Claire Elliot is a clinically trained herbalist and herbal educator passionate about the cosmology of wellness comprising the body, mind, emotions and spirit. She will support you in listening to your body while teaching you how to bring herbs into your life.
While healing is cyclical, wellness is multifaceted, and one is in constant change woven by the relationships to our environment, self and community. Claire is devoted to helping women and people who menstruate know their cycles, to make informed choices about their health.
Claire’s herbal training includes the wonder of weeds with Monica Giacomin, clinical herbalism with Marianne Beacon, Vitalist and Evolutionary herbalism with Sajah Popham, Herbal Medicine for Women with Dr. Aviva Romm. With an innate curiosity, Claire continues her studies and professional development in Traditional and Medical Astrology and herbalism.
Clinical Herbalist, avid researcher, and member of Montreal’s vibrant herbalism community. My interests include the Physiomedicalists, the Eclectics, and their impact on modern western herbalism, herbal energetics and its connections to Traditional Chinese Medicine, herbal formulation, mushroom medicine, cultured and wild foods, as well as experimenting with interesting new recipes that integrate medicinal herbs, because I love to cook! Women’s health is a particularly important topic for me, in addition to finding ways to integrate herbal medicine into pet care. I currently teach courses in Herbal Materia Medica (Herbal Energetics), Herbs by Body System, Human Energetics a.k.a. Tissue State Imbalances and hands-on Herbal Fabrication workshops, as part of the Setsuko Community Herbalist Certificate. When I’m not teaching, I enjoy taking my camper van to the East Coast, discovering interesting new green spaces to hike, and wild foraging.
Shanice Nicole is a Black feminist educator, facilitator, writer, (out)spoken word artist, and mother based in Montreal. She has been teaching a version of Sexuality and the Professional Practice at École Setsuko since 2016 and is passionate about creating equitable, inclusive, and anti-oppressive learning spaces. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Human Relations in the Applied Human Sciences program at Concordia University and has since educated diverse audiences through courses, workshops, panels, keynotes, interviews, and performances. Her debut children’s book Dear Black Girls was published by Metonymy Press in 2021 and she is the curator of free community resources such as Jobs & Things and All Black Everything Montreal. Shanice Nicole was nominated as Gala Dynastie’s Author of the Year in 2022 and named as one of CBC’s Black Changemakers in 2024. She believes that everyone has the power to make change and dreams of a freer world for us all.
With a deep foundation in Craniosacral Therapy, Thai Yoga Massage, and Shamanic energy work, Malek brings a holistic approach to bodywork that balances science with tradition. His practice is rooted in the understanding that healing happens on multiple levels—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual—and that true wellness comes from harmonizing these elements.
A dedicated therapist and teacher, Malek integrates his background in martial arts, Ayurvedic principles, and somatic awareness to guide students and clients toward deeper connection and self-awareness. His work is a blend of precise technique and intuitive observation, creating a safe, professional, and non-judgmental space for transformation.
Malek encourages students to develop both technical skill and sensitivity, fostering an ability to listen to the body’s subtle cues and respond with clarity and intention. He believes that learning is an evolving journey and enjoys helping students explore the interplay between structure and mindfulness in their practice.
Lucy is a recent graduate of École Setsuko, where she earned diplomas in Acupressure Massage (TCM) and Naturopathy, specializing in Holistic Nutrition and Herbology. In addition, she is a certified life coach and a trained shamanic practitioner. With a diverse background in various healing modalities, Lucy combines her expertise to provide comprehensive, holistic support that nurtures her clients’ body, mind, and spirit.
Carla has always been passionate about creativity and the human body, and Ecole Setsuko has helped her explore that connection further. After enrolling, she earned a dual diploma in Naturopathy and Chinese Medicine Dietetics & Acupressure. Working in the field and with the school has deepened her love for Traditional Chinese Medicine and reignited her inspiration. She now serves as Ecole Setsuko’s social media manager, keeping everyone updated on current events and spreading the word about the school.
Mark is a passionate herbalist, wild crafter and nature enthusiast based in Montreal. He’s dedicated to sharing the deep power of medicinal plants and guiding people on their own plant-based adventures. With a deep connection to the natural world, Mark combines traditional and European knowledge to help others rediscover the benefits of plant-based wellness. Whether guiding immersive walks through local parks and neighbourhoods to identify edible and medicinal plants or offering workshops on herbal remedies, Mark inspires his community to become more resilient, sufficient and sustainable.
Mark started his plant journey nine years ago as a fresh new arrival to Montreal. The city and its community inspired him to explore his old (and somewhat) forgotten love of gardening and all things green. He started gardening for private residences in the suburbs of Montreal and quickly started a farm-to-market project providing fresh herbs and transformations to his community. Today, he is the head of an educational garden in a local Montreal college, bringing thousands of students outside every year for fresh and unique classes, workshops and gatherings.
Administrative Assistant
Theresa is a dedicated and skilled administrative assistant who has returned to Ecole Setsuko, the school where she once graduated. In addition to her role at the school, she is a licensed massage therapist, still actively working to help clients achieve physical and emotional balance. Her expertise in massage therapy complements her administrative work, as she brings a calming, organized approach to everything she does. At Ecole Setsuko, Theresa supports the smooth operation of the school by assisting with student and teacher correspondence, managing various administrative tasks, and ensuring efficient communication throughout the school. With her strong organizational skills and a genuine passion for helping others, Theresa is committed to fostering a positive and well-run environment for both students and staff. Her attention to detail and friendly demeanor make her an invaluable asset to the team, as she plays a key role in maintaining a welcoming and productive atmosphere at Ecole Setsuko.
English, French
Jasper began a wellness journey with a Hatha Yoga instructor training in 2017 at the Sivananda school. This included a six-month internship as a resident yogi at the Val-Morin ashram. Afterwards, Jasper taught yoga at studios, community centers, and schools for many years.
In 2022, Jasper continued studies in Qigong with Lee Holden to become an instructor, and then deepened knowledge with Zhang Mingliang of Mount Emei in China. Jasper was initially influenced by the martial arts practice of the Shaolin Temple, as taught by Shifu Yan Lei. Jasper has been teaching Qigong ever since, in groups or privately, both for pleasure and for therapeutic purposes.
In 2023, Jasper decided to begin studying massage therapy at the Setsuko School, focusing on Traditional Chinese Medicine. Jasper completed 1,000 hours of study and practice in Shiatsu and Acupressure, and then embarked on classical oil massage with 400 hours of training in Swedish massage and advanced trainings such as deep tissue. Jasper quickly added modalities such as Chi Nei Tsang, Reflexology, and cupping for their effectiveness.
L’École Setsuko est un établissement privé. La plupart de nos cours sont enseignés en anglais. Les notes, documents et examens peuvent être fournis en français sur demande, et nos enseignants bilingues peuvent offrir du soutien au besoin.
