Practitioner in Focus: Tracy Krikler FwSS

We caught up with Tracy Krikler, a Shiatsu practitioner based in London to hear the story of her Shiatsu journey.

Since I began my Shiatsu training 22 years ago it has been my passion, my guide, my resource, my therapy, my space. Shiatsu is my service towards a kinder compassionate world.

I live and work only in Shiatsu now, having recently left a part time job as Social Worker in a charity supporting older adults. I work in North London, N11 and NW3. Based also at a Chai Cancer Care, it’s inspiring how people are helped through their challenging journey using this almost magical language of touch. I facilitate beginners and practitioner workshops, guide a Self-Shiatsu online group and Breathwork sessions. I enjoy using Shiatsu, ki gung, proprioception, movement, breath - for people to reconnect to awareness, embodiment and ultimately to their innate inner potential.

Before Shiatsu, I was a Probation Officer! A love-hate relationship with that but in 2002, when my kids were 2 and 4 years old, I needed a more positive, healthy environment. By then I was already inspired by my Shiatsu healing after a skiing injury, thanks to Rachel Boase who lived nearby and who was then teaching at the British School of Shiatsu-Do.

I’d always used my body as a dancer and in yoga. Landing in the dojo in Finsbury Park, I felt Inspired by the language of the 5-Elements, Daoist philosophy, the macro and microcosm connected, the warp and weft of our lives woven with the possibility for flow and transformation.

I’m grateful to my teachers at the BSS - Char Scrivener, Adam Hellinger, Doe Warnes, Kate Burford, Kindy Kaur and others, whom I later assisted and who became colleagues as I began to teach the Year 1 certificate Shiatsu Shin Tai in 2014 and worked for 7 years as Operations Manager with them till 2017. I was sad and deeply affected by the loss of Thane Works as I know many others were too. I hope to see some of you at the Shiatsu Retreat (see below).

I want to pay tribute to Char who was a real inspiration for me. A fountain of knowledge and skill, she was diligent, accepting, humble and always made us laugh. Through her I found Sonia Moriceau’s Healing Shiatsu and meditation retreats and I carry many of their teachings with me. I worked with Bill Palmer for a few years in Movement Shiatsu, which was a vital process in my personal development, bringing a deeper psychological aspect alive for me. I’ve trained with the UK teachers in Shin Tai - assisting them and eventually teaching in Shiatsu Shin Tai. Quantum shiatsu (with Gabriella Poli) and Suzanne Yates’ Extraordinary vessels are regular visitors to my treatments too.

During ‘lockdown’ I joined Nick Pole’s Clean Language course and now use it as far as I can. I did the ‘Conscious Connected’ Breathwork Facilitator training, as I found this grounding and therapeutic too. Folding through all these years is my dedicated practise of Shadow Yoga - a progressive form of Hatha yoga; conscious dance and somatic movement, all of which feeds my sense of inner space and I apply to my embodiment teachings.

My Shiatsu:

I have a fairly generic practice, seeing clients with a variety of needs. Though I have learned different styles, I go with where it feels most true for that person, and as long as I am listening, responsive and connected to the Ki, it flows. I believe Shiatsu has it all - or perhaps everything becomes my Shiatsu! There’s never been an option to give it up, even when I needed other jobs and now I’m full time, my practice is filling up very nicely. “Where attention goes, Ki goes”.

Over the years, I’ve worked in the realms of substance misuse, mental health, festivals, workplaces and now cancer support. I lead workshops using Shiatsu principles for team-building, and have worked with families to support communication and co-regulation. Amazing what a difference can be felt and lives are changed by even a simple exchange; what can happen when we allow space and a “Listening Touch” It’s somewhere here sensation and awareness meets, connection and alignment happens - the Art of Shiatsu! We receive so much when we give Shiatsu. I want to give more people that experience. I’d love to hear from you if you’d like to learn together, collaborate, and support each other.

Coming up:

Attending Trauma Summit in Vienna, then Shiatsu at Glastonbury and 2 tiny festivals.

27-29 September 2024: Shiatsu Retreat - discover “The Space within Ourselves and our Shiatsu”. Students and graduates welcome. Shiatsu, ki gung, movement and breath, delicious food in beautiful Herefordshire with old friends and new.

9 June 2024: a Practitioners Gathering in North London. We’ll focus on supporting those who are going through a difficult health journey such as cancer or long term health situations.

I offer mentoring and supervision. All are welcome for online self-Shiatsu. Embodiment, movement and breath to connect.