Massage

When suffering from aches, pains, stiffness or minor injuries, our instant reaction is to rub or hold the affected area to ease any discomfort. Massage was used by Arabic, Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine to ease pain and aid relaxation.  The Greeks used massage to treat athletes, the Romans used it to stimulate blood flow.  There are many benefits of massage as is proved by the use of this practice over millennia.  At Shen Zen Holistics we offer Swedish Massage which uses techniques to increase lymph and blood flow and Aromatherapy Massage which uses the same techniques and incorporates the use of essential oils to enhance the healing properties of the treatment.

​

The Benefits of Massage:

• Increase circulation, lymph and blood flow

• Warms, relaxes and loosens tense muscles

• Reduces muscle fatigue

• stimulates skin and increases cellular function

• Stimulates nerve endings

• improves skin and muscle tone

• Breaks down fatty tissue

• Balances nervous system

• Boosts immunity

• Improves sleep

• Aids digestion

• Eases pain

• Aids relaxation

• Relief from stress and tension

• Increases sense of well being

​

Reiki

Reiki has been described as "a word, as an energy, and as a holistic healing system".  The Japanese word Reiki ('Ray-Kee') translates as 'universal life-force energy' or 'spiritual energy' but can have several different meanings.  The 'Ki' or life force energy operates at a high vibrational frequency and runs throughout all living things.  In relation to the human body, energy flows through a fine network of channels within the body .  It also flows outside the body as an energy field known as the aura.  Reiki energy vibrates as a spiritual energy faster than the Ki in the physical body and can move through it to remove blockages and promote healing.  Ki is also known as Chi, Qi, and Prana in other languages.  The source of Reiki can be described in several different ways depending on your own belief system.  As it is not affiliated with any religion, this could be God, the Source, the Universe or as part of your Higher Self.  Reiki was developed as a holistic healing system by Dr Mikao Usui in the early 20th century. As a treatment it involves lying or sitting in a fully clothed and comfortable position whilst the therapist places their hands non-intrusively on the body in a sequence of positions. Reiki supports and enhances other treatments but should not be regarded as a cure or alternative to medicine. This beautiful life-force energy flows through the physical and energy bodies to remove blockages and promote healing.  Some people feel warmth or tingling, but experiences are very subjective.  Reiki can never do any harm and is intended for the highest good of the recipient, but removing emotional blockages can cause feelings to arise.   Reiki is a deeply relaxing, peaceful and enjoyable treatment suitable for physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual healing.

​

The Benefits of Reiki:

• The Physical level - supports and accelerates the body's ability to heal, alleviates pain, removes toxins, balances the energy field, promotes wholeness, well being and increases awareness of the body's needs.

• The emotional level - encourages us to let go of negative emotions, examine our responses, promoting positive emotions such as love, trust and kindness and helps us transform energy into creativity.

• The Psychological level - leads to deep relaxation, relieving tension, negative thoughts, concepts and attitudes, can enhance intuition and increases greater insight into the self.

• The Spiritual level - helps you to accept and love yourself and others by removing judgement.  It promotes love, compassion, understanding and acceptance, encouraging you on your own path towards spiritual and personal growth.

​

Meditation

Meditation has been practiced by people for thousands of years and is not some exotic or religious practice reserved only for those who are holy, devout or knowledgeable.  Meditation, put simply, is making a choice to focus the mind on something,  you could say reading a book or watching TV is a form of meditation.  It does not require any faith or belief and can be accessed by anyone.  It can help you create a happier life just by trying to focus your mind in positive ways.  This can be difficult to do on your own at first which is why it can be helpful to have some guidance.  Here at Shen Zen Holistics we offer guided meditations which can benefit you in many ways and get you started with this wonderful and beneficial practice.

​

Benefits of Meditation:

• Better health - meditating on the breath can help lower blood pressure, slow heart rate and ease stress.  It can also help heal illness, manage pain and prevent illness.

• Sharpens the mind - Can help bring discipline to thoughts and perceptions in all areas of life.

• Helps you to be more aware of your mind and body.

• Helps to balance emotions.

• Creates mental peace.

• Helps to heal psychological issues - addictions, grief, neglect, trauma, meditation helps support your healing (we recommend professional help for these types of issues but meditation can help in supporting the healing process).

• Understand yourself and life better -  if you feel bogged down by our society or want to connect to all that is meditation can help.

​

Aromatherapy Products and Natural Facials

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils which are extracted from various parts of aromatic plants and trees.  They are used to heal the body and calm the mind, making it a holistic therapy.  Holistic therapies like aromatherapy aim to strengthen the body's own ability to heal, aiming to restore balance physically and mentally.  Each essential oil has its own properties but they are all anti-bacterial,  and most are anti-viral  and anti-inflammatory.  All our blends are created with a purpose but they all use 100% natural ingredients (see Aromatherapy Blends page for more details).  Our facials use only 100% natural ingredients which are lovingly created in to skin care that suits your needs.  There is more on the benefits of natural skin care below.

​

Benefits of Natural Products:

• Earth friendly - using natural and organic products has a less negative impact on the environment as harsh chemicals and additives are not released in to the air or water.

• Avoid irritation to the skin - many beauty products contain harsh chemicals, sulphates, parabens and acids that can cause irritation, breakouts or affect the endocrine system by imitating the body's hormones.

• Prevent headaches - many harsh chemicals used in products contain fragrances that cover up the chemical smell, all of these chemicals added together can cause headaches or allergic reaction.  Natural products and aromatherapy products only smell like what is in them!

• No strange side-effects - Parabens used in many products mimic the hormones produced in the body which could affect the endocrine functions within the body.  Natural preservatives and natural reactions are much more widely understood than reactions to synthetic ones but you should always check with a health professional if you have allergies before using any product.

• Gentler to use over time - Natural products don't contain filters or irritants, you may find that unnatural products may seem to work better after the first try but over time these chemicals can cause more damage.  Using natural products over time you will notice the benefits and they will last longer.

• ​

​

Hopi Ear candles

Ear candles are an ancient and natural therapy used widely by many civilisations.  They are named after a native American tribe who had great medicinal knowledge and spirituality.  It is a gentle and non-invasive therapy and the safe production of heat, combined with the natural ingredients in the candle help to ease pain and discomfort.  As well as physical benefits, it is a very relaxing treatment and includes a lymphatic drainage facial massage to help reduce inflammation, drain the sinuses and helps to stimulate the facial muscles.

​

Benefits of Hopi Ear Candles:

• Helps with excessive or compacted ear wax

• Helps with snoring

• Eases sinusitis & allergic Rhinitis

• can help children with glue ear and other problems such as swimmer's ear

• Eases colds, headaches and migraines

• helps with balance affecting disorders such as Meniere's disease  and Labyrinthitis

• Can reduce tinnitus & noises in the ear

• Can help with the loss of sense of smell

• Regulates pressure in the ear,  also after flying

• Helps with neuralgia and other pain

• Very relaxing