uk Therapy

Daoyin Tao ®

The Chinese face, neck and shoulder massage

After training and practising in aromatherapy, reflexology and other areas of complementary healthcare what drew me to train in Daoyin Tao®? I'd never experienced it, I'd never even heard of it before never mind pronounced it.

A combination of factors drew me to this magical therapy: many clients would comment after an aromatherapy massage how much they loved having their heads and faces worked on. They would really feel themselves relax, switch off their minds, the tension would go, their necks would feel looser. I have to admit I loved working this area too and it really seemed to be very powerful – but why?

My curiosity grew. At the same time my almost daily routine of practising and learning tai chi was also encouraging me to find out more about this 'chi' thing.

And then one day I heard about Daoyin Tao® - the Chinese face, neck and shoulder massage which draws on Chinese Medicine theory. Perfect I thought.

I've been practising Daoyin Tao® for 18 months and its been a wonderful journey for clients old and new and myself. I use Daoyin Tao® as a stand-alone therapy and sometimes combine it with massage or reflexology. And so my story as a Complementary therapist continues...

Some facts:

Daoyin Tao®, pronounced Dow Yin Tow (as in TOWn), is a powerful massage approach which can help promote overall health improvements and enable certain individuals to reap the benefits of their life assurance policies. It is the culmination of much study and travel in China coupled with nearly 20 years experience as a Complementary Healthcare Practitioner by its originator, Anna-Louise Haigh.

Like many Complementary Therapies that have their roots in Eastern traditions and principales, the original practice of Daoyin involved breathing and movement to internally massage organs and increase overall health. Daoyin predates Tai Chi, Qi gong and Kung Fu.

Daoyin Tao® is a powerful synergy of softened and adapted Chinese and stylised Western massage techniques, harmoniously blended to create a widely applicable therapy. Meridians and acupoints are used in the provision of Daoyin Tao® to treat chi disturbances which are the root of ill health.

Aims and Potential of Daoyin Tao®

Daoyin Tao® is a totally holistic therapy. It is ideal for:

• Relaxing
• Revitalizing
• Rejuvenating
• Rebalancing
• Pain & Discomfort
• Decongesting

What happens during a treatment?

An initial private and confidential consultation will help your practitioner design an individual treatment for you. There are very few contra-indications for Daoyin Tao®.

To receive a treatment you will be asked to make your neck and shoulders accessible. Necklaces, earring and hair accessories need to be removed. You will lie on your back, covered with a towel/blanket, with your head supported. The contact will be with your shoulders, neck, face, ears and scalp. A very small amount of oil is used.

Your practitioner will then use slow, gentle, flowing techniques combined with specific work on a variety of carefully selected points on the scalp, face, neck and shoulders to create a deep sense of relaxation and to release trapped energy and emotions.

A Daoyin Tao® treatment lasts 30 minutes though depending on your practitioners qualifications another therapy can be added to this to make the overall treatment last an hour or longer.

The benefits of Daoyin Tao®

• Rebalance body rhythms
• Reduce stress
• Decongest and detoxify
• Alleviate pain
• Reduce stiffness and muscle tension
• Positively influence secondary conditions elsewhere in the body
• Provide support to all levels of holistic healing

Client feedback

Some phrases used by my clients after a treatment:

'A deeply relaxing experience'
'Its almost hypnotic – I go into a sleep like state'
'Its meditative'
'I felt like I was floating'
'I could feel tingling in my fingers and feet'
'Some areas were slightly sensitive but a sense of release came with it'
'I now feel clear headed, focused and energised'

'Feeling is believing' is the by-line used by originator, Anna-Louise Haigh and from my experience that seems to be true.

by Fiona Breslin

http://www.es-senses.co.uk

July 2005