Traditional Chinese medicine didn’t seem like a career option for Brooke Allen when he was working for a busy finance firm in Melbourne’s corporate jungle. That was until a chance visit to a Kung Fu class re-shaped his career at the age of 23.

“Traditional Kung Fu was on my bucket list,” he says. “I began training under a prestigious fifth-generation Master and the deeper I went, the more I wanted. Soon I was training six to seven days per week. I was willing to travel anywhere to further my knowledge and spent time training in China.”

It soon became clear that this could become his career and Brooke was drawn back to Tasmania where he was born. A serendipitous reconnection with a Hobart-based Grand Master led to Allen opening his business Zest East West in the city in 2011.

As well as having this Master nearby, Tasmania’s natural balance and connection to the environment suited important aspects of Qi Gong.

Now based at his private retreat in Blackmans Bay, Brooke specialises in massage and a wide range of oriental therapies.

“Whether I’m applying remedial massage techniques or Eastern cupping, this is passive therapy where I’m doing the work for the client, using many different tools.”

“But there’s also the active side. All the stress/pain relief, postural alignment, energetic focus, breath work and stretching, provide exactly the same outcomes as a treatment with me, but with Qi Gong, clients are doing it for themselves.”

“We also offer meditation, mindfulness and forest bathing. Qi Gong is a comprehensive system for health and wellbeing.”

“Tasmania lends itself beautifully to the age-old practice of forest bathing. It has become a cornerstone of preventative healthcare and healing in Japanese medicine. We encourage clients to walk into their ‘spot’ and experience a very grounding three-hour session. It’s an old method of bringing yourself to the present which is then enhanced by nature. Literally bringing you back to earth.”

Brooke’s client base is as varied as his treatments. From everyday bad backs to athletes, and from sufferers of depression to those dealing with a migraine or chronic his varied tool box allows him to assist clients through both passive and active means.

Head his way and Brooke has the capacity to provide remedial/relaxation therapy, shiatsu, traditional Thai massage, and Eastern and Western cupping traditions, all underpinned by Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Have you got an idea for a new business? Make it Tasmania. Find out more about Zest East West. For information on starting a business in Tasmania look through our stories and visit Business Tasmania.