Hands are tools for practitioners Autumn Falk and Kathleen Young when practicing the Japanese healing art of Shiatsu. Photo/Chris Steel
A new retreat is being set up in the Bay of Plenty for those wanting to feel refreshed and nourished this spring.
Naturopath Autumn Falk has teamed up with shiatsu practitioner Kathleen Young to offer a Spring Shiatsu Retreat in Waihi from September 16 to 18.
The retreat is aimed at anyone who is interested in oriental therapies such as traditional Chinese medicine, Japanese shiatsu bodywork and the seasonal changes that affects you physically, emotionally and spiritually. The workshop would begin with participants opening their meridians, or energy channels, warming muscles and joints through Japanese stretching and breathing exercises.
"The retreats are aimed at giving participants an experience that is indulging and powerful," said naturopath Autum Falk.
"We will learn to locate and treat each other's liver and gall bladder meridians which are specific organs of the element wood. We will clarify what the wood element stands for and how the season of spring brings that wood to life."
Ms Falk said participants would also learn how to do cupping.
"Cupping therapy is an ancient form of Chinese medicine therapy in which a therapist puts special cups to the skin along the meridians of the body for a few minutes to create suction.
"People get it for many purposes, including to help with pain, inflammation, blood flow, relaxation and well-being, and as a type of deep-tissue massage."
Ms Falk said the retreat would teach those attending how to better deal with tension and stress.
"We will teach people tools for themselves and for them then to pass on to family or friends that will be useful when their life is out of balance."
After the retreat participants will feel refreshed, nourished and ready for the new season in front of them, she said.
Shiatsu practitioner Kathleen Young said she had a love and passion for shiatsu. "Participants will take away an understanding of this very ancient healing modality, and how it can have a powerful affect on initiating change to a person's life."
During this workshop the season of spring would be a focal point, she said.
"By looking through the eyes of nature, we observe the connection with ourselves.
"Winter's purpose embodied a period of inner sleep, the satisfaction of a year completed, spring, however, displays a force of limitless potential, a surge of growth upwards and outwards.
"We will also teach a simple and very healing method of self massage, called Do-In. My hope is everybody leaves feeling inspired, encompassing the energies of spring's limitless potential of possibilities."