About Shirley Roberts

New Zealand born Shirley Roberts attained certification at the NSW University in Australia in Anatomy and Fitness Management and later certified at the Ohashi Shiatsu Institute and at the Swedish Massage Institute in New York City. There she built a strong network of complementary and primary health care professionals. Shirley finished her advanced massage and bodywork studies, during which she learned about such varied modalities as Shiatsu, Reflexology, Relaxation massage, Deep tissue massage, Stone Massage, Chair Massage, and Pregnancy Massage in New York City where she was a certified Practitioner.

My Philosophy

I believe that when the body is free of discomfort or the mind is rested and you have a chance to be stress-free even for an hour, a day, or longer there is flow and continuity in your life. I believe that when a person is relaxed, he or she is able to improve their health, get rid of any negative emotions and redevelop or develop a better inner dialogue.

From a personal point of view…

Practicing Massage modalities is a life-enhancing experience for me. It has indeed revealed an intuitive talent. I love massaging because it is simple and has a tremendous effect on people and myself - as I give I believe I receive. When I assist clients to find again a healthy back/ body or to feel relaxed, then they are truly ready and open to receive. I find this to be life-transforming as this is the art of well being

I love people, laughing, nature, animals, alternative or complementary therapies, in fact, anything which brings peace, love, and light on this planet.

Website: http://www.shirleyroberts.be/

Kumiko Kanayama

Kumiko Kanayama is a practitioner and teacher of Intuitive Shiatsu. Intuitive Shiatsu is a method she developed after many years of study with her uncle, Ohashi, a pioneer of shiatsu in the West. After many years of teaching as a Certified Ohashiatsu® Instructor, Kumiko sets out to her own to pursue her discoveries about the intuitive dimensions of Shiatsu, and impart her growing knowledge to others.

Kumiko’s years of study and practice of Ohashiatsu helped her develop sensitivity to and awareness of the Ki energy in self and others, the focus that gives us life. She came to understand that the state of Ki balance and harmony promotes and maintains health and well-being, of body, mind, and spirit.

Kumiko became a Certified Ohashiatsu® Consultant in 1991 to work with people of all ages, all walks of life, and every ethnic and spiritual background. In 2001, she became a Certified Ohashiatsu® Instructor after experiencing 9/11 in NYC and its effects upon the New York City community.

She has taught courses in both the US and Europe. Her intellectual curiosity and special interests led her to create and develop numerous elective courses and workshops: Review of the Elements, Neck, Curious Meridian, Hara Assessment, Tsubo Workshop and for professionals and pre-professional students.

During and subsequent to her completion of Ohashiatsu training, Kumiko studied with many eminent teachers, including Dr. David Coulter, the author of Anatomy and Hatha Yoga, Domenico Bassi, Siegrid Maidon, Silvia Marchesa Rossi, Mitchell Wolf, Sam Berlind and Maureen Miller. Kumiko also learned from Jeffrey Yuen, Sister Jeanne Mera, Dr. Diane Connelly, the author of Traditional Acupuncture: The Law of the Five Elements, and Dr. Albrecht Heyer, who is a producer of Heyer Insights. One of Kumiko’s most inspiring teachers, Pamela Hannay developed Shiatsu techniques for work with animals. Shiatsu Therapy for Horses benefits not only the horses but also creates more strength and balance in the body of the practitioner. Pamela describes her techniques as “the dance of celebration of the energy.” When the giver connects with the energy of the horse, the session flows and there is no intellectual decision guiding the work; it is pure instinct and joy.

Kumiko has studied Sounds Vibrational therapy, Color therapy, Dowsing therapy, Reiki, Reflexology, Amma therapy, Tai Chi Chung, Aromatherapy, Moxa, medical astrology, Zen meditation, Sotai, Yoga, and Buddhist training. Early in her adult life, she was a student of the Zen arts of Japanese jewelry and ceramic makings. She has also pursued studies at several holistic centers in the US: New York Open Center, Omega Institute for Holistic Studies, Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, Himalayan Institute and Integral Yoga Institute.

By working with her clients and teachers, sharing with her students and being with her young daughter, Kumiko continually hones her Intuitive Shiatsu technique. She talks through hands without words, awakening the spirit by waiting, focusing, releasing and restoring the energy in the tsubos and meridian lines.

Kumiko founded Go Shiki Kan; Five Lights Center in 2012, continues to practice and share the love of the art of Shiatsu in New York City. Dedicated to her Mother; Yasuko Kanayama and her Father, Naohiro Kanayama, to expresses her focus on joyful and instinctive giving, strong community, and the light and energy of hands, both literal and symbolic.

Her work is characterized by her deep sense of spirituality and her strong commitment to working intuitively. Kumiko is a versatile practitioner: she is capable of exerting tremendous and focused power in her treatments

(reducing the strongest of bodies to a pliant medium), but her fluid physicality and receptive, gentle nature enable her to combine well-tuned lightness with incisive pressure as needed. Her philosophy is deeply entrenched in her commitment to spiritual serenity and human touch communication as a means to harmony, not only in her own life but in the lives of those she touches.

Kumiko would like to offer the power of being in the moment, the NOW, for us all to discover our potentialities, and all to be empowered to offer goodness to the others with whom we share our precious earth.

Thank you…for being who you are...

Each encounter is unique…

Each moment is different…

Life is a circle, Shiatsu is the continuous movement and movement is the Ki/life force.

Enjoy! Kumiko

Website: http://www.fivelightscenter.com/

Michelle Shinagawa

Michelle Shinagawa is a Reiki Master and Teacher, a certified aromatherapist and spiritual counselor. She is the founder and owner of Purple Fish Healing where she holds her private practice. In her private sessions, she includes spiritual counseling, aromatherapy, crystal healing and other healing techniques that best fit her clients’ needs.

Michelle was born in Osaka Japan where she was exposed to many forms of what we call “alternative therapy” at a very young age. Coming from a family of healing arts practitioners, which include 3 scientists, 2 massage therapists, and 1 doctor, she is the current exponent in her generation to continue the practice. She has experienced shiatsu, Kampo (Japanese herbs), Chinese herbal medicine, Okyu, acupuncture, acupressure, and Japanese folk medicine throughout her life.

She studied photography and acquired a B.F.A in Advertising Photography from Rochester Institute of Technology in 1998. After graduating, she worked at an advertising agency as a graphic designer. From working in a highly stressful and creative environment for a couple of years, she came across Reiki. She originally took a class in Reiki to help her dog’s arthritis. Then she discovered that Reiki was helpful in bringing peace and joy into her life as well as others. She also used Reiki to help those who were terminally ill and have decided to become a Reiki practitioner.

Michelle has studied extensively with many Eastern and Western Reiki instructors in the US and Japan can bring in a unique combination various techniques and philosophies. She is very passionate about teaching Reiki because her vision is that more people will have Peace, Passion, Beauty, and Love in their lives and in the world. She has been teaching at the New York Open Center since 2007. She also has taught at the Swedish Institute as well as developing and leading private one on one classes. She has taught more than 50 Reiki classes and over 1000 students. Michelle has also studied and taught many other spiritual disciplines and will guide you through your journey gently with all her knowledge and experience.

Michelle has worked with ICU patients, cancer patients, lawyers, nurses, musicians, artists, vice president of a major corporation, spiritual healers, yoga teachers, massage therapist, photographers, dancers, pregnant mothers, and many unique individuals just like you.

Michelle is dedicated to continually educating herself. Below is a list of some of the teachers and organizations she has taken classes, workshops, and certification programs with:

Anadea Judith, Ananda Ashram, Amma, Ann Wigmore Natural Health Institure, Carla Tarantola, Dale Carnegie, Dali Lama, David Deida, David farley, Delta Gardens: Center for Flower Essence, Energy Arts, International House of Reiki, Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt, Jikiden Reiki, Kimiko, Kushi Institute, Leah, LiYana, Aruku Walk, Mission Control, Nichole Daedone, Pax Programs Incorporated, Sterling Institute, Reiki Arts Continuum, Open Center, Reverend Daniel Chesbro, Peak Potentials, Laura Day, Mika, The Academy for Healing Arts, The Institute of Spiritual Healing & Aromatherapy, The Landmark Education, Sera Solstice, She Create Change, Yoga Works, and more.

Website: http://purplefishhealing.com/index.html