Shiatsu Bodywork & Massage

Kyren E. Epperson, PhD, LMT, AOBTA®-CP (they/them)

trauma-informed bodywork  · neurodivergent friendly  · LGBTQIA/trans-affirming bodywork

Modalities: Zen Shiatsu Bodywork, Cupping, Guasha, Moxibustion

Hours: Tues/Thurs 10am-4pm, Wed/Fri 12pm-9pm. Book online or email bodywork@cultureofsafetychi.com

Rates: 60 minutes/$100, 90 minutes/$145.

Financial aid & sliding scale options may be available. Schedule a free 15 minute consultation and we’ll talk more.

Specialties: Chronic pain, insomnia, digestive challenges, headaches and migraines, emotional overwhelm, nervous system regulation, neurodivergent folks, LGBT, queer and trans folks, and trauma survivors.

Kyren’s approach to Shiatsu:

As a Certified Shiatsu Practitioner and Licensed Massage Therapist, Kyren embodies the spirit of healing and empowerment. Their journey began with a deep exploration of East Asian Medicine at Zen Shiatsu Chicago, complemented by a PhD in South Asian Languages and Civilizations from the University of Chicago and decades of martial arts and mindfulness practices.

Kyren’s shiatsu practice centers accessibility for people of all bodies and minds. Kyren strives to create an inclusive and compassionate environment where everyone feels safe and valued. Their Zen Shiatsu Bodywork practice is informed by decades of experience with movement (karate, self-defense, running), mindfulness meditation, and trauma-informed care. As a trans/nonbinary and neurodivergent practitioner, creating a client-centered space that honors client autonomy and space for authenticity is essential. Helping each client experience a renewed mind-body and body-breath connection while gaining (or regaining) a sense of safety and ease in the body is a therapeutic goal.

Throughout each session, Kyren senses and adapts to the needs of body in the present moment both in the amount of pressure and quality of touch–to craft the therapeutic experience that will best support the needs of the client in front of them. Whether you thrive on deep and firm touch or are touch-sensitive, Kyren’s goal is to create a session that supports the needs of the person in front of them.

As a trans/nonbinary and neurodivergent practitioner, creating a client-centered space that honors client autonomy and space for authenticity is essential. Helping each client experience a renewed mind-body and body-breath connection while gaining (or regaining) a sense of safety and ease in the body is a therapeutic goal.

For clients looking primarily for relief from physical symptoms, such as pain or tension, or digestive support, I may often use a more standardized Shiatsu protocol, infused with techniques from Chinese and Japanese indigenous medicine as well as techniques and approaches informed by western therapeutic massage.

For clients looking primarily for shifts in mental or emotional states such as nervous system regulation, increase in energy, increased mind-body connection, or healing from traumatic stress in the body– or for folks looking for relief from symptoms that present as both physical and emotional and/or mental, Kyren uses a different range of approaches a different quality of touch that can be experienced as more “energetic”

Whatever the needs or goals of the client, Kyren’s intuitive approach meets each client where they are with the needs they present at the moment.

Kristina Kaminski: LMT, CSP, CMLD, CST (she/her) 

Shiatsu-informed massage with Kristina

Modalities: Shiatsu Bodywork,  Deep Tissue, Swedish, Prenatal Massage,  *Manual Lymphatic Drainage (Vodder), Craniosacral Therapy (biodynamic), Cupping, Guasha,

Hours: Sunday and Mondays

Rates: 60 minutes/$125, 90 minutes/$160

Specialties: pregnancy (prenatal) support, post-surgical inflammation and pain management, frozen shoulder and shoulder injuries, TMJ, migraines and tension headaches, hypermobility (including EDS), musculoskeletal and fascial support for MS (multiple sclerosis).

*Manual Lymphatic Drainage (Vodder, MLD) is a light-pressure modality with no muscle manipulation, no tools, and no oils or creams. This therapeutic techniques clears the lymph nodes and assists the body with moving the excess fluid up and towards the cleared lymph nodes. This modality helps with: cancer patients, chronic inflammation, post-surgery, swelling or edema, spleen qi deficiency, heavy limbs, lymphedema, lipedema, post-injury, headaches, CVI (Chronic vein insufficiency), Lyme’s disease, fibromyalgia and CFS, detoxification, TMJD, pregnancy, overactive nervous system.

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