Training overview
Is Zenthai for you?
The best way to decide is to perhaps dip your toes into the experience through our preliminary Level 1 four-day intensive. We have level one intensives coming up in various locations across VIC. Please check our Zenthai Melbourne calendar here for details.
Dates for other Level 1 courses in other states across Australia and at the Zenthai home base Ninderry Healing Centre in QLD can be found via the Zenthai Shiatsu Website.
If you find you’re interested in deepening your practice, our therapist program is a wonderful immersive learning journey for the year!
The Melbourne Zenthai Shiatsu Therapist course will run from mid April until late November and will be made up of seven four-day modules plus student clinic/graduation (Dates outlined below). Most of these modules will be taught by Sally and Yuta, with assistants and visiting specialists from the Zenthai community. Completion of a Level-One 4 day intensive is the pre-requisite. Each intensive will focus on aspects of structural and energetic bodywork, aligned with Traditional Chinese Medicine and the 12 Threads of Zenthai Shiatsu. We begin each day embodying qualities through movement-based practice and each class is a combined delivery of theory and practice.
Each day will run from 830am → 430pm.
OUTLINE OF 2025 DATES:
Advanced One: April 17th - 20th
Elements One: May 8th - 11th
Advanced Two: June 13th - 15th
Remedial One: July 10th - 13th
Elements Two: Aug 28th - 31st
Remedial Two: September 18th - 21st
Traditional Therapies: October 23rd - 26th
Student Clinic & Graduation: November 20th -23rd
*Bali Deep Dive Zenthai Immersion is held July 24th - 31st* – this is a recommended optional addition to the course, but not essential for to qualify as a therapist.
About the venue:
The Shed-Dojo is at Sally’s family’s home in Beaconsfield about 50mins South east from the CBD. The Shed has been converted into a large practice space (dojo) with indoor and outdoor fires to keep cozy, and an outdoor kitchen. There are basic options to camp onsite if coming from afar.
Investment (inclusive of fees and taxes)
$4,200
CONTACT: sally@elementsembodied.com ph: 0475 868 000
How to apply:
Completion of a Level-One intensive is a pre-requisite.
After completing the Level-One 4 day course, an application form is available below for those wishing to apply for the 2025 program in Melbourne. This course is normally very full, so entry is not automatic. Please express your interest using the form below. A deposit of $950 is required to cement your position. This will be invited after the approval of your application.
THERAPIST TRAINING MODULE DETAIL
FREEDOM • HEALING • THERAPEUTIC TOUCH
Elements One – Principles of Zen Shiatsu
This module introduces Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and 5-Element theory into the art and includes:
EARTH • METAL• WATER • WOOD• FIRE
Introduction to Oriental Medicine (TCM)
5 Elements and Zang Fu organs
Signs and symptoms of Elemental imbalance
Meridian / Point location and key release areas
Diagnostic tools and identifying imbalance
Specific treatment and gestures to heal disharmony
Recommendations – lifestyle support and foods that heal
Elements Two – Psychology, mind-body counseling and 5 elements in daily life
‘To see it is to free it.’
This intensive addresses the psycho-emotional factors that relate to the 5 Elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). We identify the key emotions of each element and address how to balance them through the 5 element cycles. This module also recognises that honest self-exploration, and development of caring and supportive relationships with clients, is an essential component of a successful therapist practice. You will challenge yourself in the art of honest self-inquiry, unraveling the conditioning that might be preventing you from living to your potential. This looking-within to find the answers creates a therapist who is a far more present and effective listener, thus encouraging others to dissolve the emotional and mental blocks that are part of a healing journey. Module topics include:
EARTH • METAL• WATER • WOOD• FIRE
Know thy self – recognise, acknowledge and observe
See these emotions and patterns in with non-judgment
Practice compassion and loving kindness – metta
Gestures and sequences to restore balance and harmony
Learn how to heal emotional aspects through the 5 elements
Listening practices, receptivity and self-enquiry
Meridians, extensions, points and moxibustion
Advanced One and Two
12 THREADS OF ZENTHAI SHIATSU • FOCUSED INTENTION • FREEDOM
Two practical and innovative intensives, offering a wealth of gestures developed from Zen Shiatsu, Traditional Thai Massage and Osteopathic techniques. Zenthai is inspired by the integration of structural and energetic bodywork.
MOVEMENT • TOUCH • CONNECTION • LOVING KINDNESS• OPEN HEART
Gestures and sequences to restore balance and harmony
Addressing common areas of stagnation and disharmony
Refining the quality of therapeutic touch
Offering and receiving deep, effective therapy
Self-inquiry and healing practices
Connection to self, tribe and nature
Remedial One and Two
PRACTICE INTO THERAPY • ALIGNED INTENTION• THEORY AND PRACTICE •
Visiting the structures of the human body to understand how posture and lifestyle affect our movement, joints and their energetic relationships. Addressing a variety of musculoskeletal imbalances and conditions. Aligning treatment intentions to client needs, whilst addressing a variety of musculoskeletal dysfunctions and conditions.
STRUCTURE • ANATOMY • PRECISION • EFFECTIVE THERAPY
Anatomy Lab: Theory class and movement exploration
Our structure: bones, joints, posture, movement and dysfunction
Soft tissue imbalances and injury – muscles, tendons and fascia
Relationship of Chi → Blood → Organ
Alignment of TCM Meridians and myofascial structures
Understanding other body systems and internal organs
Zenthai gestures, techniques and sequence to restore balance
Movement-based therapy for self healing
Traditional Therapies
THEORY AND PRACTICE • ORIENTAL APPLICATIONS • EXTRA TOOLS •
Eastern approaches to health and healing are “holistic” in nature. Traditional Therapies delves into other therapeutic tools that can be applied during or in conjunction with Zenthai Shiatsu. These potent remedies are effective tools for balancing aspects of TCM.
BALANCE • TONIFY • DISPERSE • HEAL
Cupping and moxibustion
Poultices and herbal compresses
Thai foot massage
Wat Pho Thai massage applications
Refining diagnostic skills – pulse, tongue, hara
Client interactions and aligning treatment intentions
Student Clinic
OPEN CLINIC • SUPERVISED & SUPPORTED • DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT
You will be guided and supported in offering multiple sessions including client consultation, TCM diagnosis, planning and providing treatment and offering lifestyle support to your clients. Supervision will be offered with feedback from supervisors and other qualified Zenthai Therapists. This valuable experience will integrate your learning from throughout the year.
INTEGRATION • REFINEMENT • FULL POWER • HEART CENTRE
Aligning client needs, diagnosis and treatment
Offer full heart sessions with Focused Intention
Integrating content and context
Coming home – full circle of healing and transformation
Includes acroyoga as therapeutic flying … offerings throughout the final modules.
General Information
All classes run from 830am to 430pm
Regular yoga classes and practice time outside of class time are encouraged (optional extra tutorial/revision classes will be on offer throughout the year).
An insurance cover is recommended at the completion of student clinic to begin practice as a therapist.
Repeat of a module that is missed from absence, all assessments, and full course payment are required to receive qualifying certificate at graduation. Communication is key! Make up classes can be arranged for missed modules/content at an hourly rate.
Graduated therapists are encouraged to be part of the growing community – supporting level one courses and other offerings as an assistant or evolve into Zenthai Flow teachers.
Zenthai flow teachers are now offering regular classes for students to gain competence and confidence. The classes include asana, partner yoga and bodywork woven together through the 5 elements of Chinese medicine.
An application form is available below for those wishing to apply for the 2024 program. This course is normally very full, so entry is not automatic. Please express your interest using the form below.