Kumiko Kanayama

Kumiko Kanayama is a Shiatsu Grand Master, educator, and the Founder of The Five Lights Center of Shiatsu, the oldest and longest running shiatsu foundation in America.Kumiko started her shiatsu journey in Japan over forty years ago where shiatsu has deep roots in her family’s traditions. She continued her training in the United States, studying for many years with her uncle, Wataru Ohashi, a shiatsu pioneer in the West.Shiatsu is an ancient form of bodywork that can be used to treat many chronic conditions including headaches, digestive issues, and stress, and may also relieve the muscular and joint pain of the neck, shoulders, hips, and knees. Shiatsu is appropriate for all ages and body types. During the treatment session, the receiver wears comfortable clothing, and no oil or lotion is used.A versatile practitioner, Kumiko’s many years of practice-led her to develop her own style, Intuitive Shiatsu™. She is capable of exerting tremendous and focused power in her treatments, reducing the strongest of bodies to a pliant medium. Yet, her fluid physicality and receptive, gentle nature enable her to combine well-tuned lightness with incisive pressure and full-body stretches. A shiatsu treatment is as deep or as gentle as a receiver requires. The result is an energetic balance of Ki energy, our life essence.Shiatsu is best experienced in successive sessions. The initial treatment creates a familiarity, a shared understanding between the giver and the receiver. In subsequent sessions, a deeper connection is formed generating a relaxed feeling of wholeness, vitality, and well-being.Kumiko has built a successful practice attracting clients from the art, science, and technology sectors and has received glowing testimonials from clients such as Gisele Bündchen, supermodel, UN Goodwill Ambassador, and long-time client, who enthusiastically describes her experience: “Kumiko is a magician. Shiatsu is magic, you have to try it!”Kumiko has been featured in many prominent cultural publications and podcasts including The Village Voice, Shiatsu Milano Editore, Acupuncture Today, Shukan New York Seikatsu, Shiatsu Society Journal (UK), and Harmony Power Broadcast.Kumiko welcomes all to her shiatsu practice. She is available for appointments in Palm Beach and New York City.