Nanny Assink

Senior Thai Massage Practitioner

Practitioner of Medical and Ayuravate 

I have recently moved to Regina from Thailand and am thrilled to be offering my services in Thai Massage at Thai Massage YQR.  

Being a Native Thai and very fortunate to have experiencing closely to the health benefit of Traditional Thai Massage through out my childhood and the situation I am in at that time, I decided to participate in the Wat Po & Chetawan Professional Training Program in Bangkok, Thailand.   

Being in Thailand in which the holistic approach to many chronic health imbalance; non medical emergency of course, are commonly practiced, during our few months stay I had opportunity to train with the trusted, well known Traditional Thai massage therapists. 

I have completed 165 hours course in Professional Thai Massage for Health, and 120 hours Professional Spa Therapy Body Treatments.  I am specializing in working with clients with Chronic pain through Traditional Thai Massage as well as offering Oil Massage, Foot Massage, Thai Balm Massage, Aroma Therapy Massage, Thai Herb Steam Tent Treatment, Cellulite Massage and waxing.  I continually strive to expand my knowledge and skills through continuing education courses. I believe the best way to serve my clients is to stay informed and current on new techniques in massage and bodywork.

As a licensed Natural Health Care Practitioner,  I approach my profession the same way I live my life. As my client, you can be sure that you will be treated with dignity and respect and I will work with you to tailor your sessions so that you gain the maximum benefits.

My mission is to provide massage clients the significant result with minimal sessions as possible, following by a simple care plan after the session to alleviate pain, eliminate fatigue as well as decrease muscle and joint stiffness.

I am truly blessed to be in a career where I can integrate what I do, with who I am, what I feel, and where I want to be in life; whole, happy, and in harmony with my beliefs. Thai Massage therapy has so much to offer and I look forward to (literally and figuratively!) touching the lives of as many people that I can!

Jayme Ast, RMT

Senior Thai Massage Practitioner RMT

"Suddenly what I had been searching for was right there and I just had to reach out! ". "In the weeks that followed I was very fortunate to be able to train under such a skilled and versatile instructor in Karen Piper, who not only is talented in her art but also very knowledgeable on the history of Thai massage and Thai culture !"

Jayme has worked as a Registered Massage Therapist in Regina for over 10 years. Her prior experience in the healthcare arena, and compassionate nature is what led her to consider working with individuals to assist them with pain management.She brings with her a well rounded skill set- the result of years spent working in different settings from injury rehabilitation, medical spa and mobile massage services. 

Shortly after graduating from the Western College of Remedial Massage Therapy in Regina, Jayme decided to take a course in Thai massage. She soon realized that the foundation of Thai Massage was really a system that combined both Traditional Massage and Yoga. As a practising massage therapist who also happened to enjoy yoga, this realization inspired her to apply the techniques she learned from Thai Massage into her everyday massage practice. Thai massage remained at the back of her mind but had not yet become as relevant as she hoped. Fast forward 10 years, amidst a difficult time that was COVID, Jayme stumbled across a website "Thai Massage YQR", and discovered that Karen Piper, Senior Thai Massage Practitioner was looking to hire, as well as train ,students to be a part of her Team! 

As of May, 2022, Jayme will be recognized as a Thai Massage Practitioner with Thai Massage Level 1 & 2 through Thai Massage YQR School and will be accepting new clients. Included in her services will be Thai Massage on the Table.I have recently moved to Regina from Thailand and am thrilled to be offering my services in Thai Massage at Thai Massage YQR.  

Cristie Croissant

Thai Massage Practitioner

Cristie has always been an active person. She played competitive sports as a kid then started running as an adult.  She has run 12 half marathons and 1 full marathon all here in Saskatchewan.  She has always been the type of person who took her workout to the last possible minute then headed out the door without any stretching! 

Then came her 40’s!! After 25+ years of being physically active & not stretching, things finally caught up to her. She spent a year managing back pain through traditional massage, physio & chiro with very little reprieve from the pain. She had never heard of Thai massage before then saw it on social media so decided to give it a try. After just 5 Thai massages and a few months of regular stretching, she had no pain.  She now realizes the importance of taking a step back, stretching regularly including yin yoga partnered with monthly Thai massage to help keep her body mobile & pain free.  

Cristie has recently taken her 200 Hr yoga certification with an additional 20 Hr certification in Yin Yoga. Yin Yoga will be her focus and plans to start teaching yin yoga classes very soon. 

Cristie has also received her Thai Massage Level 1 & 2, Thai Foot Reflexology through Thai Massage YQR School and Thai Table certification with Banyan Thai Massage Academy in professional association with ITM International Training Massage School of Chiang Mai, Thailand. She is excited to start helping people with their mobility & find balance.    

Ashley Hodgkin

Thai Massage Practitioner

I am a passionate bodyworker dedicated to holistic well-being and the art of healing. I offer a range of nourishing treatments including Thai Massage, herbal compress massage, fire cupping, and cupping facials for health and beauty. I previously owned Sadhana Yoga Studio in Weyburn, SK, and have been involved in the health and wellness industry since 2007.

My journey into the world of Thai massage began in 2014, when I experienced my first Thai Massage at a beachside studio in southern Thailand. This encounter sparked a fascination with Thai healing traditions. Synchronistically, later that year during a yoga teacher training I was introduced to a brilliant Thai Massage teacher named Kristin Nuttal and was able to learn some basic techniques that I found to be very useful in my yoga classes. 

This inspired me to spend the following Spring season in Pemberton BC with her, learning Thai Medical Massage in the Lana Tradition and Thai Fire Cupping. Over the next few years I immersed myself in the practice of these healing traditions, loving the impact that they had on my students and clients. I have always had a love for helping people find freedom and ease in their bodies, and with Thai Massage and fire cupping I found I was able to raise that experience to a whole new level. 

I eventually went on to obtain my herbal compress accreditation, and have found it to be incredibly effective in enhancing my treatments. 

My teacher taught me that Thai Massage is in essence the physical application of Metta. According to the Brahmaviharas in Buddhist philosophy, Metta is one of the four divine states of mind. It is the practice of cultivating boundless love and goodwill for all beings. It involves wishing for happiness, well-being, and freedom from suffering for oneself and others. It is an antidote to ill-will and anger.

I love this approach, because through regularly connecting to this intention - the intention to embody Metta and channel it into my sessions to offer to my clients - I am able to regularly experience the benefits of this state of mind in my own life. I cherish the results achieved through this work. Witnessing the alleviation of pain, the enhancement of physical freedom, and overall well-being of my clients is my greatest reward. 

I took great joy in practicing in Weyburn for several years as a solo practitioner before relocating to Regina, and am now thrilled to become part of the vibrant Thai Massage YQR community and be surrounded by people who share my love of Thai Massage and the healing arts!

Dominika Deneve

Thai Massage Practitioner

This mindful mama’s mindset and approach is driven by her passion to create and sustain an intentional holistic lifestyle. For years she had struggled to find balance and to truly be open to her authentic self. A journey through vulnerable self-discovery, meditation, bodywork, self-love, and the concept of mind-body-spirit connection* over the years, led her to the decision it was time to make a change and get clear on her purpose.

Introduced to Thai Yoga Massage mid-year, 2022, Dominika instantly felt connected to one of the world’s oldest and dynamic healing therapies.  A fellow yogi, mama, and a student of life was captivated by the rhythmic link with yoga-like postures and stretches. There was a natural flow of interest in learning more about our bodies own ability to heal, as a result of Thai massage treatments.

Dominika has recently completed her Traditional Thai Massage Level 1, 2, 3 and Foot Reflexology through Thai Massage YQR School.

“I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to work with client’s and customize the experience to their specific needs, using this natural healing therapy that fits all ages, genders, and body types. My goal is to enhance one’s life with a sustainable alternative approach to your body’s own ability to heal itself."

*The concept of mind-body-spirit connection: that we are all more than just our thoughts, we are also our bodies, our emotions, and our spirituality – combined, shapes our identity, determines our health, and makes up who we are.

 “Your body responds to the way you think, feel and act”. 

~ Unknown

Kristy Apodaca

Thai Massage Practitioner

Kristy Apodaca - Thai Foot Reflexologist and Massage Therapist, Reiki master, yoga instructor, also a performance artist, educator, and director. She is proud to be part of the therapist team at Thai Massage YQR.

Kristy is a creatrix, trail blazer, and healer. She has a deep intuitive awareness and connection to spirit. 

She is co-founder of Tribal Vibes Wild Fire productions with her soulmate, Buzzroc. A wild tribal circus infused with world music and dance. They produce energetic performances including: fire dance, LED light shows and snake dancing.

TVWF runs a Healing Centre that is home base for their creative work and offer; yoga, sound healing, drum circles, and dance classes.

www.tvwfhealingcentre.com 

Deb Hansen

Thai Massage Practitioner

To me nothing is as important as health! First we must take care of ourselves to be able to take care of others. To be healthy and fit to do all of the amazing things that we want to do. The world has so much to offer.

I have been a Registered Dental Assistant for 42 years so helping people to feel better and not be in pain has been very important for most of my life.

I have been passionate about health and fitness all of my adult life. Wanting to share this with others I became an SPRA certified fitness instructor in 1991 and still continue to teach fitness. Running also became one of my favourite activities. So easy to go for a run anywhere great way to clear your mind. Running so many half marathons, a few fulls and triathlons, tough mudders. So much fun but I found I needed to take better care of myself and found Pilates to balance me out. I became a Fully Certified Stott Pilates instructor in 2021. I find it so rewarding to help others feel better and to see them get stronger and have better mobility.

I had my first Thai Massage with Karen 2 years ago and felt so wonderful after. The massage and assisted stretching was exactly what I was missing. When I found out Karen was now teaching others Thai Massage here in Regina I thought here is another way I can help others to feel better.

Thai Massage is a great way to maintain mobility and flexibility and has so many other health benefits. As we age and we need to work harder at maintaining our flexibility so we can move easier and with less pain.

Hopefully still tying our own shoes when we are 100!!!

Derek Anderson

Apprentice Thai Massage Practitioner

“How did I get here?”

Years ago while trying to pay for university I spent a few summers working in the NWT. While there I completed a Shiatsu workshop and went on giving massages to friends and acquaintances. Never fully certain of the validity all the content, I did note when my friend/patients revealed just how tired they were the day following a treatment. In class we were coached that “fatigue was from the flushing of toxins from the muscles back into the blood stream.”

I like to keep an open mind. The history of Canadian culture is a pretty thin book comparatively, and I have learned it is hard to argue with 10,000 years of Asian values and customs.

Nonetheless, I became a fan. It was not until recently when receiving my first formal Thai massage from YQR’s ever so capable Jayme Ast that I learned of YQR’s ability to provide Thai massage instruction by means of their Affiliate Instructor Karen Piper. I went all in.

Today I find myself working with real clients. I am really enjoying myself. I am among some really intriguing and talented coworkers, and still asking myself “how did I get here?”

Tammy Tincher, RMT

Certified Sports Massage Therapist, Certified Holistic Health Practitioner and Registered Massage Therapist.

Tammy is a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner and RMT, also certified as a Jikiden Reiki Teacher, Meditation teacher has fun teaching introductory classes in Qi Gong and is a Journeyperson Red Seal Chef (Vegan & Vegetarian Cuisine) specializing in whole foods cooking.

Tammy has 33 years of experience in the healing arts industry. She initially studied at the International Profession School of Bodywork and graduated in 1991. She also studied at the Western College of Remedial Massage Therapy, graduating in 2015. She has 3500 hours of Massage Therapy training & Education.

After successfully upgrading and completing the two year massage therapy program in Regina at the Western College of Remedial Massage Therapy in only 13 months, Tammy was given the Don Bennett award at graduation. This award is given to students who have shown extreme dedication and devotion to the study of massage therapy despite overwhelming circumstances.

Tammy loves helping people get relief from pain.

She also makes the best carrot cake you will ever experience.

She named her Morkie puppy Kokonut.

Toni Wilkie

Student Thai Massage Practitioner

My initial journey into the world of Thai massage began with a mere interest, a curiosity to explore a different form of holistic healing. Little did I know that this initial spark of curiosity would ignite a profound love for the practice. As I delved deeper into the art of Thai massage, I discovered its transformative power in promoting relaxation, healing, and well-being. The graceful flow of movements, the harmonious connection between therapist and client, and the holistic approach to health and balance fascinated me. It's not just a profession; it's a calling, an art, and a way of life that I've fallen in love with, and I am continually inspired by the positive impact it has on the lives of those I have the honor of working with.

I have recently completed my Traditional Thai Massage Levels 1 & 2, Thai Foot Reflexology & 13 Sydnromes through Thai Massage YQR Academy.

My professional journey has been a diverse and dynamic one, starting with a career as a welder inspector and later becoming a self-employed daycare owner. These seemingly unrelated roles have not only enriched my life but have also significantly contributed to my growth as a Thai massage therapist.

As a welder inspector, I spent years scrutinizing welds for structural integrity and quality. This role honed my attention to detail, precision, and the ability to recognize imperfections that might escape the untrained eye. These qualities have proven invaluable in my transition to Thai massage therapy. Just as I once meticulously examined welds, I now bring the same level of scrutiny to my clients' bodies, identifying subtle imbalances and areas of tension that require attention during a massage session.

Safety and well-being were paramount in my daycare business. Creating a secure and nurturing environment for young children required an unwavering commitment to their safety and comfort. This focus on safety has carried over into my practice as a Thai massage therapist, where I prioritize creating a secure space for clients to relax and heal. This ensures that they can fully trust the therapeutic process, which is especially vital in Thai massage where deep stretching and bodywork are involved.

My diverse background as a welder inspector and self-employed daycare owner has uniquely prepared me for my role as a Thai massage therapist. The precision, safety consciousness, empathy, and holistic perspective gained from these experiences have all come together to enhance my abilities in the field of holistic healing. I aspire to bring a unique and well-rounded approach to each massage session, providing my clients with the utmost care, comfort, and therapeutic benefit.

Taylor Kelln

Student Thai Massage Practitioner

Hi! My name is Taylor and I’m so excited to join the team here at Thai Massage YQR!

A little bit about me, I spent most of my early twenties backpacking and working as a tour guide in Southeast Asia where I very quickly fell in love with Thailand- the beautiful culture, people, food, landscapes, and, of course, Thai massage. Thailand became a very special place to me and I’ve longed to find a way to reconnect with it ever since I moved back home.

Since that time I’ve had a great interest in exploring the mind/body connection as well different healing modalities, both physical and energetic. I’ve wanted to find a way help and serve others and finding Karen and Thai Massage YQR brought this desire together with my love for Thailand.

I look forward to exploring this exciting new path with the incredible team at Thai Massage YQR!

Mike Rattachart

Student Thai Massage Practitioner

Originally from Thailand, often referred to as the "land of massage," I have always been deeply passionate about massage therapy. In Thailand, I frequented various massage shops, absorbing diverse styles and techniques from numerous skilled masseuses. This experience fueled my interest in massage, leading me to often practice on my wife and other family members, always aiming to understand how to tailor massages to individual needs. This quest for knowledge led me to enroll in the Wat Po & Chetawan Professional Training Program in Bangkok, a decision driven by my desire to enhance my skills and knowledge in a field I hadn't realized could shape my career in Canada until I met Karen in Regina.

Before moving to Canada in 2021, I spent seven years as an associate professor at Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University in Thailand, focusing on statistics and South East Asian Studies. My academic journey also took me to India, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia for research and work, deepening my interest in the rich massage culture prevalent across Asia.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover a Thai massage course in Regina, offered by Thai Massage YQR and taught by Affiliate Instructor Karen Piper. This opportunity rekindled my training in massage therapy and marked the beginning of my professional journey in this field in Canada. I am now a proud member of the Natural Health Practitioners of Canada.

My approach to massage therapy is to treat each client with the same care and attention I would offer a family member. I am eager to share all that I have learned with my clients, advocating Thai Massage as an incredible method for deep relaxation, maintaining flexibility, and offering numerous other wellness benefits.

Clint MacNab - LPN - Saskatoon Location

Apprentice - Thai Massage Practitioner

Clint grew up on a cattle ranch near Mervin, Saskatchewan. He began his career as a lifeguard and swimming instructor, first at Turtle Lake and then in Saskatoon. In 2007, Clint moved to the West Coast where he became Licensed Practical Nurse, which he still enjoys practicing today.

As an avid yogi and an LPN, Clint found Thai Massage to be the perfect therapeutic combination of stretching and healing touch. In the fall of 2022, Clint enrolled in Thai Massage YQR Academy. He has recently completed Thai Massage Levels 1, 2, & 3, Foot Reflexology and 13 Syndromes.

He is now looking forward to practicing Thai Massage in the new Saskatoon location !