hi, my name is oiyu, or “o”. i honour the land on which i live and its original stewards–the səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (tsleil-waututh), Skwxwú7mesh (squamish) and xwməθkwəy̓ əm (musqueam) peoples. my ancestral lineage is from the cantonese-speaking region of the pearl river delta.

i am a somatic counsellor with a decade of experience in community mental health. i obtained a master’s degree in somatic psychology (counselling psychology program) at the california institute of integral studies in 2015. i am also a registered acupuncturist. i began my formal training in chinese medicine in 2020 as a part of my process of reconnecting to ancestral land-based practices. i continue to deepen my studies in chinese herbal medicine, qigong and taiji, yijing divination and daoist dreamwork.

i offer both somatic counselling and acupuncture. our sessions will be tailored to each person’s unique needs, guided by curiosity, play and deep listening. my approach is rooted in the intelligence of the body–the body as a vessel for transformation, a gathering site for heart-mind-spirit, a channel for intergenerational wisdom, and a microcosm for macrocosmic change. i have worked alongside people who are incarcerated, unhoused and marginalized by structural oppression and the colonial project. i am committed to ensuring the accessibility of this medicine for all bodies. please contact me if you would like to discuss the option of sliding scale.

hi, my name is oiyu, or “o”. i honour the land on which i live and its original stewards–the səl̓... Read More

Sher’s massage journey started in 2007 when she studied at Mount Royal University. Completing all but two courses of their Registered Massage Therapy program (and loving it) she chose to leave these studies to pursue a Bachelor’s of Bioethics in Rome, Italy. For the next 15 years she travelled and studied, worked in hospitality and as a nanny, completed a Bachelor of Education at SFU and worked as an elementary school teacher. In 2021, after a long and beautiful spiritual journey (the catalyst of which was a pretty gnarly ankle injury) — Sher started offering bodywork again to folks in her community. After immersing herself in practices such as energy healing, meditation, breath work, and yoga, she discovered that her bodywork practice THRIVED when guided by intuition. She learnt that through incorporating crystals, sound, energy healing and intentional breath - we can release tension that goes much deeper than the physical. Understanding that the body holds our emotional and ancestral histories, Sher uses bodywork to help folks release the tension they have stored. Her style is a mix of Swedish and shiatsu techniques with sound, crystal, and energy healing.

Sher’s massage journey started in 2007 when she studied at Mount Royal University. Completing all... Read More

Maki started off her practice as a shiatsu practitioner when she first moved to Vancouver back in 2000. She learned her techniques from her home country, Japan. Coming to Vancouver, she realized that there weren’t a lot of forms of alternative therapy being offered at the time. She continued to work on her own for almost a decade until she decided to pursue the world of energy medicine.

Through her readings, she recognized that her strength was in the form of reiki and psychic healing. She found herself continuously helping her patients with deep rooting conditions that they may not have known – recognizing healing in conditions such as severe clinical depression, physical conditions such as bone breaks, skin burns, and ligamentous/muscular tears. She has had a tremendous effect within the community, slowly offering workshops to help us find the healing power within ourselves. She plans on pursuing her healing education in areas such as psychic surgery, increasing the strength in her own healing and meditation.

In her spare time, you can find her on the soccer field or softball diamonds playing hard and having a great time amongst her friends. She has a strong connection with the spiritual world and finds herself in nature or continuing her own practices with other like-minded practitioners. Also, finds she is a total animal lover! You will always see her around all the puppies.

Maki started off her practice as a shiatsu practitioner when she first moved to Vancouver back in... Read More

Justyne began her journey to become a Massage therapist in 2020, starting as a bodyworker shortly after her school program began. As different modalities were introduced she was captivated by Craniosacral Therapy and manual lymph drainage. She went on to enroll in a CranioSacral Therapy course while in school so she could feed her need for more knowledge on this modality. This helped develop her gentle, calming approach to massage therapy. As Justyne has a keen interest in the nervous system, she is always working with her clients to ensure that they feel comfortable and supported in the treatment room, allowing their body to relax. While her approach is gentle she is able to reach deeper levels of tissue by releasing fascial restrictions. Justyne is passionate about learning and further developing her skill set. She is currently enrolled in a trauma informed massage therapist course and plans to continue her education in CranioSacral Therapy. In her free time she enjoys gardening, yoga, cuddles with snuggles (her cat) and spending time at the park with her family.

Direct billing: Available for Pacific Blue Cross.

Justyne began her journey to become a Massage therapist in 2020, starting as a bodyworker shortly... Read More

Aliyah completed her bachelors in Human Kinetics at the University of British Columbia – Okanagan in 2013 and decided to explore the realm of bodywork soon after that. She started by learning shiatsu massage and by enrolling herself in other eastern medicine practices such as acupressure and qigong. She then worked as a shiatsu practitioner, working at various events in Vancouver including volleyball BC, ICORD, and various sports tournaments. She then pursued registered massage therapy, completing her certification late 2016.

Aliyah has a keen interest in helping others. Her passion for physical activity and health drives her interest in massage therapy and self care. Her experience with various conditions including spinal cord injury, psycho-somatic conditions and sports related injuries pushes her to keep learning. She plans on continuing her education in areas such as myofascial stretching, craniosacral therapy, osteopathy and energy healing. Her mission with her work is to educate and spread awareness on how to become better for YOU. What factors help and what factors deter our progress? She offers guides and routines to help with your self care.

In her spare time, you can find her on the soccer field or basketball court, playing outdoors with her friends. She enjoys being outdoors, learning about anything pertaining to health and staying active for her own self care.

Aliyah completed her bachelors in Human Kinetics at the University of British Columbia – Okanagan... Read More

Our well-versed TCM practitioner Ming has been practicing acupuncture and TCM for over a decade. Her enthusiasm for TCM sprouted young as she was raised in a family background cultivated in appreciating the oriental wisdom–both her grand-father and father were Qigong masters. Qigong healing is a technique that generates, or delivers vital energy which nurtures the body and mind. She has been assisting her father in delivering practicing, and healing sessions since she was a teenager! She then went on to study TCM in China from 2003 to 2008 and started practicing Acupuncture and Qigong healing in Hong Kong thereafter. Subsequently, she moved to Vancouver, BC and furthered her study for two years, and earned the qualification of Registered TCM Practitioner from CTCMA, and started practicing in North Vancouver since 2016. Ming would be happy to discuss your health and beauty concerns, recommending an appropriate treatment tailored to your unique needs and goals. A treatment may take the form of acupuncture, Qigong healing, and TCM herbal formulas in the convenient form of dried herbal powder. Each of these components can work as a stand-alone treatment, but also be combined to complement each other holistically. Ming’s practice is a combination of Acupuncture, TCM herbal formula and Qigong (energy) healing. This is a very unique treatment to align body, mind and spirit. Balancing the yin and yang in all aspects. She can help with ailments such as all physical pain (neck, shoulder, lower back, knee, elbow, wrist), sports injury, emotional problems, insomnia, digestive system issues, PMS, sinus, migraine, eyes issues, TMJ disorders. For facial acupuncture, she is offering Cosmetic and Rejuvenation acupuncture treatment which combines balancing the inside of the body.

Our well-versed TCM practitioner Ming has been practicing acupuncture and TCM for over a decade. ... Read More

In 2008, my path towards massage therapy began when I encountered a skilled practitioner who helped me recover from multiple soccer injuries. I was captivated by the effectiveness of his techniques and began to pursue an apprenticeship under his guidance. Over the years, I honed my skills and applied them to my own treatments. Eventually, I enrolled in the Registered Massage Therapy program at VCMT and graduated in 2022, eager to help others on their journey towards healing.

My experience has allowed me to create my own unique style of massage therapy using different myofascial, deep tissue and stretching techniques. This approach allows me to provide clients with personalized treatments that cater to their specific need.

When I’m not working, I enjoy playing soccer, running, camping and spending time with friends and family.

In 2008, my path towards massage therapy began when I encountered a skilled practitioner who help... Read More