Casper Valentine
EDUCATION
• Cortiva Institute of Massage, Pennsylvania • Five Lights Center of Shiatsu, New York SPECIALTIES • Shiatsu • Certified Acudetox Specialist CONTACT casper.valentine.shiatsu@gmail.com (516) 698-7238 |
Casper has always been interested in caring for people. He studied psychology in college with the plan to become a therapist but felt disillusioned with teaching that emphasized a separation between mind and body. Seeking to bridge this gap, he began studying other disciplines, and enrolled in massage school. Casper was inspired by the attunement massage can create, not just between mind and body, but between therapist and client. He was moved by the way this attunement deepened the effectiveness of the treatment. Training in Myofascial Release furthered his understanding of the ways in which the body holds our experiences, and how bodywork can help us find release both physically and emotionally. He felt a similar attunement practicing Aikido, which teaches students to cultivate Mushin, or “empty mind”—a state in which the spirit, free from thought or judgment, comes into harmony with the present moment.
Casper awoke from a dream one morning with Shiatsu in his mind. When he came across the Five Lights Center in New York City, he felt attuned to the moment. Studying there has felt right. Now, as a practicing therapist, Shiatsu continues to inspire and ground him. Shiatsu is a Japanese form of bodywork that uses touch to balance the flow of vital energy, or Ki, across pathways in the body called meridians. A Shiatsu session with Casper begins with a brief conversation, followed by a hara, or abdominal, diagnosis to determine which meridians need to be addressed. Sessions are held on a specialized futon, and clients remain clothed. Manual techniques are gentle and include pressure applied with the fingers and hands as well as passive stretching. Shiatsu is deeply soothing to the central nervous system, encouraging the body to move into a state of parasympathetic relaxation, reducing stress and anxiety and supporting digestion. Shiatsu therapy can help reduce pain, support healthy sleep, and foster a greater sense of groundedness. Casper is dedicated to all those who choose to see him. He believes in our innate power to move toward greater wellbeing and aims to support each client as they take steps toward increased peace, integration, and healing. Using the principles of Mushin and Mizu no Kokoro, or a "mind like water," he works to meet each client with presence and receptiveness. It is important to him that clients feel empowered to communicate freely about themselves and their goals. Casper loves to cook and bake, to collage, and to make rugs. He likes to read science fiction. He enjoys practicing Aikido and a Japanese stretching form called Makko Ho. He likes to meditate and be near water. He is learning to crochet. |