Most of the group met up in the pub on Wednesday night, before the course started on Thursday. As we got to know each other on that evening, and over the next days, we discovered more about each other.
We were born in various different countries, and lived in various different countries (not necessarily the same ones). We had all been involved with shiatsu for quite a few years, some longer than me and some shorter. I started my shiatsu training in 1994... Some were in a phase of re-connecting with shiatsu, or building confidence; some were flourishing, practicing and teaching; and some were looking towards letting go of some of their shiatsu offer, or questioning some aspects of their practice. We had a variety of kinds of connection to the north of Scotland - some of us knew this landscape well, and loved it; some were newcomers; some had ancestral connections.
One topic of conversation was around our shiatsu teachers. I reflect that I have had a range and variety of shiatsu teachers, rather than one main teacher. I feel this is a strength of my shiatsu practice, as I have integrated different kinds of shiatsu approaches and teaching. I have developed my own kind of shiatsu practice. I can also do 'shiatsu impressions'', if I want to! I can show you a Cliff Andrews style treatment, or a Suzanne Yates style treatment, or a Nicola Ley style treatment (all very different!).
I enjoyed getting to know Graeme and Patrizia's approaches over the Summer School, trying out new versions of familiar techniques, and remembering how small changes can make a big difference to my experience while giving shiatsu. For example, centring in the hara, in the heart, or in the spine (a focus of one of Patrizia's classes) changes the way I process information about the client/receiver. Varying my posture can help me to change my centring, without relying on my imagination or thought processes. This can increase my sense of relaxation during the session.
#shiatsuwithoutborders #shiatsuawarenessmonth #shiatsu #shiatsusociety #shiatsucollege ESF - European Shiatsu Federation Shiatsu College, Manchester
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