February - Bladder meridian in Winter

February is a threshold.

Winter is still present, yet something beneath the surface begins to shift. The days grow a little longer, the light changes, and the body begins to sense movement, even if nature has not fully awakened yet.

This is-between time invites us to honour rest ehile gently preparing for action, cultivating awarness without rushing or forcing.

The Bladder meridian : Movement and Adaptability

The Bladder meridian, the longest in the body, plays a central role in fluid regulation, detoxification, and adaptability. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is closely associated with the emotion of fear, which may appear not only as panic but also as tension, overthinking, stiffness, or the feeling of being constantly “on alert.”

In Shiatsu, particularly following Masunaga’s Meridian Therapy, the Bladder meridian is understood as a major pathway of Qi and energy flow, running along the back from head to sacrum. Blockages along this meridian can manifest as neck and back tension, headaches, or difficulty letting go of stress, highlighting the close link between physical tension and emotional states.

Supporting the Bladder meridian helps to:

• release emotional pressure accumulated during the long winter

• restore mental clarity and calmness

• maintain adaptability and resilience in daily life

Gentle stretching, mindful movement, Shiatsu pressure, or massage along the Bladder meridian can promote the natural flow of energy, reduce tension, and create a profound sense of inner balance and release.

Points of the month : Bladder 1 and Bladder 2

Location and Function:

• Bladder 1 (Jingming): inner corner of the eyes, near the bridge of the nose

• Bladder 2 (Zanzhu): at the base of the eyebrows, close to the bridge of the nose

These points are closely linked to vision, mental clarity, and the nervous system, and play an important role in balancing emotional states, especially fear and anxiety.

Benefits of stimulating these points regularly:

• Relieves eye strain, frontal headaches, and sinus tension

• Releases tension in the forehead, brow, and upper face

• Calms mental overactivity and enhances focus

• Supports grounding and emotional clarity

Practical technique:

• Using your fingertips, apply light, slow circular pressure on each point

• Breathe slowly and deeply, visualizing tension melting away

• Particularly helpful during periods of mental overload, late winter stress, or when you feel “on edge”

Treatment of the month : Kobido

Kobido, which literally means “ancient way of beauty” in Japanese, is a traditional facial treatment designed to harmonize outer beauty with inner wellbeing. Especially effective during winter, when cold air, central heating, and stress can leave the skin dull, dry, or tense, Kobido goes beyond cosmetics: it works on circulation, lymphatic drainage, and the nervous system, restoring hydration, tone, and radiance.

The treatment unfolds in four main steps:

Skin-care Ritual

A gentle and tailored sequence: cleanser → toner → exfoliation → mask → moisturiser.This step prepares the skin, removes dead cells, awakens microcirculation, and deeply hydrates, creating the perfect base for the facial massage.

Kobido Massage

The heart of the treatment. Kobido massage stimulates blood and lymphatic circulation, supports collagen production, oxygenates tissues, and relaxes facial muscles. Inspired by Shiatsu techniques, it also works on the nervous system, giving a sense of deep wellbeing and lightness.

Acupressure and Lymphatic drainage

Targeted acupressure on key points of the face and head, combined with lymphatic drainage and Gua Sha, helps release physical and emotional tension, supports fluid balance, and restores energy flow. This step is essential to relieve accumulated stress and promote mental clarity.

Finishing Ritual and Grounding

The final touch includes legs and feet, grounding the energy and providing a sense of stability and balance. This helps you “return to the ground” after the facial, leaving a harmonious feeling of equilibrium throughout the day.

Kobido is a complete ritual that works on skin, muscles, and the nervous system, offering relaxation, radiance, and deep wellbeing.

This treatment is available in the studio

Self-care ritual Gua Sha and Jade roller

A simple self-care routine with a Gua Sha or Jade Roller is a gentle way to support lymphatic flow, relieve facial tension, and enhance skin hydration. By incorporating this practice into your routine, you encourage a deeper connection between body and mind, creating a moment of presence and mindfulness.

Begin with well-hydrated skin, ideally after cleansing and applying a nourishing oil or serum. Using slow, deliberate movements, glide the Gua Sha or Jade Roller across the neck, jawline, cheeks, and forehead, paying attention to areas where tension tends to accumulate. Focus on your breath as you move, allowing each stroke to release both physical and emotional tightness.

Gua sha and Jade roller

Practicing this ritual regularly, whether daily or a few times per week, not only improves circulation and drainage but also promotes a sense of calm and balance that extends beyond the skin. Over time, consistent use can help maintain a soft, glowing complexion while supporting your body’s natural rhythm and energy flow.

For those who wish to continue this ritual at home, Gua Sha and Jade Roller sets are available in the studio, allowing you to extend the benefits of this mindful self-care practice beyond your treatment sessions.

Stone of the month : Amethyst

For February, Amethyst is a beautiful ally for the late winter season and the Bladder meridian. Its calming violet vibrations resonate with the Third Eye (6th chakra), promoting concentration, meditation, and inner exploration. Amethyst is known for guiding energy inward rather than outward, encouraging introspection and helping us process emotions such as fear and mental tension, which are common during the end of winter.

This stone, sometimes called the “Stone of Venus” for its beauty, supports emotional balance and clarity. In crystal therapy, Amethyst is valued for its relaxing effects, helping release accumulated stress and mental fatigue. Holding the stone or keeping it nearby can create a gentle warmth, encouraging the mind to slow down and focus inward, fostering a sense of trust, calm, and connection to intuition.

The violet hue of Amethyst also has a symbolic significance: as the last color visible in the sunlight spectrum, it represents the threshold between the visible and the subtle, guiding us toward higher awareness and wisdom. Its energy invites reflection, patience, and self-understanding, making it an ideal companion for winter self-care practices.

For those wishing to incorporate its benefits into their routine, Amethyst stones are available in the studio, allowing you to bring the energy of this powerful gem into your home rituals and mindfulness practices.

As February gently guides us from winter toward spring, may this month offer you moments of reflection, release, and inner balance. Take time to nurture your body, mind, and spirit, allowing yourself to move with awareness and ease.

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