Kumiko Kanayama

Kumiko Kanayama is a grandmaster shiatsu practitioner and the founder of the Five Lights Center of Shiatsu in New York City—the oldest and longest-running shiatsu institution in the United States. With over 40 years of experience, Kumiko is dedicated to preserving the ancient wisdom of shiatsu while making it accessible to modern communities across generations, cultures, and economic backgrounds.

Trained under her uncle, a pioneering figure in bringing shiatsu to the West, Kumiko carries a deep ancestral lineage of healing. She has taught and practiced globally, including Japan, Italy, and throughout the United States, offering shiatsu as both a healing modality and a path of spiritual connection.

Her work blends touch therapy, meridian-based energy work, mindful movement, and breath-centered meditation to promote physical health, emotional well-being, and compassionate community care. In addition to her clinical and teaching work, Kumiko leads job training programs for aspiring shiatsu practitioners, supports trauma-informed outreach initiatives, and hosts the annual Shiatsu Summit to uplift practitioners worldwide.

Kumiko’s approach is rooted in kindness, connection, and a belief that healing through touch can help people become healthier, happier, and more human.