Keri Yamamoto, O.T.As an Occupational Therapist, I first heard about Hellerwork from Donna Bajelis, a Physical Therapist in Seattle who was teaching a Myo I Class (Myofascial Release). I took 4 classes/courses of different sorts from her (she was a Hellerwork Trainer then) and I realized that for me to "see" clients/patients and help them in the way that she did, I had to do the Hellerwork Training. Just taking the weekend classes or 4-5 day workshops was not enough. There was a "way" that Donna could detect something or "see" the person as a whole, yet in parts as well, and how it related to function that was intriguing to me. I also knew that the skills I would learn would definitely transfer to what I was doing at the time (I was working as a staff Occupational Therapist in an In-patient Rehabilitation Program in a hospital, I was a neuro-specialist working with neurological impaired patients) and it would enhance my skills as a therapist in a unique and holistic way. This was the early 1990's. I had even started part of the entrance requirements which was to receive the Hellerwork Series as a client. But, the thing for me that made me not do the training then..... was the BUSINESS section of the training. Back then, (I was in my late 20'e and early 30's) I was not interested in being in "Business" for myself, which is what I had gleaned from the training information I had received. Then in 1994, I became ill. I was diagnosed with aplastic anemia. It took 8 months to recover and I returned to work later that year. During my healing process, I was given a name of an Occupational Therapist who was in a Hellerwork Training that year. Because of all the drugs I was taking to help me with my blood disorder, my physical body became stiff, dense, and misaligned. She took me through the Hellerwork series. She was the one who convinced me that the Business Section of the training wasn't what I had thought it was and that it "wasn't that bad". Through my own personal process of recovering from this illness, I became aware that I no longer wanted to live in the way that I had before I got ill. I felt I wanted more in my life and yet, to achieve it I knew that I was going to have to make changes. This is when I decided that doing the Hellerwork Training was an opportunity for me not only on a professional level, but on a personal healing journey as well. I envisioned my Hellerwork Training to be the last phase of my recovery from my illness, to put the past behind and to begin to face the future. I had no misgivings in doing the training and for me the hurdles I had to overcome was to complete the homework assignments on time while working at my full time job. As I went through the training, there were things I learned about myself that at times were painful. I felt it was a process of revealing the untruths to get to the core of myself. For if you really knew "WHO You Really Are", and what that means, then as a Hellerwork Practitioner, you may be more open, compassionate, able to connect with your clients in a way that helps facilitate their unfolding, at their own pace. Maybe that is what Joseph Heller meant about healing the planet, one body at a time. In completing my Hellerwork training, I felt that I had a very strong foundation for me to build upon, not only professionally as an Occupational Therapist, but personally as well. I've been a Certified Hellerwork Practitioner now since 1996. My intention was not to go into business for myself, but it's funny how life unfolds. It just kind of evolved in an organic kind of way. A Hellerwork classmate and I found an office space to rent in a psychologist's office. After my graduation, I went from working full time at the hospital, to part time, then went full time in private Hellerwork practice with my classmate. I've been fortunate that I was able to work with others to help build my practice. In Washington state, I had my classmate Liz. She and I would brainstorm new ideas, then we would do it together. When I moved to Hawaii, I began my new practice by helping another Hellerworker who is a Physical Therapist. Currently, I rent an office space from a Physical Therapy Clinic. I do better with others vs. by myself. Maybe because I still have this issue about "business". Funny, isn't it... That's why I was hesitant to do the training in the first place! Now that I look back, the Hellerwork Training was the starting point on a journey I am still on. Like I said earlier, it provided me with a solid foundation to explore, grow, and develop on a professional and personal level . My life now is all that I had imagined it would be when I was recovering from my illness over 10 years ago. It is much deeper, fuller, and richer. I feel more connected to my mind-body-spirit. I have traveled and met many wonderful people who have enriched my life. Life is good.
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