Stress Management is an optional subject offered to 5th year students once a week. The course is divided into 3 areas:
- Shiatsu
- Meditation
- Reading the body and the Five Element Theory of Chinese medicine.
Shiatsu is a physical therapy similar to Acupuncture which uses thumb and palm pressure along with gentle stretches instead of needles. It is a branch of oriental medicine which date back to 530BC. Shiatsu considers everything in nature to be a manifestation of energy called “Ki”. Ki runs through the body in channels called meridians.
The Shiatsu classes start with an introduction to “Do-In”, the Japanese practise of gentle stretching & stimulation of acu-pressure points to awaken the body’s Ki. The students are shown points for self help in sinus congestion, menstrual cramps, digestive disorders, insomnia & nausea. Students then work in pairs & learn how to give head & shoulder massage and back massage using the meridians that run through the body.
Guided meditation is a very popular part of the course. Students relax on yoga mats & listen to relaxing music as their attention is gently focused on breathing as an aid to relaxation. An awareness of the seven chakras (the seats of energy in the body) is introduced along with colour meditation & visualisation.
Physiognomy (the ancient art of face reading) is discussed – how to read your health in your face through observing colour, lines, blemishes etc.
An introduction to the philosophy of the Five Elements of Chinese medicine follows – a study of how birth date affects personality type, constitutional weaknesses, food for health of the organs along with some information on “Feng Shui”.
Students are given a talk on how to deal with PTM through dietary changes, exercise and shiatsu points. They are informed of the vitamins and minerals required for a healthy body and which foods to find these substances in.
At the end of this course students realise the importance of treating their body with respect.