Testimonials
Recommendations from clients & students
“In private Yoga Sessions, Cator was able to modify yoga poses around my disabilities. She carefully broke down each move and made sure I did it right. What a difference that makes!
Cator’s Craniosacral therapy is amazing. It doesn’t seem like she’s doing anything. She just holds your feet, back, then your head. Yet the psychological and physical release is profound, and the whole process is pleasurable and comforting.”
– David Spero, RN
Author of Diabetes: Sugar-coated Crisis & The Art of Getting Well: Maximizing health when you have a chronic illness
& Faculty member of New Health Partnerships: Improving care by engaging patients
“As a 63 year old Yoga teacher, I was suffering with a shoulder injury that would not allow me to bear weight on my right arm, nor move it higher than shoulder height in front and not at all behind my back. One day in yoga class, Cator mentioned she thought she could help me with that, so I made an appointment. This shoulder problem manifested from an injury received in an automobile accident 25+ years ago.
Cator was right – her work was helpful! I now have full range of motion in both arms and shoulders and am slowly working my way back into handstands. This work is very subtle, but every time I feel my body slipping back into old, negative habits, a session with Cator helps me put myself back together. I believe that working with Cator has been the next step in my long path to recovery.”
– Joanne Lyons, Yoga Teacher, Piedmont Yoga Studio, Oakland
“Cator is a gentle, insightful, and subtle healer whose craniosacral work helped me enormously during a health crisis. I had a problem with my reproductive system that lead to an emergency procedure, a surgery, and a cancer scare. Cator’s touch helped me to relax and allow my body to heal. She also showed me some restorative yoga postures and offered a kind ear to listen to my fears, which strengthened my mind as well as my body. Her gifts enabled me to make my recovery more quickly, and I feel that she may have contributed to the oncologist’s ultimate diagnosis, which was that I did not have cancer. I recommend her without reservation if you are suffering from anxiety or depression, as well as from a physical condition.”
– Elizabeth Costello, Yoga Instructor, The Yoga Room, Berkeley
“When my infant daughter had gastric reflux in the first three months of her life, we were besides ourselves with worry. She could not keep down more than half of what she ate, and digesting food was clearly painful to her. She was always in pain or hungry. She was not gaining weight, and our pediatrician was advocating pharmaceutical products – the impact of this on infants was not fully known. I was very upset.
I knew Cator worked on infants in her Craniosacral practice – I asked her to work with my baby. The sessions were gentle, and my daughter enjoyed them. After each session, her symptoms would intensify, and then she would have relief. We had just three sessions total, and I am happy to report that her reflux improved dramatically after that. She is now a normal, healthy baby, free of symptoms! I have Cator to thank that my daughter is not on harmful drugs and can eat without pain. We are grateful to her, and recommend this treatment to parents who are looking for a natural cure to reflux.”
– Gizella Babcock, new mother and yoga student
Yelp Reviews
“When I’m choosing a healer to work with, I choose people who are clearly doing their own work themselves and who are informed by a spiritual and intuitive connection. Cator is all of the above and more. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience as well and just jumps in with both feet and gets things done…in the most gentle, respectful, and graceful way. I highly recommend her online work for support during this difficult time.”
– Jami G
“I had my very first session with Cator remotely last week and it was amazing. She was able to align my my left and right sides and feel/release where I had tension. I could actually feel the energy move in my body and now I want to share her gifts with everyone. I highly recommend a session especially now when we need it most and aren’t able to have in-person work done.”
– V.C.
“What a relief! I experienced deep relaxation and calm through an online session with Cator. I was a bit skeptical at first, but it was a truly healing experience. A much needed refuge during this time when in-person bodywork is more needed than ever (but ill-advised due to covid protocol). I’m grateful for Cator’s virtual touch and presence.”
– Cynthia C
“I’ve found craniosacral to be perhaps the most effective of the many bodywork modalities available in the Bay Area. Cator is a master, a true healer. She brings her whole self to her work, and her very presence is calming and soothing. When I arrive, my mind is racing and my body feels like a semi-truck barreling down the highway. When I leave, I feel as if I’ve been reborn. It’s like hitting reset. It’s like Cator waved a magic wand. Don’t even think twice about having a session with her. You’ll be so grateful you gave this gift to yourself or your loved one!”
“Cator saves my life on a regular basis. I enter her office stressed out, aching, running at 100 miles per hour. I leave feeling peaceful, clear and ready to smile again.”
“I began receiving Distance Cranio sessions from Cator just after SIP started. I am a CST myself, and had never tried it. I was delighted to experience Cator’s presence, skillfulness and deep compassion – and I find as my trust in our relationship, and the modality, grows I am able to experience more physical relief and also, clarity about my process and life. Afterwards, I’m always surprised by how similar the distance sessions feel to in-person sessions! I continue to work with Cator and have come to see this work as an essential part of my self-care plan during this challenging time. Thank you, Cator!”
– Tomi K
“Cranial Sacral Therapy is incredibly effective at pain management – and Cator is one of the best. This practice is very subtle and requires great trust between the therapist and her patient. Cator is incredibly talented and gifted. Babies, children and adults will gain so much from working with her.”
– Heather P
I am a pretty skeptical person when it comes to therapy and healing arts but during a time of great need Cator’s craniosacral bodywork sessions proved to be more effective than other forms of therapy I tried. With skill, intuition, and gentle touch, she released some deep rooted pain that was trapped in my body.
I am not one who can relax and find ease in life, and Cator was the first person to recognize this, allowing my body permission to relax, especially my TMJ. To this day I still repeat the mantras as well as practice the simple jaw massages she taught me. My son also finds relief from the jaw massages I am able to give to him.
Normally I am hesitant to spend money on anything I feel is extravagant or superfluous but Subtle Body Healing with Cator is so worth it!”
– Lynn Lee: Mother, Activist, Thinker, Entrepreneur
“Cator Shachoy has been helping me and my two kids, now 19 and 16 years old, for the past 15 years. I had back surgery 30 years ago for an herniated disc and sometimes I am experiencing debilitating pain. Cator consistently provided tremendous relief through her Subtle Body Healing sessions so I could lead a normal life. I tried a remote session for the first time last Saturday and was amazed by the results! The relief from the pain I felt and the over all feeling of well being and relaxation where really similar to the ones I experienced during in person sessions. It is such a relief for me to now know that I can still benefit from Cator’s amazing healing powers remotely.”
– Sophie C
“Cator is gifted, intuitive, and empathic. Her ability to move energy is profound. My work with her was deep, and I was able to put into motion my need for a career change. Thank you, Cator!”
– V.A.
“Cator is an extremely gifted and talented practitioner. She is deeply devoted to being of service and offers a depth of knowledge and embodiment that is rare. Her passion and commitment to continuing to grow and learn has her always available to offer the latest in new information. My recommendation comes with the highest of respect for her and her work.”
– Mansfield L
– Gizella B
Alignable Recommendations
“Best yoga instructor in the bay!!”
– Healing Hands by Vaughn, Vaughn Nixon Jr
“Experience, Lived experience, develops the best healers!”
– Anne B Yoga, Anne Barbaret
“Committed experienced creative delightful practitioner with a heart o gold!”
– Yoga with Ana-Mari, Ana-Mari Hamada
“I have worked with Cator for several years in a healing collective for babies. I highly recommend her for the wisdom and knowledge and skills she brings to this healing art.”
– Lisa Stewart, TrueBlue Baby
“Cator is skilled in her arts, intuitive, and genuinely compassionate. She is a true healer.”
– Metta Technology Consulting, Nikki Mirgafori
“Cator is a very nice person and very knowledgeable and a great teacher. I highly recommend her.”
– Karin Stephan Enterprises
“Cator used to work in my chiropractic office. She has a very present, positive henergy that instills confidence in her clients. She is very experienced. Not only is Cator dedicated to client treatment, she is also committed to teaching. She frequently gives workshops in town and travels to teach as well. She is great with small children, a special skill for a body therapist. I highly recommend her. ”
– Dr Agi Ban, Move Chiropractic & Rehab Clinic
“Craniosacral bodywork from dedicated, veteran practitioner.”
– Brian Johnson Health & Fitness Coaching
“Cator is a brilliant healer and teacher. I highly recommend her workshops as well as healing sessions.”
– Harmony Gates Radical Aliveness – Embodied relationship Practices
“Yoga and yoga training for teens.”
– Justine Ferguson C-IAYT, Licensed Educator, CA & MA
“Deep Knowledge with Compassionate Care”
– Sandra Razielli Raziyoga
“A unique path to wellness. Cator has helped me and my family. I highly recommend!”
– Patrick Harris P.S. Harris & Co
“Cator is an excellent craniosacral practitioner. She works through the emotional and physiological layers to get to the root of the issue. She has given me lovely relief in my psoas and sacrum. ”
– Lee Sahlaney
“I’ve known Cator for some time and have been impressed by her dedication to the field of craniosacral therapy and her creative ways of expanding her offering through her various teaching presentations. I know she has integrity in what she does.”
– Scott Engler Heart of Stillness Craniosacral Therapy
“She is very good at making people feel better. I have known of her work for years.”
– Linda Carmella Sibio
