Karen Piper, CAPT, RTT

Senior Thai Massage Practitioner Saskatoon & Regina

Affiliate Instructor ITM International Massage Training School, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Affiliate Instructor Thai Yoga & Healing Arts Massage School, Bangkok, Thailand

My journey into Thai Massage has been as unexpected as it has been enriching. I started in Fashion Merchandising and Business Administration, navigating the vibrant worlds of Marketing and Sales in the late '80s. When my children were born, my career paused, but as they grew, I wanted to re-enter the workforce—this time, with a focus on flexibility and meaningful income to support my family as a single parent.

This led me to entrepreneurship, where I spent nine years running a Promotional Products company. Though successful, the stress became overwhelming, prompting me to sell the business. I stayed in sales but felt a growing desire for more soulful work.

In August 2019, as an avid marathon runner familiar with physical strain, I discovered Thai Massage. On a whim, I enrolled in ITM Massage School in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The 6-week intensive program was transformative, giving me not only new skills but also a renewed sense of purpose.

As the world faced Covid-19, I honed my craft with friends and eventually turned my passion into a professional practice. In 2022, I returned to Thailand to study under Master Kong at the Thai Yoga & Healing Arts Centre in Bangkok.

Today, as a graduate of the Certified Advanced Practitioners Training (CAPT), I am licensed to teach Thai Massage both in Canada and globally. My certifications include Thai Yoga & Healing Art, Thai Foot Reflexology, and Rue-Si Datton Thai Yoga.

This journey has transformed my career and personal ethos. I'm passionate about sharing the benefits of Thai Massage, enriching the lives of clients and students alike. My path from business professional to Thai Massage practitioner reflects my belief in change, wellness, and following your passion.

Sawaddee

Senior Thai Massage Practitioner

Practitioner of Medical and Ayuravate 

Nanny, originally from Thailand, has dedicated herself to mastering the art of traditional Thai healthcare, a practice with a rich 600-year history passed down through generations. Her passion for helping people alleviate pain knows no bounds.

After earning a university degree in administration, Nanny spent a decade in the hospitality industry, managing hotels and tours. In 2020, she pursued her true calling by enrolling in vocational Thai Massage at Chetawan Health School (Wat Po). There, she completed the school’s main courses in Professional Thai Massage, Professional Spa Therapy, and Foot Massage for Health.

Nanny then relocated to Canada, where she joined Thai Massage YQR. Over the past three years, she has continuously expanded her expertise, competing in a world-class Thai Massage competition in Toronto and attending workshops led by renowned teachers.

She has recently returned from Thailand (May, 2024) with new services including Thai Medical Massage, Mai Kod Ku Sarika - Thai Massage Sticks, and more!

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!

Senior Thai Massage Practitioner & Assisted Stretch Specialist

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.    

Senior Thai Massage Practitioner

I am a dedicated bodyworker focused on holistic well-being and the art of healing. I offer treatments such as Thai Massage, herbal compress massage, fire cupping, and cupping facials. I owned Sadhana Yoga Studio in Weyburn, SK, and have been in the health and wellness field since 2007.

My journey into Thai massage began in 2014 when I received my first session at a beachside studio in southern Thailand. This sparked a fascination with Thai healing traditions. Later that year, during yoga teacher training, I met Kristin Nuttal, a skilled Thai Massage teacher, and learned basic techniques I found useful in yoga classes.

Inspired, I spent the following spring in Pemberton, BC, learning Thai Medical Massage and Fire Cupping. Over the years, I immersed myself in these practices, loving their impact on my clients. Helping people find ease in their bodies is my passion, and Thai Massage and fire cupping enhanced that experience.

I later earned my herbal compress accreditation, which has proven to be highly effective in my treatments.

Thai Massage embodies the practice of Metta—cultivating boundless love and goodwill. Through this intention, I not only offer healing to clients but also experience personal growth. Seeing my clients find relief and well-being is my greatest reward.

After practicing solo in Weyburn, I am thrilled to now be part of the vibrant Thai Massage YQR community in Regina, surrounded by people who share my passion for the healing arts.

Thai Massage Practitioner

Brit’s enthusiasm for living a happy, balanced, and simple life is her foundation. These core values have always guided her personally and have guided her approach to working with others.

Brit has vast experience in the wellness and fitness space. She grew up as a competitivedancer and cheerleader, has had a dedicated weight lifting and yoga practice throughout her adult life, studied biology in university, is certified in yoga and mobility, and owned and operated yoga studios across the province of Saskatchewan for 8 years. Her expert knowledge of the body, mind, and beyond along with her ability to connect with people have allowed her to impact the lives of many.

More recently, Brit has trained to become a Thai Massage Practitioner. She has found great benefit in this practice as a supplement in her own life and as a supplement for her students and clients.

In a session with Brit you can expect a balance between deep relaxation and more active approaches. She has a way of helping others lean into their limits in an accessible and approachable way as she believes this is where we grow. Brit would be a great fit for the movement enthusiasts, athletes, and anyone looking to increase their mobility, those looking for pain relief, and anyone who wants to relax or who simply wants to find more balance in their life.

She can’t wait to practice with you!

My name is Jess Zaryski, and I’m delighted to join the Thai Massage YQR team as a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT). I recently completed my Remedial Massage Diploma at Western College of Remedial Massage, and I’m eager to bring my skills and passion for holistic health to our wonderful clients.

I have long been drawn to holistic health and well-being, both physically and mentally. In July 2019, I became a certified 200-hour yoga teacher. Through teaching yoga, I discovered how rewarding it is to help others feel better and guide them through their practice. Connecting with students in such a meaningful way brought me immense joy and inspired me to serve and help others even more, ultimately leading me to pursue massage therapy. Whether it's for stress relief, exploring the mind-body connection, maintaining mobility, or simply helping to relieve a stubborn knot, I am dedicated to providing the best care possible.

My first experience with Thai massage was during a backpacking trip in Thailand, and it left a lasting impression on me. The feeling of being stretched and rejuvenated was unforgettable, and I knew I wanted to incorporate this into my massage practice once I completed my studies. I am eager to finish the Thai massage courses and offer a hybrid treatment combining both modalities.

Currently, I am offering 60 and 90-minute massage sessions tailored to each client's needs, available Monday through Wednesday evenings. I look forward to bringing my skills and passion to the Thai Massage YQR team and our clients.

My name is Lacie Nilsen and I am thrilled to join the Thai Massage YQR team as a Registered Massage Therapist. (RMT)

 I have recently graduated from the Western College of Remedial Massage and am ready to put my skills to work and assist folks on their health and well being journey. 

For the past decade I have been training and working as a Physical and Occupational Therapist Assistant and currently work at the province's trauma center, RGH, helping patients recovery from their injuries and surgeries. I am also a trained 200 hour Hatha Yoga Teacher and 100 hour Yin and Restorative Teacher, with a level 1 Reiki training under my belt as well.

Educating myself and my community around the vast knowledge that is wellness is one of my greatest passion. I believe there is great wisdom in the balance and blend of Eastern and Western ways at looking at health and well being. 

 If I am not at work you can find me on the volleyball court, tennis court, hitting the slopes or hiking the trails with my husky and lab pittie. I understand the demands of an active lifestyle and am dedicating in helping patients keep their bodies and minds in a harmonious state to live out there passions and day to day activities. 

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!!!

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.

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?”

Student Thai Massage Practitioner