Shiatsu offers deeply relaxing, nourishing, and transformative touch.
Working intuitively each treatment will be different depending on the clients needs. Shiatsu can help activate our bodies natural healing abilities and help us listen to ourselves becoming more aware of our bodies, thoughts and feelings and the relationship between them
Clients come to Shiatsu of all ages and for many different reasons:
- For support during major life changes
- For specific symptoms to more general symptoms of poor health
- For aches, pains, and stiffness
- To help reduce the build-up of stress in their daily lives
- For relaxation
- To support health and wellbeing
- To explore our patterns of being in the world
- To address chronic energetic patterns in the body and mind
- To be seen, for being held and letting go
The session will involve a chat about what is bringing you to Shiatsu and any medical conditions you may have. I may recommend exercises that may help you and suggest dietary or lifestyle changes where appropriate.
Therapeutic Space
In this context, Shiatsu is carried out on a futon on the floor with the client fully clothed. Sessions typically last for an hour and I also offer 1.5 hour sessions.
Testimonials
Helen Marie Wilson,
Personal Trainer
“As a Personal Trainer, Pilates teacher and having trained in contemporary dance I have tried alot of different types of bodywork/massage!
I always go back to shiatsu (and Sarah) as it offers than getting your back or a particular muscle released- it works on a deep and subtle level. Yes I leave relaxed but it is holistic,i often feel reconnected to myself and experience a feeling of being present, restored to a place of balance.
My movement and posture is definitely improved after the sessions, again on a subtle level. Over time I know this has an impact on my body, quality of movement and general wellbeing. I highly recommend Sarah as a practitioner.”
Lucy
“I feel so lucky to have come across Sarah and started regular Shiatsu treatment with her as part of coming into my body more fully and healing a serious illness. She is a really excellent and deeply intuitive therapist who is helping me at so many levels – emotional and mental as well as physical. She is not afraid to hold my hand as I walk into my own shadows. This is so much more than massage – it’s a journey into how energy works in my body. Thank you Sarah for your skill, groundedness and integrity”
Julian Iacono,
Tile Doctor
“I would just like to comment what a wonderful experience I had in the more than capable hands of Sarah, who is a very experienced practitioner in the fine art of shiatsu. My whole body was aching due to my job working outside on my knees tiling pathways in the cold and rain. After a complete therapy session which I must stress is worth every penny I felt and still do feel revitalised.”
Russell Todd
“I’ve visited Sarah almost ten times, so still a relative shiatsu novice, but I would encourage anyone to give it a go.
I have had various knee, back, shoulder and neck ‘niggles’ since my early 30s; but I worry that the impact that work has on my posture will only compound these as I get older. Sarah’s sessions are helping get to the nub of some of these niggles, particularly in my neck and shoulders.
I wasn’t sure what to expect to begin with. Shiatsu’s application of pressure on certain points of the body can be quite forceful; so don’t expect to slide into a massage-induced relaxed state every time. After each session my body feels like it has had a mini-workout. But I certainly feel less tense after sessions. I have also come to appreciate the emptying of my mind that each session involves, and shiatsu’s focus on breathing is definitely a factor in this.
So once a month I visit Sarah for a shiatsu session and each month I think I’m getting my mind and body a little more inter-tuned”
Charlotte
“I have attended shiatsu with Sarah since 2018 for the purpose of wellbeing and self-care. The benefits of which have been innumerable. The physical benefits of shiatsu are well documented, and Sarah’s patience, experience and intuitive technique ensure that each session is tailored to what my mind and body need. Shiatsu has also complimented my gym routine as the massage relaxes my muscles after training to increase performance. Furthermore, I have found that through incorporating shiatsu as part of my routine, I am better able to manage stress; I always leave the session feeling great!”
Mandy
“I came to Sarah with some physical pain I was experiencing and I instantly felt so much caring support.
Sarah’s acceptance and open curiosity helped me to feel able to share my emotional experiences as well, which Sarah integrates into the treatment beautifully. To me this combining of the emotional/mental and the physical is where the real magic lies and where healing happens.”
FAQs
What does Shiatsu Do?
Shiatsu uses the body as its beginning. It is the gateway to make contact with you and anything and everything that you may be with, with the intention to facilitate awareness and change.
How often do I need to come?
It’s advisable to come regularly to begin with: weekly or fortnightly. This is because your body and your nervous system will be in a pattern which isn’t working for you and we need to start to address that pattern in order to bring change, interrupt it and give your system space to create something new. Regular contact will begin to open new possibilities for you and begin to change some patterns of being. Clients often drop down their sessions and have maintenance work once they have arrived at a place they are more comfortable with.
What is shiatsu for?
Everything!! I’m asked this a lot, people come to Shiatsu for so many reasons….obviously physical pain is a common reason, it is body work after all, Shiatsu has helped lots of clients with painful shoulders, knees, hips, necks and backs. Depression, anxiety, feeling stuck, disconnected and lost are often things I hear in my treatment room. Clients who have chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia, post viral fatigue, long covid, ME, immune system conditions, insomnia, fertility issues, migraines, menopausal symptoms and PMS come for Shiatsu to help them. Clients who want support in their lives, maybe with busy jobs, who are on a computer all day, or going through a major life transition. Clients who are experiencing stress, trauma, PTSD, overwhelm and feeling like they can’t cope. People wanting a deeper connection with themselves, to feel more grounded and resilient in their lives and whatever they have to cope with.
Is it like reiki?
Not really, I mean it’s hands on and my hands get hot sometimes and there will be lighter more energetic touch when appropriate but the approach is very different using deeper contact, often using stretches, manipulations, rocking, holding, acupressure points and meridian work.
How many sessions will i need?
Mmmm difficult question as it really depends on what you are coming with, some clients have been coming for years for regular support, others a few sessions. I usually get an idea when I meet you what will work for you and we can discuss that at your appointment and after your first treatment.
Is there any talking?
Yes, there will be initial questions, I will ask you when you first come to find out what brings you to Shiatsu along with health and safety questions. After, there is always space to explore what you are feeling if you wish to do so. I may guide you into coming into to relationship with your body and what you are feeling using the breath, we may talk about what is going on for you and what your intention for the session is. There’s always a box of tissues handy and the space is there for you to express whatever you need to. There’s no pressure to talk if you don’t want to either, we go at your pace with what you bring. My intention is to build a safe space for you, trust grows in time.
Shiatsu Cardiff 