The massage was written especially for the children of Rikuzentakata and focuses on the healing power of nature. It was created with the help of several colleagues, then translated into Japanese and approved by local teachers, parents and social workers in the disaster area before it was finally agreed.

Alice Clarke, a talented 17 years old student from Brighton, illustrated the story with simple and colourful drawings that appealed to all ages. Alice had been taught peer massage at her school by Sandra Hooper, one of the UK’s trainers for the programme. She was keen to be involved as she has strong connections with Japan and could understand how the children would benefit.

The massage story was introduced to three kindergartens with children aged 4-6 years old. The teachers and children were excited by the idea of story massage and were keen to take part. Whilst Mary and Takiko demonstrated the moves, Keiko, the local social worker, read the story and showed the illustrations to the children.

At one school, Mary’s husband, Richard, read the words in English whilst Mary demonstrated on a teacher. The children tried to copy the words and learnt to say ‘flower’, ‘rain’ and ‘sun’.

The teachers were delighted by the response of the children who said that it felt good, and that they felt lovely and warm. Each kindergarten was presented with a laminated story book and DVD of the massage moves in the hope that the benefits would continue for many years to come.

In a recent report, Keiko, the local social worker, said she felt that it had been a healing experience for everyone and that the children and teachers were continuing to enjoy the story massage, making their own creative adaptations, and sharing it with their families.

Free copy of Cocoro story massage

If you’d like a copy of the creative story massage ‘Smiling Flowers’ please contact me  (Mary Atkinson)

3.11, 14:46pm. A moment of silence for those who died and those who survived.

Cocoro wishes to thank everyone for their warm wishes and support from all over the world to Japan.

Please click below to see the you tube video : Arigato from Japan

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=SS-sWdAQsYg&vq=medium

And listen to a message of hope from the Mayor of Rikuzentakata.

Takiko Ando, first visited the disaster area in May 2011. She returned to Iwate in September 2011 and concentrated her efforts in Rikuzentakata, the city that was hardest hit by the tsunami. More than 40 % of people were still suffering a great deal of sleep disturbance and trauma. Most people were living in temporary homes but these were often miles from the community where they used to live. Many people had moved away to find work or live with family.

Again, the response the the massage was extremely positive. There was a queue waiting on each day. People reported being able to sleep better and to feel more positive and hopeful following an aromatherapy massage. To continue the benefits of the massage, Cocoro began a newsletter service focusing on “home care” and “anti-stress activities”.

Massage for Children

On this visit, Takiko decided to include the children as they had been so interested in massage previously.  She worked with the local social worker, Keiko Sugawara, to introduce a new activity which is a picture-card show for children. The aim is not to “learn” aromatherapy but to encourage them to recognise power of smell. It is a simple game that the children really enjoyed.  By showing pictures, they started to understand how animals and insects find the flowers and plants they need through their aroma.

There was also a game to find out “what is this smell?” A few drops of grapefruit oil were put on a tissue and the children were invited to guess the smell. They were very excited and called out Orange, Lemon or Grapefruit with lots of smiles. Lastly, Takiko and Keiko demonstrated some hand massage without oils and they practised on each other.”Feesl great!” “That tickles!” “Makes me sleepy!” came the responses. They said that being touched by their friends made them feel good. They asked Cocoro to come back again soon!

Takiko first visited the disaster area in May 2011 and was given help and support by a local social worker, Keiko Sugawara. Over a period of seven days, she offered 15 minute aromatherapy treatments to 114 local people, many of whom returned for more treatments over the week. Most of victims appeared to benefit hugely from having somebody, who was not a victim, to whom they could talk about their emotions. In one place, 98% of victims came back for another treatment saying “ it was the first night I was able to sleep after the disaster.”

The people came from three major disaster areas:

• Rikuzentakata City (population 23,302 people) 1495 people killed / 686 people missing
• Kamaishi City (population 39,119 people) 848 people killed / 470 people missing
• Otsuchicho Town (population 15,277 people) 767 people killed / 952 people missing

Cocoro offered massage treatments in rooms kindly provided by:

• Social Welfare Council at Oushu, Iwate
• Oushu Kizuna no Kai at Himekayu, Iwate
• Kougeikan Hotel at Hanamaki. Iwate
• Osawa Onsen at Hanamaki, Iwate
• Hotel Hanamaki at Hanamaki, Iwate“
• Koromogawa Sou at Ousyu, Iwate

The people receiving treatment ranged in age from 3 months to 85 years old. The average age range was 50-70 years old.  The gender split was 88% Female / 12% Male.

Here, we are look at some of the ways in which a 15 minute aromatherapy massage helped the local people – and the benefits they experienced.

Opportunity to talk

Japanese people do not tend to talk about how they are feeling. However, this habit of bottling up feelings behind a brave face means they have no outlet for their emotions. During a massage treatment, the victims begin to talk, which leads to a torrent of emotional outpouring. Talking to someone who is on the ‘outside’ or somehow detached from the situation can be healing.

Most talked about how the tsunami swept away their town, or they talk of the incredible noise, others describe how they ran away and of course, so many talked of how many people they lost. Simply asking the question ‘are you sleeping well?’ was enough to give them the opportunity to talk. This is indicative of how deeply they need to talk to someone who is not a ‘victim’.

 Males reacted differently to women. They are shouldering more worries and fear for the future as they think about how to provide for their families. For some men, a massage was the first time they had ever thought about themselves and their own feelings. Some men started to talk, while others even cried.

Release of tension

At the beginning of massage, the tension was evident in their faces, but at the end of the treatment their tension was visibly reduced in just 15 minutes. The massage provided the opportunity to talk, but also the smell of essential oils was relaxing.  Many victims told us even though it was only the hand massage, it helped to ease stiffness in their shoulders and improve their circulation. It helped them to feel better and more positive in themselves.

Power of touch

For most people, this was their first experience of aromatherapy and massage. Some were quite sceptical at first as they were not used to been touched at all. However, as soon as they relaxed with massage they could sense the healing power of touch. They explained that it was an amazing experience that they never felt before. There was soon a queue for massage.

Improved sleep patterns

When Takiko visited the disaster area in May 2001, a lot of victims reported that after massage, they were able to sleep through the night for the first time since the disaster. Many were surprised and delighted that it worked so well.

Therapeutic power of essential oils

All oils used by COCORO are organic high standard oils which have been kindly donated by companies including Insole Ltd from Germany, and Materia Aromatica in the UK, distributed by Jasmin Aromatique Organics in Japan. Cocoro is very grateful for their support.

For massage, there is a choice of macerated oil: Lavender, Rose, Chamomile, Arnica, St John’s Wort, and Calendula. Shea butter is also very popular for children and especially for people with dry skin.

People benefited from being given tissues and felt hearts with a few drops of essential oil chosen to help them sleep at night or to have their rooms to give an uplifting aroma. The choice of oils included: Vanilla, Rosemary, Pine, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Juniper, Peppermint, Orange, Grapefruit and Neroli. Lavender and Orange were very popular.

Pine has a special resonance for the local people in Rikuzentakata. Before the tsunami there was a forest of 70,000 pine trees where the people loved to visit and gained great comfort at times of sorrow. After the tsunami, only one tree remained. This has become a symbol of hope and resilience. A few drops of pine essential oil on a tissue helped remind the people of their forest and enabled them to talk more freely about their worries.

The majority of people in the disaster areas either lost their homes completely or they were so badly damaged they were inhabitable. The victims were forced to flee from the giant tsunami wave leaving all their possessions behind. Many lost family and loved ones. Most people in the area actually witnessed the tsunami and dozens of victims were swept up by the tsunami. Whilst the victims know they were fortunate to have survived, the psychological impact of haunting memories have taken its toll upon them.

There are reports of nightmares, depression, reliving the memory of the tsunami both visually and aurally, experiencing mood swings, and insomnia. In fact, when Takiko Ando, founder of Cocoro, visited the disaster area in May 2011, 95% of people were suffering from insomnia, and most of them were taking sleeping pills or sedatives. For some, even being alone in a room in the daylight hours is traumatic.

Coping with Trauma

The victims have a tendency to compare their experience with that of others and try to focus on those worse off than them. This coping mechanism, common in Japanese society, helps them to reconcile the trauma they have experienced. Japanese people do not tend to talk about how they are feeling. However, this habit of bottling up feelings behind a brave face means they have no outlet for their emotions.  There is a deep need of people to find a way of healing emotional wounds.

During a massage treatment, the victims often begin to talk, which leads to a torrent of emotional outpouring. Talking to someone who is on the ‘outside’ or somehow detached from the situation can healing. Most talked about how the tsunami swept away their town, or they talk of the incredible noise, others describe how they ran away and, of course, so many talked of how many people they lost. Men suffer deeply because they fear for the future and worry about how to provide for their families.

Impact on Children

Normally, Japanese families so not hug or touch each other. However since the trauma of the tsunami, Japanese children have been reaching out for the comfort of touch.

• A 3 year-old girl lost 4-5 friends in the disaster, and all the teachers in her kindergarten were swept away. She has subsequently developed a deep fear of unusual sounds and is highly sensitised to the aftershocks. She did not want to talk about tsunami. She even tried to stop her parents from talking about it. During a massage she smiled as she began to talk about her dreams.
• An 11 year-old boy watched images of the tsunami on You Tube for hours on end. He watched as his school and home were swept away. He lost his brother and sister in the disaster. He said that he misses his home town and wishes to go back to his school. The adults disapproved of him watching the video, but this is possibly how he is making sense of it. When the boy came for his massage he was very shy at first, but as the treatment progressed he kept saying ‘this is amazing, this is so good’. He said it was a new experience for him, and he wanted to take some Shea Butter to share with his friends. 

The tsunami swept away 100,000 buildings and houses. 8,000,000 people lost electricity and 1,800,000 houses lost water. Whilst temporary houses were being constructed, victims lived in the shelters either at coastal area or any area where space was available, some were located 50miles away from the coast, far from their community. Local people were sleeping in cramped conditions with problems around hygiene and lack of privacy.  The electricity was reconnected six weeks after the disaster but for several months local people were receiving water from a water cart. The whole region experienced numerous after-shocks on a daily basis which was a great cause of trauma and worry, especially for the children.

Takiko felt a deep sadness at the way that dozens of victims died alone in temporary accommodation, especially affected were elderly victims who had become estranged from their families due to bereavement and distance from each other.

As soon as Takiko heard the terrible news of the devastating earthquake and tsunami on the north east coast of Japan in March 2011, she was determined to do something to help. Through her experience as a therapist both in U.K and Japan, she realised that aromatherapy could act as a calming influence. She decided to embark on a new charity project offering aromatherapy and massage to individuals affected by the tragedy.

With the invaluable help, advice and support of REST UK, a charity providing on-site chair massages to emergency service workers at prolonged emergencies, Takiko was able to sort out paperwork, including the necessary documentation such as consultation forms, and set up Cocoro (the Japanese word for mind. The local social welfare council in the disaster area recognised the importance of Cocoro and accepted Takiko’s help. In May 2011, Takiko first traveled to the prefecture of Iwate, the hardest hit disaster area, to offer 15 minute massages to the victims. She offered a choice of massage – either hands, feet or neck and shoulders.

Takiko Ando, Professional Aromatherapist, MIFPA

Takiko is Member of the International Federation of Professional Aromatherapist. She is a graduate of the Institute of Traditional Herbal Medicine and Aromatherapy  and has gained a U.K. Diploma in Clinical Aromatherapy and Holistic Massage. She is a qualified instructor on the Massage in Schools Programme. She can be contacted directly on: info@aroma-jubilee.com

Why book on this Indian Head Massage Course?

Indian head massage is great fun to learn. And a wonderful way of pampering friends and family. The course is open to everyone – beginners and therapists. It’s fun and informal with a chance to share a relaxing Indian Head Massage with others. And it only costs £50 for the day. The day course covers:

• Fascinating history of Indian Head Massage
• Benefits of Indian Head Massage for family and friends.
• Demonstration of techniques and a simple routine.
• Oils for Indian Head Massage.
• Opportunity to ask questions and share experiences with others interested in holistic health.
• Comprehensive course handbook supplied to ensure you continue to practise at home.
• Qualified therapists will receive a CPD certificate and non-therapists will receive a certificate of attendance.

Course Date: Monday 11th June 2012

Time: 10.00 – 16.00

Cost: £50

Venue: Chichester, West Sussex

To book please contact me. (Mary Atkinson)

Special Offer!

Holistic therapists qualified in another bodywork therapy can have the course fee refunded if they choose to take my FHT accredited 3 Day Diploma in Indian Head Massage.

What is Indian Head Massage?

Indian Head Massage has a long and colourful history. This seated massage therapy has been an integral part of the Ayurvedic medical system in India for over 3,000 years. Babies in India are traditionally massaged by their mothers from birth to aid healthy growth and development.  As young children, they are given regular head massage and the practice continues into adulthood. Women incorporate head massage into their beauty routines to keep hair lustrous and healthy, while men receive head massage at the barbers.

European Style Head Massage

Introduced to the West in the 1970s, Indian Head Massage has become a popular therapy for promoting relaxation and a sense of well-being. Although many of the traditional techniques are still used, it has been adapted to suit the needs of modern European society.  Indian Head Massage is enjoyed in clinics and salons, taken into the workplace, and adapted for use in schools, hospices and care homes.

More than a Head Massage

Don’t be misled by the name. Indian Head Massage tends to take place on a comfortable, upright chair. The therapist stands behind and uses a series of alternate soothing and invigorating movements starting on the upper back then progressing to the shoulders, upper arms, neck and scalp, finishing with gentle strokes on the face. Blissful! Each session lasts around 30-40 minutes although this can be shortened to 10-20 minutes if necessary.

Oils for Indian Head Massage

You don’t need to have oils in your hair. The massage sequence can be practised without oils through light clothing. However, massage oils can also be used to moisturise and nourish the skin and hair. Upper clothing is removed and a large towel offered for modesty. The traditional massage oils used are: sweet almond, coconut, olive, mustard, sunflower and sesame.

Is Indian Head Massage suitable for everyone?

Most people can enjoy Indian Head Massage – from the young to elderly. However, I will always carry out an individual consultation to ensure that the treatment is safe and effective for you. If there are any doubts then it may be necessary to consult your GP.

What are the benefits of Indian Head Massage?

Everyone gains different benefits from Indian Head Massage but most people agree that it is a wonderfully relaxing therapy. Some of the reported benefits include improved hair condition, increased energy levels and improved circulation.

It was with great pleasure that, as winner of the Camexpo Outstanding Achievement Award 2010,  I had the honour of presenting Mehan (left) and Rachel (right) with the much deserved award last year.  We are also delighted they will be speaking at our Chichester Local FHT Support Group on June 6^th 2012. Here is a little more about the dynamic duo who are changing the face of massage training in the UK.

When did JING first become established?

We have both been therapists for over 20 years and began training master therapists in New York City in 1999. In 2003, we brought our pioneering courses to Brighton, centering on treating specific pain conditions such as frozen shoulder and sciatica. The feedback was phenomenal.

Tell me a bit more about your massage courses?

The JING Institute is a revolutionary postgraduate training organisation providing master CPD courses and ground-breaking qualifications. JING, now offers over 50 Master CPD courses, 3 Advanced Certificates, and the BTEC level 6. Therapists can train around the country with an expert team for just 2 days, or up to 3 years. Courses include the Advanced Clinical Massage series to treat pain such as RSI, Whiplash, and knee pain, Trigger point Therapy, Advanced Certificate in Myofascial Release, Advanced certificate in Musculoskeletal anatomy, Pregnancy Massage, Eastern and Sports Techniques.

 What is your greatest achievement in massage training so far?

JING offers a new qualification to UK therapists, the BTEC level 6 in Advanced Clinical and Sports Massage accredited by Edexcel. We are the only institution approved to offer this level of massage education in the UK. We believe that by giving therapists the opportunity to train to degree level, JING has achieved great strides for the massage world.  And the biggest news is that, as part of the BTEC level 6, The JING Institute is working with the University of York to develop a centre of clinical massage research unparallelled in the UK.

What are your plans for the future?

JING is going global! We feel excited about being asked to be international guest lecturers in massage and anatomy at several UK and US massage and yoga schools, including the International Dermal Institute, Chichester College, McTimoney Chiropractic Association and the Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT).

What do you think is the secret of your amazing success?

The work we teach is serious but we do it with a lot of laughter. We advocate taking the holistic approach and use innovative teaching methods that ensure that our students leave courses with the material in their hands, head and hearts. All work is taught practically so that it can be used right away with effective results.

Here’s to the future of JING from Mary Atkinson Holistic Therapy Courses.

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