Shiatsu Story -Day of the Dragon

Embodiment of Inner Strength: "The Dragon totem is a symbol of immense inner strength and courage, guiding individuals to uncover their latent power." 

Spiritual Guidance and Wisdom: "The Dragon, revered in dragon mythology, offers spiritual guidance, encouraging seekers to delve into the depths of wisdom." (Google ) 

How to discover and unleash the inner dragon? This was my question while driving to work this morning after 2 days of intriguingly confronting team dynamics. How to sit with niggling frustration while trying to deeply listen to opposing opinions, hold safe boundaries and direct appropriate force where and when necessary? I realised that this level of wisdom and power is held by the mythical Dragon. A wise Dragon that not only has the strength and power of destruction but who has a strong fiery Heart and is able to discern the truth and extract the essence of a situation allowing anything that is in resistance to these to burn and fall away, naturally. 

So as the magic and alchemy of Shiatsu would have it, I was presented with the perfect client to explore this with. A woman whose transformational process over the past year has led her to quit a managerial position with way too much stress and pressure leading to a psychological crisis and burn out. She has the power of leadership but her heart was not there. She found the strength within herself to eventually quit her job and ask the big question, "what do I really want?" Without judgement or expectation. The answer surprised her but made her heart shine like the sun. That was apparent. A simple job with no heavy responsibility, in nature or with children. So, after developing her metal element - leaving her job and letting go of old relationships and roles - she now sits in the water element unemployed for a month. Gathering strength, healing and listening. Yet she's not quite able to allow herself to fully submerge into the deeper layers of healing water. There are still niggling self doubts about finances and stability. From others about being lazy and ridiculous. People in her surroundings are absurdly encroaching her space and treating her badly. Upon questioning she said she was still having trouble sleeping deeply and that she is clenching her jaw and neck leading to pain there. She has had acupuncture for an unstable Liver and while she was sitting opposite me I could feel an enormous need for an open heart and self love. So here she was asking "how do I say ENOUGH to the no-sayers, stand in my power and stay planted on the ground in this time of great change?" 

 I was drawn to the zones of her Pericardium and Kidneys. "Yes", they said. Interesting, I thought, where's the Liver here? After checking the Liver, it seemed that it too needed attention. Both resonated with the Kidneys and seemed to almost entwine together. And as our Shiatsu journey unfolded I realized that I could work with the Masunaga Liver meridian on the arm which is right next to the classic Pericardium meridian. Curious - the relationship between fire and wood, of Love and Power. The energies seemed to dance and spiral around each other, supporting each other. A beautiful fiery Harmony. Green and red-orange. Then I realized "Wow, these are the wings of the Dragon!" They have to be in balance for the Dragon to really fly. Otherwise, it's just a lizard on the ground to be trodden on (no offence to lizards). 

The treatment wasn't complete without deep diving into the calm of the Kidneys. And as the treatment progressed, I was given greater insight into the making of a strong Dragon. Stillness and calm, waiting with patience in a cool, dark place is essential for gathering strength. It's no secret that Dragons live in caves. Kidney Jin. Then, from the spring point, K1 we connected deep into the earth and waited . What arose was a surge of warmth and nourishment from the depths - Kidney Yang. The original source of fire. Of course. This is the powerhouse. Sustainable and nourishing. It rose to the Hara and to the chest - to the upper front part of the "wings". Holding the Tan Tien and the upper chest felt like keeping the Dragon rooted in the Earth until the wings were strong enough to expand in full power. 

After the treatment the client slowly rose a bit bewildered, well rested and pleasantly motivated. I could see a calm in her eyes and heard a depth in her speech that I hadn't heard before- a grounded, responsible and gently powerful voice. Reverence is the word that came to mind - both ways. 

 I see you fellow Dragon. 

 A beautiful treatment and unexpected journey of Love, Power and Patience. 

 Thank you so much Dear Client for this experience. 

 May we all find our inner Dragon