“Love is guiding you.”

I pulled into the driveway of Therese’s delightful slice of Raglan paradise and was instantly overwhelmed by the beauty of her space.

The Tui Cabin is a cozy, peacefully and thoughtfully designed healing room. Through the windows heavily-laden plum trees peered in from an expanse of lush gardens. The sound of the tuis throughout my time here was clearly the inspiration for the cabin’s name.

Therese practices intuitive massage. She is well versed in many therapies, but it is clear that she is guided from the heart.

The massage table was set up with a bowl of essential oils and two flowers that Therese picked for me from her garden. After a cup of herbal tea, she invited me to choose a few oils that appealed to me.

The massage began with Therese guiding me through some simple and accessible breathing exercises that were meditative and similar to body scanning work. I then experienced an hour of massage, that was both calming and relaxing (at one point I nearly fell asleep) and deeply restorative as she found all of my aches and knots.

I experience pain in my back on a daily basis, and I can say that now, days after the massage, I am still feeling freer and less tense. The massage ended with grounding breath work and a closing meditation, and I really loved how Therese wove reference to our maunga Karioi and the sea into this.

I found this experience to be therapeutic at a physical, emotional and spiritual level. Therese has a warmth and a nurturing energy that permeates the space, and the love and intention with which the Tui Cabin was created makes therapy here a magical experience.

I would highly recommend you go see for yourself, gift a massage to a friend, or go together for the ultimate treat of a couple’s massage.

Q&A with Therese

What services do you offer?

Relaxation Massage, Therapeutic Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Craniosacral Therapy, Pregnancy Massage, Lymphatic Detox Massage, Myofascial Release.

Relaxing and therapeutic massage using rhythmic flowing combinations of massage and bodywork techniques to relieve stress and tension.

I’m currently working with the botanical wonders of Australian essential oils and NZ-grown sunflower oil. With 20 years experience as a physiotherapist, if you have any current injuries, chronic pain/dysfunction or health conditions, I can provide appropriate and individualised massage to rejuvenate areas of restriction and stimulate the body’s natural healing process.

One of my specialties is Abdominal Massage, Chi Nei Tsang. Abdominal Energy Detox Massage is from the Thai tradition, with roots in Taoism. This massage combines deep touch, breath and vocalisation to activate internal organs and energy meridians, and I also offer other gentle forms of abdominal massage. For special occasions Couples Massage and Four Hands Bliss Massage are a memorable and special treat.

Why is this work so important to you?

I value the potent healing properties of hands, natural gifts from the earth such as oils, herbs, flowers and crystals, beauty, rhythms of nature and healing energies such as love and gratitude. This is what I use for my own wellness currently and it’s what I now feel drawn to offer others. We are of the earth and when we align with the earth energies we invite vitality and harmony.

Could you tell us about how your interest in holistic healing began?

In 2005 I travelled to my ancestral lands of England, Ireland and Scotland. It awoke something in me and I came home a year later with a vegan diet, unintoxicated, open minded and connected to the earth. I began meditation and yoga.

I had been a physiotherapist and nurse in the mainstream health system for 10 years when I met a physiotherapist who used Steiner principles in his practice, an Anthroposophical Physiotherapist. Under his mentorship I learnt to develop my subtle skills and to weave together my holistic spiritual life and therapeutic work.

What obstacles did you face to get to where you are now and how did you overcome them?

I have recently manifested a long held dream of working from home surrounded by natural elements, close to the kitchen and garden, working for myself in the rhythms of nature, following the moon calendar and having lots of time for spirit work.

The biggest obstacles I faced in coming to this point in my life were my own doubts and fears. With the support of local therapists, guides, moon circles and the advice of close friends, I did the inner work to move through the fears of business being hard and doubts about whether I could thrive, and whether indeed it really was possible!

It all became crystal clear 2 years ago when my younger brother ended his life and my resolve to realise my dreams strengthened. Life is too short to procrastinate! From that point on my goal was clear and no obstacle that arose obscured the path towards my dream.

Who should seek your holistic wellness service?

Everyone is welcome. Human or non-human. It can be deep or light, fun or serious, long or short, one session or many, whatever you need. Special occasions, gift vouchers, group bookings and home visits welcome.

Could you share a wellbeing tip with the community?

This Hopi Prophesy comes to my mind: “This could be a good time! There is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold on to the shore. They will feel they are being torn apart and will suffer greatly. Know the river has its destination. The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, keep our eyes open, and our heads above the water… See who is in there with you and celebrate.”

If you could tell your younger self one thing what would it be?

Keep doing what you’re doing, it’s all good, love is guiding you.

– Experience & Q&A by Ronja Skandera