Meet Kumiko Kanayama

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kumiko Kanayama. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kumiko below.

Hi Kumiko, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

Resilience can come from many sources, and Shiatsu is certainly one of them! Shiatsu fosters resilience in both the body and mind by promoting balance, relaxation, and energy flow. Here’s how Shiatsu can help build resilience:

Regulating the Nervous System – Shiatsu engages the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress and enhancing recovery from physical and emotional strain.

Supporting Emotional Well-being – By working with meridians and energy flow (Ki Energy), Shiatsu helps process emotions, bringing clarity and inner strength.

Enhancing Body Awareness – Regular Shiatsu session develops a deeper connection with one’s body, allowing for better stress management and self-care.

Promoting Circulation & Immunity – A well-balanced body is better equipped to handle challenges, whether they are physical, mental, or emotional.

Encouraging Mindfulness & Presence – The practice naturally cultivates mindfulness, which is a key component of resilience.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My Shiatsu Story & Mission
Shiatsu has been an integral part of my life—not just as a healing art, but as a way to cultivate balance, health, meditation, resilience, and joy. My journey with Shiatsu is deeply rooted in my family history, which dates back to 795 in Japan. From an early age, I developed a deep curiosity about the body’s natural ability to heal and how touch can serve as a powerful tool for peace and transformation—integrating body, mind, and spirit. Over the years, I have dedicated myself to practicing, teaching, and building a community that embraces Shiatsu as a profound path to well-being.

What Makes My Work Special
What excites me the most about my Intuitive Shiatsu is its ability to connect people—not only to themselves but also to others. In today’s fast-paced world, Shiatsu offers a rare moment of stillness and deep connection, addressing not just physical tension but also emotional and energetic imbalances. My work is focused on bringing this transformative experience to more people through hands-on practice, education, and community initiatives.

Current Focus & Future Plans
Currently, I am organizing the Shiatsu Summit 2025, which will take place April 25-27, 2025, at the Himalayan Yoga Institute in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. This event will bring together practitioners, teachers, and enthusiasts to celebrate, learn, and deepen their practice. Looking ahead, we are already preparing for 2026, with the goal of expanding our reach and further strengthening the global Shiatsu community.

Additionally, I am focused on developing wellness programs, teacher training, and outreach efforts to introduce more people to the life-changing benefits of Shiatsu. My vision is to create spaces where people can experience deep healing and meaningful connection—whether through workshops, treatments, or community events.

If you’re curious about Shiatsu, I warmly invite you to join this journey with us!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Three Most Important Qualities, Skills, and Areas of Knowledge in My Shiatsu Journey
1. Deep Listening, Focus & Intuition
One of the most impactful qualities I’ve developed is the ability to truly listen—not just to words, but to the body, energy, and unspoken emotions of others. Shiatsu is not just about technique; it’s about sensing, feeling, and acknowledging what a person needs on a deeper level. Developing focus, intuition, and presence allows for a more profound healing connection.

Advice:

Practice mindfulness, breathwork, and meditation to strengthen presence and awareness.
Engage in regular hands-on practice with diverse clients to refine your ability to “listen” through touch.
Learn from experienced practitioners, observing how they respond to subtle cues in the body.
2. Understanding of Eastern & Western Healing Systems
A strong foundation in energy work, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and Western anatomy and physiology has been essential in my practice. Shiatsu is deeply rooted in Eastern philosophies like meridian theory and Five Element Theory, but integrating the scientific and anatomical aspects of the body enhances both effectiveness and credibility.

Advice:

Study meridian pathways, Five Element Theory, and Yin-Yang philosophy to develop a deeper understanding of energy flow.
Take courses in anatomy and physiology to bridge Eastern and Western approaches.
Work with diverse teachers and mentors to gain multiple perspectives on healing.
3. Community Building & Teaching
Healing is not just about one-on-one sessions—it’s about creating a movement. The ability to educate, inspire, and build a community has allowed me to expand the reach of Shiatsu beyond individual sessions. Organizing events like the Shiatsu Outreach Project and the Shiatsu Summit has been key in revitalizing interest in Shiatsu and fostering a supportive network of practitioners.

Advice:

Start by sharing your knowledge, even in small ways—teaching friends, leading workshops, or writing about your experiences.
Get involved in the Shiatsu community—attend events, collaborate with other practitioners, and support efforts to promote Shiatsu.
If you feel called to teach, seek training in pedagogy to refine your communication and leadership skills.
Final Thoughts
Shiatsu is a lifelong journey of growth, study, and discovery. For those just starting, my biggest advice is to stay curious, stay focused, practice consistently, and connect with like-minded people who share a passion for this healing art. The more you integrate Shiatsu into your life—not just as a profession but as a way of being—the more rewarding the journey becomes.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me was to instill a deep love for learning and resilience. They encouraged curiosity, supported my education, and taught me the value of persistence, focus, kindness, support, patience, love, compassion to others, and peace even in the face of challenges. Their unwavering belief and love in my potential gave me the confidence to explore, adapt, and continuously grow.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Marco Scorbatti

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