Melbourne Street Massage

About twenty years ago, I had an episode of acute lower back pain that left me unable to move for three days.
At the time, I wasn’t doing any sports or exercise. I spent nearly ten hours a day sitting at my office desk, working.

When the pain eased a little, the first thing I did was try to strengthen my abdominal muscles.
I believed my back pain came from a lack of exercise, so I pushed myself to “fix” it by making my core stronger.
I felt I had to work long hours every day, and back pain was simply too inconvenient.
Looking back, it was almost a kind of compulsion.

The result?
My back pain worsened—and strangely, my neck started hurting too.
I couldn’t understand it. I had been working my abs, not my neck.

Back then, my days were packed.
I left home early, came back late, spent Sundays doing chores, and squeezed in a quick visit to a billiards pub when I could leave work early.
I had no time to observe or understand my own body, let alone reflect on how I moved.
All I could do was get a massage once a week and avoid making things worse with the wrong kind of exercise.

Now I understand.
What I needed wasn’t to force my body to move more—it was to understand how I was moving in the first place.
Once you become aware of your movement patterns, you can change them.
The load that was concentrated in one area can be shared across the body, giving the painful part a chance to recover.
Your movements become lighter, and even the fatigue at the end of the day eases.

Working long hours with a heavy, painful body was far from enjoyable.
But that experience gave me the courage—and the strength—to finally face my own body.
It was, in many ways, a blessing in disguise.

When a proverb becomes lived experience, it gives us the power to gently rewrite our past.

Pulling your shoulders back isn’t always the answer — it can even tire your neck and lower back.
Start by noticing where your weight naturally falls.
Awareness brings comfort, and comfort brings balance.
May your spring feel soft and bright.

Soften the muscles.
Let the tension melt like frost in morning light.

Free the spaces around your joints.
Allow movement to return with quiet ease.

Deepen your breathing.
Feel the warmth rise from within.

Improve your circulation.
Let your whole body remember its natural flow.

Clear your mind.
Give your thoughts room to settle like snow.

And notice — your choices begin to shift.
When the body is calm, the path ahead becomes clearer.
These small changes support you as you walk your own way.

Mindfulness practice, yoga, meditation, slow and mindful stretching, massage, and shiatsu all help guide you into these gentle transformations.
If you’d like to experience this in a session, I’ll be here — welcoming you into the treatment room.

“I am well” is not just a statement, but the result of many quiet choices — choosing wellness in this moment, choosing it today.
Angela explored this through intentional walking.
May her path ahead be filled with joy and peace:-)

Here is the message from Angela after completing "Walk to Feel" project.
"Sachi recently invited me to participate her "Walk to Feel" project.
The aim of the project is to teach you to access energy optimally. I love walking and am learning to walk mindfully and am slowly becoming attuned to my body as I'm walking.
I started the 12-week program taking careful note of Sachi's explicit instructions for breathing, body awareness and pace. Sachi provided ongoing weekly feedback and motivational quotes and little exercises to keep ne on track.
At the end of the 12 weeks, I compared by pre-reflexion to post project reflection. My sense of wellbeing improved so much in all areas including sleep, motivation and energy level.
A few months on, I still use the tips and methods I learnt during the project. If you have the opportunity to be involved, I highly recommend it."

If you’ve been noticing more tightness or tension from the cold, I’d love to help you ease into a deeper sense of comfort.
Each session is adjusted to your needs, so you can relax with peace of mind.



*Melbourne Street Massage is a privately run practice, so I’m often unable to answer the phone right away.
If you could kindly leave a voicemail, I will return your call as soon as I can.
Online bookings are also available, so please feel free to use that option. www.melbournestreetmassage.com.au

💪 Keep Warm, Move Gently
Winter’s knocking on the door — but that doesn’t mean we have to slow down.
Here are six simple full‑body moves to keep your circulation flowing and your spirits high.

✨ Leg swings, shoulder rolls, gentle twists — all you need is a few minutes and a cozy space.
No equipment, no pressure, just movement that feels good.

🎵 And if you play one of your favourite slow‑tempo songs while you move, it becomes even more fun and relaxing.

❄️ Winter is also a great time to loosen up with a massage, but adding slow, easy exercises helps keep your energy moving and your body feeling balanced.

Let’s stay warm, flexible, and happy this season.

Melbourne Street Massage will be closed from 16 April to 13 May.

See you when I'm back from my trip to Japan:-)

Even if you come in feeling only shoulder soreness, I look at your whole body to find the areas that are actually contributing to your symptoms.

As a therapist who encourages people to choose feeling well, there’s one thing I always check with clients after each session:

“Can you feel your breathing?”

The diaphragm is easily influenced by tension in the neck, shoulders, arms, and lower back.
When these areas stay tight for a long time, our breathing naturally becomes restricted.

Efficient breathing plays a major role in improving sleep quality, calming the mind, and restoring mobility in each joint.

More effortless life force = better quality of your time.

When you’re in the room at Melbourne Street Massage, there is no “right” or “wrong” lifestyle.
We simply explore how your body can feel lighter and easier, and stay curious about how you want to move through your day‑to‑day life.

To change tomorrow, start by changing today.
Small shifts create momentum, and one gentle change often leads to another.
It doesn’t need to be big — just begin.

This is the heartfelt note Marco-san, my client, shared before setting off on his holiday.

"I had my first Shiatsu session with Sachiko-san shortly after my trip to Japan, and I felt comfortable with her and trusted her from the very beginning.
What she offers is not a simple massage for me — it is part of a journey of self-discovery and growth.
She has given me exercises to work on (Walk to Feel, among others), and she also helps me understand my emotions and my mind.
I’m very grateful to have found her."

A Zen Shiatsu session nurtures the body’s natural ability to heal. As the energy begins to flow more freely, the affected areas feel lighter and gradually regain harmony with the surrounding regions.

Marco-san had experienced Shiatsu sessions in Italy before. This time, he allowed himself to sink more deeply into the therapy, gently turning his attention inward and discovering a renewed connection with his inner feelings through Shiatsu.

Thank you, Marco-san, for trusting in my work. May your journey continue to unfold toward the best version of yourself.

As 2025 comes to a close, let’s take a moment to thank our bodies for carrying us through the year. 💛
With gentle care, we’ll ease your shoulders, align your back and waist to help your breathing feel lighter, and support you in stepping confidently into the new year. 🌿