Our Team
Dr. Tracy Thomson, HBSc,MD, CCFP, CYT, CMedAc.
Is a medical doctor in Canmore and is certified (with distinction by the Alberta College of Physicians and Surgeons) as a “Specialist in Family Medicine”, GP Anesthesia, Medical Acupuncture, Medical Qi Kung instruction and Yoga. She is currently completing her certification with The American College of Anti-Aging, Regeneration and Functional Medicine and is undertaking a Masters Degree in Nutritional and Metabolic Medicine at the University of South Florida. She continues to study with Dr. Carlos de Leon to understand the role of spirituality in medicine.
President and Medical Director of Gaia Collaborative Medicine in Canmore Alberta, she assesses and treats clients holistically including giving workshops on life balance, nutrition, Chi Kung, stress reduction, bio-identical hormones, anti-aging and brain health. She also has been identified by the Canadian Medical Foundation as an expert in physician health and primary prevention and is passionate about “healing the healers”.
Dr. Thomson is one of just a few individuals in the world who incorporate the principles and teachings of Physicians, Yogis, and Traditional Chinese Medicine into modern day healthcare.
Dr. Saskia Acton (MD)
Comes to Gaia with 20 years of experience in family medicine. She began her training with an undergraduate degree in biochemistry from the university of Victoria, and went on to obtain her M.D. at U.B.C. Following internship in Calgary, she began a rewarding career in rural family medicine, including emergency, obstetrical care, chronic disease management, and sports medicine. She has participated in Obstetrical committees at both the provincial and federal levels, including her representing rural family doctors in a national collaborative maternity care model. In 2010, she achieved further certification in family medicine, and is working towards board certification in anti-aging and regenerative medicine.
Saskia’s special interests include Yoga practice, Chi-Kung, and meditation. She is a life-long athlete, loving everything to do with the natural environment, from open-water swimming to climbing. She is deeply interested in the connection of one’s self to the natural world, through committed practices, and lifestyle.
She brings a desire to help others achieve balance, and health into her everyday medical practice.
Nathalie Trottier, BSc, P.T.
Studied physiotherapy at the University of Montreal (1987-90) and osteopathy at the College d’Etude Ostéopathiques de Montreal (1991-98). She presented an osteopathic thesis on the work and teaching of Dr. William G. Sutherland a well known researcher, teacher and practitioner. This work not only brought her to Europe and to the United States but more importantly won her the Andrew Taylor Still award for the most representative, philosophical and sociological research for osteopathic advancement.
Nathalie worked in Québec and Alberta exploring both alternative and conventional fields. Also, she is involved and dedicated to the future of her science, and oversaw student’s thesis work. Since 1990 Nathalie has been treating people, from newborn to elder with the same passion as when she began. As a physiotherapist, Nathalie also works at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. She values her family life by living in the moment with her two beautiful daughters and husband, realizing that there is nothing like the present!
Luzia Svehla, BSc. RMT
Luzia (Lucy) Svehla was born of Czech parents in Germany where she spent the first few years of her life. Moving to Canada with her active family, she grew up playing tennis and loving the outdoors. Luzia graduated with Honours from the University of Louisville where she attended on a rowing scholarship with a Bachelors of Science, concentration in Human Kinetics in 2002. After rowing with the Canadian National Team for a year, she began looking for a career in Kinesiology. Luzia worked as the Kinesiologist for Optima Health Solutions in Vancouver and after a year moved to the Rockies. Playing and working in Kananaskis for a number of years inspired her to go back to school and pursue an extensive Massage Therapy education. A recent graduate from the top-notch school CCMH Foothills College of Massage Therapy, Luzia is beyond thrilled to join the Gaia crew in promoting health and wellness to residents in the area. There is far more to Massage Therapy than relaxation. Although that is of utmost importance, massage can also have a very positive affect on migraine (and tension) headaches, sports injuries (sprains, strains, tendinitis, dislocations), motor vehicle accidents (or other causes of whiplash etc.), nerve compressions, and constipation just to name a few. Massage Therapy is not a luxury as some may think. It is often one of the last modalities of medicine that a patient will explore (and succeed in) when they have exhausted all others. Don’t delay, come see for yourself what Massage Therapy can do for you!
Andrew Dulcamara, BA(Hons), Rac.
I am a Registered Acupuncturist and first became interested in Traditional Chinese Medicine in the mid 90′s when I began to practice Tai Chi and study Taoism. Although much of my personal time was spent studying these areas my professional career was spent in the Operating Room of a busy hospital. This job offered me variety and a sense of satisfaction at the end of the day in knowing that I’d genuinely helped people. By 2005 my career as a Operating Department Practitioner no longer sat comfortably with my own philosophy on life. Although Surgery has its place I felt true healing was not just about scalpels and sutures, I’d reached a crossed roads in my life and so decided to take the leap. This involved moving to Canada and officially studying TCM as my new career.
This decision has been one of the greatest I’ve ever taken and has allowed me to pursue a career that I truly love and that inspires me everyday. My continued goal is to provide true healing based on compassion and wisdom that is both gentle and effective. This approach means that all aspects of what it means to be human should be explored, we are not just a physical body and so any healing modality that just deals with the physical is extremely limited. The way forward is to recognize that we are an amazing creation full of emotions, thought and spirit and this very fact provides healing abilities that go far beyond just the physical. We live in a brave new world where science is beginning to catch up with ancient wisdom and I am extremely grateful to be a part of that and to have the opportunity to bring health and well being to the town of Canmore.
Janet S. McLeod, Registered Provisional Psychologist
Entering therapy takes courage & a sense of curiosity. Janet’s Mountain Therapy practice is influenced by diverse treatment approaches, journeys with you as a compassionate witness and guide. You have unique needs therefore Janet matches those needs by drawing from Rogerian, client-centered therapy, a knowledge of medical interventions and Hakomi – a mindful Body-Mind Psychotherapy , which can include a spiritual and energetic exploration.
Hakomi helps to transform “issues in your tissues” by accessing stuck emotions and limiting life strategies, expanding and then transforming them. This helps you to ultimately access more freedom and choice. This approach implements non-violent, compassionate approach to healing, based on your own sense of safety and pace. Janet is a Registered Provisional Psychologist, and is also a member of the Charter of Alberta Psychologists, so your costs are tax deductible and covered by most insurance companies.
Julie Seibt, Yoga Therapist
Ease out of pain and into optimal movement through therapeutic yoga and meditation with Julie Seibt. Modern and ancient wisdom meet when principles of kinesiology are applied to yoga. Gentle, mindful exercises allow each client to delve deep into their own biomechanics – often with surprising new insight into old patterns of pain. Effective home programs are tailor-made for each client to develop strength, stability and their maximum range of motion.
Julie’s teaching certification includes Anahata Yoga with Anne Douglas, and teacher’s training with Sarah Powers (Yin Yoga) and Susi Hatley-Aldous (Yoga Therapy) . As an Asian Bio-Energetic Therapist, Master Reiki Teacher, and Thai Massage Therapist, Julie brings a holistic, compassionate and mindful approach to movement.
Simmi Latulippe
Born in Bombay, India, Simmi stems from generations of traditional Ayurvedic Doctors. Simmi’s great grandfather was the first Ayurvedic Doctor to formulate a traditional herbal digestive formula that was sold to a British Pharmaceutical company. It is believed that the root of many health problems is caused by improper digestion. Simmi’s family introduced her to Ayurvedic Medicine, which is not just a medicine or a treatment but an entire way of life that seeks to balance the body using a combination of diet, exercise, meditation/yoga and herbal supplements.
Ayurvedic medicine is an all inclusive holistic science of healing the body, mind and spirit. The central focus of Ayurvedic medicine is that each human being is unique, having a distinct individual constitution, genetic inheritance and a predisposition to certain diseases.
Ayurveda emphasizes preventative and healing therapies. It can guide individuals in the proper choice of diet, living habits and exercise. By restoring balance in the body, mind and consciousness, enables us to prevent or slow-down the disease process.
Dr. Jo Gentry, DC
Dr. Jo Gentry, D.C., graduated with honours from Life Chiropractic College West located in the Bay Area, San Francisco, California. Technique training included Diversified, Integrated Drop Table, Gonstead, Toggle, extremity adjusting and soft-tissue management, Sacral Occipital Technique (SOT), and Activator Method Chiropractic Technique (AMCT). She is close to completing requirements for board certification in Chiropractic Neurology with the American Chiropractic Neurology Board. There are 2,700 board-certified chiropractic neurologists in the world including seven in Canada. There are none currently in Alberta or B.C. Chiropractic Neurology is defined as the field of functional neurology that engages the internal and external environment of the individual in a structured and targeted approach to affect positive changes in the neuraxis and consequent physiology and behavior. Once the neurological condition of a patient is assessed, treatment is non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical therapies. It might be best described as brain-based physical rehabilitation.
Dr. Jo has recently moved to Alberta from California and absolutely loves it! Some of her passions include backpacking, running, kayaking, skiing, and snowshoeing, so she will be seeing you out there on the trails! Her passion is to inspire others to follow their dreams, live healthy, active lives, and love their family and friends. It’s a privilege to work with such a committed team of health practitioners changing lives one life at a time at Gaia.
Martin Law, MA(Hons), R.Psych.
Martin has over 20 years of experience addressing the variety of clinical psychology needs of employees and their families as well as the development of healthy and well workplaces as a Registered Psychologist and Occupational Health and Rehabilitation Consultant.
With his interests in the Martial Arts over 10+ years of intensive training, Martin was introduced to Traditional Chinese Medical Theory and the related foundations for the proactive optimization of personal health and resilience. These practices build upon the learnings of the Shaolin Temple which date back to the 5th Century BC.
Based on the emergence of new scientific research using modern measurement techniques, Martin has now combined his professional psychology practice and on-going research into the ancient Chinese Medical Arts as an innovative application to the current clinical needs of clients. These psychological practices build on the integration of Mind, Body and Spirit in support of the Gaia Collaborative Medicine approach
John Coleman
We all are capable of more, and most often we impose limits of that more on ourselves. John’s intention is to inspire excellence and to unblock potential, helping you perform with enhanced quality more consistently in whatever your performance domain may be. With the goal of working himself out of a job, John will empower you with skills and tools to confidently face challenge and negotiate the sometimes scary terrain of expanding your capacities and finding freedom in movement.
John has a Masters of Science in Sport Psychology and is currently finishing his PhD in Education and Kinesiology inquiring into the (im)possibilities of human movement. Much of his consulting draws from the ‘Western’ understandings of human movement combined with ‘Eastern’ philosophies and practices from the Yoga sutras and Taoism.
Human movement is his muse and in addition to working at Gaia he is working with a number of Canadian National Teams as well as individuals at every level of performance.
Anne Douglas, RYT
Anne has been practicing Yoga and Meditation for approximately 27 years, and teaching for 20 years. Anne is certified to teach both Kripalu (500 hour; Senior Level Certification) and Astanga Yoga and has studied many other lineages including Iyengar and Bikrams Yoga.
Anne is also a certified as a Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist (1991), Holistic Lifestyle Coach (1990), and Reiki Master (1995). She has been drawing upon these skills to facilitate personal growth workshops for the past 20 years. Her compassionate heart, gentle humor and grounded intellect create fertile ground for self-study and well being.
Amanda Ings
Yoga found Amanda in 2003 while in Montreal at a Bikram Yoga Studio. It gently took her hand and led her on a journey that would promise to change her life, and the way she looked at the world.
Now, seven years later, after studying with Mary-Jo Fetterly under Trinity Yoga Inc., she comes to class to hold space for the unfolding of ourselves into all that we already are. Her teaching style is slightly ‘renegade’, as it embodies her experience in Hatha, Anusara, Yoga Therapy, AcroYoga, Ashtanga, Bikram and Flow Yoga. Outside of the studio, Amanda is deeply motivated by the Yoga of children, and works with developmentally challenged children in the Bow Valley and at the Gaia Clinic.
Amchi Kunga Chodak
Kunga hails from a long and well respected linage of Amchis from the Kham region of Tibet (the word “Amchi” means doctor). He is the 6th generation of Amchi in his family. He has studied under the guidance of his father and great uncle who were Tibetan Medical practitioners. In addition, he has completed a traditional three and half years solitary meditation retreat by age of 19 in Tibet. Following which, he escaped and joined Sakya College where he studied Buddhist philosophy and Astrology extensively. . Since than he has traveled throughout Asia providing healing to many in need. After leaving Asia , he operated medical clinics in Dharamsala, Goa, Ladakh, India and Toronto, Canada.
He is gifted at Palmistry, Healing and and Astrology . He has years of experience making life charts and divination, containing aspects about your future, financial situations etc. and is able to explain them in meticulous detail. He specializes in chronic disease, cancer, heavy metal toxicity, stress, anxiety and dealing with our “emotional pollution”.
Tibetan Medicine is a rare and unusual form of complimentary medicine found in the Western world and we are fortunate to be able to receive the benefits of not only his medicine but his deep seated spiritual wisdom, compassion, and dedication to his craft.
