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June 25, 2014
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TMC- 26 prone back 3
Such a gentle method to relax and massage the back. My clients love it when I work the erector muscles and I agree that thumbing the back isn't good in the long run so this is good advice. The galloping horse rhythm is a great way to describe the pace you employ in the video. Once again you included tips for size of the practitioner vs the client which is really great that you include. Thank you also for addressing neck placement, pain from lying with the head to the side, and how to deal with that on the mat.
June 28, 2010
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I worked for years on a big muscular man who came in twice a week and he always needed intense back work. If I would have tried to do the typical traditional thing of thumbing up and down his back, I would have ruined my thumbs in no time and he would have never felt anything. On his back I primarily used my feet, knees, forearms and elbows, and my hands only to a minor degree. Without all those different ways of working I would have lost him as a client for sure. As it turns out he was my longest, most loyal and most profitable client of my entire career. He kept coming back to me since nobody else seemed to be able to work his back as effectively as I could with those Thai techniques.
In contrast, when I work on my wife, I can't use any power techniques on her back at all since they feel immediately like overkill to her. So in her case it's mostly hand work. It's so important to have a good variety of techniques for working on different kinds of clients.
June 25, 2014
Offline TMC 27 prone upper back
This video was just chock full of great techniques and tips on how to keep the client comfortable and in a relaxed state while receiving them. I like to work the scapula area in this manner for my clients and they love it! The three variations on the cobra move is excellent to show how you can adapt the move to different size clients while still getting proper leverage to perform the lift. I have seen a standing version where the practitioner stands on the back of the thighs which I am hoping to see in your course because I think it might help me perform this move an a large person that I otherwise wouldn't be able to lift? The shoulder stretch accomplishes greater range of motion than the side version I've been using and will be wonderful for my clients who have the flexibility in their arms to do it. That the move also flows right in to the spinal twist is exactly what I am here for...to achieve better flow and for my massage to be less mechanical. Wonderful video with loads of tips. 
June 25, 2014
Offline TMC 28 prone summary
I am so grateful that you have included these summery videos simply performing the techniques in a sequence. Here in the states time is money and so I always try to put as much into a session as I can without making it feel overdone or rushed. Here because people are so used to an hour of Swedish I get many clients who only book or can afford to book an hour which isn't much time for such a methodical and slow style like Thai. This video gives me insight as to the pace I should be trying to achieve. Wonderful!
June 28, 2010
Offline I don't teach a standing version of the cobra. The reason is that standing on someone's thighs is quite a wobbly affair and can feel quite weird for the client, especially when getting on and off the thighs. There are several such techniques in Thai Massage where the therapist is standing on the body, and I don't like any of them for this reason. I prefer techniques that are easily controlled and totally stable.
I have seen a few massage shops here in Thailand which have a setup where the therapist can hold on to bars or even ropes hanging from the ceiling, but most therapists are not likely to have such props, and I did not find them necessary in my practice.
But let that not discourage you from experimenting with it on your own!
June 25, 2014
Offline TMC 29 side 1
Several wonderful techniques for working the thigh in side position using elephant walking and the practitioner's own bum to apply gentle pressure to the outer thigh area. Propping the hip to perform hip work, leaning in with the forearm to give good pressure to the hip area avoiding the bone, employing the percussion technique to massage the hip area with fade away, and an especially impressive elevated leg to achieve a hip stretch with gentle compressions. Great methods all!
June 25, 2014
Offline TMC 30 side position
The spinal twist in this video is easy to execute and offers another way to work on the back using the rocking motion and the rocking created with this technique is very relaxing.
The extended leg side stretch is a practical technique to accomplish this stretch with good body mechanics. I really like this stretch.
June 28, 2010
Offline Good to hear that those techniques are working well for you!
June 25, 2014
Offline TMC 31 side
The shoulder massage presented in the video is gentle and effective to loosen and work the shoulder area in side position by employing a circular motion with or without rocking to work the shoulder and applying pressure to the front or back while rotating the upper arm. I like how you use the leg to provide pressure without relying on upper body strength. Excellent use of counter pressure from the front and back to execute this move.
June 25, 2014
Offline TMC 32 side 4
This shoulder stretch is simple and complex at the same time. LOL The scapula work takes advantage of the side position to work the scapula with thumb pressure. The scapula pull technique again makes great use of the side position as the clients position and own weight will assist with the move. I like how in this position you can pull on the shoulder in a wider range vs doing this technique with the client sitting up where you are limited to pulling straight back only. I agree that the client is more relaxed laying down so this move gives me a way to avoid that while still providing the work.Glued scapula is a common problem and the arm traction is a perfect solution for this condition.
June 25, 2014
Offline TMC module 33
This lesson contained many great examples of how to safely work the neck, shoulders, and back in the sitting position. The technique of grasping the hands first to do the back stretch combined with the foot rocking to loosen it before doing the stretch from the wrists is wonderful. I loved it!
June 25, 2014
Offline TMC - 34 sitting position 2
The videos opening upper body stretch/traction maneuver is a perfect example of therapeutic benefit and grace I expected from Thai massage. I can see how the second stretch would be a good tool for someone who is too stiff to be pulled all the way onto the lap. The neck massage with the client's arm over the leg is a wonderful way to support the client while working this area without stressing their back. The third move with the client's head resting against the knee is a great way to work the neck without stressing the neck vs lying on the stomach. The addition of being able to also rock with this move is a bonus for both client and practitioner.
June 25, 2014
Offline TMC - 35 Client communication
Thank you for including this role play example of the therapist/client introduction! I like that you let the client chose relaxation or therapeutic work and esp. encouraging a bathroom breaks and speaking up about comfort level. I had not thought about removing the bra, but when you mentioned it I immediately thought of the under wire bras and how painful that could be were a woman wearing one. I also enjoyed your explanation of the energy work and Chi. Many people here have no idea what that is all about and it is necessary to educated people on this. Thank you for the segment on how people process information. I try to communicate with the client before I begin the session and as I am working on their feet which is typically at the beginning of a Thai session. If they seem open to talking or chatty I will talk, if not I only speak when I need to. If I get a" Chatty Cathy"...I use the talk to learn how they use their body and what is their lifestyle so that I can address possible problems they are likely to have. Wonderful lesson and probably not something you will get at other schools who teach techniques and then release you to sink or swim with no preparation to do business.
June 28, 2010
Offline Since you liked this last course module, I think you will find some more nuggets in the "Magic Touch Secrets" bonus course. Those are also not taught in other schools, I am pretty sure.
And yes, definitely no underwire bras for Thai Massage or for any massage, really!
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