Working with Death and Loss in Shiatsu Practice

An invaluable resource for all touch therapists drawn to working at this edge of life. Weaving her own extensive experience together with guidance on every conceivable aspect of the subject, Tamsin Grainger balances poignant case studies with the discipline, self-reflection and professionalism that end-of-life care demands. A truly impressive achievement! – Nick Pole, Shiatsu teacher and author of Words That Touch: How to ask questions your body can answer (Singing Dragon 2017)This is a wonderful book, and a gift to any Shiatsu practitioner. In our practice we often encounter grief loss and death (in all its forms). Tamsin has comprehensively researched every conceivable aspect of the subject, from different Shiatsu ways of interpreting grieving behaviour to the differences the practitioner may encounter between working in a hospital or in a hospice. Many moving and memorable case histories illustrate her theme, some her own, some from other practitioners. I loved her use of tables to clarify and explain, in particular one table - how brave, bold and entirely appropriate in Shiatsu literature! - where she lists her experiences of feeling different kinds of Ki movement in receivers’ diverse emotional responses to the prospect of death. Her voice is direct, compassionate and honest. I will be learning from and enjoying this book for years to come. – Carola Beresford-Cooke, author of Shiatsu Theory and PracticeWorking With Death and Loss in Shiatsu Practice is invaluable for students of Shiatsu as well as for experienced practitioners, whether they work with very sick and dying clients or not. They will benefit from this book’s deep insight into the nature of life, its deep challenges and its joy. – Wilfried Rappenecker, Shiatsu teacher, practitioner and author of Atlas of Shiatsu: The Meridians of Zen Shiatsu

Tamsin Grainger has been a Zen Shiatsu practitioner since 1991 and is the co-founder of The Shiatsu School in Edinburgh. She has written articles for the Shiatsu Society Journal, and regularly presents workshops, including on loss, death and dying, internationally. She lives in Edinburgh, UK.