Meet the CHI-E-O, Kim Yokely

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Kim Yokely is a graduate of Cass Technical High School Class of 1987 and Spelman College Class of 1991. She took time off of school and completed Spelman in December 1992. In 1994 Kim applied with thousands of applicants around the world and was hired to serve in the Japanese and Exchange Teaching Program to assistant teach in the public schools of Fukuoka City from 1994-1997.

During her free time, Kim studied Aikido Martial Arts with Inoue Sensei and Shiatsu Massage for 2 years with her mentor Mr. Oyama. Her plans to go to law school was quickly let go from her deep connection to Shiatsu. In 1997, Kim traveled for one year alone and studied Traditional Thai Massage in Bangkok, Thailand. Her international travels in 1997 exposed her to studies and time in Bejing, Seoul, Manila, Taipei, Kuala Lampur, New Delhi, Kathmandu and London. In recent years she has also studied yoga, meditation and body therapy in Costa Rica, Ghana, United Arab Emirates and Jamaica just to name a few countries. In total Kim has visited 22 countries and her goal is to visit many more.


Since 1999, Kim has been sharing her gift with thousands of local, national and international clients ranging from celebrities, companies, resorts, spas, doctor offices, gyms, movie sets and concert tours. 


Ms. Yokely graduated from Atlanta School of Massage in December 1998. She printed flyers and by word of mouth attracted many clients that had never ever booked a massage. She was promoting massage in Atlanta and it was not the norm to book massage in the early 2000s. Kim opened Kimochi Massage Temple inside of Eric’s Salon and Spa and by 2004 she opened Kimochi Body N Sole Sanctuary in midtown Atlanta. 


Kim has emerged as a sought after massage therapist, workshop presenter and public speaker.


Her sole purpose is to show others how the body works through acupressure and healthy plant based meals. She teaches the internal system and the importance to still the mind and body. 


Kim empowers her clients with assisted stretching, yoga and meditation instruction. She teaches disciplined systems that when practiced daily alleviates pain, dis-ease, toxins, congestion and stiffness. 


Kim has been awarded plaques, featured in newspapers and magazines since 2001. Atlanta Journal Constitution, Atlanta Daily World, Edible Nashville, Rolling Out Magazine, The Oracle 2000 Magazine, The U.S. Small Business Administration, Hartsfield Jackson Airport, Southwest Atlanta YMCA and corporations both big and small have invested in Kimochi Workshops to educate their team. Kim interviewed on radio programs of WCLK 91.9 (FM) and WRFG 89.3 Fm in Atlanta! Rolling Out Magazine named her one of 25 top business woman of Atlanta in 2009.


Since 1999, Kimochi has trained students and served clients from all economic backgrounds and from all over the world she has touched lives in Fukuoka Dubai Accra San Juan Detroit Miami Nashville Chicago Dallas Atlanta Bangkok London Highlands D.C. Ka thmandu. Oakland. Harlem. Beijing. Montego Bay Los Angeles New York Dubai Limon Boracay and many more cities.


Kim tutors individuals and teaches group classes, workshops and parties on how to create a Balm Life! She focuses on function and design of all the internal systems of the human body, the structural alignment, the geometric angles, the role of the blood and organs in health, how to use food as medicine and the importance of self care bathes, benefits of superfoods and the importance of aromatherapy and dry brushing in our daily self care regimen.


Her goal for 2024 and beyond if for her hometown Detroit to become known for heath and wellness that the world recognizes for our talent and special gift to comeback from all challenges when the mind, body and spirit are tended to daily. Her greatest victory has been her 35 years of plant based living and her overcoming a traumatic brain injury that made her walk away from her business for 13 years. She was blessed to help families in their homes while allowing time for her healing as a nomad. Her focus today is to show others the way to take care of their cells first then take care of family, friends, community and the world.

Here’s 25 celebrities Kim had the honor to work with and share Massage Therapy and Reflexology! This list is a portion of who she touched once, twice or many times! 

  • Kerry Washington
  • Mike Epps
  • George Clinton
  • Johnathon Butler
  • Raphael Saadiq 
  • Dawn Robinson
  • Jill Scott
  • CCH Pounder
  • Jeffrey Wright
  • Carmen Ejogo
  • India Arie 
  • N'Dea Davenport 
  • Amp F iddler
  • Mechad Brooks
  • Algebra Blesset
  • Anthony David
  • Sheryl Lee Ralph
  • Dallas Austin
  • Orlando Jones
  • Doug E Fresh
  • Rachelle Ferrell
  • Navasha Daya
  • Dionne Farris
  • Robert Townsend
  • Bill Duke
  • Neil Jackson
  • Phyllis Stickney

"Kimochi " is a Japanese word that means "to be " or "to feel ".