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January 8, 2015
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Hello All and Shama, of course :o)!
I am so excited to be taking this course and to see all the support from people all over! I finished the first 2 Modules, Module 1 - Introduction and Module 2 - Chi Machine. Even though I am just in the beginning I can already feel my focus becoming more centered. I am currently a working licensed therapist and manager in AL. I've been having a really hard time remaining present during my sessions which is creating a very negative energy that I don't want transferred to my clients. I've always loved energy work so as discussed in Module 1, I'm looking forward to gaining more knowledge as a healer "who knows how to work with the body as well as with a more subtle energy". Having been very focused on anatomy throughout my past few years as a therapist, it’s going to be great to hone my quality of touch once again.
The Chi Machine is amazing! I’m obviously still working on the technique, but the more I focus in on my partners hips and that full body rock the closer I feel I’m getting. Being that correct ergonomics are so important in Thai massage, I’ve been being very conscious to be as relaxed as possible during my sessions and letting my body do the work so to use the least amount of muscle power that can be engaged. This really is helping me be able to completely focus on what I doing. I’m looking forward to fully enjoying this modality and the sequences and therapeutic work still to come.
Thank for listening, will be in touch in the next few day!
Chelsie
June 28, 2010
Offline
Hi Chelsie, welcome to the Complete Thai Massage course and our forum. It looks like you had a good start already. Yes, Thai Massage will be shifting gears from western massage. It sounds like you appreciate some of those aspects, like the focus and the quality of touch.
Also please take a moment and familiarize yourself with the certification check list here:
Certification Check List
I am looking forward to working with you! 
January 8, 2015
Offline Good Afternoon All!
Thank you again for stopping by :o). I have completed Modules 3 & 4 covering the ‘Foot Massage’. I had a rough time after watching Module 3, as I just wasn't feeling comfortable. I really love starting the session with the feet being that they, along with the hand and ears, effect the whole body. This concept alone helped me start the sessions off in a gentle way. Once I got into the moves though, they didn’t seem to be feeling as good to my partner as I wanted them too. They seemed to be feeling tension on the inner knees. It’s gotten a little better the more I’ve practiced, but it really is proving to be tough! The fact that I am getting more comfortable with the Chi Machine is keeping me confident though. I also very much like the analogy that learning Thai Massage is like learning to drive a stick shift, THAT IS EXACTLY HOW I FEEL!!
After watching Module 4, things have sunk in a little more. It’s been easier practicing the moves with the concept of foot work in mind. Allowing myself to feel the moves and how my partners body is reacting has helping me a lot. I realized that I was absolutely following a mechanical learning path in Module 3. I’ve reviewed the videos a few times now and, after really observing Shama’s entire body through each move, am doing much better. I’m getting better at allowing my moves to come from my entire body as well vs. just the isolated parts.
I got a little backed up on these two as I had to work a little harder at them, but am back on track and excited about Modules 5 & 6! Thank you all for listening and I look forward to any feedback!
Have a lovely evening!
Chelsie
June 28, 2010
Offline 
Chelsie, what you are experiencing is perfectly normal in the beginning of Thai Massage training. You are re-learning how to use your body and that often feels awkward in the beginning. However when you get good at it you will flow gracefully through the sessions - you will see! 
There is a lot of material coming up which will help you to make this work easy on you by using good ergonomics and conceptual ways of learning instead of mechanical ways. Give it some time to figure out the "stick shift".
===> Also please click here to read sections 3 and 4 of the certification check list.
January 8, 2015
Offline Module 1
Good Morning! I am feeling rather silly right now as I actually thought that I looked at all of the instructions that I needed to. However failed to read the first link Shama responded with, so sorry!! These next several posted will be to operate all of my modules.
I am so excited to be taking this course and to see all the support from people all over! I finished Module 1 - Introduction. Even though I am just in the beginning I can already feel my focus becoming more centered. I am currently a working licensed therapist and manager in AL. I've been having a really hard time remaining present during my sessions which is creating a very negative energy that I don't want transferred to my clients. I've always loved energy work so as discussed in Module 1, I'm looking forward to gaining more knowledge as a healer "who knows how to work with the body as well as with a more subtle energy". Having been very focused on anatomy throughout my past few years as a therapist, it’s going to be great to hone my quality of touch once again.
Looking forward to Module 2!
Chelsie
January 8, 2015
Offline Module 2
Hello All and Shama, of course :o)!
I’ve completed Module 2 - Chi Machine and it’s amazing! I’m obviously still working on the technique, but the more I focus in on my partners hips and that full body rock the closer I feel I’m getting. Being that correct ergonomics are so important in Thai massage, I’ve been being very conscious to be as relaxed as possible during my sessions and letting my body do the work so to use the least amount of muscle power that can be engaged. This really is helping me be able to completely focus on what I doing. I’m looking forward to fully enjoying this modality and the sequences and therapeutic work still to come.
Thank for listening, will be in touch in the next few days!
Chelsie
January 8, 2015
Offline Module 3
Good Afternoon All!
Thank you again for stopping by :o). I have completed Modules 3 ‘Foot Massage #1’. I had a rough time after watching it, as I just wasn't feeling comfortable. I really love starting the session with the feet being that they, along with the hand and ears, effect the whole body. This concept alone helped me start the sessions off in a gentle way. Once I got into the moves though, they didn’t seem to be feeling as good to my partner as I wanted them too. They seemed to be feeling tension on the inner knees. It’s gotten a little better the more I’ve practiced, but it really is proving to be tough! The fact that I am getting more comfortable with the Chi Machine is keeping me confident though. I also very much like the analogy that learning Thai Massage is like learning to drive a stick shift, THAT IS EXACTLY HOW I FEEL!!
Excited for more incite on these moves in Module 4. Till we meet again!
Chelsie
January 8, 2015
Offline Module 4
Hello Again!
After watching Module 4, things have sunk in a little more. It’s been easier practicing the moves with the concept of foot work in mind. Allowing myself to feel the moves and how my partners body is reacting has helping me a lot. I realized that I was absolutely following a mechanical learning path in Module 3. I’ve reviewed the videos a few times now and, after really observing Shama’s entire body through each move, am doing much better. I’m getting better at allowing my moves to come from my entire body as well vs. just the isolated parts.
I got a little backed up on these last two as I had to work a little harder at them, but am back on track and excited about Modules 5 & 6! Thank you all for listening and I look forward to any feedback!
Have a lovely evening!
Chelsie
June 28, 2010
Offline Great Chelsie, now you found your groove with the forum! Don't worry, you are not the first one who didn't read the tutorial all the way. But everyone gets it eventually.
Your posts sound enthusiastic and engaged. Once you get more into the course you will gradually leave the mechanical way of learning behind and become more creative and intuitive about it! Then it is a lot more fun as well.
January 8, 2015
Offline Module 5
Good Morning Shama, Thai Massage students and enthusiasts!
Shama, thank you again for your encouraging words. I really enjoy logging into the forum and reading your comments to my experiences so far.
The Leg Warm up was really nice. The thumb roll up was a bit of a challenge, more so along the IT band, as I’ve always been a little “thumby” while using a lot of trigger point therapy. The first time I used the technique it was actually a little painful on my partner. Now that I’ve been practicing, it’s gotten easier to remember to squeeze the muscle between my fingers and thumb vs. being “thumby” :o). I REALLy enjoyed the push-pull thigh technique, the flow settled in with me almost immediately!
The issue I was having also goes back to using my whole body. As I’ve continued to work with the moves and sequences that we’ve learned, I’ve started to become a little more comfortable. As discussed in this module, I’ve been finding which techniques I like which is allowing me to more flexible and intuitive rather than following all the techniques so mechanically.
While everything continues to be a work in progress, I’m excited as my skills grow. Thanks again and I’ll be back shortly to discuss yet another informative Module!!
Best,
Chelsie
June 28, 2010
Offline I like to call Thai Massage the "great equalizer" because, if done correctly, it allows you to work very effectively on much larger clients. However this only works if you take full advantage of excellent ergonomics, work with your whole body instead of an isolated part of it and use body weight instead of muscle power.
Done incorrectly, Thai Massage will wear you out quickly since you just cannot move bodies around with muscle power alone. Well, you can, but it'll kill you. 
Done correctly, diminutive women can make big men cry.
Not that I am advocating this as a strategy.
I just want to highlight that Thai Massage gives you much more power with less effort than most other massage systems - if it's done correctly.
The side effect of using your body correctly is that you won't cause pain with the techniques, unlike when you are muscling people. It all comes back to using your body (and mind) correctly.
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