Zen Thai Shiatsu Massage Practitioner Training - Level 1

September 17th - 20th, 2026

4-Day Immersive Training Retreat
Lake Cowichan, BC

Bringing freedom of movement to the structural and energetic bodies… a 4 day immersion exploring the foundational skills and guiding principles that make the potent bodywork art of Zen Thai Shiatsu

Zen Thai Shiatsu Massage Practitioner Training - Level 1

Zenthai Shiatsu is a unique movement-based therapy with roots in the Five Elements of Chinese Medicine, Zen Shiatsu, Thai Massage and Osteopathic techniques. It is practiced on a ground mat, fully clothed. The gestures are weaved together in an artistic and expressive way with room to play and explore connection and curiosity.

How can two bodies move harmoniously to bring about the greatest healing? How can we tap continuously into loving kindness and fluidity of movement while dissolving the delusion of separation?

This course is excellent for therapists, yoga teachers, or anyone wishing to enhance their subtle, yet powerful relationship with the elements. No experience is necessary.

  • Thai massage, Zen Shiatsu, and Osteopathic Techniques
  • Level one training certification
  • Learn a 90 minute bodywork sequence
  • Give and receive touch through guided bodywork flows
  • Connect with community and deepen your relationship to self
  • Begin your discovery of the Five Elements of Chinese Medicine

In this course, you will:

Learn two hours worth of bodywork gestures which can be strung together in a powerful sequence or added/integrated into your existing bodywork practice.

Practice Yoga Asana, partner Yoga, and Qi Gong in order to ground, center and strengthen your body for this work, as well as connect deeper to your community and deepen your relationship to self.

Give and receive guided flows, one on one practice and participate in group discussion

Receive a detailed manual with pictures, a video of the course content, and a 32 hour certificate of completion.

Once completed, you can optionally move on to our in-depth Zen Thai Shiatsu Therapist Training - 9 Month Program.

“Transform. Cultivate inner awareness, a deepened sense of touch and enrichment of conscious community. Dive into the dance of sacred ritual and playful curiosity”

More Information

Tuition & lunchtime meals: $825 CAD + 5% GST

Accommodation: $80 cash (goes directly to the land stewards) for tent or car camping Wed-Sunday.

This course frequently fills up, and a $200 CAD deposit is required to reserve your spot. The deposit includes a non-refundable $65 administration fee. The remaining $135 is refundable until August 16. After August 16, the full deposit is non-refundable.

Please send deposits via e-transfer to: info@westcoastzenthai.com
Students outside of Canada, send a Wise transfer to @westcoastzenthaitherapies

  • 4 lunchtime meals
  • Class-time runs from 8:30am-4:30pm each day (Thursday-Sunday), with optional evening communal activities
  • Course manual
  • Sauna (open one night of the training weekend)
  • One month access to online video tutorials
  • 32-Hour Practitioner Certificate

Payment plans are available if needed.

If finances are a barrier to you but you are deeply feeling the call, please be in contact and we’d be happy to try and find a creative solution.

The training takes place in a private community near Lake Cowichan, BC, just five minutes from the Cowichan River.

Travel Times:

  • Approx 1 hour from the Nanaimo ferry terminals (Duke Point is ~5 minutes closer)
  • Approx 1 hour 20 minutes from Victoria by car


Detailed arrival instructions will be sent a few weeks before the training begins.

Please plan to arrive on Wednesday between 4:00pm and 9:00pm, as the training starts at 8:30 am the following morning.

Clara is a full-time Zenthai Shiatsu Therapist, Facilitator, and Acupuncturist, with 9 years experience in the field. She completed her Zenthai Therapist training and Zenthai Flow teacher training in 2017 with founder Gwyn Williams.

In 2022, Clara assistant-taught the full 9-month Zenthai Shiatsu Therapist program alongside Gwyn and is proud to be the first person to bring this program to North America!!

Clara’s teaching style weaves together softness, strength, and playfulness. She is known to have clear instruction, a calm demeanor, and contagious enthusiasm.

As well as her experience teaching Zenthai workshops, classes, and 4-day and 9-month trainings, Clara is also a qualified Acro Yoga teacher and Traditional Qi Gong instructor.

She draws inspiration from her love of all things movement, from the changing seasons of the natural world, and from all the beloved teachers and friends that have blessed her life. Clara believes that healing together as a community is fundamental to health and is so grateful for the foundation of togetherness that Zenthai Shiatsu has brought into her life.

Supporting Clara is Victor Lai, a Zenthai Shiatsu Therapist and AcroYoga teacher based in Comox Valley, also on Vancouver Island. Victor assists throughout the training, helping to support students’ learning experience while also coordinating registrations, logistics, and participant communications. He is often the first point of contact for questions leading up to the training and during the training, helping create the welcoming, community-oriented container that supports the learning journey.

Two Zenthai therapists who have also completed their 9-month training will also be part of the support team, helping to create a welcoming and well-supported learning environment.

Join Us

1. Complete the registration form (linked below).

2. Secure your place with a $200 CAD deposit.

This training has consistently filled in previous years, so we encourage registering early to secure your place. Once the course reaches capacity, a waitlist will be available.

***  UPDATE: Registration is now full ***
To be added to the wait list, please submit this form, but do not send the deposit. 

Canadian students:
Send your deposit via e-transfer to info@westcoastzenthai.com

International students:
Please send your deposit via Wise to @westcoastzenthaitherapies

If finances are a barrier but you feel genuinely called to this training, please reach out. We’re happy to explore a creative solution together.

Questions?

For any questions before registering, please contact our Lead Assistant, Victor Lai, at victor@victorlai.ca.

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