Bahn Thai Spa

Opened September 2014, Bahn Thai Spa is a traditional Thai massage and wellness centre as well as a school for professional and recreational Thai massage. Founder and instructor Kate Armstrong previously ran her own corporate firm when she finally “hit a wall.” When her sister became ill with cancer, Kate felt overcome with anxiety. She would offer her massage as a gesture of compassion. “I’ve always been attracted to the art of touch,” Kate explains. "With massage, for 20 minutes a day, a person can forget what they’re experiencing and relax to feel bliss.”

Kate had travelled to Thailand before and loved receiving Thai massage. She finally decided to take a teacher training course in Chang Mai, Thailand. “Halfway through, I had that epiphany, that this is now my life," Kate recalls. "I didn’t just want to practice. I wanted to teach.”

Kate was inspired to teach families struggling with mental or physical illness to engage and empower them to feel they’re doing something to help. “There’s nothing worse than wanting to help, but feeling powerless and not able to.” Upon returning to Toronto, Kate opened Bahn Thai Spa and has been building a community of like-minded people since.