MEET OUR TEAM
Diploma of Shiatsu and Oriental Therapies
+61 434 404 381
Lauren is inspired by the traditional wisdom of Eastern cultures, which speak of taking the middle path in all things.
Having dealt with chronic illness, including Fibromyalgia, throughout her early life, Lauren has a personal understanding of chronic pain. From a young age, she was motivated to explore alternative therapies, believing that if she could develop these conditions, she could also heal from them.
Lauren creates a nurturing, and safe treatment space, and through mindful touch and pressure, her treatments are gentle but deep.
In addition to her work as a therapist, Lauren co-teaches the Zen Shiatsu course at the Australian Shiatsu College (ASC), emphasising the principles of stillness, presence, and connection. For Lauren, Shiatsu is a holistic and embodying experience, and she believes it is through stillness and holding that the magic happens.
Lauren also teaches the Oriental Diet Therapy class at the ASC, where she shares her understanding of food as medicine - a powerful tool in her own healing journey. Lauren can be found creating wholesome meals at local workshops and events. Her food nourishes with its simplicity, colour, and love!
MICHELLE ELISE (SHE/HER)
Diploma of Shiatsu and Oriental Therapies
+61 476 928 609
Michelle is a Shiatsu Practitioner who brings a warm and calming presence to her practice which offers a sense of comfort for you and your treatment experience.
Michelle studied at the Australian Shiatsu College specialising in Zen, Classical and Barefoot Shiatsu techniques, as well as cupping, moxibustion and gua sha. She has also completed training in Yin Yoga, Chi Nei Tsang Part 1 and ‘Movement Shiatsu’ - a practice that encourages the receiver to become an explorer of their own body.
As a practitioner she is committed to creating a safe, inclusive space where all feel welcome and comfortable to explore what they need to in a session. Michelle’s approach to Shiatsu is grounded and intuitive, centered in the belief that touch is a powerful tool for our physical and emotional wellbeing.
Open to working with clients of all ages and health issues; she’s particularly interested in trauma sensitive Shiatsu, digestive support, mental health conditions, autoimmunity and abdominal massage.
When not on the futon Michelle loves to spend hours tending to her garden, see live music and go for bird watching adventures along the Merri.
ANASTASIA BEHRAKIS (SHE/HER)
Diploma of Shiatsu and Oriental Therapies
+61 407 531 956
Further training: moxibustion, teishin (non-insertive needling), and movement shiatsu.
With a bachelor's degree in Psychology, Anastasia has a particular interest in mental-emotional health. It was during her own personal journey with mental health that she discovered shiatsu and realized how instrumental bodywork can be for the mind and spirit.
This profound experience led her to study shiatsu and shift her attention from talk therapy to working with the body. Psychology remains a passion of hers, and has fostered her abilities as a bodyworker to hold space and presence for whatever is happening for the client on the day.
Anastasia’s many years of experience working with disability also taught her the powerful impact bodywork has on daily physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.
Anastasia's style is deep, slow, and nourishing, with plenty of stretches and movement when appropriate. She includes acupressure points that are chosen specifically to suit the client's body's individual needs. Her shiatsu treatments incorporate moxibustion, cupping, gua sha, and oriental dietary therapy.
Outside of work and study, Anastasia enjoys finding moments of stillness in nature, dancing anywhere and everywhere, crocheting, reading fiction, as well as cultivating meaningful relationships with loved ones.