Shiatsu Cave offers respite with rest and relaxation

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by Mandy Moran Froemming
Union editor

A fusion of eastern and western bodywork is now being offered at Shiatsu Cave, Anoka’s newest massage therapy business.

Mary Caine opened Shiatsu Cave last month at 500 W. Main St., located in part of the First Impressions Barber and Stylists, at the West Main Shopping Center.

“For whatever reason, so many women aren’t going out for those one-hour massages, taking that time to take care of themselves,” said Caine.

She spent the better part of 2010 getting upgraded training in Shiatsu massage from the Centerpoint School of Shiatsu Massage in Minneapolis (now located in St. Louis Park). She had previously practiced massage therapy in Florida, before moving back to her childhood hometown of Anoka 20 years ago.

Caine feels it is her calling.

“It’s like an art you’re called to do,” she said. “This is my medium.”

She had previously been in business with her mother-in-law and sister-in-law at the popular Antiques on Main store in Anoka.

But now its time for her to return to her massage therapy roots. Caine was originally trained at the School of Natural Healing Arts in Sarasota, Fla. in 1984, and kept her Florida State Board of Massage license until 1992. She has a combined 3,500 hours of training in massage and bodywork and is a member of a number of professional organizations. She also serves on the Hospice of Twin Cities massage team serving the north metro.

Shiatsu massage

This type of massage originated in Japan and focuses on finger pressure to help people relax.

“It’s very energizing,” said Caine. “It’s great for neck and shoulder tightness and for the lower back.”

What Caine offers are table sessions that may include a combination of Shiatsu, Swedish, Thai yoga and stone work techniques.

She is driven to find natural alternatives for women to relieve stress, relax and live healthier lives.

Some people who have typically been wary of a traditional massage style might be less apprehensive about the Shiatsu style, said Caine.

“It’s ‘clothes on massage’, which I think some people are more comfortable with,” she said.

And she feels a few minutes of bodywork is better than none at all.

“Not everyone has the time to commit to a long session,” she said.

The shorter sessions are more accessible, and affordable, for women.

According to Caine, the point of a Shiatsu massage is to blanche the disharmonies of the qi (or chi), which in Chinese medicine is believed to be the vital energy that circulates around the body in currents.

“The Shiatsu therapist mainly uses fingers and thumbs to apply pressure to specific points along the energy pathways known as meridians to affect a whole body response to localized pain,” said Caine.

Good fit for Anoka

“When I was going to school, there wasn’t anybody else from the north metro in the class,” said Caine.

She saw an opening for the niche massage market in Anoka – perfect because it was close to home.

She had also been frequenting the First Impressions salon for a long time and thought it was good fit for the predominantly female clientele.

While waiting for foils or a perm to set, customers can slip over to Caine’s massage area and get a quick, relaxing treatment.

The services menu ranges from a 10-minute seated neck and shoulder massage, to design-your-own sessions ranging from an hour to 90 minutes.

Costs range anywhere from $16.50 for a 10-minute treatment to $98 for a 90-minute customized appointment.

In addition to massage therapy, Caine is also selling aromatherapy oils and other natural supplements at the business.

Shiatsu Cave is currently located at 500 W. Main St. in Suite 12 and is handicapped accessible. For more information call 763-433-0332 or visit www.shiatsucave.abmp.com. She is currently working on transitioning into additional space in the same building. Walk in hours are available Tuesdays through Thursdays.

Mandy Moran Froemming is at editor.anokaunion@ecm-inc.com