In quiet surrounds, overlooking the mountains, is a beautiful warm shiatsu room.
Shiatsu Therapy does wonders for the tired stressed body. Gently yet firmly we ease your body into the way it most wants to feel... peaceful, balanced, without pain. Rowena is known for being an experienced and caring practitioner who has worked with thousands of happy clients to resolve their health concerns. Over 90% of returning clients experience significant to total cessation of symptoms.
How does Shiatsu help? Japanese acupressure massage supports your entire body. Shiatsu is given with clients remaining clothed on a large comfortable futon mat. Based on the principles of Traditional East Asian Medicine, Shiatsu looks to the meridians and acu-points of the body to ascertain exactly where both the cause and symptoms are manifesting. We then work kindly and systematically through each part of the body to clear pain, restore function and correct posture.
In ascertaining your state of wellbeing, I check through all of the 12 main meridians , 8 extraordinary vessels and the 350+ acu-points. I will also carefully check for postural asymmetry and areas of pain and imbalance so that we can gently strengthen your body into correct alignment.
Shiatsu is remarkable in that it nourishes tiredness and depletion in the body, giving us feelings of fullness, warmth and vitality. We then check where has become stiff, sore and stagnant in the body and work effectively to release these areas. For this we use wonderful acupressure release, stretching and acu-needling and so resolve injury, pain and restriction.
Techniques:
Acupressure massage The foundation technique of shiatsu. Acupressure massage has been practised for millennia to release physical pain and promote longterm repair....and it feels amazing. Pressure may be firm or gentle, vigorous or steady depending on your preferences & what your body is needing.
Japanese Acupuncture Always comfortable and highly specific, Japanese needling targets areas that would otherwise be slower to release with pressure alone. Please discuss any preferences you may have at your appointment.
Moxibustion Or moxa is a highly effective therapy whose recorded use spans some 2000 years. Small amounts of the processed plant, Artemesia vulgaris are applied to specific acu-points and comfortably warmed. Moxa brings heat, circulation and reduces inflammation in chronic and longterm conditions enabling repair. I am fortunate to have studied for many years with world renowned acupuncture and moxibustion practitioner Dr Paul Movsessian.
Cupping Another therapy to have a recorded use of thousands of years. Cupping works by creating a gentle to moderate suction over specific meridians/ relevant regions. The suctioning has the effect of drawing blood more to the surface capillaries where it can begin to circulate more freely. I use a high quality set of Korean cups to ensure specific dose and no risk of burning and very little marking as with the more traditional "fire cups".
Sotai A unique method of correcting structural and postural imbalances within the body. Dr Hashimoto pioneered Sotai as a complete system of therapy that uses gentle yet highly effective resistance stretching to align the body. Rather than force or manipulate the body into alignment, where is will usually quickly revert, Sotai strengthens the supporting musculature which allows the body to easily hold correct posture.
Shonishin - Children's Meridian Therapy This branch of treatment had been in use in Japan for approx 400 years and is effective in resolving many common childhood conditions:
persistent night wetting
colds and immune problems
respiratory conditions including asthma.
painful muscles, growing pains
disturbed sleep & restlessness
digestive pain and upset
poor concentration
irregular energy levels
A gentle and highly effective way to support our children as they grow. Gently we stroke and tap along any imbalanced meridians and support or release acu-points as required. This is done using specialised tools made of semi-precious metals that actively interact with the child's developing meridian system. Shonishin treatments are non-invasive and are incredibly calming and balancing to your child's nervous system. It is not uncommon for parents to wish they had had the session themselves!
What does it feel like? Shiatsu feels wonderful. it is a deep, slow, rhythmic and gives your body the space to move easily into a balanced state. We may also use stretching, acu-point holding or more vigorous techniques.
Your shiatsu session is always unique and tailored to you.
Will shiatsu work for me? Conditions I feel confident we can resolve together:
physical injury, both acute & chronic
tiredness
back and neck pain
lumbar pain and weakness
stress and emotional overwhelm
stiffness and reduced flexibility
headaches, both migraine and tension.
menstrual pain
digestive pain & upset
Why do I love shiatsu? *Because no other therapy I have encountered is able to nourish tiredness and strengthen deficiency like shiatsu. The vast majority of illness is based on tiredness or depletion of our physiological systems, shiatsu is extremely helpful in supporting our return to full vitality.
*Shiatsu is firm when it needs to be, yet gentle and supportive when it needs to be. Shiatsu is truly tailored to meet you.
*Because it feels wonderful. The way that moving toward health should feel.
Bio As a child of 7 or 8 I remember loving to massage friends and family and always were comments, "you always know how to find the right spots!" I completed my first massage training at age 12 or 13 and I was horrified to find the body being treated like a basketball, thumped and pummelled about with no real sensitivity or sense of treating the whole person. I knew there had to be more empathic and effective ways to allow the body to let go and feel relaxed. At 18, while caring for a family member, I discovered Shiatsu Therapy; A traditional Japanese method that holistically balances and nourishes the entire being, physically and mentally. From there I went on to study at The Australian Shiatsu College and gained my qualification as a shiatsu therapist in 2004. I have been an active practitioner ever since, in private practice, community Drug and Alcohol rehabilitation, corporate settings, and at the Gawler Living and Learning Cancer retreat centre.
In 2011 I began training under Dr Paul Movsessian, renowned Japanese acupuncturist and meridian therapist. with his guidance I begin to see the amazing possibilities of Traditional East Asian Medicine and learn effective strategies for treating children, circulation issues, safe postural alignment and deeply supporting the rebuilding of deeper strength and ease in our bodies.
I am truly grateful to be in this model of care.
Now, having been in practice since 2004, my intention is to meet the body with compassion, skill and sensitivity. I ask my clients to trust, your body knows the way to feel truly well. Just as your body became hurt so too it can willingly unfurl that damage and feel at ease.
Rowena Charnley holds a Diploma in Shiatsu and Oriental Therapies and a post-graduate certificates in Japanese acu-needling, Manaka Protocols, Advanced Shonishin (childrens meridian therapy) & Moxibustion Alongside this is a practice of Ashtanga yoga and Vipassana meditation.