My Journey with Zenthai Shiatsu

I didn’t have any intention to become a bodyworker.

I earned my money in hospitality and trades, back then. I worked for money, did what paid the bills. I had hardly ever received any massage and thought of it as an indulgent luxury, something I didn’t have time or money for.

However, at the tail end of the covid pandemic, my world was turned upside-down: My relationship of 10 years, my marriage ended, which also resulted in the sale of my home and property.

My wife and I had been isolated in a deeply codependent relationship. Post-separation, I found myself uprooted, lonely and without direction.

Circumstances thrust me into a world of uncertainty.

At this darkest hour, I was sent an angel who told to “sing, dance, and practice yoga.” Things that had no place in my previous life. But I thought to myself, “when an angel speaks, you better listen.”

I googled “song circle” and “yoga,” and one of the top results was a place in Ninderry, a “healing centre.”

I mustered up the courage to step out of my very small comfort zone, and into this circle of complete strangers.

I didn’t know that my life was about to change drastically.

I was welcomed warmly. I carefully sang simple mantras in English and Sanskrit with these unusually open and interested people. Afterwards, I was invited to stay for a cuppa and a curious group gently enquired about who I was and what brought me into their midst.

I had never felt so welcome and safe.

I became a regular at the song circle and began to attend the yoga classes held at the centre.

The words “Zenthai Shiatsu” were in the air, mixing with the omnipresent clouds of incense. Eventually, I received a few sessions of this strange, dynamic massage. What stood out to me was the care and loving presence of the therapists. I felt deeply nourished by their touch.

And I still wasn’t interested in becoming a bodyworker.

But I knew I needed more of this medicine, this way of showing up for humans. I felt that these people, the zenthai therapists who became my friends and mentors, had learned something transcending “massage.” So I signed up to study Bodywork at what we lovingly called the “University of Mt Ninderry.”

Officially, we were taught complex Thai - and Shiatsu massage gestures, mixed with Traditional Chinese Medicine, and osteopathic techniques. Beneath the surface, we learned how to express our true Self and how to show up in presence.

It was not until the end of the training, in 2023, that I began to seriously consider offering Zenthai Shiatsu treatments to the public. I had received a lot of praise for the quality of my touch, the safety that fellow students and friends felt, when I practiced with them. At the same time, it brought me profound joy, to hold space in this way, to offer therapeutic touch.

After graduation, I began working with 1:1 clients from home. Then, I began travelling Australia, the USA, and Canada, offering Zenthai Shiatsu at festivals and wellness retreats.

I completed the Zenthai Shiatsu Facilitator Training in early 2024 and assisted in teaching a Zenthai Level 1 in British Columbia later that same year.

While I am very aware of the physiological effectiveness of Zenthai Shiatsu Therapy derived from its roots in Thai Massage, Zen Shiatsu and Osteopathy, I am most passionate about its healing powers by means of “metta,” the loving awareness and caring touch of the therapist. I have come to believe that one of the main dis-eases affecting humans in the western world is a lack of safe, caring touch.

Did I find Zenthai Shiatsu or did it find me?

Maybe it doesn’t matter. I am deeply grateful to Gwyn Williams, founder of Zenthai Shiatsu, for guiding me on my way home, to myself.

Zenthai Shiatsu has become a pathway to share my greatest gift, and healing power: my presence.

If you are in need of what I found through zenthai, a first step could be to book in for a session with me.