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July 20, 2022
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Module 1
Hello. While watching I notice mine lack of intuition while doing massage and too much dry medical knowledge. I understand that medical knowledge is important but that wasn't why and how I started doing massage. It was good reminder.
Also I struggle with half-kneeling position because of painful stretching in my feet. But it's not something whom stretching can't help.
July 20, 2022
Offline Module 2
Hello. I liked that it was started with ergonomics and breathing because while working I often forget about it. So after watching I tried to actively remind myself about my posture, my breathing while doing classic massage.
Of course, I tried the Chi machine on my coworker and wasn't sure if I was successful or failed or half there because her body moved but head remained still. What I'm sure of is that I need more practice. Also while watching the video I had a nagging question: can doing the chi machine aggravate a lower back problem if patients have them?
June 28, 2010
Online
Hi Ernesta, welcome to the Complete Thai Massage certification program. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with our certification checklist to make sure that it is all correctly organized:
I also noticed that you did not send in a certification registration yet which we need for our records. You can find the form by clicking on the Certification Information banner in the sidebar of your membership portal. That will take you to our Certification Tutorial. If you scroll down a bit, you will find the certification registration section.
Regarding your question about the Chi Machine - normally this technique helps with lower back problems. There are exceptions, though, like if someone has an open wound, a skin condition, or a ruptured spinal disk, for example.
July 20, 2022
Offline Module
First of all, thank you for your reply.
Secondly, after watching module 3 I tried it on my brother and he really liked it. However, I notice that I struggle with adding circle motion to pressing foot outward. It's not so easy to keep motion fluid. Same went with push-pull-rotation. However, with this move it also was hard for me to grasp the "feeling" of it. Don't know how to explain it. I guess I just need to be on the receiving end of the massage myself to better understand it.
June 28, 2010
Online These two techniques are a bit complex and just take some time to learn. Don't try to perfect them right away. Just keep coming back to them regularly. It also helps to re-watch the video a few times. In the beginning it all feels a little difficult, but the more you get into it, the easier it will all become.
Many of our students told me that after 2 or 3 months with the course they can't understand how they had trouble in the beginning because now it all starts to flow. 
It's like learning to drive a stickshift car. The first time you try it, you think that you will never learn this, and then after a while it becomes second nature.
July 20, 2022
Offline Module 4
Hello Shama. After watching the video it kind of reminds me of a cheat sheet. Of course in a good and logical way. Remind me that using body ergonomics it is easier to grasp and understand technique. While watching the new technique it reminded me of some classic massage elements so it was definitely easier to learn.
Lastly, after watching module 4 (and re-watching module 3) I practice on brother with emphasis on my body and how it moves but also improve what I learn. I still have to work on maintaining my body movements and not getting all stiff and using my arm muscles. Of course, circle motion to pressing foot outward and push-pull-rotation are in progress but after watching this video I think I'm getting a better understanding of this technique.
July 20, 2022
Offline Module 5
Hello. After just starting watching a video question popped up in my head: What to do with a client if he/she is ticklish?? Or what if feets are ticklish? For example, some places on my thighs are quite ticklish.
On practical matters, while watching the video it looked very soothing but not only for client but for person doing Thai massage. And after trying on my brother I could see how relaxed he became. He definitely liked it a lot. Of course, it also helped me with finding and practicing rhythm and technique.
June 28, 2010
Online You are absolutely correct - Thai Massage is supposed to be soothing for both the client and the therapist.
Regarding ticklish clients - that's a question that comes up frequently. There is no real clear answer for that. In my experience only few people are ticklish. Children tend to be more ticklish than adults. And of course there are certain areas on the body that tend to be more ticklish.
Normally, if you are touching someone in a gentle, but firm way, this can override ticklish sensations. In some cases, you just have to skip a tickle-sensitive area, if you notice that it disrupts the session.
July 20, 2022
Offline Module 6
Hello Shama, thank you for your reply.
First thing that I noticed after watching the video and practicing was that it is not so easy to change positions. Because it takes some balance not to wobble too much or flop on the client. Thank god I was practicing on my brother 😀 Throughout the practicing I was able to tell that my brother was relaxed and liked what I do especially when I combine technique with previous lessons.
Also, it was really nice that this lesson was on working with forearms because it so happened that I was incorporating more forearm work in my practice so it was a good opportunity to improve on it. On top of that, I remember the last time I was a client and how it feels when someone uses their forearms especially on/close to the adductor tender. With confidence I can tell it is not nice in particular when done in a hurry and with arm muscle help. So I tried to be more careful while practicing, especially with lines 2 and 3.
June 28, 2010
Online Changing positions is an entire art by itself in Thai Massage, at least if you do it correctly. It takes some skill to do it well. It is what connects all the techniques in a flowing and graceful way, and it is well worth learning.
July 20, 2022
Offline Module 7
Hi This time around, I had not only my brother but also a co-worker as a model. It gave me a more realistic approach to how clients would feel when elephant walking or hip-knee rocking or other techniques was done to someone with restriction in hips. Because while I am practicing on my brother it feels easy, with no restriction. In conclusion, it gave me more variety for my experience and understanding to grow.
Lastly, a few modules back I started wondering: what to do with a client if his old trauma is sensitive or feels discomfort in the trauma area, for example knee partial ligament tear? How to approach it?
June 28, 2010
Online "What to do with a client if his old trauma is sensitive or feels discomfort in the trauma area, for example knee partial ligament tear? How to approach it?" - That very much depends on the individual case. If the old trauma has no acute symptoms, then you might be able to help.
However if the trauma is recent and has acute symptoms, then you have to judge on a case-by-case basis if you can do something with massage or not. In some cases the injury just needs rest and time to heal. In some cases you can speed up the healing process.
I have often been able to help with old trauma issues. But there is no general answer that applies to every situation. It's a matter of talking to the client, finding out what happened, asking for symptoms, finding out if your work causes 'good' pain (releasing pain) or 'bad' pain (sharp and getting worse with your work).
And then you have to decide on which treatment protocol might work best. This is something that comes with practice and experience.
July 20, 2022
Offline Module 8
I am probably repeating myself but it is nice when there is a visual of ergonomics at the start of the lesson because it helps to follow and learn new techniques. So while practicing (new or previously learned technique) on my brother it is easier to get acquainted with technique and this time is no exception. Of course, my brother liked these stretches a lot and it was easy to see how relaxed he became. Also, I think little by little I am getting used to using my whole body while doing massage.
June 28, 2010
Online Sounds like good results with your brother and good progress overall!
July 20, 2022
Offline Module 9
It was fun to continue learning leg stretching. Sadly, I wasn't able to perform elephant walk but instead I tried to imitate it so at least I would have some idea. Of course, the rotation and bouncing I used on leg was accepted very positively. Also it was easy to see how muscles get loose. I asked my model which stretch they liked the most and they said - spinal stretch. Of course, I tried to do it gently and with more bouncing.
June 28, 2010
Online What was the problem with the elephant walking?
July 20, 2022
Offline Module 10
First of all to answer your question. I wasn't able to do elephant walking because my model wasn't flexible and I didn't want to hurt them. But when I tried on my brother he liked it.
After trying this module stretching I can agree it's not so easy to learn and do it right without hurting someone. Also trying not to over do, especially "blood stop". I tried on my brother and some of them (stretchies) he didn't like at all, so I tried the ones he felt comfortable with.
In conclusion, I am practicing and practicing again.
July 20, 2022
Offline Module 11
It was fun to combine everything that I learned so far. Keeping everything smooth, slow, relaxing. That also helped me not to stress if I forget something and just breathe and use my whole body. Also, I was able to see which technique I am lacking or need to do more work. Of course, there was some lack of smoothies while doing it but I know I will improve.
June 28, 2010
Online Regarding the elephant walking - try to do it in a very gentle way. Imagine you are working on a young child. This goes for all techniques. It requires more skill to do a technique very gently than to just press hard. Sometimes you need to forget about getting maximum effect, but just focus on feeling and sensitivity. The power can always be added later.
July 20, 2022
Offline Module 12
Hi. I have been gone for some time to let information settle and give myself more time to practice what I learned in the first section. So now I am back 🙂 For this module I had more relatives to practice with. My brother definitely felt stretched and sometimes it was a little too strong. On the other hand, my mom is flexible and felt stretches but they were pleasant.
Of course, the biggest difference was felt when I was doing a standing sandwich stretch for the posterior leg. I notice that this stretch is more comfortable to a flexible person and if client have shortened hamstrings it's hard to do and it is painful for them.
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