
Nicole Superits
Class of 2018
What are your reflections looking back on your time at Zen Shiatsu Chicago?
"When I first chose to study Zen Shiatsu, I was told it would be a journey of self discovery as much as it would be learning bodywork. Reflecting back, this statement resonates so deeply. My time at Zen Shiatsu was a turning point in my understanding of this world, who I am in it, and how I connect with others. Cultivating this offering of touch therapy to share with those in need is a blessing. It’s truly an honor to practice Zen Shiatsu."
What would you say to someone considering enrolling in the program?
"I would say absolutely pursue it! I believe that Shiatsu finds you at the perfect time, when one is ready to align with their truth and step into their power. If you’re interested in deeply exploring nature, the body, and oneself through an ancient form of bodywork, Zen Shiatsu is the place.
Nicole first applied to study shiatsu because of her experiences using Asian Bodywork to help with her chronic back pain. Here was her entrance essay when she first began:
I feel that I discovered Zen Shiatsu at the most divine timing on my healing arts journey. My healing arts journey started in 2014 after I received my first energy work treatment. I turned to alternative healing when western medicine had no solutions to my chronic back pain. As soon as I experienced firsthand the healing power of Reiki, I knew it was one of my callings.
I began studying energy work and became a Reiki Master Teacher by 2016. In late 2016, I expanded my energy healing modalities to include New Paradigm MDT Healing. Over my time practicing energy work, I have incorporated sound healing, aromatherapy, and crystal healing. In addition to energy work sessions, I enjoy facilitating guided meditation groups, mindfulness workshops, and conscious gatherings.
Earlier this year, I felt called to expand my offerings. I began researching for different alternative healing therapies and treatments that resonated with me. I came across Yin Yoga, which combines Indian Hatha Yoga with Traditional Chinese Medicine and Tibetan Buddhism. I immediately felt a strong pull to study this specific style of yoga because of the focus on body-mind connection, mindfulness, and chi flow through the energetic pathways, or meridians.
It was not too long after I registered to study Yin Yoga and become a Registered Yoga Teacher that I discovered Zen Shiatsu Chicago. After little research, I realized Zen Shiatsu was a style of bodywork that I felt truly aligned with my offerings. Both alternative healing therapies Yin Yoga and Zen Shiatsu are based upon the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine and highlight the Meridian Theory. In addition, the focus on chi flow in these healing therapies emphasizes and compliments my background in energy work.
I quickly registered for Beginning Zen Shiatsu after a vision of combining energy work modalities, Yin Yoga asanas, and Zen Shiatsu bodywork. I plan to utilize my education of Zen Shiatsu to offer personalized holistic healing sessions which will interweave yoga, bodywork, and energy work. I plan to work with my clients on a multidimensional level, with both the physical and energetic bodies to influence the natural healing abilities of the body, mind, and spirit.
I feel there is a necessity within current health care and traditional healing to bring awareness to the body-mind connection so this will be the main focus for my practice. Mindfulness meditation practices will play a large role in my implementation as well. I will strive to convey the importance of awareness of the mind and inhabiting the body. I will encourage embodied presence within my clients during the treatment, on the mat, and in their daily lives as much as possible.
In addition, I plan to create workshops that draw from Zen Shiatsu and Yin Yoga. These workshops will focus on the Five Element Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine. I will teach clients the utilization of bodywork and asana to activate certain meridians which correlate with each element. Clients will gain a felt-sense of the elements within and grow a connection with these energies. My mission as a healing art practitioner is to assist others in self inquiry and overall well-being. My vision will continue to expand with me and Zen Shiatsu will only support my growth.
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