My Personal Healing Journey:

We’ve all heard miraculous stories about how people recover from severe injury or illness and elect to find healing without western medical intervention. I wanted to learn more about the body’s innate healing potential, how to increase its potency, and understand how we become separated from this ability of self-healing.

Human potential is intriguing, but as a person grounded in western science, was I to believe the superhuman feats of sages? As a young adult (2007) I became burdened with mental health problems. It was very apparent that these issues don’t go away on their own, nor can medical professionals provide any intervention that would help unless it would be received in tandem with the patient. This wasn’t an infection that could be fixed with a pill, I had to do the work in cooperation with a team of healers. I suppose this was a major lesson in growing up: take responsibility for your own health.

Eventually I decided to incorporate the physical practice of Yoga as a means of supporting my mental health (a healthy body houses a healthy brain). Determined to liberate myself of the illness that was holding back my potential, the practice of Yoga became foundational to my personal healing journey. I explored deeper dimensions beyond just the physical practice, engrossing myself in a Teacher Training program, and eventually teaching (2015) as a means of supporting further development. However, despite the rise in popularity of the practice, I became estranged by the commercialization and appropriation of Yoga.

The months-long shelter-in-place order for the 2020 pandemic was a chance to reflect on neglected issues which inevitably surfaced due to the unmanageable free time. Fortunately, I found Shiatsu and the miracle of healing touch. With a meditative focus cultivated over years of Yoga practice (and with substantial body awareness developed from a multidisciplinary exploration of movement) I went back to school to continue the healing journey supported by a community of teachers and professionals.

Education

I completed the full-time program at Zen Shiatsu Chicago school in Evanston, receiving certification through AOBTA to practice Shiatsu as well as a license to practice massage therapy. Electing to go deeper into study, I completed the Advanced Clinical Shiatsu program taught by the school’s director, Steven Rogne. And furthered my spiritual development with the Shiatsu Mastery Program led by our local lineage holder Grandmother Winterjade Forest. The school still has more to offer as I pursue Craniosacral Therapy training.

I completed my 250-h Yoga Teacher Training certification with Tejas Yoga in Chicago. I have almost a decade of part-time teaching experience. Thai massage was a bridge for me from yoga into bodywork. The assisted stretching combined with deep breathing felt like someone practicing Yoga with your body. After a few years of independent study, I pursued formal Thai Massage training with a 200-h certification program at Blue Lotus Thai Healing Studying in Chicago with Paul Fowler. Both Yoga and Thai Massage come through in my practice of Shiatsu.

Offerings:

I offer two different treatment categories. Although there is some overlap of technique between the two, the approach is fundamentally different. For more information about the specifics of the treatment modalities utilized, please visit my website: ZenBodyAndBreath.com

Treatment category 1: Shiatsu, Thai massage, and Craniosacral therapy

Shiatsu is traditionally practiced on the floor, and the receiver is fully clothed. However, the table can also be used and is more effective for gentle treatments. Thai massage is also practiced on the floor with the receiver fully clothed. Although a completely different framework, I tend to incorporate Thai massage techniques into my shiatsu treatments, more or less so upon the needs of the client. On the other side of the spectrum is Craniosacral Therapy, which is practiced on a table with the receiver fully clothed. The defining boundary within this category is that the receiver will be fully clothed. More physical modalities, like Thai massage, are similar to a sports massage, while more gentle modalities, like Craniosacral Therapy, are better for internal health.

Treatment Category 2: Oil massage, Myofascial release, Cupping, and Gua Sha

This category of treatment is practiced on a table. The receiver removes all or part of their clothing, and the focus is directed into the flesh of the body: scars, fascia network, and muscles. Treatment starts on dry flesh with skin-pulling and myofascial techniques. Once oil is applied, gliding strokes help to relax the flesh, similar to Swedish massage. Cupping and Gua Sha are then utilized on specific areas of the body to release bound flesh. Cupping and Gua Sha typically leave marks on the body. These marks are thought to be stagnant blood being brought to the surface, allowing the flesh to be bathed in fresh fluids. The marks should remain covered and usually fade within a week. I have two options for oil use: a custom blend of coconut and shay with an assortment of essential oils; the other option is a neutral, unscented, refined, fractionated coconut oil.

Extras: Yoga, breathwork, and movement therapy

Add-on to either treatment, either before or after. Breathwork helps to increase awareness and integrate the experience. Movement therapy can help address specific issues. After a decade of teaching Yoga, I developed the Six Poses for Perfect Posture. I can assign specific postures for individual needs, or teach you the entire series.

My Studio:

I work out of my home studio in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago, one block south of the Morse red line stop. There is a shower available for your use. Street parking only.

Zen Body and Breath

Oil Massage and cupping