Our life's experiences are held in our bodies...
Our bodies hold the key to our healing...
I have 20 years experience in shiatsu, a form of energy- and body- work that connects deep into the muscles, joints and underlying energy (chi) of the body to support the body's natural healing response.
Sessions are available at my studio just outside Chagford, in Devon and prices are on a sliding scale starting at £50 for 1 hour.
Why Shiatsu?
Your body may be calling for shiatsu if you:
are experiencing muscle stiffness or tension
feel stressed, anxious or ungrounded
are feeling stuck or frustrated in your life
have low energy levels
are experiencing illness or physical symptoms
Physical illness, tension, painful emotions, traumatic memories and difficult events can all be opportunities for deep healing and transformation.
When we experience feelings or sensations that we judge to be undesirable we tend to 'close down' around them. In doing so, however, something is lost and we become cut off from our full aliveness and vitality.
Through Shiatsu I can help you, safely and at your own pace, reconnect with what has been lost. These inner resources can give you the power to heal and find more ease and acceptance in your body and in your life.
About Shiatsu
Shiatsu is based on the same meridian and point system as acupuncture but, instead of needles, uses touch to connect on a profound level.
A range of techniques may be used depending on what is needed and appropriate, from gentle holding to deeply releasing stretches and pressure. Shiatsu can be deeply relaxing, powerful, energising, revitalising.
Each treatment is unique and tailored to you and your specific needs. No two treatments are the same, and I have no "fixed routine" for any one particular condition or situation. I work with your feedback, so that we can work together to support your journey to better health and wellbeing.
Although clients often come with physical ailments, Shiatsu works with the whole being rather than just the symptom.
Practical Details & Frequently Asked Questions
Location:
I work from a beautiful cabin in my garden, 1 mile from the centre of Chagford.
Full directions will be given on booking.
Fees:
I charge on a sliding scale; please choose which rate is affordable for you within the scale:
Short session - 1 hour £50 - £70
Standard session - 90 mins £70 - £100
Extended session* - 2 hours £90 - £130
(*allows more time for talking at the beginning and end of the session)
Cancellation policy:
Please note that I ask for 48 hours notice for changes or cancellation of appointments; for changes or cancellations within 48 hours, the full fee will be payable.
Preparing for the session:
It is best to wear loose comfortable clothes, with layers so you don't get too hot or cold, and to also ensure that you are neither uncomfortably hungry or too full. It is advised that you do not drink alcohol on the day of treatment.
Is Shiatsu suitable for everyone?
Shiatsu is a safe complementary therapy that is suitable for everyone.
I have experience of working with people in pregnancy and post-natally, at end of life, after traumatic experiences and in grief, and working with people who have a fear of physical touch.
If you have any concerns, are under the care of a medical professional or if there's anything you'd like me to know before booking your session please book a call with me or contact me and I'll be happy to have a chat about your specific needs and situation.
Shiatsu usually takes place on a futon on the floor, but can also be received on a massage couch or seated in a chair if that is more appropriate for you.
Do I need to take my clothes off for the session?
No, shiatsu is practiced through clothing. Just wear something loose and comfortable.
Is shiatsu painful?
Shiatsu can be very light and gentle, or deep depending on what is needed - or sometimes a combination of both. Sometimes we find places in the body that feel painful but in a good way - some people describe it as 'grateful pain' or a feeling of relief, to have the area met with appropriate pressure. I will ask for your feedback so we can find the right level of pressure for you, whether that is gentle, firm or somewhere in between.
How many sessions do I need, and how often?
There is no set answer to this, as it will vary depending on your reasons for receiving shiatsu. You are welcome to have a one-off session, or a session 'as and when', whenever you feel you need it. Some of my clients come for a series of sessions over a period of a few months and choose to stop when they've come to a place of completion with whatever issue we have been working on. Some people choose to come regularly once a month as they find it a supportive thing in their life.
Accessibility:
My studio is 1 mile from the centre of Chagford. There is parking at the location and the studio is approximately 50 metres walk from the parking. There are a total of 5 low steps - 4 in the garden and 1 into the studio itself. There is a toilet with 1 step. For those who are unable to get to me, or for whom accessibility is an issue, I offer home visits within a 10 mile radius of Chagford for a small extra fee.
For more info & Booking:
If you require more information please book a call or contact me.
What My Clients Say
"Melanie’s presence is gentle, but solid and strong at the same time. She’s open and non-judgemental and works creatively which I really like. [She] allowed me to feel safe enough to be open and honest and I felt very supported by her.”
JR
"Shiatsu provides me with a sense of wellbeing, incredible relaxation and a sense of being at peace and able to take on the world."
Samantha
"Thank you so much Melanie for the beautifully held session today. I felt incredible choice and permission to go as deep as I actually needed which I haven't experienced with a practitioner before. Deeply and genuinely grateful."
Allie W, Holistic Declutterer
“The help you have given me is enormous and works on at least four levels – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. I am truly coming into my own; becoming more of who I am and feel happier and more nourished in places that I thought would always be sad and empty. I am managing to believe in my own beauty, and that is a transformation so great I would not have believed it possible. I am, and will always be, hugely grateful to you.”
Mark Maddrell
"...you have helped me more than anyone else in my adult life... At each session there is the discussion side first and then the bodywork and it always feels like I’ve had two sessions in one – emotional and physical healing. You seem to intuitively know the right thing to do ... and this has inspired me to follow my instincts [more]... You’re such a genuinely caring, understanding person. I feel lucky to have had this experience with you and I’m eternally grateful. Thank you!"
Andrew Savage
"Melanie brings a feminine depth and respect to the healing work which provides a reliable and firm holding and invitation. For me our work generates a sense of belonging within, with life and in the world. Melanie is a hand and ladder for the most difficult places that are hard to be with alone, not to support escape or avoidance, but rather to meet and be with you just as you are, which inevitably creates a shift. There is space for creativity, celebration and fun as much as the difficult stuff. I would recommend Melanie to anyone who wants to be met with integrity and subtlety and to work with someone who clearly knows the territory. I am very grateful to have her as a companion along the way."
Anon
“Melanie was a great, great support through some very dark times, and obviously has an indescribable talent when it comes to healing.”
Emily
"Your strong but gentle hands have worked wonders!"
Ashira McCloud, Glastonbury
"Melanie creates a safe and warm space to release tension, to rest and restore. I know that I am in good hands I can trust, from the moment she starts the session... Going to see Mel is a truly supportive thing to do and helps my body to come back into integrity."
Sophie Partridge, Wayfinder Life Coach & Master Coach
