The Mudita TeamDave Hoyle
Dave leads the practitioners course at Mudita. Dave began his Thai Yoga Massage journey 24 years ago, being drawn to this ancient art from his passions for tai chi and yoga.
During that time he was also immersed in 5 years of Waldorf Movement Studies and taught in a Steiner School as a movement and PE teacher for many years. He is also a qualified yoga teacher and in the past focused on teaching restorative yoga, which shares so many aspects of Thai Yoga Massage. He is also a qualified Qigong teacher which informs so much of his Thai Massage practice and teaching alongside tai chi fundamentals. Dave began to study and then onto co-teach with his great friend and mentor Ralf Marzen 10 years ago. Dave shares the philosophy with Ralf, that the beauty and effectiveness of healing touch lie within the detail of technique and mindfulness and exploration of oneself. Over the years, Dave has been privileged to study with many other great teachers across Europe and Asia, including Asokonanda, Pichet Boonthumme, David Lutt, Rosemary Wallace, Takis, Kam Thye Chow and Kira Balaskas. Dave loves to bring a playful element, wherever possible and beyond all things, to share his passions in life in the quest of a devotional life in service. Lauren Grove
Lauren brings warmth, dedication and a wonderful gentle sense of humour to her role as an assistant teacher at the Mudita School, where she supports Dave in both the Practitioner Training and Advanced Courses. Her journey in Thai Yoga Massage began seven years ago and through ongoing intensive study with Dave and Ralf, and additional study in Shin Tai Shiatsu, continues to build a strong foundation in bodywork that she loves to share with fellow students.
Her long thriving career as a yoga instructor since 2010, teaching Vinyasa Flow and Anusara Yoga, has given her valuable insights into body mechanics and mindful movement. Through leading yoga retreats, regular classes and private students, she has developed a natural ability to intuitively read and support students' individual needs, making her guidance both precise and deeply personalised. Lauren's experience as a meditation teacher adds another valuable dimension to her understanding of therapeutic practice. This contemplative background influences her approach to both giving treatments and supporting students in their learning journey. She is always in demand in her professional Thai Yoga Massage practice in Ashtead, Surrey, where she continues to deepen her practical experience. Ralf Marzen
Ralf Marzen, the visionary founder and director of Mudita School of Thai Yoga Massage, stands as one of the West's most distinguished and influential teachers in the field of Thai yoga massage. His transformative journey in Eastern healing arts and spiritual traditions, spanning over three decades, began in the early 90s and has evolved into a profound synthesis of ancient wisdom and modern therapeutic approaches.
As a direct student of the legendary Asokananda, a pioneering master of Thai Yoga Massage, Ralf earned the rare distinction of becoming one of his principal co-teachers. His dedication to mastering this ancient art led him to study with revered Thai masters Chaiyuth Pryasith and Pichet Boonthumme, enriching his practice with authentic traditional knowledge passed down through generations. What sets Ralf apart is his unique ability to bridge Eastern and Western healing paradigms. With a degree in psychology and advanced training in Somatic Experiencing (SE) and NARM, he weaves together traditional wisdom with contemporary therapeutic understanding. This exceptional integration allows students to develop not just technical proficiency, but a deep, holistic understanding of healing arts. His credentials speak to his mastery: a Senior Teacher with the Sunshine Network and an accredited instructor with Thai Healing Alliance International (THAI), Ralf has shaped countless practitioners' journeys as a head instructor and teacher trainer at the prestigious Sunshine Massage School in Chiang Mai, Thailand. His own School, Mudita has been based at Stillpoint Studio in London for the last 25 years bringing the highest level of training into the UK. His expertise has garnered recognition from major media outlets, including The Sunday Telegraph, The Guardian, The Daily Mail, Health and Fitness, and OM Magazine. In recent years, Ralf has expanded his healing repertoire and now focuses on trauma therapy, establishing himself as an internationally acclaimed NARM Trauma practitioner and teacher. This additional dimension adds profound depth to his understanding of the body-mind connection and its role in healing. While now primarily focused on his international work in trauma healing, Ralf continues to occasionally share his wisdom with the Mudita community through the Practitioners Course in London. His presence, wherever possible, offers students a rare opportunity to learn from a master who embodies both the ancient traditions of Thai Yoga Massage and Trauma related therapeutic approaches, creating a truly transformative learning experience. |
"Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared."
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