About Lisa Dowling


Lisa bio pic - Edited


A childhood accident left me with long term health issues and chronic pain. It also led me to real relief for the first time in my life after receiving shiatsu therapy after a flare up that I experienced in 1992. Five years later I found myself on a treatment mat in Thailand, and knew that I had found my calling as a practitioner.

From that day in 1997 it has been a constant learning and growing process. I have studied Traditional Thai Massage, shiatsu, movement therapy, western sciences - anatomy and physiology, osteopathic techniques, acupuncture - specifically Japanese acupuncture and moxibustion, cupping and more recently somatic embodiment and trauma informed bodywork. 

I began teaching at the Shiatsu School of Canada in 2008, and also taught at the Ontario College of Traditional Chinese Medicine until 2022. Since 2015, I formed the Meridian Care Center where you can find online courses in Eastern Medicine, Meridian Therapy, Acupressure, Moxibustion, Cupping Therapy and Gua Sha. I teach mostly online courses for massage therapists, livestream classes, and sometimes I teach in live classes. These classes are designed for massage therapists and bodywork professionals such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, athletic therapists, and other east Asian practitioners.

My desire to provide high quality materials and training for practitioners has been a prime motivation. The 2016 Olympics highlighted the need for good cupping training and it became my mission to try to correct some of the misinformation, and provide high quality, evidence based information that is delivered through the lens of Traditional Medicine. 

  • Meridian Care Center

    “Lisa is very thorough in teaching, has a very comprehensive way of teaching, and engaging ”

    Massage Therapist

  • Meridian Care Center

    “Lisa is an amazing teacher. She has so much passion that its inspiring. I would love to take more training from her. Her classes are a lot of fun!!”

    Massage Therapist

  • Meridian Care Center

    “On the Introduction to the 5 Elements:
    Hi Lisa just to say thank you for all this wonderful information on your course,I enjoyed it and find it all fascinating. Towards the end felt I was starting to notice things in nature,myself and clients. So thanks once again for sharing.”

    Shiatsu Therapist

  • Meridian Care Center

    “As a massage therapist I can’t wait to incorporate cupping into my practice. I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from Lisa. I learned extremely valuable tools that I feel I wouldn’t have from any other program.”

    massage therapist

  • Meridian Care Center

    “As a massage therapist, I have taken 2 additional cupping classes, and this was by far the best.”

    Massage Therapist

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