Thank you, Shama. I apologize for the double registration. Yes, I would still like both certificates. I'm sorry for the confusion. Is there anything I need to do further to get that set up? 

Module 1

This was good to come back and review this video. Up to this point (I just graduated from massage school), I have only been using modified techniques on the table, which is what my school has allowed. I regret that I have not taken advantage of this time to be more diligent to practice the positions I am now using when working on a floor mat. I especially feel the stress in my toes when I kneel as well as the pressure when I sit on my heels, but this is a good reminder to me of where I now need to be more diligent. 

Module 2

Thank you, Shama. I remember watching those. I will go back to review them and start practicing. Just doing the Chi machine, I can see how tiring this simple move is on my ankles when I am working on the floor. The move itself is one that I am very familiar with because I have been using it regularly on the table, as a way to begin when my clients are in prone. But doing this same move on the floor is more difficult for me. When I was working on my daughter, her hips opened up quickly with the Chi machine, but I could see that she was locked up in her shoulders (her problem area). This is such a simple movement, but it gives so much information to the therpist.

Module 3

With the second move, it was challenging for my body to move in a consistently circular way. It felt smoother for my body to sway from side to side  with the movement of the feet. Is this okay? It felt "right" to my body. My daughter (who was receiving) liked the feel of all the movements, but in hindsight, I probably would have worked with someone else. She has weak, loose ankles, but that was just a reminder to me to focus on having a gentle touch and that my touch doesn't have to be deep to be effective.

Module 4

With as much as I have been practicing, my ankles are getting quite a continuous stretch. When they get too sore, I put a pillow under them for support. It will be nice when they are a bit more acclimated to this work.

Regarding the circular motion vs the side-to-side, I will continue to practice this. 

Working in a conceptual way was much easier for me than trying to remember a sequence in steps. 

One thing that was concerning for me in this module was the amount that I was using my thumbs in the footwork. I am overly aware of protecting my thumbs, fingers, and wrists because even just getting out of massage school, there has been a ton of wear already. Part of the reason that I have been drawn to Thai massage is because of how much easier it is on the body. I tried to adjust by using the palm and sides of my hand, but I know that it doesn't have the same effect as the thumbs and fingers.

Module 5

Thank you for the validation of protecting my body. In module 3, it was very helpful when you instructed us to keep our wrist straight and to twist with the entire forearm when twisting the foot. I am working every day with different techniques to determine if it would be better for me to spend time figuring out how to make some of them work with my body or to hold off on them for the time being.

In Module 5, the first butterfly technique while stabilizing the lower leg felt very natural to me as well as enjoyable to my daughter. The figure 4 position of the leg worked well to access her inner leg. Of the techniques that were covered, I struggled most with working on the outer thigh, and felt like what I was doing was not as effective as it could be, even when I slowed down the video and went slowly. I will continue to review this so that I can improve.

Module 6

My body was so happy with these techniques! I am glad to have worked through the previous module using my hands, but this module was hands down, the way that I want to do the majority of my work. I was initially wondering how well these techniques would work on a smaller person, but after working on my daughter (a smaller person) using a lighter touch, I found that I was very comfortable applying these techniques, without the concern of hurting her by applying too much pressure. At the same time, I am able to see how effortless using the forearms would be on a larger individual too. 

Module 7

I was working with my daughter today, and went through the assessment of her hips based on her foot position. Her right foot was pointed straight ahead and had very little movement while her left foot rotated externally quite easily. When I went up to her right hip, I could see that it was more closed up and rotated forward and to the right.

I have a question. Can you tell me the difference in the effects between warming up the hip by doing the elephant walk working both the thigh and the calf vs. the actual stretch, when the elephant walking is only on the thigh? Is this just a difference in the amount of pressure that is applied...? To me, the warm-up feels like it could also be an effective stretch.

I liked experimenting with both techniques using the feet to push into the hamstrings. The technique that can be used on a bigger person seemed very effective. I am smaller, and I was practicing on my daughter who is also smaller, but I will be reviewing this technique specifically on some of my older boys (who are NOT small). 

Module 8

Thank you for that explanation, Sharma. That makes sense. 

This module was very helpful for me because of how practical it was. As I was working on my daughter, I wasn't focused so much on getting the next move down correctly, as I was on making sure I worked with every "piece of the pie". I could tell that this helped me to move more smoothly and not second guess myself. My daughter's impression was that I was more relaxed (which I was), and so it felt better to her. 

Module 9

I am encouraged because as I have been practicing over the past few days, I have felt more freedom to experiment with the moves, shifting positions to find what is most comfortable for my body, etc. 

I had a few questions about this module. With the addition of more hip movements (and with more coming in the following modules), I was wondering about the order in which to do the warmups and stretches. For example, it seems to flow better when I put all the 180 degree movements together: the kneading into the adductors with my feet + the 180 degree stretch (both in Module 8) then move directly into the 180 degree hamstring stretch introduced in this module 9. Then returning to the 90 degree stretch and 135 degree stretch in this module 9. That is just an example of what I am talking about. It may not be a great example, because I know that the hamstring stretch can be intense and not for everyone. (My daughter, who I was working with, is very flexible).

Basically, is there a reason to go in a certain order, or can it be adjusted by what seems logical and flows well? Is there a benefit to touch on Sen lines in a certain order to have the most beneficial effect? 

I also had another question. Do you find it best to work on one entire leg and then switch to work on the other entire leg, or do you break it up by doing a partial sequence on the first leg, then the other, then returning to complete the first leg, etc?