Unwind with Shiatsu: Embracing Autumn's Gentle Flow
The feeling of fall should remind us of the relaxing, nourishing and warming elements of life. Shiatsu massage can be like that; like a big, cozy hug for your body, mind and spirit. It's not just about feeling good, it's about tapping into your body's natural rhythms to find balance and ease. We will explore this art, toss in a few fun ways to keep your energy flowing, plus, at the end here, find a tasty and savory recipe to warm your fall days.
Shiatsu works with your body's channels, your meridians- think of them as invisible highways where your life energy or Ki, cruises along. These pathways connect your organs, muscles and even your emotions, keeping everything humming in harmony.
When stress, late nights or life's chaos clog these highways, you might feel sluggish, achy or just "off". Shiatsu swoops in like a friendly road crew, using gentle, but firm thumb and palm pressure to clear those blockages. It's not a rough knead- it's precise, soothing and relaxing, coaxing your nervous system into relax and reset mode. Your body shifts from "fight or flight" to 'rest and restore", leaving you feeling like you just took a much needed and well deserved nap.
Why is this extra special in autumn? This season, with its golden leaves and cooler temps, vibes with the Metal element in traditional Eastern thought. It's all about crisp clarity, letting go, and breathing deep. The stars of the show are the Lung and Large Intestine meridians- your dynamic duo for respiration and release. The Lungs pull in fresh energy with every breath, while the Large Intestine helps you let go of what's no longer needed (physically and emotionally). Fall's dry, cool air can make these channels a bit cranky, leading to stuffy noses, tight chests or even a touch of seasonal sadness. Shiatsu keeps these pathways open, boosting your immunity, easing digestion and helping you shed summer's baggage like a tree dropping its leaves. It's your body's way of saying, "Let's get cozy and reset."
We owe some of this wellness magic to shiatsu trailblazers like Carola Beresford-Cooke, who weaves practical and intuitive flows into her practice, making shiatsu feel like a dance of energy that anyone can join. Pauline Sasaki's Quantum Shiatsu adds a cool twist, focusing on the subtle vibrations of your energy body, like tuning a radio to your inner calm, Shizuto Masunaga, the Zen Shiatsu guru who brought a spiritual element into the practice, treating whole channels, extended throughout the entire body, to balance your ebbs and flows- like finding the perfect playlist for your soul. And let's not forget Saul Goodman, my teacher and the founder of the International School of Shiatsu in Doylestown, PA. His Shin Tai approach is like a superpowered shiatsu, awakening your "Light Body," sparking deep energetic and structural alignment. Shiatsu is eclectic and varied, helping folx from all walks of life feel better in their bodies.
To keep that autumn energy flowing you could try one of Masunaga's meridian stretches-perfect for opening up those Lung and Large Intestine pathways. These moves are like a morning stretch for your soul, easing tension, boosting energy and helping you roll with fall's changes. Here's a simple (maybe not-so-simple) one to try:
Standing with feet wide apart and toes pointing forward, clasping your thumbs behind your back (or holding onto the ends of a dish towel), you bend forward from your waist in a way that's gentle on the body and you raise your arms up behind you, stretching your shoulders open, breathing into the shape you're in, inhaling slow and deep, exhaling slow and deep.
Alternatively, you can do a different variation of the Lung/Large Intestine stretch, where you're standing upright, take a large step forward with one leg, bearing most of your weight on that front foot, while at the same time sweeping both straight arms overhead and out to the side, puffing out your chest and looking up slightly with your gaze and your head. You inhale before you take the step and then exhale as you perform the exercise. This is the one I prefer to do personally as it opens me up, expands my chest and lungs and stretches my belly. I like to do this outside in the grass. The images below can help you find variations that are good for your body.
And, finally, to make your fall days even cozier, whip up a bowl of savory congee- a rice porridge that has comfort and satisfaction written all over it. It's gentle on your digestion, perfect for supporting the large intestine and just screams autumn nourishment. Here's the recipe:
Ingredients (serves 4)
1 cup jasmine rice, rinsed
8 cups water or bone/veggie broth
1 inch piece fresh ginger, thinly sliced
2 green onions, chopped
1 cup diced fall veggies ( think mushrooms, carrots, or pumpkin for that cozy Metal energy)
Pinch of sea salt and a splash of shoyu (good quality soy sauce)
sprinkle of toasted black or brown sesame seeds or fresh cilantro
Bring everything except the garnish up to a boil then simmer for several hours or longer until you have a very creamy final product. I'd, personally, add chicken, beef, fish or other vegetables like onion, burdock or lotus roots to mix things up in the future, maybe stir in an egg for more high quality protein and creaminess. You can use a crockpot, set it and forget it until it's done or cook directly on the stove in a large soup pot if you'll be home for awhile.
And so, as the leaves begin to fall and the air turns crisp, why not give shiatsu a try? It's a nourishing and relaxing way to tune into your body's wisdom, clear your mind (and meridians) and embrace autumn's flow. Book a session, stretch those channels and savor that congee. I hope to see you soon.
