THE DEEP RIVER PHILOSOPHY

Being a human is hard.

At Deep River we believe it is a human right to have agency over one’s own body and access to competent, respectful care for all bodies. We offer no quick-fixes or miracle cures; our treatments are customized to your body by the skillful hands of experienced practitioners that genuinely care for your well being. When you are feeling worn out or helpless, we are happy to be your advocates, mechanics, and most importantly, your safe space.  

Physical pain is inevitable in life, but it does not have to persist, unmanaged, unchanging and misunderstood. Deep River Healing Arts is the seed of Yvonne Kawamura's larger vision of preventative healthcare for busy New Yorkers. We at Deep River also specialize in care for the queer and trans community, are fat-positive, anti-racist, kink positive and trauma informed. Having a stranger touch your body to comfort and heal it is an incredibly vulnerable thing to do; it is imperative that our clients feel safe, informed and involved in their own treatment plan. We look forward to being your ally in bodily health and well-being.

YVONNE KAWAMURA

Founder, pronouns: she/her

After graduating Magna Cum Laude from Barnard College and the Swedish Institute, Yvonne received her massage license and embarked on her career. After 8 years in the profession she found herself increasingly dissatisfied with the quality of care offered by Western and Alternative medicine alike and decided to open her own practice in 2017. Clients consistently expressed surprise and gratitude at Yvonne’s commitment to addressing their complaints, often being the first to attend to persistent pain that no other health professional could remedy. That commitment has led her to pursue an MSW at the Smith School for Social Work, where she will be studying until 2025. In the meantime her team members carry on her philosophy by working with clients in a dynamic process to identify the root of pain rather than the symptoms. While she misses her clients, she is happy to be delving deeper into the mind-body continuum and learning to help people in a new way.

LINDA BENJAMIN, LMT

Lead Massage Therapist, pronouns: she/her

Linda melds her knowledge of Western and Eastern techniques to move her clients towards balance through unique, integrative sessions. With over a decade of experience, she specializes in myofascial and deep tissue work that also leaves her clients relaxed and fully integrated. In keeping with the Deep River philosophy, Linda aims to facilitate a space where the body's natural ability to heal is supported and balanced.