Shiatsu Massage.

About My Practice

Shiatsu is Japanese for "finger pressure". This traditional healing art from Japan is based on the same principles as acupuncture, except no needles are used. Instead, shiatsu massage uses finger and palm pressure, stretches, and other techniques to help balance and restore the body's life energy. Shiatsu massage is traditionally performed on a futon mat, with clients fully clothed, but I also offer shiatsu treatments on the massage table.

As needed, I sometimes incorporate into my shiatsu treatments elements of western massage, Thai massage, Chinese tuina massage, nonduality meditation, and holding an inner meditative inquiry between myself and a client’s ailment, seeking to provide it through touch what it needs to resolve itself.

Receiving a shiatsu massage can renew your vitality, relieve your pain and stress, and make you more relaxed, renewed, and whole. Through over twenty years of professional practice, I have helped people seeking relief from stress, chronic pain, fatigue, repetitive strain injuries, headaches/migraines, digestive problems, respiratory ailments, and pregnancy-related discomfort.

I practice “Zen Shiatsu,” a relatively new form of shiatsu developed in Japan in the 1960s and 70s by Shizuto Masunaga. As with other aspects of Japanese culture such as archery and tea ceremony, Zen shiatsu is influenced by Zen Buddhism. I view the practice of shiatsu as a path towards enlightenment or a deeper awareness of one’s true nature. I view and value shiatsu as a vehicle for practicing compassion, presence, and deep listening.

Sticker titled "I got my COVID-19 vaccine"

"Community Shiatsu"

In addition to my one-on-one treatments, I also practice a low-cost form of shiatsu massage called Community Shiatsu. In community shiatsu, couples, friends, or family members arrive together and each first receive a brief health evaluation from me. I then give each person safe and simple instructions on what pressure points to press on each other to address pain and illness and maintain wellness. Clients are encouraged to come back a month later for a professional reassessment of their condition, and receive updated guidance on what more they can do with their hands to help each other. Community Shiatsu clients who cannot afford one-on-one acupuncture sessions might consider trying Community Acupuncture at Providence Community Acupuncture or at Kindred Community Acupuncture.

Biography

I love practicing shiatsu, and have given thousands of professional treatments since my graduation from the Boston Shiatsu School in 1998. I have practiced shiatsu at Harvard University Health Services (1998-2016), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (1999-2002) and Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates (1999-2003), and have been a massage intern at the Cancer Center at Roger Williams Medical Center (2014). I have studied shiatsu with Kikuko Miyazaki, Patricia Carusone, Keith Phillips, and Janet MacDonald. I have studied pregnancy shiatsu with Suzanne Yates, an authority on shiatsu for pregnancy and author of Shiatsu for Midwives.

For 11 years I taught shiatsu massage, integrative massage, and traditional Chinese medicine for Program in Therapeutic Massage at the Community College of Rhode Island. I enjoy privately teaching and mentoring shiatsu and massage therapists, and welcome new mentees. I am a Registered Instructor with the American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia (AOBTA-RI) in Zen Shiatsu, a Licensed Massage Therapist, and Board Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.

Location and Hours

Mondays (8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.) My office is located on the first floor of 208 Governor Street on Providence's East Side, between Waterman and Angell Streets. Off-street parking is available.

Pricing

Shiatsu Massage: $80 for a 45-minute session, $110 for a 60-minute session, $140 for a 90-minute session, $180 for 2-hour session.

Community Shiatsu: Sliding scale of $25-50 per person (two person minimum) or $50-$90 per couple for a one hour session.

"Pay What You Can" and Discounts

"Pay What You Can"

Thanks to the ongoing generosity of clients, I am able to charge clients for my 45-minute sessions on a "Pay What You Can" basis (no questions asked). If you are inspired to tip me, know that I will allocate 100% of your tip towards subsidizing the treatment fees of clients who are paying what they can.

I call this my "Solidarity Fund". By contributing to this fund, more people can afford my services, and I get to give more treatments! Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about either contributing to my Solidarity Fund or receiving shiatsu on a "Pay What You Can" basis.

Discounts:

Buy a bundle of five one-hour treatments for $475 (a $75 discount!)
Special discount to armed services, veterans, first responders, and Americorps: $40 for a 45-minute session, $60 for a 60-minute session, $80 for a 90-minute session.
Reduce your carbon footprint by taking the bus to my office and I will reimburse you the cost of your fare.
20% discount to shiatsu and massage professionals.
$10 discount on a 60 min treatment for weekly clients, URI MESM students, and Brown University students and staff. My shiatsu practice participates in Brown's Bear Bargains Program.
Save 10%-35% (depending on your tax bracket) if you have a Flexible Spending Account by claiming your massage sessions. Here's how to do this.