Understanding what to expect from a shiatsu session helps to approach the first experience with more serenity. “If I have never tried it, what happens during a shiatsu session?” This is a legitimate question for those approaching shiatsu for the first time.
Although shiatsu is a gentle practice, fears may arise that it is painful or invasive. After all, shiatsu is not very well know type of massage.
In this article, as an experienced practitioner, I want to explain how a shiatsu session works, what can be felt during a treatment and what can emerge afterwards.
How shiatsu works
Shiatsu is an energy balancing practice of Japanese origin that supports the natural flow of energy in the body. Basically, shiatsu does not force or impose change. Indeed, it gradually supports the body ability to rebalance.
Through pressure applied mainly with thumbs and palms, the paths of the energy meridians are followed. Over time, this work can help dissolve stagnations and encourage both physical tension and emotional states to be released.
A shiatsu treatment is made up of present but respectful pressure that encourages mutual listening. Your operator perceives what is happening under the hands and adapts the rhythm and quality of the pressure.
The recipient of the treatment can feel how that pressure spreads throughout the body, often more widely than the point touched.
The slow rhythm encourages the slowing down of thoughts and deeper listening. This is where shiatsu differs from a purely muscular massage.
What to expect from a shiatsu session
Before starting, a certified practitioner always dedicates time to listening in order to understand what leads the person to seek treatment and to assess whether shiatsu is suitable at that time.
Before the session
Knowing what to expect from a shiatsu session before you arrive can help you feel more relaxed.
- A welcoming environment that helps you feel at ease
- Brief initial interview
- Comfortable clothing, preferably in natural fibres.
- Futon (floor mattress) in a carefully prepared space
During the session
The client is invited to lie down on the futon. The first contact often takes place with a hand resting on the abdomen; it is a moment of initial listening.
After that, pressure alternates along the body following the energy meridians.
Breathing tends to slow down naturally and the body begins to relax.
Possible sensations:
- heat at a specific point
- sense of heaviness or rootedness
- deep relaxation
- small spontaneous internal movements
If it is your first shiatsu session
For those approaching their first shiatsu session, it is understandable not to know what to expect. One can read a lot, but shiatsu is only really understood by experiencing it.
During a treatment, the message that comes through is “you can allow yourself to relax and do nothing”, it is not a performance. Shiatsu creates a deep listening space where the relationship between operator and client becomes an inner dialogue that helps both in their own evolution.
In this dialogue of deep listening, the client can always speak up if something is not comfortable, express doubts or concerns, and feel welcomed in doing so, without pressure or judgement.
Sensations after shiatsu, what can happen
Sensations are subjective and vary from person to person. However, they can often be felt:
- greater lightness
- a plesant sense of tiredness that promotes deep sleep
- clearer mind
- emotions emerging
- better sleep quality
No one sensation is better than another. Each body responds differently and in its own time.
How to approach your first shiatsu session with confidence
Sometimes not expecting anything is the best thing. For this reason, trying not to create rigid expectations can make the experience more open.
Shiatsu does not work on the immediate result, but on rebalancing, each body has its own rhythm.
Sometimes one session may be sufficient, other times more than one is needed.
Undoubtedly, whether it is a treatment or a small journey, shiatsu offers a listening space in which to slow down and connect with oneself.
When shiatsu can be useful
Shiatsu can be a time to dedicate to yourself or a path to take for your own well-being.
It can be supportive during:
- periods of stress
- muscle tension
- ongoing tiredness
- need to slow down
Shiatsu is not
In my work I have encountered many confusing ideas about this discipline.
Shiatsu:
- not a medical therapy
- is not just relaxation
- is not an invasive treatment
- does not promise miracles
It is a practice based on listening.
What are you waiting for to try a shiatsu treatment
If you are approaching shiatsu for the first time, the only thing you need to do is arrive with comfortable clothes and a willingness to listen.
After a brief initial conversation, you can simply lie back and let your body do the rest.
The space is safe, respectful, non-invasive. It is simply time dedicated to you.
If you are thinking of trying a shiatsu session but feel you still have questions, you can contact me without obligation.
The first contact can also be a listening space.
WARNING! Shiatsu is not a medical treatment and does not replace the advice or treatment of a health professional. You should consult your doctor before undertaking any shiatsu treatment, especially if you have a present medical condition or persistent pain. The purpose of shiatsu is to support general well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the shiatsu session painful?
Shiatsu should not be painful. Pressures are present but respectful and are adapted to the sensitivity of the person. A more intense but non-invasive sensation can be felt at certain points. If something is not comfortable, you can always communicate this to the practitioner during the session.
How long does a shiatsu session last?
A shiatsu session generally lasts between 50 and 60 minutes. In some cases it can last a little longer, especially in the first experience, when time is also devoted to the initial interview. The duration allows the body to relax and gradually enter a state of deep listening.
What should I wear during the session?
It is recommended to wear comfortable clothes, preferably made of natural fibres. Shiatsu is received clothed, so there is no need to undress. The important thing is that the clothes are not too tight, to allow freedom of movement and a better perception of pressure.
How many sessions are needed?
It depends on the person and the moment they are experiencing. Sometimes a single session may offer benefit, other times a small course may be useful. Shiatsu does not work in a standardised way: every body has different times and ways of responding.
What can you feel after a shiatsu session?
After a session, one may feel lighter, relaxed or pleasantly tired. Some people also report greater mental clarity or deeper sleep. Sensations are subjective and may vary, as each organism reacts in its own way.
Is shiatsu suitable for everyone?
In general, shiatsu is a gentle practice that is accessible to many people. However, in the presence of particular medical conditions it is always a good idea to inform the practitioner and, if necessary, to consult your doctor. The session is always adapted to the individual situation.
Can I talk during the session?
Yes, it is possible to talk during the session if one feels the need to do so. Some people prefer silence, others share feelings or questions. The space is welcoming and without judgement: communication is part of listening to each other.