Ilaria Bertuola
ABOUT
Thai yoga Massage & Bodywork
My Thai massage journey began in 2011, and it quickly became central to my life and work. I found the healing process incredibly deep for myself, and knew I had stumbled into something really precious for my life. Thai massage gifted me with a sacred container for the relationship I was rebuilding with my body the bodies of others.
My training has been extensive and largely connected to the international School of TYM Sunshine Network.
I studied at the Lahu Village with Andrea Baglioni, Kaline Alayna Kelly, Nicki Smith, and other Sunshine teachers. In Chiang Mai, I also trained in Chi Nei Tsang (abdominal massage) and completed Advanced Therapeutic Thai Massage at the Sunshine School, with a focus on therapeutic applications and injury-related work.
A beautiful part of my training was the Thai Circus, a one-month residential bodywork immersion, where I studied with Arno L’Hermitte (Osteo Thai), Gwyn Williams (Zen Thai), Kaline Alayna Kelly, and Itzhak Helman. This experience deepened my understanding of anatomy and movement-based therapeutic work.
Back in Italy, I started my practice Karuna Thai Massage - Karuna means ‘compassion’ in ancient Pali language.
I then studied with and assisted Matteo Lucchini, focusing on therapeutic applications of Thai massage for injuries.
I trained extensively with senior Sunshine Network teacher Laurino Bertelli, assisting in beginner courses, advanced energy line courses, and advanced side-position courses with Balatz Nemeth too.
I had the honour to host and assist many of Laurino's courses at my place, followed up with a three days silent meditation retreat afterwards. I hold those days as dearest memories in my heart and very formative moments for my practice.
In the same time period I studied dynamic Thai massage with David Lutt and Takis.
Teaching Thai Massage
I have been teaching Thai massage since 2016, when one of the teachers I was assisting encouraged mee to do so. I feel grateful beyond words for this path.
From the beginning, teaching and learning have gone hand in hand: while teaching, I continued training, assisting, and refining my own practice. I feel honoured to have witnessed many students grow in their own bodywork practice.
One of the aspects I value most in teaching Thai massage is the community that forms around the training. This has always been one of the most meaningful parts of my work: witnessing a supportive network of like-minded
practitioners growing around the courses. That sense of shared practice and mutual support remains central to how I approach teaching.
Cyclical Awareness & Women’s Embodiment
My work is rooted in long-term study and practice of Thai massage, alongside facilitation of cyclical awareness and embodiment work for women. These strands have developed in parallel and continue to inform each other, the magic of one slipping into the other.
I hold a degree in Medieval History, with a dissertation on the history of heresy and mysticism focused on Marguerite Porete, a beguine and mystic burnt at the stake for heresy in the late Middle Ages. Alongside my interest in bodywork, this academic background very much shaped my interest in women’s spirituality.
In 2012, I began facilitating women’s circles and workshops on women's spirituality. I have worked with shamans in the context of feminine and ritual work and am a certified Red Tent facilitator through Deanna L’am.
I studied Well Woman Yoga Therapy and Pregnancy Yoga Teacher Training with Uma Dinsmore-Tuli, which supported a deeper understanding of female physiology, hormonal health, and the changing magic of women across life stages.
It’s my absolute honour to facilitate women’s retreats in Ireland and Italy, workshops on cyclical wisdom and menstrual awareness, and glorious monthly gatherings in East Clare, sitting in circle with incredible women.
On a personal note
I have a deep love for DANCE, that fills my life with joy! I am proudly part of two dance projects here in East Clare (Ireland): a 5 Rhythms-inspired practice that meets weekly, and a Balfolk dance project that brings together dancers and
musicians in a community-based setting. I absolutely adore my dance communities! Thank you for existing.
I became a mother to an incredible daughter in 2021, and this experience has changed me and my work in incredible, deep and unexpected ways. Motherhood has influenced how I relate to care deeply, and continues to shape my approach to bodywork, teaching, and facilitation.
