712 D Street, San Rafael, California
Shibui Gardens Wellness Center has merged with Marin Center for Somatic Ed
~ Supporting Well-being for over 40 Years ~
The outcome of being open, relaxed, balanced, and integrated is blissful!
About Us
Our Story
Shibui was started by a group of friends in the 1970s. Two other owners
had it until a group of employees purchased it in 2005. Time passed until eventually, only one owner remained and the original location with hot
tubs, sauna and outdoor gardens was surrendered in 2019 right before the pandemic. The original property was placed into a family trust which has not been willing to offer a good lease to interested parties. We moved to downsized versions of the spa, focusing on delivering excellent professional bodywork and movement reeducation. The S-Corps became an LLC, then a sole proprietorship under Suresha Hill who has recently retired and offers limited treatments by appointment only.
Suresha studied the system on many levels, beginning with the surface psyche, the emotions, the breath, the subconscious, energetic pathways and musculo-skeletal methods. Working with injuries for physical therapists and chiropractors in the 1980’s led to a training in Hanna Somatic Education developed by Dr. Hanna from 1990 – 1992. This Feldenkrais-based work proved to also be a turning point in for many clients who began achieving greater and more lasting results. While exploring the neuromuscular approach for 25 years, her knowledge base expanded to include osteopathic approaches involving muscle energy, manual therapy, vascular, lymphatic, brain, and visceral techniques.
Seeing the benefit of approaching the body through different doorways led to the study and training in techniques for the brain and spinal cord with Dr. Bruno Chikly, Manual Articular Therapy with Drs. Barral and Croibier, the Visceral Manipulation series with the Barral Institute, Mechnanical Link (balancing the structure through releasing forces in the bones) created by Dr. Paul Chauffeur, and becoming certified in the Biodynamic Cranial Sacral approach with Gary Peterson . The subtle manipulation of structure through energy in bone as taught by Dr. Fritz Smith in Zero Balancing offered a unique influence to working with fulcrums in a deeper way with clients. The completion of a training in 2013 with Dr. Steve Sanet through he Ontario College of Ontario led to being a Diplomate in Osteopathic Manipulative Theory and Practice.
She has also spent many years in dance, martial arts, and various sports, has rehabilitated many of her own injuries and written several books.
Marin Center for Somatics Reviews
- Joyce ~ Auto-immune disease with rheumatoid arthritis “I’ve hardly had any flare-ups at all in my arthritis in so long, and when it does come, it’s much milder. I’ve come such a long way since the beginning when I could barely move at all and everything hurt! For the first time in a very long time, my right knee is normal."
- Evy ~ Fibromyalgia with migraines and an injured shoulder “When I started seeing you, it was a real turning point. I feel like my life is do-able now – I feel human again. My migraines really started subsiding, my pain is a lot better, and my shoulder is a lot better; I don’t have to have surgery now! You helped me so much. I’ve told so many people how amazing the cranial process is!”
- Avon ~ Hip replacement with shattered femur and lower back and knee issues “Suresha is a rare and exceptional integrative healing professional. Her years of study and experience provide clients with cranial balancing that is unique and effective.”
- Barry ~ car accident with three ruptured discs in his neck “Suresha’s work was instrumental in my being ale to avoid major surgery. It’s fantastic!”
- Chris ~ Torn hamstring, pulled shoulder muscles from dancing “I just wanted you to know how much better I feel after just one session with you!”
- Terry ~ Recovering from liver disease “Suresha is one of the finest therapists I have ever worked with. The range of techniques she employs is broad and her understanding of the human body on both a physical and energetic level in my opinion, is masterful. Suresha is a person of highest integrity whose sense of honesty and fairness is surpassed only by her compassion and concern for other people..”
- Keith ~ Herniated disc “Suresha was instrumental in finding 100% relief from my problems. Her insight, knowledge, and experience with back problems of her own helped me to avoid surgery.”
- Lee ~ PTSD / stress “I had a lot of stress in my life and (the cranial session) settled my nervous system. I felt a lot of peace and my heart felt really good. I’d told you that I had a lot of tension in my head and later that night I felt my sinuses relax."