ABOUT BALANCE & HEALING
ABOUT THE PRACTICE
In all areas of the Balance & Healing practice, Irma applies the holistic foundations she learned from a young age and builds upon them, practicing different techniques, both new and old, Eastern and Western.
Today, we practice Shiatsu, Swedish and Thai massage, Acupressure, CranioSacral Therapy, Reflexology, Reiki, and Chakra energy balancing techniques, which all play a role our customized bodywork sessions. Through being fully-present and providing compassionate support for our clients' body and mind, we create a space to facilitate the healing process.
By the end of each session clients feel a significant difference in body, mind, and spirit.
Languages spoken: English, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese.
ABOUT IRMA
Welcome to Balance and Healing, the bodywork practice of Irma Kobayashi, LMP, a California State Licensed and Certified massage therapist and esthetician.
Through her extensive studies of Eastern and Western therapeutic bodywork and massage modalities, Irma has developed a focus on working with clients as they function holistically.
Born and raised in Brazil, of Japanese descent, Irma's innate aptitude for the healing arts was identified at a young age. By the time Irma was five years old, her great-grandmother had begun educating her in traditional Japanese bodywork and massage techniques. Through this apprenticeship process, she gained knowledge of time-honored traditional homeopathic medicines, Japanese herbs, and doula training.
Within the tight-knit Japanese community in her Brazilian homeland, Irma was often assigned to help care for sick friends and family, or to assist the midwife when a female relative was giving birth, during her childhood and adolescence. As time went on, Irma studied and practiced energy healing and holistic medicine from different cultures worldwide.
At the age of 40, Irma finally embraced her life-long love of healing and completed her professional training as a Licensed Massage Therapist and Esthetician.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
In 2007, Irma began her formal education at Kingston University in Norwalk, CA, a Chinese-American school that prides itself on developing quality practitioners and disciples in alternative medical healing arts. In 2008, she completed the 1,000 course-hour in-depth training to become a Certified Massage Technician, as well as an esthetician certification program to become a skin care professional.
In 2010, she expanded her studies and began training as a Certified Doula with D.O.N.A. (Doulas of North America), set to provide continuous physical and emotional support for pregnant women before, during and after birth. Later that year, Irma also became licensed in Newborn Care with the NCSA (Newborn Care Specialists Association), a school licensed in bringing new mothers and babies specialized care during the first few months after birth.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
American Massage Therapy Association
Assocation of Bodywork and Massage Professionals
Associated Skin Care Professionals
California Massage Therapy Council
Doulas of North America
Newborn Care Specialist Association
