We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kumiko a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kumiko, thanks for joining us today. What’s the best advice you ever gave to a client? How did they benefit / what was the result? (Please note this response is for education/entertainment purposes only and shouldn’t be construed as advice for the reader)

One of the most meaningful pieces of advice I often share with clients is simple: “Listen to your body before it has to shout.”

Many people come to Shiatsu when their bodies are already in pain — anxiety, exhaustion, headaches, digestive problems, sciatica, carpal tunnel, knee issues, joint pain, menopause symptoms, menstrual challenges, arthritis, or chronic tension. But the body usually whispers first through subtle signals: fatigue, shallow breathing, tight shoulders, or difficulty sleeping.

I remember working with a client who was constantly overwhelmed with work and family responsibilities. She felt anxious, had trouble sleeping, and her shoulders and neck were extremely tight. During our sessions, I encouraged her not only to receive Shiatsu but also to develop a daily self-care ritual — simple meridian stretches, deep breathing from the Hara, and moments of quiet attention to her body.

At first, she felt she didn’t have time. So I suggested just three minutes each morning.

Over time, she began to notice when stress was building in her body. Instead of pushing through exhaustion, she would pause, stretch, breathe, and reconnect with herself.

Within a few months, her sleep improved, her anxiety decreased, and she felt more balanced and grounded. She later told me that Shiatsu helped her realize that healing is not something someone gives you. Healing happens when you bring awareness to the areas that need attention, participate in the process, and allow the body’s energy to shift and release pain — both physically and emotionally.

For me, this is one of the most beautiful aspects of Shiatsu: it helps people remember their own inner intelligence and the body’s natural capacity for balance and peace.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Kumiko Kanayama, and I am the Founder and Director of the Five Lights Center of Shiatsu in New York City. My work is rooted in the tradition of Japanese healing arts and in the belief that touch, awareness, and community can help people return to balance and peace.

I was born in Hiroshima, Japan, and grew up surrounded by a deep respect for nature and life, resilience, and the healing power of human connection. My grandmother and grandfather introduced me to the wisdom of traditional Japanese care practices. Later, my uncle, Wataru Ohashi, became one of the pioneers who introduced Shiatsu to the United States in the 1970s. Through him, I was exposed to the philosophy and practice of Shiatsu as both a healing art and a way of living — rooted in the principles of the Tao.

My path eventually brought me to New York City, where I founded the Five Lights Center of Shiatsu, a place dedicated to education, practice, and community. For more than two decades, I have worked with clients from many walks of life — artists, professionals, families, and people navigating stress, pain, and life transitions. My work focuses particularly on anxiety, women’s health, and helping people reconnect with their bodies through mindful touch.

At Five Lights, we offer Shiatsu sessions, practitioner training programs, community workshops, and international gatherings. Our training program guides students through a Level 1–10 curriculum rooted in Zen Shiatsu and meridian-based acupressure practice. In addition to teaching in New York, I organize retreats and educational events internationally, including gatherings in Italy and our annual Shiatsu Summit, where practitioners come together to share knowledge and support the growth of the field.

I have also had the honor of teaching at leading holistic wellness centers such as the Himalayan Institute, Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, Omega Institute, and Dai Bosatsu Zendo.

What makes my work unique is that I see Shiatsu not simply as a technique, but as a way of listening — listening to the body, to energy, and to the deeper rhythms of life. Through touch and awareness, people often rediscover their own capacity for healing. I often tell my clients, “Listen to your body before it has to shout.”

One of the things I am most proud of is the community that has grown around the Five Lights Center of Shiatsu. Students, teachers, and practitioners from many countries come together to study, practice, and support one another. In a world that can often feel divided or disconnected, Shiatsu reminds us that human connection and compassion are universal languages — and that touch is an eternal language shared by all people.

For those who are new to Shiatsu, I want them to know that this work is not only about relieving pain or discomfort. It is about restoring harmony between body, mind, and spirit. My hope is that through my work, more people can experience peace, resilience, love, and a deep sense of belonging in their lives.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

Yes, absolutely. If I had the chance to choose again, I would still dedicate my life to Shiatsu and the healing arts. It has brought meaning, connection, and purpose to my life.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Beyond formal training and knowledge, I believe the most important skill is trusting your intuition and inner guidance. In healing work, the practitioner must learn to listen not only with the hands, but also with the heart and awareness.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fivelightscenter.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/five_lights_center/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fivelightscenter
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kumiko-kanayama-3565a716/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFiveLightsCenter
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-five-lights-center-new-york

Image Credits

Marco Scorbatti, Federica Valabrega, Ai Shimosako