How I Work.

Early on in my studies towards a master’s degree in environmental science and management, I realized that my core professional identity—that of a caregiver—had not changed. Instead, I saw myself as widening my caregiving remit beyond the massage treatment room and into the world.

As result, in my dual careers of climate resilience professional and shiatsu massage therapist, I find myself working from similar principles:

Shiatsu Massage Therapist

Like my maternal grandfather, a master meat butcher who had his own shop in Queens, New York in the last century, I work with my hands. And when I consider how I may care for a stiff and tired client using my palms, thumbs, or even my fists and elbows, I acknowledge my lineage to my namesake, Karlo Blumenschein, and his skilled manual labor.

My shiatsu practice is centered in compassion, presence, and deep listening. Prior to each treatment, I meditate on emptiness and its nature. In doing so the intention is to empty the mind and let the shiatsu do what it needs to do. I consciously dedicate the appointment time to the benefit of my client. When I practice shiatsu, I feel particularly alive and at peace with the world.

In applying traditional Chinese medicine and Zen Shiatsu principles to my clinical work, I look for patterns that may inform the treatment, and simple pathways to support a pathology’s transition towards healing and integration. After over 25 years of practice, I am in an early stage of mastery. I like to teach and mentor, and know that in doing so I support the continuation of shiatsu.

I see shiatsu, among its many assorted identities that include trade, profession, art, activism, and craft, as additionally a form of spiritual practice.

Climate Resilience Professional

As I am relatively new to the climate resilience profession, it has been easy for me to still bring a “beginner’s mind” to my work. While our grave climate and biodiversity crises provide ample motivation for such a career choice, my “kick in the pants” emerged from a non-duality meditation session, in which the message received—to get going and help our gorgeous, precious, living Earth—was clear and present.

I also come from a family of veterans. My paternal grandfather, a colonel in the US Air Force during World War II, in fact gave his life to save others. While I am not a warrior, my family’s patriotism has moved me to in effect “draft myself” into a multi-year period of public service, which is in part why out of graduate school I first chose to work with the town of Barrington, Rhode Island as its resilience planner.

In my climate resilience work too, I try to center compassion, presence, and deep listening in all I do, and seek to joyfully let go of ego and be of service.

Advancing climate resilience and adaptation can be complicated, and as such I draw on my holistic training to build useful syntheses and seek out more graceful avenues towards systemic change. I have much to learn, and I value my mentors. I view the many challenges of this work as opportunities for learning and growth.

The climate and biodiversity crises are epic, World War II-sized problems that demand our full attention, and I urge more people to put their shoulder to the wheel. When I experience disappointment or despair that not enough is being done, I acknowledge that my climate work, like my shiatsu work, is also for me a form of spiritual practice, with every day a new one.