Introducing Tim Mason's Shiatsu and Mindfulness Practice (July 2011)
This page gives some introductory information on my work and up-coming courses.
Mindfulness for the Shiatsu Practitioner
One day CPD course at the Salthouse, Nunney, Somerset Sat 24th March 5th November 10 - 4.00pm
This teaching day aims:- To reinforce the centrality of mindfulness in bodywork therapies
- To support practitioners in their personal experience of mindfulness
- To investigate the application of mindfulness to individual treatments
It will involve more practice than theory but see my article in Shiatsu Society Journal Summer 2011 for some background.
Bookings and enquiries to tim.mason@dsl.pipex.com or phone
07789 200685
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
Mindfulness has been defined as ‘intentionally bringing awareness to the present moment in a non-judgmental way’ or, more dramatically, as “paying attention to your life as if it really mattered” (Kabat- Zinn, ‘Coming to our senses’ Piatkus, p 11).
The following description of MBSR is taken from the website of the Centre for MIndfulness Research and Practice were I trained (see website link on 'About me' page) :
"MBSR is a group-based programme developed by Kabat-Zinn and colleagues at the University of Massachusetts Medical Centre, Centre for Mindfulness (CFM) for populations with a wide range of physical and mental health problems. It has been extensively studied since the late 1970’s. The Center for Mindfulness has been continuously delivering MBSR to patients within a large traditional American hospital for over 25 years. By 1999 over 10,000 patients had completed the programme . They have extended the teaching of MBSR into prisons, into poor inner-city areas, to medical students, and into corporate settings. MBSR has become a part of a newly recognised field of integrative medicine within behavioural medicine and general health care.
The ancient practice of mindfulness, adapted from its use as a spiritual practice, is rendered into an accessible form relevant to the difficulties faced by patients suffering from a variety of physical and psychological illnesses. The training is not tailored to any particular diagnosis. The programme thus involves intensive training in mindfulness meditation together with discussion on stress and life skills.
The evidence base on MBSR shows significant positive effect sizes with participants with chronic pain, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, generalised anxiety disorder and panic, psoriasis, cancer and health care provider self care."
I am offering the teaching of mindfulness as an aid to stress reduction and well-being. More details can be found at www.mindfulness-west.com
Shiatsu
This is a holistic therapy that originates from Japan and is influenced by Chinese and Western knowledge. It is based on similar principles to acupuncture, but the Shiatsu practitioner uses their hands rather than needles. Shiatsu acts to rebalance the body's energy channels of vital energy, to promote your well being, support good health and prevent illness.
Everybody has the healing power of touch and responds to touch. It is a natural ability that people are now beginning to recognize again. Shiatsu uses hand pressure and manipulative techniques to adjust the body's physical structure and its natural inner energies, to help ward off illness, and maintain good health.
The therapy can work on a physical, mental and emotional level according to what is appropriate for the indivdual.
A recent international study by the University of Leeds provides independent evidence on the efficacy of the treatment, http://www.healthcare.leeds.ac.uk/pages/research/documents/ShiatsuFinalReport.pdf
A shiatsu treatment normally last about one hour although shorter treatments are also available. You remain fully clothed and it is best to wear something loose. A long sleeve T-shirt and jogging bottoms would be ideal. It is also helpful to put aside any heavy jewelry, wrist watch etc. No oils are used during the treatment
Traditionally Shiatsu was provided on a floor futon, nowadays a regular massage table or supportive chair may be used instead.