By Elena Messina

Find yourself through and beyond your body

"The body

is

the temple

of

your soul"

Osho

Helping you being more aware

My goal is to offer space and time in which to take back ourselves, to become more self-conscious and more powerful. Developing awareness and working on that basis can allow us to make better choices, to detach ourselves from those mechanisms that lead us to tread the usual, comfortable and safe, but often unsatisfying, path. I like to think that Flower Essences consultations, Shiatsu and Dance Therapy sessions as moments in which I can offer a nourishing experience - like good food that you can eat immediately but also “put in your basket” for later, and take out every time you feel hungry along the way.

What makes my work unique is that I am not offering just a chat about yourself, a massage or a gentle physical training but a form of support that passes through the body to involve mind and soul. I am not perceived myself as a "therapist", strictly speaking, but there is without doubt, a therapeutic outcome in what I do. I don't cure anyone. I allow people to reconnect themselves with that ability inside ourselves capable to cure, to find solutions and to make adjustments in life circumstances.

I am available to all those who wish to make changes, who perceive possible ways to make their life better but seek help in setting positive change in motion. Or to those who simply want to develop self-awareness, to explore and find out more about their inner self through their bodies. I do not provide all the answers, but I can accompany those who seek support while still rowing their own boat when the safe harbor is still not seen yet. I am just a tool, in a moment of uncertainty, transition or personal growth, that can help a person to make contact with that deep part of him/herself that knows exactly what is the right thing to do in that precise moment.

Shiatsu and Tradizional Chinese Medicine

Shiatsu is a body work which is based on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and draws on concepts like Chi, Yin and Yang, the meridian system, the Five Elements Theory and the Six Energies Theory.

TCM has a philosophical basis but at the same time a very practical outcome, in fact it see the Universe as a system where a Macrocosm (Big world) finds its correspondence in a Microcosm (Small world)

For example think how the cycle of the seasons has a correspondence in human life seasons and 5 elements theory : Birth/Youth correspond to Spring and Wood element, Adulthood to Summer and Fire element, Maturity to Autumn and Metal element, old age/Death to Winter and Water element, between each season there are 10 days of transition to an element and another and they represent the transition to a stage of life and the following and correspond to Earth element.

During a Shiatsu session the practitioner applies pressure with their fingers, palms, elbows and knees, releasing his weight onto the main meridian points of the person receiving the treatment.

The purpose of this is to allow the correct Chi flow of the body.

According to TCM all our health problems are caused by a Chi doldrum, due to either its surplus or its deficiency.

The restoration of Chi’s natural flow helps to keep the energies in our bodies in balance and thus prevent disease and maintain good health at every level.

The practice of an energy assessment before treatment can ensure that a specific Shiatsu session provides exactly what the person needs in that moment.

If there is an energy deficiency the session will be aimed at restoring energy; if, on the other hand, energy is stagnant somewhere in the body, the aim will be to re-establish the correct flow of Chi.

Shiatsu promotes calm and serenity where there is stress, tension, or discomfort, but recharges and revitalizes where energy has been lost.

In the first session it will talk about client issues or needs.

Shiatsu treatment could be used to sort out physical problems, but these are always linked to an emotional sphere.

Treatments are designed to rebalance the person as a whole, to allow people who received the treatment to continue their journey at the best of their potential.

Shiatsu will be making you more comfortable with yourself because helps you become more aware so you can listen more clearly yourself under many levels, and understand what you need more not just physically.

During the treatment there will be no need to undress completely, just wear light and breathable clothing, preferably made of natural materials (like cotton, linen, bamboo).

Treatments take place in a safe, clean environment, and I am a qualified practitioner, member of STAA (Shiatsu Therapy Association of Australia).

Shiatsu isn’t meant to replace medical or physiotherapy treatment, but it can be effective with migraines, neck pain, sciatica, lower back pain, insomnia and discomfort relating to your breathing, digestion menstruation and menopause.

Dance Therapy and Primitive Expression

Dance has always been an important part of mankind life and always played two roles, one more playful and recreational with a markedly social and performative aspect and a second one that had a more celebratory , sacral and spiritual intent.

Dance in ancient or traditional cultures has often been proposed as moment of connection with the divine or with the other world, or a healing method to alleviate and torment and pain. Just think of rituals danced as Santeria, Candomble, Sufis,Taranta dances or shamanic dances.

Dance, over time, celebrated different phases and anniversaries of human existence as deaths, births, marriages, victories, wars, harvesting of crops and natural and seasonal cycles, etc.

Dance always has been able to celebrate, to exorcise or to sublimate events, difficult to understand or to managed by humans. Often with the body but sometime even over the body, with experiences as trance or mystical rituals dance was capable to heal and to alleviate through the powerful use of the symbolic and the metaphorical.

During Dance Therapy meetings the main purpose is to create a protected setting where participants can express themselves through their body, freely and authentically. I use a combination of my experiences I made with Qigong, Yoga, Bioenergetics and the Primitive Expression method which is a specific variant of dance therapy. 'Expression Primitive' is closely linked to the shamanic tradition and refers to tribal rituals in combination with elements of traditional dances. E.P. looks at dance as social and cultural event but also from the point of view of psychology, anthropology and ethnomedicine

During the sessions, we work with rhythm, gesture and voice in ways designed to allow the participants to find their own unique and powerfully creative way to express themselves, while remaining connected with the group physically, intellectually and emotionally.

This is a rare and precious opportunity in our modern society where we have lost 'certain' ways to bee together. Dancing and chanting together without any performative purpose but just for the pleasure of being connected, finding our place in a group based on what we truly are and not on what we own, celebrating life and the good things that come with it, sharing part of our journey, feeling part of a community – all this is what I invite participants to pursue. This kind of experience means looking at what happens around and inside us in a new and different ways.

Flower Essences and Flower Therapy

Flowers Essence Method has been discovered by Doctor Edward Bach, in the Thirties.

He understood it's not ailments that should be treated but people. With great sensitivity and intuition he managed to put together 38 remedies suitable for "healing" different moods and negative emotional states.

The vibrational energy of essence works on our etheric part and this, with a domino effect, impacts, the spiritual one, then the mental one up to having effects even on the physical level.

There is not placebo effect in flower essences. Although, even scientific literature does not disdain the results that come with the use of placebos and therefore I don't think there is anything wrong with this, flowers essences also have an effect on infant, animal and plants, all "categories" on which it is not possible to exert a placebo effect.

Agrimony – mental torture behind a cheerful face

Aspen – fear of unknown things

Beech – intolerance

Centaury – the inability to say ‘no’

Cerato – lack of trust in one’s own decisions

Cherry Plum – fear of the mind giving way

Chestnut Bud – failure to learn from mistakes

Chicory – selfish, possessive love

Clematis – dreaming of the future without working in the present

Crab Apple – the cleansing remedy, also for not liking something about ourselves

Elm – overwhelmed by responsibility

Gentian – discouragement after a setback

Gorse – hopelessness and despair

Heather – talkative self-concern and being self-centered

Holly – hatred, envy and jealousy

Honeysuckle – living in the past

Hornbeam – tiredness at the thought of doing something

Impatiens – impatience

Larch – lack of confidence

Mimulus – fear of known things

Mustard – deep gloom for no reason

Oak – the plodder who keeps going past the point of exhaustion

Olive – exhaustion following mental or physical effort

Pine – guilt

Red Chestnut – over-concern for the welfare of loved ones

Rock Rose – terror and fright

Rock Water – self-denial, rigidity and self-repression

Scleranthus – inability to choose between alternatives

Star of Bethlehem – shock

Sweet Chestnut – extreme mental anguish, when everything has been tried and there is no light left

Vervain – over-enthusiasm

Vine – dominance and inflexibility

Walnut – protection from change and unwanted influences

Water Violet – quiet self-reliance leading to isolation

White Chestnut – unwanted thoughts and mental arguments

Wild Oat – uncertainty over one’s direction in life

Wild Rose – drifting, resignation, apathy

Willow – self-pity and resentment

The original system also includes an emergency combination remedy.

From https://www.bachcentre.com/en/remedies/the-38-remedies/quick-reference-guide/

As you I am a person who is grow up in this culture that is set in a scientific vision of phenomena so for us evidence and reliability are our daily brad as I would say in my language. However even scientists have studied some cases where there is not scientific evidence but only results without any logical explanation for us. For example when baby is in the wrong position on his mother's belly it will be enough to use some moxa stick in the appropriate points to avoid to have a breech birth. Or there been a case of a very small and remote tribe in Africa where after the death of a mother giving birth, all the woman (even some very old ones and menopaused), after a ritual started to producing milk inexplicably in order to keep in life the new born. Or the more famous case of the Cuna tribe which anthropologist Levi-Strauss talk about to explain the concept of 'symbolic efficacy '.

I am not saying to not follow the advice and prescriptions of doctors which would be irresponsible and dangerous. I am just saying that whatever the problem the solution will work better if we believe in it. We humans are a complex system and what alternative therapies and also Gestalt therapy propose, is a holistic approach.

Alpine Mint Bush Feeling of emotional overload

Angelsword Confusing sensation

Autumn Leaves Inability to accept major changes

Banksia Robur Frustration in moments of low energy

Bauhinia Rigidity towards change

Billy Goat Plum body shame feeling

Black-eyed-Susan Impatience, stressful pace of life

Bluebell Emotional Clarity. Joyful sharing

Boab Lack of ability to develop personal potential

Boronia Tendency to ruminate

Bottlebrush Uncertainty for change

Bush Fuchsia Clear and sure expression of what you know

Bush Gardenia Lack of passion, dull relationships

Bush Iris Interest concentrated mainly on materialism

Christmas Bell Pleasure in giving and receiving

Crowea Tendency towards apprehension and agitation

Dagger Hakea Rediscovering forgiveness and expressing feelings

Dog Rose Shyness, fear towards the outside world

Dog Rose of Wild Forces Feeling of emotional overwhelm

Five Corners Love and self-acceptance

Flannel Flower Difficulty accepting physical contact

Freshwater Mangrove Prejudices and excessive expectations

Fringed Violet Personal space and protection

Green Essence Support in general purification

Green Spider Orchid Intuitive communication without

Gray Spider flower Intense fear, nightmares

Gymea Lily Desire to be the center of attention

Hibbertia Rigidity and sense of superiority

Illawarra flame tree Feeling of being rejected and withdrawn

Isopogon Inability to learn from past experiences

Jacaranda Scatterings, inconstancy

Kangaroo paw Immaturity in dealing with others

Kapok Bush Discouragement towards difficulties

Lichen Deep disorientation in changes

Little flannel flower Inability to carefree

Macrocarpa Physical exhaustion, fatigue

Mint Bush Confusion and uncertainty

Monga Waratah Attachment to others and their constant need

Mountain Devil Tendency to resentment and jealousy

Mulla Mulla Poor heat tolerance

Old Man Banksia Excessive generosity and inability to accept recognition

Pink Flannel Flower Lived boring

Pink Mulla Mulla Tendency to be defensive, touchy

Red Grevillea Feeling trapped

Red Helmet Orchid Relationship and tensions with the masculine

Red Lily Vagueness, indecision, distraction

Red Suva Frangipani End of relationship upset

Rough Bluebell Manipulative attitude in relationships

She Oak Fear of not experiencing motherhood

Silver Princess Feeling of having no purpose in life

Slender Rice Flower Low tolerance towards others

Southern Cross Victimhood.

Spinifex Discomfort linked to slight skin alterations

Sturt Desert Pea Sad memories

Sturt Desert Rose Lived from a sense of guilt

Sundew Tendency to postpone a choice. Distraction

Sunshine Wattle Uncertainty expectations towards the future

Sydney Rose Feeling lonely despite others

Tall Mulla Mulla Preferring a solitary life for fear of confrontation

Tall Yellow Top Feeling of social loneliness

Turkey Bush I listen to my own creative skills

Waratah Poor ability to react to crisis

Wedding Bush Difficulty committing to relationships

Wild Bush Potato Frustration with the body

Wisteria Feeling not being comfortable with your own sensuality

Yellow Cowslip Orchid Tendency towards excessive criticism and judgment

Translated from:

https://fioriperlanima.com/i-singoli-fiori-australiani.html

by Antonella Napoli

Shiatsu Therapy

Flowers Essences Therapy

Dance Therapy

During the treatment by applying pressure on the meridian points of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shiatsu restores balance. It is performed on the body, and you feel a physical benefit, but it also has a positive effect on an emotional and mental level. Shiatsu promotes calm and serenity where there is stress, tension, or discomfort, but recharges and revitalizes where energy has been lost. In gaining equilibrium and centering through Shiatsu treatments, you will feel more comfortable with yourself because you will become more aware of your body, in connection with your mind and emotions. Shiatsu is not intended to replace medical or physiotherapy treatment, but it can be effective with migraines, neck pain, sciatica, lower back pain, insomnia and discomfort related to breathing, digestion, menstruation and menopause. During the treatment there is no need to undress completely, just wear light and breathable clothing, preferably made of natural materials (like cotton, linen, bamboo). Treatments take place in a safe and clean environment.

Flower Therapy is a natural way to approach symptoms and discomfort. Each Flower Essence has specific healing properties that can have a beneficial effect on people of every age and gender. They can help if you feel your full potential is blocked, if you want to overcome some limiting and negative beliefs, if you are ready to make some change in your life. When you are dealing with fear, uncertainty, lack of interest in the present, loneliness, hypersensitivity to the influences and ideas of others, discouragement, hopelessness, etc. and you want to do something about it, Flower Therapy can be of great help. You don't need to 'believe in it' but just wait for results, which often come in various ways: physical, mental and emotional. It is incredible how such simple method van give such effective results. Flower essences do not interfere with any type of medical cure or drugs. They are absolutely safe even for pregnant women, children, animals .

During Dance Therapy sessions the main purpose is to create a protected setting where you can express yourself through your body, freely and authentically.

At the same time, you are in a group that you support and that supports you, because we learn, grow and challenge ourselves in our relationships with others. You connect with the group physically, mentally and emotionally. Dancing in a group, without any performative purpose but just for the pleasure of being together, finding your place in a group based on what you truly are and not on

what you possess, celebrating life and all the good things that come with it, sharing part of your journey, feeling part of a community - these are the pillars upon which sessions are built. There is no need to be particularly fit or trained. You just need to be barefoot, wear comfortable clothes, have a desire to be together with others anduriosity to discover something more about yourself.

Shiatsu

Shiatsu treatment

$90

Shiatsu 5 treatments package

$380

20 minutes face treatment

$30

Introductory offer Shiatsu

first treatment 1 hour $70

Save $20

Flower

Essences

Dance

Therapy

Weekly (1 hour)

$30

Monthly workshop (2 hours)

$50

Introductory offer

Free discovery session

find out if Dance Therapy

is for you...

Who I am

My aim

Who I am

I am a very sociable and empathic person who loves the relationship with “the other” as a mirror and measure of what is happening around us. I have previous experience in the social work field, and I did a lot of volunteer work in the past. Helping people is one of my main values. I have done a lot of research in my life, and I am not a person who stays on the surface of things. When I do something - anything - I like to do it well or at least in the best way I can. Although I have been constant and solid in pursuing my personal and particular interests, I am eclectic in terms of passions and topics. Studying and intellectual activities interest me but also the inclination towards the body and manual activities. I found my way to assemble these two worlds, traditionally divided, through a creative process that has conveyed their sense and order which has also become mine and it is with this mental habit that I see and propose my work.

I have developed an interest in innovative body disciplines. Earning two diplomas, in Dance Therapy and Shiatsu, has allowed me to integrate a rational-knowledge vision with a dimension more linked to feeling and expressing ourselves physically, in a holistic perspective.

I started to have an interest in Flower Essences more that 20 years ago before Bach Flower after Bush and Living Essences from Australia, and Californian and Himalayan. Their gentle bur effective approach finally completely conquered me. After overcoming all the doubts and hesitations that their simplicity instigated in the most rational and incredulous part of me, I gave in simply by noting that they work.

My Aim

My goal is to offer space and time in which to take back ourselves, to become more self-conscious and more powerful. Developing awareness and working on that basis can allow us to make better choices, to detach ourselves from those mechanisms that lead us to tread the usual, comfortable and safe, but often unsatisfying, path. I like to think of both my Shiatsu and Dance Therapy sessions as moments in which I can offer a nourishing experience - like good food that you can eat immediately but also “put in your basket” for later, and take out every time you feel hungry along the way. What makes my work unique is that I am not offering just a massage or gentle physical training but a form of support that passes through the body to involve mind and soul. I am not feel as a "therapist", strictly speaking, but there is a therapeutic outcome to what I do. I don't cure anyone. I allow people to reconnect themselves with that ability inside ourselves capable to cure, to find solutions and to make adjustments in life circumstances. I am available to all those who wish to make changes, who perceive possible ways to make their life better but seek help in setting positive change in motion. Or to those who simply want to develop self-awareness, to explore and find out more about their inner self through their bodies. I do not provide answers, but I can accompany those who seek support while still rowing their own boat when the safe harbor is still not seen . I am just a tool , in a moment of uncertainty, transition or

personal growth, that can help a person to make contact with that deep part of themselves that knows exactly what is right think to do in that precisely moment.

Biographical notes

Elena Messina

I was born in Genoa, Italy. I have been in Australia since 2014 and an Australian citizen since 2020.

My formal education has been in the humanities. I gained a bachelor’s degree from the University of Genoa, focused on Italian literature, art history, theatre, and cinema. Alongside these traditional studies, I have developed an interest in innovative body disciplines.

Earning two diplomas, in Shiatsu therapy and Dance Therapy, has allowed me to integrate a rational-knowledge vision with a dimension more linked to feeling and expressing ourselves physically, in a holistic perspective.

I am a qualified practitioner and member of STAA (Shiatsu Therapy Association of Australia).

I graduated in Dance Therapy in Italy in 2000 where I was a student of France

Schott-Billmann, renewed author of "Primitive Expression and Dance Therapy: When Dancing Heals".

I have been working with Flower essences for more than 20 years .

My aim is to offer a space and a time in which to take back ourselves. It is essential to start from ourselves and our well-being to make significant improvements in every aspect of our lives. I like to think that trough my work I can offer a nourishing

experience which does not run out at the moment but which allows you to bring something of value with you

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