5 Things I wish I had known as a Shiatsu Student

Written by Nicole Bayes MRSS (tt)
Editing and support by Dinah John MRSS (T), Principal of Norwich Shiatsu College
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We have recently started back with the new term at the Shiatsu College in Norwich. Now I’m a Shiatsu practitioner - an enjoyable and life-enriching journey (if daunting at times!) - and I’m attending classes this year as a Teacher in Training (tt). I found myself reflecting on the whole 3 year training process and realised there were some key pieces of advice I found especially helpful along the way, which gave me valuable perspectives on my whole learning experience. They still provide valuable touchstones in my unending sense of discovery as a Shiatsu practitioner and I hope they might prove useful to you too on your path. I am of course indebted to my friends and teachers for their knowledge and the wisdom that has brought me to these understandings.  
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1. You can trust in the healing power of touch 
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Training in Shiatsu, at its heart, is learning to tune into subtle energy in the body, a unique and undeveloped skill in our society, and not something we are used to practising. We do this in a fun, relaxed environment, making it far easier than you would imagine. Yet when it comes to giving a treatment, trying to connect with someone's energy meridians can feel elusive and intimidating, particularly as you want your receiver to feel some benefit! I would say ‘don't worry’. Your client will gain from the session even if you sense very little.
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In my first year, during the feedback session after treating a friend, I was fretting about how blank the feeling had been under my hands at moments during the treatment. I have never forgotten what she said, as it was so useful, reassuring and true: 'Don't worry you're learning and your receiver isn't aware of that. Touch alone is very powerful and healing, you can trust in that'. It's true. Remember most people receive very little physical contact in their daily lives, so simply being, receiving contact and body weight is hugely soothing and healing. You can trust in that, the rest will come. You don't need to be a Shiatsu Master for someone to benefit from your treatment. ​

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