Our Staff

Juan Villa Owner, Master Practitioner

I’ve been practicing energy work for over 30 years. I was introduced to Thai Massage by Deanna, and found it to be the best experience of any body work I have received or given. I have been studying Thai Massage for over ten years and have studied in Canada and Thailand. In addition to Thai Massage, I am a Reiki master and I practice Craniosacral. I love the energy of the massage and the results that the clients show. I love to see my clients grow physically, emotionally and mentally through our work with Thai Massage. Those are rewarding moments for me. When a client comes in I have to put his or her needs before my own and think, act and feel in terms of them. Doing that on a regular basis helps me grow emotionally and strengthens my understanding of humanity. The key elements of being able to help someone through Thai Massage are: touch, energy, thought, and feeling. Once I lay my hands on the client, I read the energy, which helps point to where I should go. The thought of demonstrating metta (loving kindness) towards my client and feeling or sensing the client’s needs allow me to tailor the massage for the client.

Nutjaree Saengan Senior Practitioner

I am originally from Bangkok, Thailand. Growing up, I used to do Thai Massage for my grandmother, but I never thought of it as Thai Massage because it has been a part of our way of life for generations. While working as a cosmetician in a spa, my clients would ask me if I did Thai Massage because I am Thai. I saw Thai Massage as something I could do, and in 2006 I went home to Thailand and studied Thai Massage in the famous Wat Pho temple. When I came back, I felt peace in helping and healing people, making them feel better. Thai massage is mutually beneficial, helping my client’s and good for me. It allows me to share the loving kindness with someone who is looking for this treatment. Thai massage is body work AND mind work. I am a Buddhist and I have learned about energy transference, and I can feel a connection with my clients through Thai Massage. I am also a yoga instructor and I practice hot stone massage, reflexology and Chinese medicine.
I continued my training here with Deanna at TMT in advanced Thai Massage techniques and continue to grow in my practice.

Nancy Kish Senior Practitioner

In 2005, yoga became a big part of my life learning and understanding the relationship between body, mind and spirit. In 2008, I was introduced to Pilates and became an instructor.  In 2009, looking for a new career, I found and studied Thai Massage. Now I’m helping people, hands on, to achieve relaxation through a series of yoga type stretches, muscle compression and joint mobilization. Studying under the guidance of Deanna Villa – Toronto,    Bob Haddad – North Carolina, Shivagakormarpaj – Thailand, I am a Licensed Holistic Practitioner, Certified Thai Massage Practitioner. A member in good standing with the Natural Health Practitioners of Canada (NHPC) & Thai Healing Alliance International (THAI).  In 2011, I have attained my certificate in Reiki level 2 and travelled to Thailand. All this seems to be a good fit; it keeps me in the health services and helping people, I can say this is my new journey.

I have always had an active lifestyle with family and friends. I can be found downhill skiing in the winter, gardening in the summer; in between I teach Pilates and knitting. I find balance with meditation, yoga and good friends.

Mieke Gilbert Senior Practitioner                                                   

I began my Thai Massage training with Deanna Villa in 2004. In addition to completing advanced practitioner training at TMT and becoming a Holistic Practitioner, I have a background in elite athletics, hold a degree in Physical and Health Education from University of Toronto and have professional sales and marketing experience in the orthopedic medical industry. This unique background has been broadened by training in Cranio Sacral Therapy,  completing a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction course and deepening my yoga practice. In 2007, I joined TMT and instructed anatomy courses here at the school and continued to cultivate my Thai Massage training through my practice here at the massage centre while joyfully raising two children.  My sensitivity, caring nature and technical knowledge integrate with my practice of mindfulness cultivate and support compassionate healing for clients.

Tanya Elchuk  Practitioner

I found my way to Thai Massage at Thai Massage Toronto after having had an interest in bodywork and the healing arts for a number of years.  I felt immediately at home in this modality and its holistic approach.  My background in theatre, dance and yoga equips me with a first-hand understanding of the body’s mobility, limitations and possibility, as well as the interconnectedness of the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.  As a certified Reiki practitioner, I am experienced at intuitively guiding a client through a session with gentle efficacy.  I appreciate the value Thai Massage places on mindfulness and meditation, enabling the practitioner to be fully present and uniquely responsive to each client.  It is my great joy and calling to be able to aid people on their journeys, be that by easing stress and tension to lighten their burden, helping them to find their way back into themselves and their bodies, or by expanding their idea of what is possible, in movement and in life.

Deanna Villa Master Practitioner

I began my massage practice in 1998 and began teaching in 2002.  I am grateful to have studied Thai Massage in Thailand, the United States and in Canada.  I live and breathe Thai Massage, the principals of loving kindness and compassion resonate for me and have helped me grow as a person.
I am always a practitioner first, connecting well with others, sensing and evolving in the dance of this dynamic, ancient therapy.   It’s a privilege to lay hands on a client and have them feel safe under my hands. We’re all so starved to be open and unafraid with each other and to experience metta (loving kindness) through a compassionate touch. That is the magic equation in Thai Massage. I believe Thai Massage can heal the world: one person lovingly working on another person is how we can bring peace in the world. I am an intuitive, compassionate and experienced body worker, tailoring sessions to the clients needs. After a session many client’s mention feeling clarity, peace and balance, I am grateful for these opportunities to connect and help others, this is my life’s work and nourishes the soul.