ropana – Shiatsu Hamilton Island – Shitsu Massage and Yoga Clinic, Hamilton Island

Welcome to ropana.

ropana provides Shiatsu Therapy for remedial, relaxation and rejuvenation on Hamilton Island, Queensland.

Samantha has created a caring and relaxing atmosphere at ropana, she believes that if we are to be successful in life we must first respect and support our physical body for maximum energy, health and well-being. Samantha is fully qualified in Shiatsu, Remedial Massage and Yoga Teaching and has a graduate diploma in Counselling and Human Services. She has been practicing for over 25 years.

“At ropana we encourage everyone who receives a shiatsu treatment to live in a more harmonious way, with a mindfulness of daily actions and relationships. We acknowledge that with a strengthened awareness, we are more in control of what we do and say. We have a greater chance of performing positive actions rather than actions that harm ourselves, others or the world around us”.

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Shiatsu

What is Shiatsu?

The Japanese word Shiatsu means finger pressure. In shiatsu the fingers, thumbs, elbows, knees, hands and feet are all used to stimulate or sedate the energy flowing through the body to promote health and healing.

Shiatsu works with the body’s energy system. Energy can be loosely understood as “vitality” or “vital force”, which we cannot see but can sense or feel (e.g. “could have cut the air with a knife“).

According to Asian medicine, our energy, or ki, moves along specific pathways (meridians) around the body. The meridians relate to our internal physical organs and our emotional, psychological, and spiritual state. All these parts and functions of the body-mind are interrelated; no problem can be successfully treated in isolation.

Inefficientflow of ki around the body results in tiredness, physical pain, depression, emotional upsets, stiffness, headaches and many other common problems. Various shiatsu techniques such as pressure point therapy facilitated stretching and joint rotations are used to correct these imbalances.

How often should I have a shiatsu treatment?
Shiatsu is appreciated as a positive way to maintain good health and happiness. One session is not as beneficial as three or four spaced out over three to six weeks. The number of sessions required for any one individual will depend on their individual needs.

Who can benefit from shiatsu?
The body has a great ability to self-heal, but sometimes assistance is needed to remove the objects getting in the way of the healing process. Shiatsu can help the following:

Arthritic conditions
Back/neck pain, headache
Anxiety
Insomnia, stress-related disorders
Intestinal disorders/IBS, bloating
Menstrual problems/PMT
Sinusitis

What should I expect?
Shiatsu treatment is done through the clothes and is given on a thick mat or futon on the floor. Using increased awareness and sensitivity, the practitioner works the whole body and is drawn to the areas that require the most attention. In tense areas, the ki is dispersed, while in areas lacking in ki, stimulating and holding techniques are used to encourage the flow of energy.
Usually at the end of a session, one will feel relaxed and energised, with a sense of calm. Normally there is a decrease in muscular aches and pains and a feeling of lethargy due to the deep work and release of energy, tension and emotions. On leaving the treatment room; keep warm, drink some water, if possible have a bath and/0r rest for a short time.

For more information, please refer to the Shiatsu Therapy Association of Australia website http://www.staa.org.au

Yoga

Hatha yoga Gita style
Through working with all the body systems, glands, major organs and the seven chakras (energy centres), Gita yoga addresses the stresses and tensions that can contribute to, or even cause imbalances that lead to illness and disease. Yoga is characterised by it’s effect, not by perfection of postures and therfore is suitable for people with all levels of fitness and/or flexibility.

Benefits of Hatha yoga

Relaxation
Yoga exercises, such as gentle stretching, breathing and guided relaxation, release body tension and calm the nervous system and emotions.

Concentration
Concentration, attention and focus are promoted by a yoga practice of mindful movement and body awareness. Balancing postures, in particular, build concentration.

Toning
Holding yoga postures creates isometric exercise which tones every part of the body, including the internal organs.

Healing
Yoga exercises the glands, organs and the endocrine system, massaging, toning and increasing circulation to stimulate, heal and eliminate toxins from the body.

Flexibility
Yoga postures gently stretch the muscles in the body, increasing flexibility and lengthening the muscles, tendons and ligaments.

Nourishing
Slow gentle movements with deep breathing energise the body rather than tire it. This, in combination with yoga’s relaxation and healing benefits, allows daily renewal and nourishment of the body-mind-sprit.

About Samantha

Samantha is a qualified Shiatsu Therapist, Remedial Masseur, Counsellor and Yoga Teacher with over 25 years experience in treating a range of conditions. Samantha is a registered member of all the relevant professional associations.

“Health is not a mere absence of disease. It is a positive state of vibrant well-being with the various systems of the physical organism working at peak efficiency, the mental faculties at their zenith and compassion and love in control of all ones thoughts, feelings, words and actions”.
Dr. M. Bhamagara