Shiatsu

Two Shiatsu practitioners work at Bodywise.

Introduced to the west from Japan in the seventies, shiatsu is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and works on the same principles as acupuncture, but uses finger pressure rather than needles. The recipient remains fully dressed, in loose comfortable clothing, and can be treated lying down or sitting up. The shiatsu practitioner uses fingers, knees, feet and various stretches to manipulate points along the meridian energy system in the body which relate to the internal body organs and systems.

Shiatsu releases tension and encourages a free and balanced flow of 'ki', or energy. Like acupuncture, shiatsu can help a great range of disorders, including menstrual and digestive problems.

Margré de Vries (Prajnadevi) qualified from the British School of Shiatsu-Do in 1995 and has been a practitioner at Bodywise since 1991, where she sees patients on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Treatments are for one hour and cost £50 for the first appointment, and £45 for follow-ups (£50 from 1 April).   Margre also practices acupuncture and reflexology here and is qualified to prescribe pre-prepared Chinese herbal remedies.

John Linney (Prasannavira) MPhil MSc qualified at The Shiatsu College in London in 2005, a teaching assistant with the Shiatsu College and is a graduate member of the Shiatsu society. He practises here on Friday mornings and charges £45 an hour. He also teaches Tai Chi at Bodywise. He is a Breathworks Trainer leading courses in mindfulness-based strategies for self-management of chronic pain, stress and symptoms of chronic illness. John has lived and practiced as a Buddhist for over 18 years.

See our workshops page and www.bodyofhealth.org for more information.