Developed in Japan, shiatsu is a finger-pressure technique utilizing traditional acupuncture points. Similar to acupressure, shiatsu concentrates on unblocking the flow of life energy and restoring balance in the meridians and organs in order to promote self-healing. With the client reclining, the practitioner applies pressure with the finger, thumb, palm, elbow, or knee to specific zones on the skin located along the energy meridians. The treatment brings about a sense of relaxation while stimulating blood and lymphatic flow. The benefits of this treatment may include pain relief and a strengthening of the body’s resistance to disease and disorder.
Shiatsu Massage
Lisa DiBello
Lisa has been in private practice and employed at note-worthy spa and healing facilities continuously for 20 years since her graduation from the Swedish Institute in NYC. Though originally from NY, she has lived, trained and traveled in Asia, and has resided in six US States on the East and West Coast, the Southwest and Colorado. She has studied Traditional Thai Massage extensively in the US and in Thailand as well as one year of formal TCM study at Beijing University for Traditional Chinese Medicine. Her work aims at resolving both short and long-term soft-tissue imbalance and her style is defined by quiet, deep relaxation – utilizing Swedish, Thai and Japanese Shiatsu massage techniques. It will include the subtle use of specific points along the energy meridians as well as suggestions for take-home physical/postural behavior modifications. Expect to walk away from the table with your nervous system noticeably calmed and your senses reinvigorated.
Nicholette Keel
Nicholette Keel graduated from Twin Lakes College of the Healing Arts in Santa Cruz, CA. She incorporates modalities of Swedish, Shiatsu, specialty Pre-Natal, stretching, acupressure, and Polarity Therapy with her fifteen years of industry experience. Her intuitive understanding of the mind-body-spirit connection serves to assist clients in releasing chronic tension and imbalances. Her goal to her clients is for general well-being and optimal health. Her style is best described as slow, firm, relaxing, and nurturing. She accomplishes this by using a combination of long flowing sweeping strokes with specific pressure points that target key areas of stress. Her unique sensitivity enables her to fine tune and craft the massage session around each client’s individual needs. As an active athlete and body-worker, she understands the importance of flexibility and range of motion that massage therapy serves to address repetitive stress injury, fatigue, and tight muscles. She is skilled in using pressure from light to firm with a diverse range of modalities to help clients achieve deep relaxation and recovery.
Skylar Stumpf
Dr. Skylar Stumpf has over 5000 hours of graduate-level training; studies were completed through Five Branches University Graduate School of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Institute for Functional Medicine. Skylar holds a Doctorate and Masters of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine with a specialization in Asian medical bodywork, and is licensed as an acupuncturist and primary care provider in the State of California, with seven years of experience in the field of Integrative Health.
At the Well Within, Skylar focuses on stress and musculoskeletal challenges, providing a systemic reset for health of the mind-soul-body. Skylar’s specialties include Deep Tissue, Shiatsu, and Swedish massage.
Tokuho Kawai
Toku attended Cypress Health Institute where she studied Therapeutic massage, Polarity, and Craniosacral therapy in 2019. She also learned Shiatsu from her mother when she was the child. She also graduated from Intrinsic Touch Institute in Santa Cruz in March 2023 and studied Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy. She is trained in Tai-chi, Jikiden Reiki, and Spring Forest Qi-gong.
Her passion for massage comes from the feeling of making a small difference by improving the way people feel. Toku loves to see people with the smiles and look of relaxation on their faces.