Meet the Teachers
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Sonia Brown
NEWCASTLE FACILITATOR
Sonia connected with Zenthai in 2010, when a visit to a Woodford Folk Festival found her attending an incredible workshop with Gwyn that left a resonating ‘Wow - I love this’ in her heart. Originally being attracted to the Acro therapeutics she realised Zenthai offered a whole lot more then she first thought.
As a youngster Sonia was an acrobatic Gymnast and enjoyed mastering skills and creating routines.
One of her first jobs at the age of 12 was coaching gymnastics after returning from an elite training scholarship at the A.I.S. in Canberra.
Supporting others on their learning journey is what truly lights Sonia up, she has always enjoyed a challenge and doesnt easily shy away when things get tough, this has inspired many students to continue learning on this path. Her inclusive nature, dedication and joy in the practice shines brightly through in all she does.
Before Zenthai her role teaching sailing to kids was her favourite activity of her Sport and Rec Camp career, the unpredictability, and difficult nature of the experience meant that the groups who came through had so much fulfillment and fun as they realised they could do what seemed impossible, sail a boat and be moved through water by the ever changing nature of the wind.
The world of dance has also been a big part of Sonia’s life, she has explored many styles and In recent years, the art of contact improvisation and West Coast Swing has enriched her life greatly.
Sonia is fascinated about how we can aid our healing through movement, touch and awareness. And her life is a practice of everything that she teaches.
She has worked with many great mentors on her journey, to support her understanding behind what Zenthai is offering to enable a transmission of this work that is clear and relatable to students. She is a continuous student herself dedicated to growth and evolution.
She has run the therapist programme in Newcastle since 2021 and supported many students in being able to offer Zenthai with confidence, grace and precision.
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Gwyn Williams
FOUNDER
Gwyn began his first steps into the foundation of the Zenthai artform in his teenage years with a fascination and complete absorption with life force energy (Ki) . A self confessed life force fanatic, his earlier years involved in using the life force to fight and compete. As a serious martial artist and later a competitive mountain runner, the focus was on expending Ki, however when he later moved into alternative therapies and yoga in 1997, he realised that the real focus needed to be on sustaining and containing life force to utilise its full power. This has carried through to the present day sharing the importance of embracing a Yin and Yang aspect in daily life.
‘Life force is like a huge hose – when it is strong it not only has the capacity to purify the body and create vitality but also the strength to constantly move debris and stagnation that collects in our body, mind & spirit.’
After graduating from the Queensland College of Oriental Medicine and beginning a clinical practice as a Zen Shiatsu therapist in the late 90’s Gwyn began exploring the integration of Traditional Thai massage. In 2002 he ventured further afield and began the first of his now annual trips to Chiang Mia, Thailand, to train under the masters. It was during one of the expeditions he discovered osteopath Arnaud Le’ Hermitte who has combining osteopathy with the art of Traditional Thai Massage. On his return he began integrating this work with his background and clinical practice as a Oriental therapist. Hence, the seed of Zenthai had been planted.
Gwyn has authored three incredible books that connect us to the true nature of ourselves, filled with poetic wisdom and honest reflections of his unfolding life journey.
He travels abroad throughout Europe and Australia sharing his movement based therapy, philosophy and understandings around living an undivided life at yoga retreats, festivals, and bodywork intensives.Fortunately he makes an effort to meet students coming through the therapist programme, usually visiting to teach in one of the course modules in Newcastle and also offers extra trainings in Queensland and Bali, that allow students to dive deeper into the practice.
What is Zenthai Shiatsu?
Blood , Ki and nerves form the foundations of our bodies internal pathways. Your local doctor may refer to arterial flow or nerve pathways whilst your alternative health practitioner may refer to it as ‘the river of life that ensures good health and vitality.’
When this is obstructed through emotional or physical trauma, postural imbalances or external invasion of pathogens, the natural healing mechanisms of our body is challenged and the ‘free flowing river’ often stagnates. The result is pain, low energy and a general loss of the feeling of well being. The body is needing support.
Zenthai shiatsu addresses the needs by drawing on the Traditional Energetic based systems of Zen Shiatsu, Traditional Thai Massage and the remediation techniques of Osteopathy. By the integration of the prime aspects of the modalities and the creation of a safe, awake and caring healing environment, Zenthai has evolved to be widely recognised as an effective structural and energetic form of therapy.
This is movement based therapy with a reputation of effective dealing with issues of the musculo-skeletal , digestive and nervous system.
Common conditions that are addressed include:
lower back, neck and shoulder pain
digestive complaints
joint mobilisation
energy depletion
immune system
Zenthai draws from:
Zen shiatsu and Traditional Chinese medicine which includes Acupuncture without needles, cupping, moxibustion and lifestyle advice
Traditional Thai massage, a sacred dance that offers loving kindness through touch, releases muscular tension and energetic blockages
Osteopathic techniques which includes joint mobilisation, connective tissue patterns and fascia unwinding.
Each session is tailor made to the clients needs.
