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Expertise: From Chaos to Coherence

Maria Bakari is a highly skilled Licensed Massage Therapist with over 26 years of hands-on experience. With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, Maria's career has been dedicated to helping individuals achieve optimal health and well-being through a range of therapeutic modalities. Maria has been a Licensed Massage Therapist since 1998, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her practice. MODALITIES: Maria specializes in Lymph Drainage Therapy, with advanced training in Visceral Lymph Drainage Therapy, Lymphatic Breast Therapy, and Aesthetic Lymph Drainage Therapy. She also excels in Brain Therapy, helping clients with complex brain injuries and surgeries. Her extensive training includes Craniosacral Therapy and SomatoEmotional Release, which she uses to address deep-seated emotional and physical trauma. Maria is also proficient in various forms of energy work, including Healing Touch, Polarity Therapy, Reiki, and Reconnection, allowing her to provide holistic care tailored to each client's unique needs. Over the years, Maria has successfully supported clients with a wide range of challenges, including immune disorders, pre- and post-surgical care, prenatal and postnatal care, pediatric and geriatric care, PTSD, grief work, and more. Her compassionate approach and dedication to her craft have made her a trusted therapist for individuals of all ages. 
Education Bachelor of Arts in Sociology [Institution Name], [Year of Graduation] Licensed Massage Therapist Licensed Since: 1998 Professional Training and Certifications     •    Lymph Drainage Therapy: LDT1, LDT2, LDT3, LFPVS, FAR-U, LDV Abd-Pelv, LDA1, LFPVS-O     •    Brain Curriculum: BR, B1, B2, B3, B4, BCRB, BEMC, BR-COVID-O, NER-L     •    Heart Centered Therapy: HCT1, HCT2     •    Craniosacral Therapy     •    SomatoEmotional Release     •    Advanced Lymph Drainage Therapy     •    Visceral Lymph Drainage Therapy     •    Lymphatic Breast Therapy     •    Aesthetic Lymph Drainage Therapy     •    Brain Therapy     •    Energy Work: Healing Touch, Polarity Therapy, Reiki, Reconnection Areas of Expertise     •    Immune Challenges and Disorders     •    Brain Injuries and Surgeries . Neurological Conditions     •    Pre and Post-Surgery Care Therapy     •    Pre and Post-Natal Care     •    Newborn and Pediatric Care     •    Geriatric Care     •    Behavioral Issues     •    PTSD and Grief Work     •    Visceral Therapy     •    Pain Management     •    Swelling, Edema, Lymphedema     •    Migraine and TMJ Management     •    Learning and Sensory Integration Issues     •    Sensory Integration . Etc Professional Experience Licensed Massage Therapist Self-Employed, Yellow Springs, OH 1998 - Present     •    Provided individualized therapeutic care to clients with diverse health concerns.     •    Developed specialized treatment plans incorporating advanced lymph drainage techniques, brain therapy, and craniosacral therapy.     •    Worked with clients across the lifespan, from newborns to the elderly, addressing both physical and emotional health needs.     •    Collaborated with healthcare providers to support clients undergoing surgery and those with chronic health conditions.     •    Led workshops and educational sessions on the benefits of lymph drainage and holistic health practices. Professional Affiliations     •    Chikly Health Institute     •    Upledger Institute Continuing Education and Workshops     •    Attended and completed multiple advanced training sessions at Chikly Health Institute and Upledger Institute, enhancing expertise in manual therapy and holistic health approaches. 
 

I have been a Licensed Physical Therapist for over 20 years in beautiful Bozeman, MT and also have advanced training in both craniosacral therapy. I incorporated dry needling into my physical therapy practice over ten years ago and have a passion to assist others with their healing process.

I have always been interested in how the body works and moves. Even as a wilderness camp counselor, I enjoyed teaching my campers proper body mechanics on how to flip and carry a canoe, various paddle strokes and how to put on a backpack more efficiently with less back strain.

After receiving my Master’s degree in Physical Therapy at the College of St. Catherine in Minneapolis, Minnesota I decided to move out to Bozeman, Montana. Following school, I continued to explore more alternative therapies. Throughout the years, I continue to appreciate the combination of traditional and non-traditional therapies and how a person can benefit from receiving both.

In my practice, I look at how the body moves and how a person breathes. Assessing the internal patterns that are contributing to the outer patterns of the body and causing pain, tension and decreased tolerance with activity. How a person’s digestion and nervous system are functioning are also important components to optimizing a person’s health. I believe the body has an amazing capacity to heal.

In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors, hiking, mountain biking, Nordic skiing, rafting, camping and spending time with my family.

Dr. Kim Zevin graduated from the University of Southern California with a Doctorate in physical therapy in 1998. She worked in outpatient orthopedics and aquatic therapy before transitioning into pelvic physical therapy.

As a pelvic therapist, she learned how organs above the pelvic floor affect the pelvic organs and pelvic floor muscles, which led her to attend the Barral Institute for visceral manipulation. Visceral manipulation is a type of manual therapy that increases mobility, tone, and motion of the viscera and connective tissues after they’ve been restricted due to surgical scars, adhesions, illness, posture, or injury. Releasing these organs and tissues can help restore organ function, alleviate pain in surrounding tissues, and repair the structural integrity of the entire body.

I am a pediatric occupational therapist, as well as a licensed massage therapist.

Yonie Bonawi
FOUNDER, THERAPIES R US
Yonie Bonawi is a certified body work therapist with over 17 years of experience in traditional and holistic healthcare. A distinguished practitioner in the region, her expertise & passion is renowned globally.
She provides free therapy for disadvantaged children in Asia and actively teaches families how they can help their children. Her passion in helping the special needs children has earned her the Spirit of Young Living’s Foundation honourable mention award at the International Convention 2016 in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
ABOUT
Yonie’s daughter, now 19 years old, was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in 2003. Her unwavering efforts to help her child brought her to USA where she was eventually certified as Associate 2 Masgutova Method MNRI USA. She also worked at the Neurosensory Camp for Children with Challenges in Canada, USA and Poland. She continued to study at the Institute for Neuro Physiological Psychology (INPP) in the United Kingdom to be certified as a Neuro Developmental Therapist.

Yonie’s experiences with special needs children inspired her to learn more and she pursued a diploma in Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy (BCST). Her passion in healing through touch led her to find her own practice, Therapies R Us. She actively teaches sensory integration – tactile system and sensorial motor orofacial workshop for parents in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and India. Her expertise is extremely valued in the region and she was featured in the Malaysian and Brunei media to share her views and knowledge on helping special needs children and essential oils.

AREAS
Yonie combines her experiences from her training over the years and uses them synergistically to bring healing to people of all ages and all walks of life. She specialises in using a multi-modalities approach to promote harmony, physical and emotional well-being in all her clients. Her other therapeutic modalities include:
Brain Gym Consultant
Jin Shin Jyutsu Practitioner
Certified Level 6 Emmett
Neurosensory Orofacial Therapist
Certified Tom Bowen 101
Lymphatic Drainage Therapist
Certified Brain Therapist by Chikly Institute