My mission is to create space for your authentic wellbeing.

At Makanani, you are invited to reconnect with the beauty that lives within you – a radiant energy that blossoms and expands into every aspect of your life.

In Hawaiian, Makanani is a single word that combines maka (eye, vision) with nani (beauty, beginning, origin). This name was given to me on the island of Moloka‘i, and it stands for embracing our inner authenticity as an essential step towards living our truth, enriching our lives and the lives of those around us.

My purpose is to support your journey through transformative bodywork and naturopathic medicine.

Hi, I’m Vanessa, a certified naturopath and massage therapist.

I guide people in creating space within their bodies, their minds, and their lives. I offer therapeutic experiences for body and spirit through Hawaiian massage practices and naturopathy.

People find great benefit in massage—not only as a way to relax, but also as a tool to understand and release their inner knots and initiate change. I combine my embodied, movement-based approach with Hawaiian and deep tissue massage techniques, many years of training in anatomy, and a deeply rooted tradition in medicinal plants and natural, holistic therapies.

My great passion for herbalism allows me to integrate natural oils and extracts that enhance the massage by deeply nourishing the tissues.

In therapeutic massage sessions, I use: joint mobilization, foot reflexology, deep tissue massage techniques, stretching and alignment, aromatherapy, and Hawaiian and Chinese medicine.

Naturopathic consultations focus on observing individual constitution based on Traditional Chinese Medicine and developing personalized wellness pathways that include natural remedies, essential oils, and dietary guidance to promote health and well-being in a holistic way.

I speak fluently Italian, English, and Spanish.

I am among the European members of Ahahui Lomilomi Hawaiʻi (ALH) and part of Protenat (Association of Natural Therapies) in Spain.

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Areas of Study and Certifications

Naturopathy and Natural Medicine

  • 5-year Diploma, Holistic Medicine School SIMO – Milan, Italy
  • Thesis: “Natural Remedies for Women in Rites of Passage.”
  • Aromatherapy, specialization in Essential Oils (Vera Sganga); internship at Magnifica Essenzia (Marco Valussi)

Hawaiian Lomilomi Massage

  • Diploma, Lomilomi Practitioner (352h) – Kumu Noëlle Delaquis, Aloha Spirit, Meilen, Switzerland
  • Lomilomi Master Training course with kumu Jeana Iwalani Naluai
  • Lomilomi Hāpai (pre- and postnatal) – kumu Jeana Iwalani Naluai
  • Kua Lua Hawaiian Back Walking – kumu Jeana Iwalani Naluai
  • Lomilomi Oncology and La’au Lapa’au with Kumu Dane Kaeholani Silva
  • Ancient Lomilomi – Jody Mountain

Ho’oponopono with Uncle Howard Pe‘a, Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi, Hawaii, USA

Feminine Empowerment, Life Cycles, Moon Cycles – Herbalism with Fernanda Botelho and Olivia Fite, Portugal

Other Technics

  • Diploma, Massage Therapist for Health and Wellbeing (170h) – Swedish Method, licensed by the Swiss Federation of Massage Therapists (FSM), Switzerland
  • Shiatsu Course (92h) – Swiss Federation of Massage Therapists (FSM), Switzerland
  • Integrative Reflexology and Foot Morphology – Catia Trevisani

Herbalism

  • Solstice Wildcraft Herbal Course (1 week). Distillation and Natural Cosmetics.
    Mentor: Dr. Laura Dell’Aquila, Botanical School and Wild Herbalism, Bologna, Italy
  • La’au Lapa’au Level 1 and 2, with Kumu Po‘okela Ikaika Dombrigues at Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi, Hilo, Hawaii, USA
  • Healing Plants for Women (16h).
    Mentor: Laura Dell’Aquila, Botanical School and Wild Herbalism, Bologna, Italy
  • Wild Edible Herbs Workshop, Pietro Leemann, Joia Vegetarian Academy, Valle Maggia, Switzerland

Ask for my CV