"Would it make sense to place a pillow to the side of the hip for support when doing 90 and 45 degree leg stretches? " - Sure, you can put a pillow under the leg when doing a 90 degree stretch if the client is really stiff so that the stretch cannot go so far.
"When stretching the calf muscles, would you change to foot position when giving more attention to the calves? By changing meaning twisting the foot inward or outward? " - No, the best foot position is without any twist for the ankle stretch (the last stretch in this module). Twisting the foot can feel bad for the ankle.
Module 11
I notice there is a body weight pull of the leg when you transition during foot massage. Is there a particular reason for doing this?
How long would you suggest a session last for?
Prior to sessions, I seat and do some breathe work to help me further relax which has been helping me significantly. My partner mentioned that I have become a lot lighter on the hands.
"I notice there is a bodyweight pull of the leg when you transition during foot massage. Is there a particular reason for doing this?" - There is a bodyweight pull when you lift both legs together because in this way you can use your body weight to lift instead of your arm muscles. This can be used when lifting both legs or only one.
"How long would you suggest a session last for?" - Thai Massage sessions are ideally longer than typical table massage sessions. Personally, I never did shorter sessions than 2 hours. This might not be possible or practical for you, but whenever possible, try to do longer sessions. It is difficult to squeeze the Thai Massage work into one hour. It can be done, but you will have to skip some techniques.
Module 11
Based on feedback from my partner and client, I have got much better using technics on the foot. However when it comes to compression with forearm on the thigh I have to work on pressure as there is inconsistency. "Sometimes it is painful sometimes it feels great".
Although I understand the directions for foot movement during a few sessions, I sometimes think there is something i forgot to do. I think this may be contributing to my inconsistency.
Following my question on the reason you pull the leg with body weight, practicing it has made transitioning much better. Rather than me using muscle to lift the legs.
"However when it comes to compression with forearm on the thigh I have to work on pressure as there is inconsistency. "Sometimes it is painful sometimes it feels great". - Try to not focus on 'pressure', but on feeling. Try to feel what is the right position of your forearm, where it feels just right to you (and subsequently to your client). Try to use less pressure and more feeling. Once you got the feeling, you can always add more pressure.
Module 11
More and more I am growing to appreciate Thai.
During my practice and following your summary video of how a session should flow. The fact that a Thai therapist is able to use multiple technics in one session is amazing.
As I review videos I notice there is a gentle roll with the forearms when using forearm on the thigh. I tried it on my partner and got a better result.
Module 12
I was able to work with stretches using core press as it is similar to a move that I do during workouts. On the other hand I am still practicing on my partner to gain a better feel for the one leg cave stretch.
When performing one leg calf stretch my hand often slips. I continue to do different finger position to maintain a firm grip yet comfortable.
Would you suggest avoiding the elephant walk on the knee with clients who have a history of knee issues?
"When performing one leg calf stretch my hand often slips." - The solution is to reach around the heel more with your fingers. If you don't get your fingers all the way around the heel so that your fingers are all the way on the bottom of the heel, they will slip.
"Would you suggest avoiding the elephant walk on the knee with clients who have a history of knee issues?" - This way of leaning onto the knee is actually quite safe. It does not stress or twist the joint in any way. However it is always a good idea to be cautious with people who have had knee trouble. As the saying goes "It is better to be safe than sorry".
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