Maria has been in the healing profession for more than twenty-five years, initially as a Paediatric nurse in Spain. In 1984, due to health problems, she began practicing and studying Macrobiotics, Yoga, Shiatsu, and western herbal medicine. To further her interest in Shiatsu and Macrobiotics she came to study at the East/West Centre and the BSS-Do in London in 1990. While doing her shiatsu training, she met Shizuko Yamamoto Sensei and Patrick McCarty and her Barefoot Shiatsu journey commenced. Maria is now a senior teacher at the BSS-do, her alma mater, and completed the Masters course in Macrobiotic Barefoot Shiatsu in California in 1993.

Maria is co-founder and Shiatsu Director of the acclaimed Four Paths One Way experiential workshop programme and is presently completing training as a Kundalini yoga instructor.  Maria is a valued member of the International Macrobiotic Shiatsu Society and currently serves on the steering committee of professional practitioners for the Macrobiotic Association of Great Britain. Maria is the leading exponent of Barefoot Shiatsu in the UK, running the UK’s only Barefoot Shiatsu training course.

Maria runs a busy Shiatsu clinic in St. Albans, Herts. Firmly based on macrobiotic Barefoot shiatsu principles, her primary aim is to support and empower her clients to develop and embrace a more holistic awareness of their own health and well-being. Her pro-active, affirmative approach to the healing process centres on using natural methods - including changes in lifestyle, healing with food, understanding and exploring emotions, etc. - underpinned by Shiatsu, Moxa & Cupping and Kanpo, traditional Japanese herbal medicine.

Maria’s Shiatsu teaching experience is extremely broad-based, ranging from ‘taster’ courses at adult education centres like Mary Ward and City Lit in London and the University of Herts, to teaching students at all levels in Shiatsu schools throughout the UK and abroad, including Portugal and Spain. Maria is a popular guest facilitator running introductory Shiatsu workshops at numerous yoga retreats and congresses as well as teaching more specialised courses on Moxa & Cupping and Sports Injuries for third year/post-graduate Shiatsu

To further her understanding of the natural healing process, Maria has subsequently studied Counselling, Food Energetics and Healing, Yoga, Chi Kung and Kanpo - Japanese herbal medicine. Besides Yamamoto sensei and Master McCarty, Maria has studied with many leading teachers of Shiatsu including Saul Goodman, Peter Den Dekker, Michael Rose, Kiko Matsumoto, Wataru Ohashi, and has personally organised workshops on behalf of Shizuko and Patrick in the UK.

Contact details:
Tel: 01727 842495
Email: maria.p.serrano@care4free.net