Sharpening the Claws

January 6 – 18, 2026

12-day Zenthai Post Graduate Gathering

with Osteopathic & East Asian Insights
Sien Reap, Cambodia

Zenthai Post Grad Retreat - Cambodia

Dr. Haidee Benning (Osteopath) is your host for this Cambodia gathering, bringing 30years of clinical experience. Sally Meredith & Yuta Takahara (leaders of the VIC Zenthai Program) will be accompanying.

An opportunity to enhance your Zen Thai Shiatsu Practice with daily classes that are jam packed with Osteopathic and traditional East Asian cultural wisdom for assimilation and integration.

A sharpening of your claws... This offering highlights a process of mastery and adaptability.

Experience a practical and detailed understanding of anatomy and physiology with Dr Haidee Benning (Osteopath), with an emphasis on refining your assessment, diagnostic and palpation skills and building confidence in your ability to develop treatment plans and support our clients with 'take home' rehabilitation and management advice “off the mat”.

Deepen your understanding of the East Asian roots of our Zenthai practice through learning about the Khmer civilisation (both past and present), Hinduism and Buddhism, and being introduced to some of the traditional medicine practices still used to this day that date back to vedic times and the ancient Angkor Period.

As our knowledge of the body and its physiology from both a western medical and traditional eastern perspective grows, the goal is that our enhanced wisdom will better inform our own intuitive and creative flow in living practice. As we learn, integrate and abide by these principles, our capacity to facilitate a deeply healing, nurturing and supportive experience magnifes.

12 days in the Angkor Empire of Siem Reap, Cambodia

Join us to explore the incredible UNESCO world heritage site of Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world. Originally a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu which later became a Buddhist site.

During our time in Siem Reap, we will visit many other amazing temple complexes including Angkor Tom, Bayon, and Ta Prohm to name a few. We will also visit one of the most revered spiritual sites in Cambodia, Phnom Kulen, a pilgrimage mountain for the Cambodian people.

We have a beautiful large home in a quiet area of Siem Reap. It is only a short Tuk Tuk ride (10min max) to downtown / pub street / riverside area where all the action is.

There are two different room options, twin share ($3600AUD), or single room to yourself ($3750AUD).
Each bedroom has an aircon unit, and its own ensuite.

The practice area / learning area is also air-conditioned.

Couples are welcome and cots / baby mattresses on the floor for babies / little ones are also available at a small additional cost.

Where: Shanti Agung, Jasri, Bali, Indonesia

When: March 15 – 27, 2025

Investment: $2,750 AUD
Covers twin share accommodation and all meals, local program, and all printed manuals and video resources. Option to upgrade to private room at an extra cost.

Limited spaces available.
Acceptance into the class is not automatic. Please take your time with your application and allow your answers to come through with authenticity.

Once your application has been considered and then approved, you will receive an email with more details on the immersion and how to secure your place with your deposit.

2025 changes

We have refined and condensed the class from 19 days to 12 days, as we feel this will support everyone’s energy levels and capacity on many levels. Since 2024, we have reduced the number of participants to 24. This allows for more individualised attention for each participant, and supports the intimate setting required for our cultural classes with the local community.

Please note: This will likely mean the places fill up quickly...so if you are ready to commit and apply – now is better than later!

Prior experience in Zenthai Shiatsu is required.

"It is our hope that you will integrate this wisdom and ultimately transcend these principles to seamlessly incorporate them into your own approach to treatment, service of others, and for life in general!"

~ With warmth and smiles from Haidee, Sally and Yuta