Malia Araki Burkhart (she/they)
Somatic Massage Therapist, Chi Kung Instructor, Artist and Arts-Educator
“Somatic Massage provides awareness of one’s own body through touch and movement. Individualized Sessions help clients identify and release patterns of stress, tension, and trauma. Malia uses a range of tools including: Fascia unwinding; Supported movement and assisted stretching; Light, mid and deep pressure tissue massage; Abdominal massage; Quiet, slow forms of touch that communicate with the body with gentleness and calm; and other methods to integrate shifts and changes. Every session is unique — responding to your body’s needs.”
Services at Oshun Center
Malia offers 90-minute Somatic Massage sessions on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:30am and 1pm.
Malia teaches Eternal Spring Chi Kung Classes in person or Zoom on Sundays 9:15 - 10:30am.
Somatic Massage I have 15 years of experience offering Somatic Massage. I use a wide range of techniques to help each client have a “conversation” with their body… listening and responding to the stories and messages embedded in one’s cells. Malia is experienced in trauma-informed care, and somatic release of emotions or experiences stored in the body. Somatic Massage can help with general relaxation; releasing tension; loosening “stuck” or disembodied areas; using visualization and creative associations to move and shift energy; and integrating changes. Sessions are done on a massage table, with clothes-off for mid to deep pressure massage using oils, or clothes-on for movement-based techniques, energy-work, and/or bodywork techniques with lighter pressure.
Covid Update:
I am fully vaccinated with boosters for Covid-19. I am currently seeing clients who are not actively experiencing symptoms and have not been exposed recently to someone known to have Covid-19. Proof of vaccination is not required. I will wear a N94+ mask during the entire session. Clients must wear a mask while entering and leaving sessions, due to Family Tree Clinic policy. During sessions your mask is optional. There is a HEPA air filter in the room.
Low-scent Space:
The massage studio I use is a low-scent space for those with environmental sensitivity. We request that clients refrain from wearing artificially scented products, or products containing lemongrass or citrus oils.
Eternal Spring Chi Kung is a gentle workout that leaves you energized and refreshed. The exercises are simple and easy to learn, and can be adjusted to match your current physical ability. This form of Chi Kung connects movement with breath, calms your mind, helps energy flow, improves flexibility and balance, and strengthens your body. Chi Kung can be easily learned and integrated into your everyday practices.
Eternal Spring Chi Kung was developed by Tai Chi Grandmaster C.K. Chu, who writes, "Rooted in the fundamentals of Nei Kung and Tai Chi Chuan, it represents a gentle and reliable guide to cultivate chi (energy) in the human body.'"
Family & Culture
Malia is pronounced “mah-LEE-ah”
Half of my ancestors immigrated from Japan to work on sugar plantations in Hawaii, and half of my ancestors immigrated from England/Germany to farm in Iowa.
I was born and raised in Mni Sota Makoce (Minnesota), the land of the Dakota and Anishinaabe people, where I now live, work and create.
Training & Experience
Malia graduated as a Global Somatics Practitioner in 2011. This 2 year, 1400-hour training program was developed by the late Suzanne River through the Green River Dance for Global Somatics in Minneapolis, MN. This training included cellular communication, embodied anatomy, multiple forms of bodywork, energy-work, and movement therapy.
Malia is a certified Eternal Spring Chi Kung Instructor (2015) through CK Chu School of Tai Chi in New York City.
From 2015-2019, Malia was a member of People’s Movement Center (PMC), a healing justice center for Queer, Trans, and BIPOC communities. She taught weekly Eternal Spring Chi Kung Classes, offered Somatic Massage Therapy sessions, and co-coordinated PMC’s “Collective Bodywork Days” and “Wellness Weekends” as fundraisers and community-building events.
Malia received additional training through a 9-month Reproductive Justice and Abdominal Massage Apprenticeship in 2021 with Ihotu Ali.
Malia and Ihotu co-founded the Oshun Center Clinic inside of Family Tree Clinic in 2022.
Malia Araki Burkhart is a Multidisciplinary Artist, Community Activist, Somatic Massage Therapist, and Arts-Educator. Find out more about her work at www.artsbymalia.com