Five ways Shiatsu has changed my life

Personal Development

I wrote yesterday about my weekend of spring cleaning. One of the chores was to shred some documents that had really outlived their usefulness.

One obviously starts to read these papers and in doing so I came to realise how little change there had been in my life. For example: Bank statements going back over the years show a similar income, the same debts, the same pattern of spending. For what? The only visible monument to all this consumerism was the mountain of rubbish we shifted out of the house!

Life is changing now and that is because a couple of years ago I discovered Shiatsu. So, I thought I would take the opportunity of an entry to the group writing project on ProBlogger to review my progress.

1 My thinking has widened

When I started Shiatsu the talk of Ki and energy blocks seemed strange, silly and something that I wanted to bring into my own Western way of thinking. Anatomy and physiology I could understand and relate to.

That approach did not work and it wasn’t until earlier this year that finally I was able to accept the concepts of Shiatsu and Chinese medicine for what they are. A whole new way of thinking opened up to me as did the feel and connection with my clients as I worked.

I now understand that my thinking was too narrow.It made me what I was: stuck. Too willing just to accept a situation and drift through life without realising the opportunities that I was missing.

2 I am more in touch with my own health and well-being

The more I learn of the theory of Shiatsu and Chinese medicine the more I see those patterns in my own being. I am able to explore those physical and emotional symptoms and work with my own energy to correct what I sense is wrong.

I have never been one for running to the Doctor, preferring instead to trust my own healing mechanisms. Now I know better when to ask for help when I need it and when that trust is well placed.

3 I am able to reach out and interact with people

I always felt I had more to offer but was too shy and stunted to truly interact with people. Why I decided to study Shiatsu is a bit of a mystery but something called to me.

If to touch someone was one barrier to I managed to overcome then I was sure I would fail at talking diagnosis. Strangely this is a part of Shiatsu that I really enjoy. It is a great privilege to hear a client’s story and to explore the physical and emotional connections. Being able to do this in a clinical setting has given me new strength and confidence in other aspects of my life.

4 I have better empathy with the actions of other people

Part of what I do on ShiatsuBlogger is to explore the theory of Shiatsu using my own life as a model. I also find that useful to understand those around me.

Instead of blaming, hating or condemning those around me I now see myself part of a wider pattern of interacting beings; each with their own needs, fears and personal restrictions. It only makes me more empathetic to others.

5 I have discovered a future full of possibilities

If it wasn’t for Shiatsu then I would not have started ShiatsuBlogger. An obvious statement but this blog has opened a whole new world for me.

Building and developing this site and made me realise what I am capable of. When I started studying Shiatsu I had this vague notion of practising professionally. I had real worries about that but writing here and receiving feedback from some wonderful contributors has really given me confidence.

I have written about a lot of changes going on in my life and thanks to Shiatsu and ShiatsuBlogger I am really looking forward to the challenges ahead.

Tony Brown @ May 10, 2007