Meet the Teachers
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Sonia Brown
NEWCASTLE FACILITATOR
Sonia connected with Zenthai over 13 years ago, when a visit to a Woodford Folk Festival found her drawn to attend a partner yoga workshop with Gwyn. Originally being attracted to the Acro therapeutics she soon realised Zenthai offered a whole lot more then just making the body feel great with fancy dynamic aero nautical manipulation.
As a youngster Sonia was athletic and sporty, excelling in Gymnastics and also enjoyed anything that involved co-ordination, focus and play.
One of her first jobs at the age of 12 was coaching gymnastics after undergoing several months of elite training at the A.I.S.
Supporting others on their learning journey has always brought so much joy and facilitating group activities that are challenging, inclusive and fun seem to be part of every stage of Sonia’s extensive teaching journey.
Whilst at Uni for her PDHPE teaching degree, she worked as a rock climbing instructor and as a corporate team building facilitator. And after graduating worked as a programme officer in outdoor recreation camps, teaching sailing was her favourite of the activities to teach as you never knew what nature was going to challenge you with and, the fulfilment to see kids work together and learn this skill of interacting with the wind and water brought a lot of Joy!
The world of dance has also been a big part of Sonia’s life, and whilst never really undertaking a serious dedication to a fixed form of dance she has explored many and In recent years, the art of contact improvisation and West Coast Swing has enriched her life greatly.
Sonia is now fascinated about how we can aid our healing through movement, touch and awareness.
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 invites guests teachers and the founder Gwyn Williams to come and be part of the potent journey.
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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?
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.
