Self-Care Guide for Shiatsu Practitioners
As a Shiatsu practitioner you probably spend your days holding space for others, helping them restore their energy and enhance their well-being. Chances are you are caring and giving by nature, as it is rooted in the values of the practice.
Whether you’re running an independent practice or generously sharing Shiatsu with your dearest, being a Shiatsu practitioner is a noble career that requires a lot of dedication.
This makes it easy to get caught up in the demands of running your own practice and nurturing your clients. However, you can’t give from an empty cup! Keep reading to find out a few self-care tips that will help you thrive.
Sharing Shiatsu can be both rewarding and demanding at a physical and emotional level. Having a holistic self-care routine can help you recharge, manage stress levels and bring your best self in each interaction.
1. Create a consistent mindfulness routine
Meditation, breathing exercises and your beloved Shiatsu sequences can help calm your mind and help you become more present with the sensations in your body. As little as 5-10 minutes each day can make a massive difference over time.
2. Set healthy boundaries
If you are deeply dedicated to sharing Shiatsu it can often be difficult to set healthy boundaries. Make sure that you put in place clear rules about communication, personal space or sharing resources with your clients. Having designated work hours or specific requirements for communication will create a safer environment for interaction.
3. Surround yourself with conscious people
Whether you’re a Shiatsu business owner, a volunteer or dedicated sharer of this wonderful practice, it’s important to be surrounded by people in alignment. Having someone that shares the same values, understands your struggles or is willing to share ideas and help support you can contribute to your well-being.
4. Put your well-being first
It all starts with nutrition, exercise, relaxation and sleep. Make sure you nurture your body with wholesome foods, find a form of movement that you enjoy, allow yourself to take a break, and do something that brings you joy once in a while.
5. Reduce distractions
Increase your focus by removing unnecessary distractions from the outside world. Start by checking your screen hours and pausing notifications from your social media applications. Decide on a specific schedule to browse and scroll, unfollow or mute accounts that don’t align with your values and replace them with inspiring ones.
6. Daily gratitude
Gratitude is the act of feeling appreciative for everything you have, which grounds you in the present moment. It’s no secret that gratitude can significantly improve your life. Practised daily, gratitude can boost your mood and contribute to your well-being. Set aside a few moments each day to acknowledge the good things in your life. You can try a gratitude meditation, journalling by writing three things you are grateful for, or placing a hand on your heart as you mentally note what you are grateful for.
7. Stay organised
When dealing with emails, responding to queries reactively instead of proactively can waste a lot of precious energy. Let’s start with the basics of having a routine (without making it too rigid) that can help you be more organised. Use a calendar, time-block your days or hours, avoid multitasking, and, when possible, delegate some items from your to-do list. Also, don’t forget to celebrate your accomplishments!
8. Precious quality time with self
When was the last time you took yourself on a date? It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but setting aside quality time with yourself is essential to regulating your energy and looking after your needs. Block an hour in your calendar each week to do something for yourself. You may want to go for a walk in the park or nearby forests, visit a museum you’ve been wanting to see in a while, or take yourself for a nice cuppa at the local coffee shop. What is that one thing that you’ve been wanting to do?
Conclusion
Sharing Shiatsu is an incredibly rewarding practice that fosters community and connection between others. In order to be able to hold space for others, you need to fill your own cup first.
When it comes to self-care practices, consistency is key. Set yourself for success by choosing one or two things off our list and take small actions each day. Extend the compassion and care that you have for others to yourself.