← The Sessions

The
Bodywork

Hands-on work rooted in Chinese medicine — working with the body's own intelligence to restore flow, release what's held, and support the whole system. My strongest lineage is Zen Shiatsu.

Zen Shiatsu is a modernized form of an ancient art — acupuncture without needles. Using pressure, stretching, and holding techniques, it stimulates the body's own healing mechanisms rather than imposing change from the outside.

It is a wonderful way to relax your energy and relieve stress, increase comfort, and support the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health. People of all ages can benefit — infants, children, adults, and the elderly.

What draws me to this work, and what drew me to it when I first encountered it, is its quality of listening. Zen Shiatsu doesn't override the body. It enters into conversation with it. The practitioner follows what is present rather than imposing a predetermined protocol.

I trained in Zen Shiatsu at the Academy of Oriental Medicine in Austin under Pamela Ferguson, a lineage holder in the tradition of Shizuto Masunaga — completing 500 hours of training as part of my graduate studies, and beginning to see clients privately in 2002. I am a formerly Certified Practitioner with the American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia (AOBTA).

This is the foundation of everything I do — whether I am working with the meridians directly, or bringing that same quality of attention to other dimensions of the work.

The Principles

How does it work?

  • Energy Flows Like Water

    Zen Shiatsu is based on the principle that energy flows through the body in a series of pathways called meridians — similar to rivers and canals. When these pathways flow freely, the body is in balance. When they are disrupted, imbalance follows.

  • Blockages Show Up in the Body

    Stress, injury, or illness can cause these pathways to become blocked — showing up as tightness or muscle stiffness, weakness, loss of strength, or an area that simply needs holding. Zen Shiatsu uses pressure, stretching, and joint rotation to sedate, unblock, and rebalance this energy.

  • The Whole System Responds

    Zen Shiatsu stimulates the circulatory, lymphatic, and nervous systems, and supports the respiratory, digestive, and autonomic nervous systems. It works with the whole person — not just the presenting complaint.

What to Expect

The Session

Each Zen Shiatsu session is specifically tailored to your needs. We begin with your health history and your body's particular condition on the day — because no two sessions are the same, even for the same person.

I begin diagnosis through the Hara — the Japanese word for abdomen — which in Zen Shiatsu is understood as a map of the whole meridian system. By feeling the Hara, I can identify the most Jitsu area (excess, where energy is overactive or stuck) and the most Kyo area (deficient, where energy is depleted or withdrawn). The treatment then focuses on balancing these two areas — working with what the body is actually doing rather than what a protocol might prescribe.

Sessions are typically given on a massage table or massage chair, although I also work on a futon on the floor. If working at your home, a bed or hospital bed can be used depending on your needs and comfort. You remain fully clothed throughout — loose, comfortable clothing in natural fibers is ideal, with socks. No oils are used.

The first session is two hours to allow time for a thorough intake. Subsequent treatments are usually once a week and last approximately one hour. We will discuss an appropriate treatment plan together.

What It Addresses

Common conditions that respond well

Zen Shiatsu works with the whole person — which means the range of conditions that respond to it is broad. These are some of the most common presenting issues.

  • Anxiety, Depression & Stress
  • Headaches & Migraines
  • Neck & Shoulder Stiffness
  • Sciatic & Low Back Pain
  • Sprains, Strains & Foot Pain
  • Insomnia & Jet Lag
  • Digestive Disturbances
  • Menstrual Syndrome & PMS
  • Fibromyalgia & Fatigue
  • Joint Pain & Arthritis
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • General Stress & Overwhelm
"Many people experience a calm mood, a clear mind, and relief from what they came in carrying."

After the Treatment

Drink plenty of water. Give yourself a little time before moving back into the pace of your day if you can.

Most people leave feeling noticeably different — quieter, lighter, more present in their bodies. Some describe it as the first real rest they've had in a long time.

Occasionally there is a brief healing reaction as the body releases what it has been holding. This is a normal part of the process and usually resolves within twelve hours. Water helps move it through.

Ready to experience it?

If Zen Shiatsu feels like what your body has been waiting for, reach out. We'll talk about what you're carrying and whether this work is right for you.

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