Behind AKYN : : Meet Cass

Photographed by Francesca Whyte

Hello I’m Cass, the hands and heart behind AKYN.

My work has grown from a lifelong curiosity about the natural world and the ways it quietly supports us. Over time, that curiosity became a daily practice of slowing down, paying attention, and connecting with what grows around me. What I share through AKYN is shaped by this path, one rooted in presence, relationship, and continual my ever continuing learning.

Here are the 3 pillars that have shaped my offerings….

Zenthai Shiatsu: Listening with the whole body

Zenthai Shiatsu is a practice that has shaped me in profound ways. It draws from Traditional Chinese Medicine, Thai Massage, Osteopathic Techniques, and Zen Shiatsu, guided by a simple principle: everything in the body is in conversation with everything else.

Sessions aren’t about fixing or forcing. They’re an invitation to pause, soften, and reconnect with your own rhythms. No two treatments look the same, they respond to the person in front of me, and what the body communicates in the moment. Some sessions feel dynamic and energising; others could be slow, grounding, and spacious.

What I love most about this practice is the way it guides people back to themselves. Through touch, breath, and mindful movement, space begins to open space for clarity, and a sense of arriving home within your own body.

Photographed by Francesca Whyte

Elemental Herbalism: A relationship with the land

Herbalism, for me, is an ongoing relationship. It’s shaped by the elements Earth, Air, Fire, & Water and by the understanding that each plant carries qualities that reflect these rhythms.

I work with homegrown and wild-harvested plants. Whether I’m tending to a garden bed, gathering in the forest, or preparing a tincture, the process feels like a conversation with the seasons.

Some plants ground us. Some uplift. Some support digestion, warmth, flow, or clarity. None promise quick fixes; instead, they offer steady companionship when used with intention and respect.

As the colder months settle in, I often find myself working with St John’s Wort, a plant that brings warmth and brightness to the cooler seasons.

Yoga: Movement as a conversation

Yoga has been a steady companion in my life. It’s where I return when I need clarity, grounding, or the simple reminder to breathe. Whether it’s Vinyasa or Hatha, yoga is a way for me to connect breath with movement, and movement with presence.

Stepping onto the mat isn’t about me achieving a particular shape. It’s about meeting myself where I am, honouring my energy on that day, and creating room to listen. Some practices feel strong and expressive; others are gentle. Both have a place, and I choose to listen to my body in that present moment.

AKYN: A weaving of practices

AKYN is a space where these modalities meet. Zenthai Shiatsu, Elemental Herbalism, and Yoga. They each offer something different, yet they share a common thread: connection.

Connection to your body
Connection to nature
Connection to the cyclic rhythms that shape us

Whether you’re receiving a treatment, joining a workshop, sipping a tea, or adding a few drops of a tincture into your day, my hope is that these offerings meet you gently and support you in ways that feel grounding and accessible.

I’m grateful you’re here, and grateful to walk this path alongside you.

Let’s continue to support each other in our collective growth.

With love,
Cass

Photographed by Francesca Whyte