Meet Shinobu Miyamoto

 

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shinobu Miyamoto. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Shinobu, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

How I Found My Life’s Purpose

I moved from Kyoto, Japan, to Hawaii—starting completely from zero.
No family, no friends, and no sense of belonging.

After undergoing IVF, I gave birth to my child, but life in a foreign country was much harder than I had imagined.
I lost my confidence and felt like I had no value.
“I don’t speak English well. I’m not perfect.”
The more I thought this way, the more I denied myself and clung to my past.

One day, a friend told me, “I don’t know what you’re thinking.”
At that moment, I realized—I had lost my own voice.
I was so concerned with how others saw me that I had stopped listening to my own feelings.

A Calling from Nature – The Path to Healing

Then, one day, out of nowhere, the word “herbs” came to my mind.
I didn’t know why, but I felt a deep urge to learn about Hawaiian medicinal plants.

I shared this feeling with a dear friend, and three days later, I met Kevin, a master of Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage.
It felt as if something unseen had guided me to him.

Kevin taught me the spirit of Aloha—to connect with nature, to express gratitude to our ancestors,
to simply be present in the moment, and to trust in things we cannot see.
This wisdom changed my life.

Experiencing the Present Moment – My First Lomi Lomi

When I received Lomi Lomi from Kevin, I experienced something I had never felt before.
The sound of the waves, the scent of the wind, the warmth of his hands—I felt surrounded by love.
In that moment, I experienced the beauty of simply being.

For the first time, I truly lived in the present moment.

Mindfulness and Finding My Purpose

Hawaii taught me to love and accept myself completely.
To embrace not only the parts I was proud of but also the parts I once thought were lacking.

And then, I realized—
Purpose is not something we need to chase.
It is found in accepting ourselves as we are, in this moment.

If you feel sadness, allow yourself to fully experience it.
Listen to the words of those who appear in your life.
Don’t overthink—just follow your intuition and take one small step forward.

That is life’s greatest gift.

Mindfulness is not about doing something special.
It’s about simply feeling the present moment.
Listening to your breath.
Feeling the warmth of your hands.
Tasting the aroma of a cup of tea.

Through this awareness, we can recognize the miracle of being alive, right now.

Hawaii Welina Massage – The Fusion of Zen and Mindfulness

At Hawaii Welina Massage, I cherish the Zen spirit of Kyoto, my hometown.
Through the wisdom of Zen and mindfulness, I help people restore balance in their body, mind, and pule (spirit)—
Guiding them back to their natural, authentic selves.

I want to create a space where people can simply be—
Surrounded by love and gratitude, feeling deeply at peace.

Gratitude for Hawaii, and Moving Forward

Hawaii has taught me one of life’s most precious lessons:
“Healing others with loving hands.”

Our hands have the power to heal.
Not just through technique or knowledge,
but through the love and intention we put into them.

I hope to continue sharing this healing energy with everyone I meet.

With this awareness in my heart, I will keep moving forward, always.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

A Massage SPA Where You Can Experience the Spirit of Zen and Japanese Culture

I have created a unique massage SPA that embodies the spirit of Zen and Japanese culture from Kyoto.
At this SPA, we cherish the experience of deep healing and cultural immersion through the five senses.

For example:
⚪︎ The scent of incense to calm the mind
⚪︎ The soothing sound of a singing bowl to guide you into deep relaxation
⚪︎ A fusion of massage and Zen principles to restore balance to the body and mind

Here, it’s not just about receiving a massage—it’s about experiencing Japanese culture and philosophy while taking time to reconnect with yourself.
This is a one-of-a-kind healing space that blends the tranquility of Kyoto’s Zen with the powerful energy of Hawaii’s land.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1. Mindfulness & Self-Acceptance

⚪︎The ability to accept myself as I am and cherish the present moment.
Realizing in Hawaii that “I don’t have to be perfect” was a turning point in my life.

Advice
• Practice breathing and meditation daily to stay present.
• Avoid comparisons and embrace yourself with kindness.

2. Trusting Intuition & Taking Action

⚪︎The ability to listen to my heart and take action.
When the word “herbs” came to my mind, I immediately started learning, and my life shifted dramatically.

Advice
• Don’t overthink—trust your intuition and take small steps.
• Follow what excites you and remain open to new opportunities.

3. Integrating Culture & Healing

⚪︎The ability to blend Kyoto’s Zen philosophy with Hawaii’s energy to create a healing space.
Hawaii Welina Massage is more than just massage—it offers a sensory cultural experience.

Advice
• Study and deeply understand the culture and philosophy you want to share.
• Incorporate sensory elements to create a unique and immersive healing experience.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I am looking for like-minded individuals who value healing, wellness, and cultural experiences, and who are passionate about creating deep, sensory-based healing experiences together.
I hope that our collaboration will go beyond simple treatments or sessions, creating profound and soulful experiences that truly resonate.

I would love to connect with those who share the following visions:

⚪︎Massage therapists and bodyworkers – Those who wish to provide healing that reaches beyond the body and touches the soul
⚪︎Mindfulness and Zen practitioners – Those who integrate breathwork, meditation, and the sound of singing bowls to share the richness of the present moment
⚪︎Individuals passionate about Japanese and Kyoto culture, looking to spread Zen-inspired massage globally – Those who wish to share the wisdom of Japan with the world
⚪︎Singing bowl and sound healing enthusiasts – Those who believe in the power of sound vibrations to bring harmony to the mind and body

How to Connect

If this vision resonates with you, please feel free to reach out through **Hawaii Wel

Contact Info:

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