Insight Acupressure: Then & Now

by Alvina Quatrano, LMT

In 1996 when I took my first acupressure class with Dr Aminah Raheem at Esalen Institute in Big Sur California there were 60 people in the class with 6 assistants including Dr Fritz Smith founder of Zero Balancing and Paul Sibcy the then Spiritual Director of Process Acupressure. Most of us had no idea what we were in for but the environment was so beautiful it supported us in all ways. I made a lifelong friend Barbara Vanderwater (Hawaii) who happened to be Fritz & Aminah’s massage therapist and the soon to be co-creator & Director of Clinical Acupressure. Susan Grant was also attending for the first time.

At that time we learned The Basic Protocol along with processing skills as Dr Raheem who was a transpersonal psychologist had integrated Jin Shin Jytsu & Zero Balancing touch styles with process-oriented psychology to create this new soul-driven bodywork. Addressing the body, mind, emotions & soul to heal the body was a fairly new endeavor. In fact, Dr Raheem was a pioneer in the field. Her many books describe the field she created.

In order to make the work more accessible to nurses and bodyworkers who easily knew the body, Clinical Acupressure was formulated. The Process Acupressure requirements still existed in order to be certified in the work and to develop the ability to allow one’s true nature to be brought to light, acknowledged and compassionately held to a graceful conclusion. I probably would have been happy to do only Clinical Acupressure but I pursued Process Acupressure because my clients were processing on my massage table and I needed to know how to respond to them.

It is a lifelong and worthwhile study.  Being a natural teacher (previously a Montessori Teacher who said she’d stick to adults now!) I evolved into the Teacher Development segment of the work and as it happened was part of the first Clinical Acupressure Teacher group along with Missy Oleaga and Cathy Miller.  Gina Rosenthal was in our Teacher Training Class as a Process Acupressure 1 Teacher.  Oh, the fun we had visiting Dr Raheem out in her home in Borrego Springs California.  Often we would do vision quests in the Anzo Borrego Desert — even just a day would be enlightening in the vast land(& sky)scape of Borrego.

Yes, the teaching environment for the Insight Acupressure classes is a highlight.  In fact the CA Practicums were originally designed as retreats and most of my classes are retreat style with healthy organic lunches and snacks.  Insight Acupressure has teachers in England, Israel, and over much of the US.  If invited, some teachers travel to various destinations.  The touch aspect of the work along with process skills really make it unique and very powerful to reach and unwind core issues.  One of my young students who was simultaneously studying Acupuncture said to me, “No one is doing this!!!”  It reinforced to me that yes, in fact this work is very special.

I hope that you have been able to enjoy an Insight Acupressure session. We also have free self-care sessions on Teachable available right now.  You can learn through a couple of quick videos how to administer your own acupressure for various ailments or to relieve stress.  It may be the start of a wide-eyed journey!!

Find out more about teachers, classes and private sessions with practitioners on our Insight Acupressure Website.