Shiatsu, the art of touch – Highlevelcom.be
The body is traversed by a series of meridians through which energy circulates. Certain energy blockages can arise and disturb everyone’s harmony. Shiatsu restores this balance through various techniques. Alexander Seymour Laue, with his eight years of practice and two years of energy, allows us to discover the power of touch.
L’Éventail – What is shiatsu? What’s the philosophy?
Alexander Seymour Laue- Shiatsu was born in Japan, where it is also recognized as a traditional medicine, and is based on the principles of Chinese medicine. It is taught in different schools, seventeen of which are referred to the Belgian Shiatsu Federation. It means “thumb pressure” but we, as practitioners, use all fingers, palms, elbows, knees as well. We work on every organ in an energetic way through the meridians and acupuncture points that run through them. The body sends a lot of signals like pain, discomfort but unfortunately we have a tendency not to listen to them. This results in energy blockages that are considered by practitioners to be the cause of disease. By manipulating people slowly and gently, practitioners manage to relieve tension, relax muscles, circulate energy, and unblock mechanics. Shiatsu is very effective for stress, pain, chronic fatigue, digestive problems, insomnia, and even fatigue. I would like to point out that shiatsu is not recognized as a medicine in Belgium and is not intended to replace any kind of medical advice. Shiatsu is practiced in hospitals in oncology. Not to cure cancer, but to support cancer patients with the aim of reducing the side effects of treatment. This is a generous helping to support everyone in the most difficult times and to rebalance energy.
– What happened during the session? And what advice would you give a new person?
– Shiatsu is generally practiced on a futon (mat on the floor) but can also be practiced sitting on a chair, as is commonly done in business. The person remains dressed, it is important to determine this. Therefore I advise you to come with comfortable clothes. After a fifteen minute interview to get to know each other better and understand the reasons for the meeting, treatment can begin. I put my hand on the person’s stomach or back to feel the energy. It’s not actually a massage, as shiatsu is much more precise. Count on one hour to one and a half hours for one session. We started with the first breathing and meditation exercises to focus on the here and now. This is the moment of connection between me and the person. Then start applying pressure to various points of the body. The length is more or less according to needs and involves the feet, legs, hips and arms. Depending on flexibility, I can also practice stretching.
At the end of the session, I provide some suggestions for extending its benefits. I recommend drinking enough water to flush out toxins, staying calm for the next two to three days, avoiding stress and exercising. The person may feel some discomfort in the following hours or days, but this is nothing to worry about. This is quite temporary. I recommend doing a shiatsu session at each change of season, when things are going well. When I’m contacted for a very specific reason, like a headache for example, it sometimes takes several sessions.
– Who is shiatsu for? Are there any contraindications?
– Physical contact is very important for every human being, from conception to the twilight of his life. Shiatsu is therefore for everyone, young and old, for everyone who wants to recharge their batteries and feel positive energy circulating. There is no one way to practice shiatsu. Each practitioner develops their own acupressure technique based on their training, experience and clients. However certain precautions are required if the person suffers from hypertension, inflammation of the ligaments, osteoporosis… It is very important to work gently. Caution is also required for pregnant women, who can have shiatsu sessions with experienced practitioners trained to support mothers-to-be. Practitioner training is important to avoid pain and ultimately counterproductive. Shiatsu is an excellent tool for recharging batteries and recharging energy; it perfectly complements conventional therapy. This holistic approach presents physical, psychological, and spiritual dimensions, all three of which cannot be separated in this vision of global prosperity.
Article written by Sylvie Dejardin, published at Eventail. be. Find more articles on gastronomic news, but also on high society, arts and culture, fashion, decor and heritage, and entrepreneurship at www.eventail.be.
