Hi, I’m Andrea Farley Shimota.
RCST, CFNC
Andrea (Andi) Farley Shimota, originally from Minnesota, draws from a wide range of disciplines, integrating artistic sensitivity with scientific rigor in her therapeutic practice.
She completed her pre-medical sciences post-baccalaureate studies at Columbia University, earning Dean’s List recognition and deepening her understanding of the foundational principles of biology, physiology, and health. Prior to this, she graduated summa cum laude from SUNY Purchase College, receiving awards in both Dance and Sociology. Her academic work includes a published article on embodiment, reflecting a longstanding inquiry into the relationship between physical experience, perception, and social behavior.
Andrea’s clinical work is grounded in both precision and presence. She is a certified Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist (RCST, 2021) through Stillpoint, a lineage rooted in the work of Franklyn Sills. Her systems-based understanding of the body is further informed by certification in Functional Nutrition (CFNC) through Andrea Nakayama’s work, and by her ongoing progress toward certification as an Ayurvedic Practitioner (AP) through the YogaVeda Institute.
Her integrative approach is enriched by studies in Traditional Western Herbalism with Sajah Popham and Matthew Wood, as well as ongoing mentorship with Rebecca Diezel, biochemist and Ayurvedic practitioner. Together, these influences support a thoughtful and comprehensive perspective on health.
Andrea’s foundation in anatomy and movement is supported not only by her professional dance career, but also by a Comprehensive Mat Pilates Certification from Kinected and advanced study of anatomy with Irene Dowd and Eric Franklin. Her work is further shaped by the movement principles of Le Ballet Fou and Cardinal Movement, deepening her understanding of alignment, coordination, and dynamic embodiment.
Her therapeutic depth is inseparable from her artistic life. As a longtime primary performer in the immersive productions Sleep No More (2017–2025) and Life & Trust, Andrea cultivated acute relational awareness and real-time attunement to human behavior. Collaborations with artists such as Alexandra Waierstall at Dia:Beacon, along with her ongoing teaching at Peridance Center, continue to inform her nuanced understanding of presence, alignment, and embodied intelligence—seamlessly weaving her artistic and therapeutic work together.
In practice, Andi is distinguished by her synthesis of artistic sensitivity and scientific understanding. Her commitment to lifelong learning and holistic care, combined with an empathetic and attentive approach, allows her to offer treatments that are both precise and compassionate.
Years of anatomy and movement study refined my understanding of how bodies communicate and move, influencing how I inhabit space and teach
My craniosacral training helped me maintain present and activate my parasympathetic nervous system mid show. The nervous system tone helped me maintain performance 7 - 10 shows a week without burning out.
Studying functional nutrition taught me how energy, focus, and emotional resilience are built day by day, shaping the stamina and clarity required to sustain long-form performance and rigorous academic studies.
My Approach
At the core of my practice is a commitment to listening carefully and working collaboratively. I focus on understanding each person’s context, patterns, and capacity for change, and approach the work with steadiness, curiosity, and respect for individual process.
Empower
Actively engage in your own healing process, create a foundation for enduring health and happiness to have tools to adapt to dynamic journey of life.
Embody
Attunement to the body's signals leads to a responsive approach to healing, allowing for a more aligned and intuitive way to be and see in the world.
