ZENTHAI THERAPIST PROGRAM 2025

The Therapist Program is the natural follow-on for those who’ve completed the Level One and feel they’d like to immerse in deepening their practice and take the 8 month journey to becoming a Zenthai Shiatsu Therapist.

8 MONTH THERAPIST TRAINING COURSE SUMMARY & DELIVERY

The program is structured into 6 modules: comprising over four 4-day modules and two extended immersive modules spanning 8 days each.

Each intensive workshop focuses on aspects of structural and energetic bodywork, aligned with Traditional Chinese Medicine and the 12 Threads of Zenthai Shiatsu.

The curriculum is structured to cultivate a holistic approach, integrating our learning through various embodiment practices and movement based sessions at the start of every day. Each module is a combined delivery of theory and practice.

Graduates will receive a certification and be recognised as Zenthai Shiatsu therapists, empowering them to practice and share this transformative bodywork modality with confidence and authenticity.

THERAPIST TRAINING MODULE DETAIL

FREEDOM • HEALING • EMBODIMENT • THERAPEUTIC TOUCH 

ELEMENTS ONE
Principles of Zen Shiatsu

EARTH • METAL• WATER • WOOD• FIRE 
This module introduces Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and 5-Element theory into the art and includes:
  • 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 counselling and 5 elements in daily life

‘To see it is to free it.’

EARTH • METAL• WATER • WOOD• FIRE  

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:
  • 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-enquiry 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 “wholistic” 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, compresses and herbal sauna

  • 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

  • The program is given in English.

  • Regular yoga classes and practice time outside of class time is encouraged.

  • An insurance cover is recommended at the completion of student clinic to begin practicing as a therapist.

  • Graduation and certification is given on completion of all modules, tasks assigned, 30hrs of logged clinic practice, and all course fees settled. Any class time missed is to be made up at an hourly fee to Natan. (please note, the Elements Modules and Traditional Therapies are not able to be made up because a group setting is needed for these classes).

  • You can find a list of all the dates, modules and locations below

  • An application form is available below for those wishing to apply for the 2025 program. Spaces are limited, so entry is not automatic, please express your interest using the form below.

Investment

The full course investment is 6150 EUR Including the price of food and accomodation. We have opted to hold the program at two beautiful retreat locations for 5 of the 6 modules, with the intention to deepen your learning experience. More informations on these locations and the price for food and accomodation is listed below.

The training will be held at 3 locations:

Orval, South Belgium: This will be our main base for the training, with three 4-day modules and one 8-day module. Bois Le Comte is a serene farm house nestled in one of the most beautiful parts of Belgium. The kitchen cooks an abundance of macrobiotic buffet style meals that will nourish you and keep you strong.Food and accomodation: 1770 euros Prices are for dorm rooms with 3-4 beds. A single room can be arranged at an extra cost.

Spanish Pyrenees: around the time of mid-summer we will gather for 8 days at the foothills of the Pyrenees. Our home will be a beautiful Spanish country house that has recently been refurbished from a Hotel into a dojo for movement and healing arts. This majestic location will invite us to take the classroom outside and explore the natural landscape on mountain hikes as part of our learning.Food and accomodation: 820 euros.Prices are for dorm rooms with 3-4 beds. A single room can be arranged at an extra cost.

East-West Centre in Antwerp, Belgium: this last 4-day module of the training will be held in Antwerp at a non residential location. Here, students will be guided and supported in offering multiple treatments to people from outside the course. This valuable experience will integrate their learning from throughout the year. Accomodation is to be arranged by the student.

*A payment plan is available with 4 payments: 1 x 1000 EUR deposit & 3 x 1750 EUR instalments

Dates, modules, locations

MODULE 1: advanced one

  • 4 days: March 20 - 23

  • Retreat setting in Orval

MODULE 2: elements one + advanced two

  • 8 days: April 27 - May 4

  • Retreat setting in Orval, Belgium

MODULE 3: remedial one + elements two

  • 8 days: June 21 - 28

  • Retreat setting in Spanish Pyrenees

MODULE 4: remedial two

  • 4 days: September 4-7

  • Retreat setting in Orval

MODULE 5: traditional therapy & trauma informed

  • 4 days: October 9-12

  • Retreat setting in Orval

MODULE 6: students clinic & graduation

  • 4 days: October 23rd - 26th

  • OWC in Antwerp (lunch will provided but accomodation is excluded)

“To unite a group of strangers in a world of deep connection, exploration and discovery takes a talented facilitator. Natan is that. His gentle manner combined with his knowledge of movement and the human body makes him one of the best I’ve encountered. The activities were challenging enough to generate the gratification of learning, while accessible enough to allow us all to achieve. The technique itself is beautiful. Such a graceful blend of modalities, through which release, trust and safety transform the whole nervous system and psyche. Natan brings the gift of the embodied self - something that’s so needed in today’s fast paced world."

Natalea