New beginnings - Boglárka Angyalos about starting a new career in Szeged as a Shiatsu therapist

I met Bogi two years ago and back then we talked a lot about our views on Szeged and about why and how we ended up living in the city of sunshine. This spring, when I read that she has become a shiatsu practitioner, my mind started to recall our conversation from two years ago, over and over again. Finally, I asked her if she would like to share her story with the readers of Szegedify and she said yes. Please welcome the story of Boglárka Angyalos, about starting a new career in Szeged as a shiatsu therapist.

When and why did you decide to become a Shiatsu practitioner?

It happened 15 years ago when I attended a series of yoga sessions. I was very interested in the theory of 5 elements based on traditional Chinese medicine, which was the topic of this program. At the end of the series, I received a shiatsu treatment as a gift from the instructor. It was a very special experience, a real "wow!" feeling. It was an interesting experience to receive and I wanted to try what it's like to give shiatsu.

Back then, we could learn the basics of shiatsu during a three-day, intensive training course, but even during this short time, we learned a full-body treatment, which I immediately started promoting in the family circle - to their delight, of course.

Shortly after that, it was no question that I would participate in the 4-semester training in Budapest. We received a lot of theoretical knowledge and even more practice.

I'm originally a French language teacher and export-import specialist, I worked for French multinational companies for many years. Shiatsu brought a counterweight to my life in this fast-paced, experience-rich world and also helped me overcome the difficulties of planning a baby during my studies.

After the birth of my son, I continued to practice shiatsu with family and friends. I wanted to return to the world of work with an activity that really brings me joy, ensures independence, and puts much less strain on the body.

We met two years ago for the first time and talked about our Szeged impressions. Can you tell us a bit about why you moved to Szeged?

We moved to Szeged with my husband and my son six years ago, but we only planned to stay here for a short period. We were happy to move here for a few months so that my husband could continue his MSc studies full-time.

This period was like a holiday, we really liked it here and decided that after moving home we would sell our apartment in Budapest to move to a house with a garden - only at that time, we didn't know exactly where. After a long search, we finally moved to Szeged four years ago.

We bought an old family house in Újszeged and then started to renovate it. I was born in Budapest, I have always lived there. It was interesting to experience that we wanted to live on a smaller scale. In Szeged, we can find everything we were looking for in Budapest, but in a smaller size.

After the settling-in, the house renovation, and the COVID period, I was trying to find my way to return to work. Again, I was looking for something on a smaller scale, I didn't want to return to a huge office complex that could only be reached by traveling for hours on a daily basis. And I found it. Now I can reach my comfortably sized shiatsu workshop in 10 minutes by bicycle. I found my place next to a yoga studio in the neighborhood of Liget in Újszeged.

Tell us a bit about Shiatsu!

Shiatsu is a Japanese healthcare method. It is more of a treatment than a massage because it differs in many ways from the classic types of massage. Shiatsu means finger pressure in Japanese and is based on acupuncture. During treatment, we support the harmonious functioning of the energy channels (meridians) running on the body by touching the acupuncture points.

Various relaxation techniques, stretching, palm pressure, and rocking help the body relax and activate the parasympathetic nervous system. This nervous system is responsible for relieving stress, reducing inflammation, and initiating self-healing processes.

And what does it look like in the practice?

After arrival, you have to change into comfy clothes that you bring with you. The treatment takes place lying on the floor, on a soft mattress, but before we begin, we will discuss in detail how shiatsu can help you.

With a shiatsu treatment, we can relieve your back, waist, and knee pain, but it can also be effective in the case of digestive and other internal organ complaints, amongst others. In today's fast-paced life, exhaustion, frequent headaches, stress, and anxiety can also be reasons to call shiatsu for help.

It is important that during the approximately 70-minute shiatsu treatment, the individual is treated as a whole, i.e. in the case of a knee problem, not only the specific area but always the entire body is harmonized.

What do you like most about the Shiatsu technique? What are its biggest benefits?

I think shiatsu is special because its toolbox is wide-ranging, there are thousands of ways to relax the given area, and it is a very gentle method. We try to select a technique tailored to the current situation.

Every shiatsu therapist gives a different treatment because each treatment includes his/her personality and the perception of the treated partner. We work on a physical as well as a mental level, since if someone comes with exhaustion, anxiety, or a bad mood, shiatsu serves as an effective complementary method in these cases too.

It often happens that the person receiving the treatment falls asleep. Sometimes it's only for a few minutes, sometimes it's for a longer time. In this relaxed state, your body regenerates and refreshes itself. The effects of shiatsu can be felt immediately after the treatment, but it is also common that the changes are only noticeable later.

If someone is new to Shiatsu, how should he/she imagine a massage session or the Do-In? 

A shiatsu treatment is an intensive collaboration between the therapist and the treated party. It is always performed in the most comfortable position, you can lie on the floor but if it causes problems, the treatment is also effective while sitting on a chair. During the session, silence plays an important role, it supports complete relaxation.

I will be offering a free presentation session this fall. It is worth following the Facebook page because this can be a good opportunity to get to know shiatsu a little and gain insight into a complete treatment.

The essence of do-in is the same as that of shiatsu. It is a health-preserving method, but while with shiatsu we lie on the floor and receive the touch in a relaxed state, during the do-in we treat ourselves. We perform various gymnastics exercises to relax/stretch the given area, and then treat ourselves at the acupressure points.

As long as the weather is good, I do classes in the Újszeged Liget every Wednesday morning, it's a great opportunity to try it out. Being out in nature adds a lot to the practice. It is also worth following the Facebook page for current information.

How to book an appointment?

Those interested can inquire on the phone number on the Shiatsu - Angyalos Boglárka Facebook page. Before the first session, it is useful to discuss and specify the most important information about shiatsu, then we can choose the most suitable time.

I am happy to answer any questions in a private message, even in English. And if it happens that a member of the francophone community of Szeged wants to try shiatsu, I will be happy to welcome them in French. Chers amis francophones soyez les bienvenus!