If someone is in pain it is natural to want to reach out to comfort them.  If we rub or hold the pain and listen to their story, the pain can disappear. This happens every day.  The gift of empathy comes from relaxed naturalness. This is healing touch. 

The rhythm of many of the practical tasks [i.e. knitting, sewing, carpentry, gardening, housework and cooking without machines] carried out by our grandparents harmonises the bodymind. 

In my element
like a fish breathes in water
my hands are busy and
my head is free,
A smile grows in my belly.

The above quote was part of a local exhibition of craft-work.   It illustrates the expansion felt in the bodymind when the hands are engaged in a practical task. It is relaxing to use the hands; massage or bodywork is a gateway to heartfelt understanding between two people.  Both experience a connection when empathy is felt. This is healing touch. It is a special experience for both giver and receiver alike. 

When a connection is made during a session, tension may be released. It can be a challenge not to react to what is being released, to be relaxed and grounded so that connectedness is maintained, thus facilitating healing.

 
In shiatsu the method used to maintain grounding is known as “breathing from hara” - similar to deep yogic breath which uses the belly. This is also a natural body function, quite simply it is breathing as we do when asleep, but with conscious attention. Breathing from hara is effortless and can produce the smile in the belly on its own! It makes shiatsu an effective therapy as the practitioner remains calm and knows where to touch, releasing self healing mechanisms within the client, so that pain melts away.

All of us experience stress and tension and have buried memories held in our postural make- up. Sometimes these are our own, sometimes inherited, either patterned in our genetic make up or, because of empathy for family members, leading us to take on their pain. Healing touch helps us to let go of old patterns, remake our bodies and cause our thoughts to become more positive.  Life brings with it many challenges and experiences to integrate and overcome. It is a lonely process to deal with exceptional circumstances or pain and an excellent idea to employ the help of a bodyworker.

A great many of us have friends who understand and we are restored by regular contact with them.  Certainly the renewal of breathing more deeply and relaxing helps us to be more positive. In order to experience less physical and mental stress, many people are revitalised by their practice of yoga or tai chi, which helps them to be more focussed on life’s tasks.  

Practitioners of the ancient art of Kahuna bodywork in Hawaii believe that DNA is restructured and we are reborn through healing touch.  Healing touch is present in all therapies using touch. Many traditional bodywork systems, e.g. shiatsu, have self-healing practices for the givers so that they do not become drained. These practices also strengthen the practitioner and make their work more effective, developing healing touch.  It is important to look after a gift.

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Suzi Caunce is a Shiatsu Practitioner with 30 years experience of her art and has a practice in Warwick .

You can learn Shiatsu Healing Techniques for yourself and others at a 2 weekend workshop 14/15 February and 23/24 May 2009 at Life-Ways, Stratford-upon Avon. Cost £175.   
Tel: 01926 492880 for more information. www.shiatsu-heartofengland.co.uk