I am glowing all over

I never thought I would be able to move my neck so much. It feels so much freer

I feel two inches taller and my neck feels amazing

I felt light and tranquil for days

My shoulder feels completely different and so do I

I went so far away, further than when I go to sleep, it was wonderful

Your touch is so respectful and safe - thank you

I feel as if I have been scattered to the eight winds, freed and then re-gathered and integrated

Rise & Shine at Hereford Haven - great success

We had a great morning learning the Do-In, Japanese self massage and played with meridian stretches. We learnt some breathing exercises and used a Ki development exercise to focus the mind and help us raise our spirits.

All the participants said they would like to do it regularly so watch this space for more classes in Hereford Haven.

Thank you to all who came.

There is an ongoing Rise & Shine class starting in September in Ross on Wye