four August, 2025 

By Mālia Helelā & Doris Morisaki

A powerful unifying force behind the scenes of Still & Moving Center’s massage program is yoga practitioner, massage therapist, and aspiring Ayurveda provider Mizuho Williamson.

Life takes many unexpected turns. And if you had asked her 30 years ago, Mizuho never dreamt that she would be a massage therapist in Hawai’i.

She began her career in Japan as an executive assistant, coordinating support for company presidents and other top executives. However, when she married and moved to the U.S., she was unable to continue in this line of work and sought another life path. Her journey included motherhood, and the experience of raising her two boys

“We tried to be outside as much as possible as I had two boys. With my younger one who has Down syndrome, I was always looking for some ideas to help his growth development. He couldn’t sit down when we moved. So I made a hole in the sand at the beach, and made him sit and practice to keep his back straight. We walked around Waikiki every day to be familiar with the ocean and people.”

She became interested in yoga and eventually became a certified instructor. We met Mizuho in Still & Moving Center’s first year when she served as interpreter for yoga students visiting from Japan. She eventually joined our staff as an Ashtanga yoga instructor who inspired respect for her dedication to tradition and her precise body adjustments.

Mizuho was able to intuit what the body needed, which then made her wonder if becoming a massage therapist would be a good career move. Not surprisingly, during her massage therapist training, while others in her cohort struggled to grasp certain concepts, Mizuho was able to easily get through her training.

“I don’t know why, but instinctively, I knew what to do.”

Mizuho started offering massages immediately after graduating from massage school.

“I was lucky because I was already teaching yoga and the spa owner wanted to offer wellness packages for the guests.” Mizuho was able to intuit what the body needed, which then made her wonder whether becoming a massage therapist would be a good career move. 

Mizuho loves her flexible schedule, working on her long-time clients and meeting new ones at Still & Moving Center. 

You would think that her clients would be relaxed and quiet during the appointment, but more than half of her clients want to talk. She feels like her clients get a two-for-one: getting a relaxing massage AND a session with a counselor at the same time. 

 “Some people think that massage is a luxury, but those who have experienced it understand how important it is for overall well-being”.

Among the most memorable clients she has helped was a couple having trouble conceiving a baby. Mizuho worked with the wife with yoga and massage, and eventually with the husband as well. The couple was able to finally conceive and then went on to have more babies. Though there may not be definitive proof, the couple does give Mizuho credit for their long-awaited blessing.

“I focused on their energy connection. As they practiced yoga together, his body and mind became more open and flexible, and he started to receive massage. He became less tense generally — both physically and emotionally —and the wife began to settle down, less anxious. I think that helped them a lot.”

What’s next for Mizuho? Mizuho continues to seek knowledge that allows her to continue supporting her clients’ well-being. She has studied lomilomi with many kumu (teachers), including Still & Moving Center’s own Kumu Mālia

Mizuho has immersed herself in a rigorous program for certification in Ayurveda. This training draws together all of Mizuho’s cumulative knowledge and experience in yoga, massage, and healthy life practices. 

“I met Ayurvedic medicine when I was on a yoga teacher training in 2010.  It’s very simple but effective, and fits my lifestyle.  Nothing too extreme, just harmony and balance. Focus on four simple things to be healthy – diet, sleep, exercise, then daily routine. I don’t want to just massage clients when they feel pain, I want to help them to learn their own body and mind, and feel good overall. My goal is to be a wellness counselor/ therapist for both body and mind, as an educator to guide my clients.”

Mizuho loves being a massage therapist because of her ability to help people get through pain, both physical and emotional.

You would think that her clients would be relaxed and quiet during the appointment, but more than half of her clients want to talk. She feels like her clients get a two-for-one: getting a relaxing massage AND a session with a counselor at the same time. 

The next time you would like a lovely recharge, please ask for Mizuho!