About Me
Karen Senffner, MA PT
Zero Balancing Instructor
Integrating Body, Mind, & Spirit, through Touch
My mission is to help you feel better-physically, mentally, and spiritually. I have been a physical therapist for over 30 years, earning my degree from Northwestern University Medical School. My journey began with an undergraduate degree in psychology, inspired by a dream to connect mind and body in my work.
Early in my career, I had the privilege of training with Dr. Herbert Benson, a pioneering cardiologist and researcher of the autonomic nervous system at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Benson was a trailblazer in Mind Body Medicine, and for seven years, I helped run the first affiliate of his Mind Body Medical Institute alongside a dedicated team at Mercy Hospital in Chicago. Together, we taught clients techniques in breathing, meditation, and exercise to relieve stress and boost the immune system.
​​At the same time, I pursued a Master’s Degree in Holistic Health at DePaul University, where I was introduced to the work of Dr. Fritz Smith, founder of Zero Balancing (ZB). Through ZB, I learned to access the parasympathetic nervous system-the “Relaxation Response,” as Dr. Benson described it-using gentle touch. Zero Balancing works at the level of bone, the body’s deepest structure, and even subtle changes at this level can create profound, positive ripple effects throughout the body. I became certified in ZB in 1997 and, driven by my passion for this work, moved from Chicago to California in 2000 to serve as Executive Director of the Zero Balancing Association. I completed the Zero Balancing Teacher Training Program and had the honor of assisting Dr. Smith in teaching ZB across the U.S.
While assisting at a ZB course at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California-a renowned center for holistic education and the Human Potential Movement-I met my husband. At Esalen, I immersed myself in yoga, movement, process work, meditation, and healthy cooking. Later, our daughter enjoyed attending the Gazebo School at Esalen, which fostered imagination and a deep connection to nature.
​​​​​I believe my path toward nurturing, conscious touch began with my adoption as an infant. Although I was told about my adoption early in life, I only recently learned the details of my birth story. In the 1960s, it was believed that babies placed for adoption should not bond with anyone before being placed with their families, so I was never held by my birth mother and had little contact with my foster family. Years of personal growth have shown me that it’s no coincidence my chosen profession is healing touch. My experiences with process work, meditation, yoga, and bodywork continue to deepen and enrich what I offer my clients.​​​​
Outside of my practice, I find joy in hiking, kayaking, photographing nature, practicing meditation and yoga, healthy cooking, singing in a choir and exploring life on the Coast with my family.
