Faculty & Administration

Mariesa Angco

Mariesa Angco graduated from the Shiatsu School of Canada in Toronto. She has been practising as a Registered Shiatsu Therapist since 1989, during which time she has completed various courses in Neuromuscular Therapy and Myofascial Release. At present she has a private practice in the Central Building in Victoria and is a Spa Technician at Features Day Spa. She is a member of the Shiatsu Therapy Association of B.C. She blends eastern and western philosophies that focus on energetic harmony and structural balance. Her interest in the healing arts inspires her to explore various movement practices and core strengthening. Mariesa joined the faculty of the CAC in 2002.

Roselyn Caiden

Roselyn is a licensed acupuncturist, authorized Jin Shin Do^® instructor, certified Huna practitioner and Reiki master. She has 17 years' experience in helping others reconnect with their true self and find inner freedom and fulfilment. She maintains a private practice in Victoria, offering acupuncture, spiritual healing and counseling. She also studies creative writing at UVic.

Farron Chandler

Elaine Cornwell

Elaine is a Registered Jin Shin Do^® Acupressure Therapist and a graduate of the Canadian Acupressure College with memberships in BCATA, JSDF, and AMTWP. She has been teaching chair routine and supervising students' on-site clinic since January 2001. Through her private practice on Mayne Island and experience in the public domain as well as the healthcare field; she advocates flexible healthcare choices and the integration of Jin Shin Do^® and Shiatsu in our personal lives. She continues to develop skills through continued studies in Five Element Theory, Sound Healing, Body-Centred psychotherapy and instructor training.

Kathy de Bucy

Kathy is administrator, director and co-founder of the Canadian Acupressure College. She has practised and taught Asian bodywork since 1986. She is a Certified Shiatsu Therapist (U.S.A.), Authorized Jin Shin Do^® Teacher, Self-Therap/Ease Instructor and Neuro-Linguistic Programming Practitioner. Her work history included studying as a nurse-in-training and practising as a Certified General Accountant giving her a unique understanding of the medical and business worlds. Kathy is a member of the BCATA, AOBTA, JSDF and AMTWP.

Bonnie Hardy

Bonnie Hardy graduated from the Jin Shin Do^® Program at the Canadian Acupressure College in 1996, and is an authorized Jin Shin Do^® instructor. She is a member of the BC Acupressure Therapists Association and has been editor of their newsletter for four years.

Bonnie's background in Colour and Light meditation, Hatha Yoga of the Hidden Language, Dream analysis, use of the Metaphor, Acutonics™ Sound Healing, and Crystal Chakra Bowls combine as additional insights in her acupressure practice and teaching. She is also a Reiki Master and has enjoyed using her acupressure while travelling abroad through India, Costa Rica and Thailand.

Patrick Higgins

Patrick Higgins is a graduate of the Canadian College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, a member of the CTCMA and a qualified practitioner of Zero Balancing. Since 2001 he has been in private practice at Openingpoint Acupuncture, specializing in stress related disorders.

He is also active in providing residential care solutions for individuals with special needs and is the coordinator of the Ponderosa Home in Victoria.

In addition to his passion for Eastern Philosophy and the mysteries of transformational energetics, Patrick has had a lengthy and varied involvement with the creative arts. He has written and performed in a variety of mediums and has taught Theatre Arts and Video production. He is currently delighted to be fusing two of his great interests with "Sononos", a project which utilizes electronic beats and digital imagery inspired by Shamanic traditions.

Lynn Kirk

Lynn graduated from Kikkawa College of Shiatsu and Massage Therapy in Toronto in 1986. During the years she practised in Toronto, she was a member of the Board of Directors of the Shiatsu Therapy Association of Ontario. Lynn relocated to Victoria in 1992 and ran her business Chrysalis Shiatsu until 2004. She has been active as the Director of the Education Committee for the Shiatsu Therapy Association of B.C. She has a B.A. from the University of Toronto and is working on a second degree at UVic majoring in neuropsychology. Lynn has been on the faculty of CAC since 1996. She is a Registered Shiatsu practitioner with CSSBC.

Arnold Porter

Arnold was one of the co-founders of the Canadian Acupressure College. He is currently on the faculty at the CAC and at the Canadian College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. As well as being a Senior Jin Shin Do^® teacher, he has a Master's Degree in counselling and extensive training in the Hakomi method of psychotherapy. In his teaching he strives to integrate counselling and Asian bodywork, showing students how to work holistically with the bodymind. He is a contributor to The Complete Guide to Acupressure edited by Iona Teeguarden, and a member of British Columbia Acupressure Therapists' Association, and the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors.

Bonnie Rush

Bonnie's love of Jin Shin Do^® began in 1986, and she became authorized to teach it in 1989. Bonnie infuses her teaching and private practice in Victoria with soul and knowledge gained from the study of the esoteric, meditation, Hakomi and the world of business. She has been a faculty member of the CAC since 1998. Bonnie is a member and past Director of the Board of the B.C. Acupressure Therapists' Association and a member of the Jin Shin Do^® Foundation.

Cheryl Sacamano

Cheryl is a Registered Jin Shin Do^® Acupressure Practitioner who graduated from the Jin Shin Do^® program at the Canadian Acupressure College in 1998 and is an authorized Jin Shin Do^® Instructor. She is a member of the Jin Shin Do^® Foundation, the AOBTA, the BC Acupressure Therapists Association. She is also a Licensed Massage Practitioner (WA) and holds a B.Sc. in Nutrition.
Cheryl combines her twelve years of qigong practice, study of Transactional Analysis and counseling, knowledge of meditation and yogic breathing practices with her degree in Nutrition and her dynamic bodywork techniques. She continues her studies in mind-body medicine and Buddhist healing meditations.

Kristie Straarp

Kristie is a Registered Massage Therapist with over 20 years of teaching experience in the lower mainland. She became certified as a Thai Massage instructor after training in Thailand at the Wat Pho–ITM and Old Medicine Hospital. As well as being a certified hypnotherapist, Kristie has also studied in cranio-sacral, neuromuscular, Balanese, trager, deep tissue, reflexology and Shiatsu massage. Earlier years saw her studying psychology, fine arts and social work at UBC. She joined the CAC faculty in 2005 and has a private practice on Saltspring Island.

Sandra Tennent

Sandra is the Office Assistant at CAC. As well as having a background in office management, she is a certified Electro-Crystal Rebalancing Practitioner, certified Reiki Practitioner and trained in massage with over 20 years experience. Sandra has a private practice in Victoria specialising in energy medicine.

Maxine Towerton-Edgar

Maxine is a Certified Practitioner of the Art and Science of Neuro-Linguistic Programming. She brings 18 years experience in the Health and Wellness Industry, with a background in five element acupressure, acu-yoga and lifestyle coaching, to her teaching at the CAC.

Maxine’s own passion for living and self-knowledge has lead her to study many Eastern philosophies and healing arts. Her vision is to inspire and motivate individuals to take a pro-active approach to creating their lives by choice, rather than by chance. To this end, Maxine maintains a private NLP practice, leads workshops, and is currently writing a how-to book based on this vision.

Jenny Trost