ABOUT SHIATSU TOM

Healing Through Shiatsu

My journey into the healing arts began during my childhood when I was fortunate enough to spend time in Japan. My parents were in the service, and after my father passed away, my mother remarried a Japanese man who was both a healer and a serviceman. He practiced Shiatsu and passed on his knowledge of this ancient art to me.

When I was 19, we returned to the United States, where he taught martial arts while I pursued my studies to become a physical therapist. It was during this time that I began to blend the principles of physical therapy with the art of Shiatsu, which has shaped the way I practice today.

I was also privileged to learn from Don Pedro Lopez, a respected healer in the Spanish community of San Bernardino. I worked closely with him for about six months before his passing. His guidance left a lasting impact on me, and in the local community, I became known as a “Sobador,” meaning “traditional healer.”

My clients are often hardworking individuals, and my approach is direct and results-oriented. My focus is not on providing superficial treatments, but rather on helping people recover so they can return to their daily lives and livelihoods. This dedication to healing is something I truly enjoy and take pride in.

On a personal note, I’ve experienced significant physical challenges myself, having been run over twice and temporarily disabled. These experiences gave me a deeper understanding of how the body works and strengthened my commitment to helping others. I intend to continue working and healing others for as long as I am able.

Though I retired from physical therapy over 30 years ago, my passion for Shiatsu remains as strong as ever. I believe I am here for a reason, and that reason is to help people—using the talents that I’ve been blessed with. -- Tom Hardin