Karin Kiteley, known by most of her friends and clientele now as ‘Pip’, is the kind of practitioner who makes you feel seen before she ever places her hands on you.
A licensed massage therapist, longtime Breema practitioner and instructor, and founder of Infinity Healing Arts, Pip has spent the past 30 years cultivating a body of work rooted in presence, movement, and intuition. She’s not just helping people relax—she’s supporting them to connect with themselves.
Her touch carries a grounded intelligence, her sessions a quiet reverence. Whether guiding a client through a 90-minute session or leading a Self-Breema or Breema Bodywork class, Pip’s work is defined by her deep capacity to listen—not just with her ears, but with her whole being.
This past month, she returned from an extended journey through Europe—traveling through England, France, Spain, and Portugal.
From her extensive global travels, India to Antarctica and many places in between, Pip brings a worldly perspective to her practice, always returning to what matters most in her field of work and study: quality of touch, non-judgmental presence, and an intuitive nature that is supported by being with what is.
In this interview, I explore her journey of mastery, how her work continues to evolve, and what it really means to be touched—not just by another, but by life itself.
Pip, Thanks so much for taking the time to speak with me today and welcome home to Ashland.
Thank you Shields. I’m grateful to be here, and to be home to the lovely town I am blessed to reside in.
To begin with, you’ve been practicing for over 30 years. What do you love most about your work today?
In a broad brushstroke, my work supplies me with unending gratitude for the opportunity to come to body-mind connection within myself, moment into moment, as a moving meditation while supporting my clients with hands-on healing touch. So for that, I’m consistently receiving as much as I am giving (if not more!). This perspective is supported by my practice of Breema®, known as The Art of Being Present.
How has your work evolved over the decades—what are you more attuned to now than when you began?
I began with the full body of work that is Barefoot Shiatsu, a wonderful training in San Francisco. This bodywork is practiced on a floor mat and was very aligned in this aspect with Breema bodywork, which I found also in the Bay Area the same year that I completed my Barefoot Shiatsu certification. I initiated my studies for the aim of becoming a Breema Practitioner shortly after, then with a move to Washington, discovered a Massage Licensure program that included Shiatsu and Swedish/Deep Tissue. I added Reflexology and Acutonics® programs into my studies during that time as well. Infinity Healing Arts was born, with these modalities making up the amalgam that supports both table and floor sessions, and Breema consistently being what I call the ‘underlying current’ that supports everything that I do, with clients and in daily life. Being present with my clients and my life is of utmost importance to me as a practitioner and citizen of the earth. I can say that it is naturally the ongoing dedicated focus of being present through the tools of Breema that brings me to a level of attention even more now than earlier in my studies and career.
You recently traveled through Europe—what impact is that having on your practice or inner life?
In general, I see where travel, especially in other countries, gives me a place to breathe in the knowing that there is a much grander scale and perspective to be gained by taking the steps to emerge and see how other cultures foster life. France, as an example, showed me a lot about the choices to sit for long stretches during and after meals, just people-watching, digesting and conversing. Life is built around communing, and gorgeous, vital food! This slowing down and experiencing demonstrated to me what it means to invoke quality and meaning into the mundane. I’m very grateful for this life-education.
Also in the simple act of taking time away from working, I am inspired to move into and forward with the bodywork practice with a fresh connection both to my clients and the quality of my touch, revitalizing being present for my wish to support, with the influence of connecting to the bigger picture gifting me grounded-ness and humility.
In particular you had a transformative experience when visiting the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park. Please say more.
We discovered this unique destination randomly while taking a stroll in Hyde Park on our second to last day of our travels. I had no idea that this even existed. It is absolutely a highlight of my time abroad. This miracle of engineering is truly something to behold in person if anyone gets the chance. Firstly, to say, for me on a personal level, I’ve known for most of my life (according to my grandfather’s genealogical investigations) that I share a bloodline connection with Princess Diana. So, naturally, when we walked up to the ‘fountain’ (this is in quotes because the creation is more like a circular human made infinitely flowing “creek”), I was in a heartfelt space of receptivity to its meaning on many levels. There were people of all ages with shoes off, wading and splashing in this incredibly clear water, as Diana herself certainly would have done, in the openhearted and playful ways she so often demonstrated. I was of course drawn to kick off my shoes and partake. My partner and I walked the entire fountain, experiencing the cool water and the Cornish granite over which the water flows, surrounded by the green grass under the blue skies of England. Truly transformative for me. (To understand also, I did a semester abroad in England in high school, so my joy at being there was, honestly, profound in so many ways.)
You’ve described a “mother hand” quality of touch. Can you explain what that means and why it matters in healing?
This is not in any way a scientific or technical term, but it means a lot to me as a ‘technique’ in my practice of touch. I was introduced to it during my Shiatsu training and it carries through within the way that Breema bodywork is practiced.
In Shiatsu, there is what’s called a ‘working hand’ and a ‘mother hand’, the acupressure being conducted along a channel for some points with the ‘working hand’ meanwhile the other ‘mother hand’ rests on the body as a constant reassurance to the nervous system (both physical and emotional/energetic). In Breema, once the practitioner initiates contact with the recipient, they remain in contact for the remainder of the time until the final moment when the session is complete. (This includes a bow of gratitude, for the opportunity to become present with myself as the practitioner, as I have stated, a crucial element of my work in general.)
It struck me recently to ponder on and share about this concept of the ‘mother hand’, the energetics of which I theorize are a rooted foundation of what I wish to impart for each client, and even the greater world calm-unity (this is my aim as much as possible and as often as I remember within the busy-ness that is the mind’s tendencies) the quality of holding/being held. I see it in a way as an extension of that maternal energy that all humans experience when we are first born, when the head is supported because the baby cannot hold it up on its own yet. With this literal demonstration of no separation, I feel that my recipients may experience being ‘seen’ and supported with a reassuring knowing that they’re ok and safe, exactly as they are in all presentations of body, mind and feelings. Humbly I say, it is a continual work in progress but my attention is true.
Let’s talk about the nervous system. How do you create a space that helps clients feel truly safe?
Much of what I stated about the ‘mother hand’ comes into this response as well. This quality of touch has that aim of creating a place for the nervous system to let go, to relax. This is also an influence in my verbal interactions with clients even prior to moving into the hands-on aspect of the appointment. The intake conversation very much sets a tone for a safe space. Working with myself in being present, with body mind connection, as I inquire about how they are feeling physically or otherwise, my intention is of course for them to feel at ease, to know that I’m honestly hearing what they’re sharing.
What are the 9 Principles of Breema, and how do they shape your sessions?
Body Comfortable * Single Moment Single Activity * No Force * No Judgment * Full Participation * No Hurry No Pause * Mutual Support * No Extra * Firmness and Gentleness
These are the foundation of Breema and a core influence of my work. For example, if I am doing something that is causing discomfort in my body while massaging a client, I am reminded of Body Comfortable and I come to body mind connection in the moment, and a shift towards more comfort for myself may create more ease and comfort for the client as well. The principles support a general atmosphere that is, in its essence, moving towards wellness/wholeness.
You’ve said, “I’m not here to diagnose.” How do you work with the body in a moment-to-moment, intuitive way?
In general, massage and bodywork is not diagnostic in its scope of practice. For myself, I see this through the eyes of the Breema Principle, No Judgment. In my work of being present to each moment, as much as possible, I am receiving the body as it is and moving in a sort of tandem dance where their body and mine are meeting in movements that support. This may affect a certain shift, though it is not my aim to force anything (No Force). For instance, with the aim of being comfortable, I lean rather than press or push on an area of a muscle, inviting rather than forcing a shift to take place towards relief for the recipient.
What’s one piece of advice you often give clients that truly helps them between sessions?
At some point, even if it’s just one time, during their day, to bring the attention of the mind to know that the body is breathing, or that the body has feet on the ground.
This simple step can help tension of mind and body to drop, if even briefly.
How can clients best support their own healing when working with you?
Show up, for themselves.
Pip, can you please share some recent testimonials with us?
I have been a client at Infinity Healing Arts for five years. I am a chronic pain patient following shoulder injuries in 2012 and four subsequent surgeries. The relief that her massage gives me is better and longer lasting than any narcotic medication that I need to take to have a functional life. ~ Marty K, Talent
Earlier this year I tried Breema and am sold. Within the first few minutes I drop into a meditational state of relaxation. I love how Pip tunes into my current all around state of being. There becomes a spaciousness in my body and mind that allows me to be present to my limitations; giving me room to expand (both physically and mentally). Upon completion I feel a harmonic hum of energy, lightness and clarity. Breema is a natural way to unlock daily wear and tear both in the body and mind. Can hardly wait for my next session! ~Tina Margulies, Ashland
My massage with Pip was the most generous and intuitive massage I’ve had in my whole life! ~Anonymous
Pip is an excellent massage therapist. She is well-skilled and remarkably intuitive. While she addressed my concerns, she also finds areas that need extra attention and seems to know exactly what is needed each session. She’s helped me heal from injuries and, a bonus I wasn’t expecting: The quality of my sleep has greatly improved!
Linda, Ashland
You’ve had some steady clients for years. What does it mean to build a long-term relationship through bodywork?
This is very much a case-by-case answer. Many of my long standing clients come monthly for maintenance. Some are on a bi-weekly regimen. Most of all, like I said above, it’s about showing up for themselves and evaluating what works best with their physical/emotional bodies and lives. Whether it’s with me or another practitioner, it is just really important to honor oneself first and foremost in the process.
Finally, what is the best way to go about starting to work with you?
In my business, calling or texting are my preferred modes of contact for questions and booking.
Learn More:
Infinity Healing Arts
www.dropintoinfinity.com | 541.482.4188
