Hi, I’m Kristen Cora Ruth mccormack .
I am a graduate of Naropa University (2005), where I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Traditional Eastern Arts with majors in Yoga and Tai Chi. My studies explored healing and spirituality through the wisdom of many traditions — Chinese, Japanese, Tibetan, Hindu, Celtic, African, and Native American. Across cultures, I discovered two profound common threads: a deep connection to nature and the elements as the foundation of life, medicine, and spirit. This realization became the doorway to my lifelong journey into healing and ultimately into the practice of Classical Five-Element Acupuncture.
Alongside my academic studies, I trained in Tibetan Medicine with Dr. Phillip Weber, holistic herbal nutrition with Paul Bergner and June Kopola, and Jin Shin Tara with Dr. Stephanie Mines. My studies also took me to Sydney, Australia, where I completed coursework in Food as Medicine and Ki Healing Yoga at Zen Renaissance College of Natural Therapies. A multi-year apprenticeship in Plant Spirit Healing with Marlow Brooks deepened my relationship with the natural world and its healing wisdom.
I am a Licensed Massage Therapist and Certified Instructor of Phenomenal Touch Massage, having completed advanced practitioner and teacher training at the Institute for Phenomenal Touch Massage in Colorado. In 2012, I earned a Master’s Degree in Classical Five-Element Acupuncture from the Institute of Taoist Education and Acupuncture, completing more than 3,500 hours of training, including nutrition and Zero Balancing. Over the past 14 years of clinical practice, I have continued to expand my skills through advanced studies in Chinese herbal medicine with Heiner Fruehauf, a two-year clinical integration program with Lonny Jarrett, medical qi gong with Mollie Kelleher, and Master Tung Style Acupuncture and trauma relief with Acupuncturists Without Borders.
Today, I weave this diverse training into a holistic, heart-centered practice that supports clients in body, mind, and spirit.
Beyond my healing work, I find joy in art and nature — watercolor painting, ceramics, calligraphy, photography, beading, and poetry are all practices that bring me peace and creativity. I am also a dedicated practitioner of tai chi, qi gong, and meditation. Living in Hawai‘i, I savor exploring my island home — hiking lush forests, snorkeling among coral reefs, cooking, traveling, and sharing games and laughter with loved ones. In the Puna community, I am grateful to contribute through organizing and fundraising efforts that support our keiki, kūpuna, and the arts.
Skillful means and compassionate Approaches
My mission is to bring the full wealth of my experience in the healing arts to offer sessions that are deeply restorative, transformative, and nourishing for body, mind, and spirit.
By treating the whole person and addressing the root causes of imbalance, I aim to help prevent illness, support resilience, and restore harmony. Guided by Nature and Natural Law, my work invites you to reconnect with your own essential nature and the natural world around you, where true balance and vitality can be found.
In every session — whether through Classical Five-Element Acupuncture, Phenomenal Touch Massage, or other healing modalities — I offer my full presence. My hope is that you are reminded of your inherent wisdom and strength, and that our work together supports you in moving toward your fullest potential, embracing life more fully, and living in harmony with yourself, your community, and the Earth.
“I feel such a tremendous sense of holding, safety, depth, integrity and authenticity from this special being! she is profoundly sensitive and attuned in the most quiet, respectful way. And she has given me some of the most helpful written feedback of anyone. I frequently re-read her comments from the evaluation massage that i gave her early on.
Many of my favorite activities have also been kristen’s brainchild: partner massage with a teacher, the taiqi/ grounding exercise, the seamless transition exercise... And, in terms of her mastery of the PTM moves and “the dance” ... she has given me a sense of what’s possible. She is able to “get herself out of the way” so much that she often feels transparent to me (if that makes sense). I feel the divine in her.
BTW: I tried to remove some of the superlatives from this “critique” so it doesn’t seem so goofy and over-the-top... but I can’t do it. it all seems true to me
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“ I had been overdoing life and I was maxed in every way. Kristen gave me the most amazing treatment of love, muscle release, and joint mobility that opened me up in every way. My sadness was very much lessened and I could move freely!!! Time for me to go hiking, dancing, and listen deeply again. Thank you Kristen! You are truly amazing
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“I just completed my 7th treatment and am really feeling the potency of this medicine and of one of its exceptional practitioners, Kristen McCormack. Since she has worked with me I have experienced a range of benefits including a sense of ease and wellbeing regardless of my symptoms, increased vitality, energetic balance, a heightened sense of curiosity and openness in my head center, a lighter, brighter and more open heart, improved digestion and an increased sense of presence and expansiveness.
Kristen is amazing! She really takes the time to understand where I am on a mind, body, spirit level and translates that into precise, attuned and effective treatments. And her wisdom around how spirit deepens, unfolds and transforms gives her treatments a kind of elegance and magic that moves me deeply.
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