Hello, my name is Kathy Kapps. I have been doing Zen Shiatsu since 1984 and would love to share this work with you. It is my life's destined work, my God given work and I love everything about it. I am a teacher, practitioner and writer of the Zen Shiatsu Routine manual along with privately mentoring Zen Shiatsu students. I hope you enjoy learning about it through this website and developing your own skills at doing this ancient healing art along with either receiving a treatment yourself or recommending this style of acupressure to those loved ones you feel could benefit from it.
My journey started many years ago after working in the medical field and then traveling to Nepal where I had my first massage, my first acupuncture treatment and I tried other alternative therapies. I was exposed to Auyvedic medicine along with meditation, prayers and laying of hands. After returning to the States, I had a keen interest to use these acupressure points to help relieve suffering because I could actually feel the life force they held within them. I was so happy to work with these points on people and help them with their pain and problems. I then enrolled in the Acupressure Institute in Berkeley, California to learn how to become an acupressurist. I was fortunate to be privately mentored by the late Zen Shiatsu Master Ping Lee after studying at the school. He taught me the Zen Shiatsu routine as developed by Shizuto Masunaga. There is where I found my calling. I have been doing this style since 1984. Ping Lee also helped me to become a teacher of this work along with the teachers training program at the Acupressure Institute.
In 1984 I began my practice at the San Francisco Chiropractic Clinic with Dr. Gary Miller, a renowned chiropractor in his field. After ten years I moved to the Ultimate Sports Medicine Clinic with Dr. Leonard Stein and Dr. Allen Wood. At the same time I opened another office in San Rafael, California with Lise Nieman, Esthetician. I still am currently in both offices and proud to work alongside some of the best in their field. I also teach at two schools of massage in the Bay Area and privately mentor Zen Shiatsu students.
After all these years of doing Zen Shiatsu, I feel blessed to have a life where I can support the many people I have worked on with their health and fitness issues. I have been a witness of the value of receiving Shiatsu as most of my clients remained regular during all these many years. We seem to get many problems before they surface and take hold of the body. They feel their life and health has been enhanced with the Zen Shiatsu techniques and sessions. Each treatment addresses the needs of the person at that time. I know the same will happen for you...whether you give a Zen Shiatsu or whether you receive it. You will feel the immediate benefit from releasing what the body, mind and spirit no longer need.
I originally got a BS degree from Eastern Michigan University and even though I was working in the medical field as I wanted to, I was not satisfied with the way it felt to me...to only see people when they are sick instead of when they are vital and healthy. During that time I was impressed how people needed moral and physical support more than anything when it came to getting better and not just given the usual pills or surgery or "you have to live with it" answers. People also needed the loving and healing touch. I knew I wanted to be in the health care business but never dreamed I would be doing the work I have been doing all these years.
As I began my career in the medical field I also headed towards California first living in Colorado then San Francisco and then in Nepal in my early 30s. That is where I found my interest in alternative medicine and came back to start my career in the healing arts.
I finally found my dream home in Sausalito, California with my husband Bennett King and our dog and cat.
Life to me is about staying balanced, enjoying yourself and keeping faith of your own destiny... which is to help and serve others. With that in mind and an open heart, one can have their hearts desires. My interests are vast and wide as I believe we practitioners need to have balance and not just work all the time. To experience the thrill and joy of life is also ours to embrace. And to be an example to others of how to have a happy and healthy life with your body, mind, emotions and spirit in line with your intentions. Mostly, to be able to use our innate talents to the highest good. This is a life well lived.
