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June 28, 2010
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The sacrum is one of the "best hidden secrets" in massage therapy. All clients love it and hardly any therapists work on it. Sleeping partners is always a good sign. 
I am glad to hear that your intuition is kicking in to determine what is the best way of doing a technique on a particular person. Ultimately this is what it's all about in contrast to a purely mechanical approach.
September 5, 2013
Offline Module 24
Thank you for the development of these warm-ups for the back, which are quite useful and suitable for everybody. I really enjoyed even giving the massage. And I was extra careful by the wiggle movements not to stretch the skin. I remembered how uncomfortable that can be from my own experience in the past. I love especially the flow in the motions.
Module 25
The movement, where my knee is pushing my arm into my partners trapezius was easier than I thought. Maybe because of the rocking movement. Working with the elbows in the groove was more a less watching the video a couple of times and then following my intuition. My partner liked this technique a lot. Working with the knees on the back was similar. I even managed to keep my balance this time and experimented with shifting more of my weight into my hands and then more of my weight into my knee. Everything was equally good.
June 28, 2010
Offline It sounds like you are doing well even with somewhat challenging techniques. In the later stages of the training it all starts falling into place and some flow is starting to develop.
September 5, 2013
Offline Module 26
My big challenge was that it seemed like I had to internalise many different techniques/ movements.
Once I was doing everything it became much easier.
I liked the leaning in with my elbow, using my forearm and the walking on the back - especially the galloping rhythm.
My partner relaxed immediately and was soon drifting in and out of sleep.
The rocking techniques are always appreciated. I felt how the whole energy in the body changed.
The neck and shoulder work are great tools and worked fabulous. My partner didn't want me to stop.
Module 27
It was no problem to circle the trapezius with my fingertips, but I had some difficulties to squeeze my fingers together in the muscle group. I couldn't really roll the muscle back.
Up and down wiggle was relaxing and also the percussion technique. From the upper body twist I did a more gentle version.
I was waiting for the "Kobra" in Thai Massage, because I had seen it already in a picture and know the general position from Yoga.
To my surprise I was able to perform all 3 versions on my partner and she loved it.
Afterwards she mentioned to feel light and more flexible.
June 28, 2010
Offline What you are writing sounds so good. What can I say - I am happy you are making such good progress! Partners drifting in and out of sleep is always a surefire sign that you are doing something right.
September 5, 2013
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Just a quick note: I am about to move back to Germany as I got a better job (in my profession) there. It is very difficult to make a living in Spain with the current economical crisis. Therefore I won't be very consistent with my notes in this forum, but promise to continue and to finish the remaining sessions. I already saw that there is Thai Massage offered in the area, where I am going to live. Maybe I can connect with other people.
Module 28
The summary session is great and you always show a few new elements and it is helping me to string everything together in order to have a good session. Focused especially on the flow. My partner relaxed immediately and said that the pain in the back, legs disappeared and felt also more lightness in the body. I was more at ease with the movements than before - everything is sinking in slowly. I liked the rocking of the buttocks.
Module 29
I really liked palming the leg and my partner too.
The next technique to sit on the inner thigh took me a moment to master - to find the right balance. But after a while I enjoyed it a lot - quite unusual to sit in such a position. Rolling down the forearm on the side of the hips reminded me of similar techniques and was easy to apply.
My partner and I find the percussion technique on the side of the hips relaxing and moving the energy in the body.
I had first some difficulties to lift the leg and rocked it only a little bit as my partner can't stretch very far here.
June 28, 2010
Offline Where in Germany are you moving to? You should be able to make a better income with Thai Massage in Germany than in Spain, I imagine. According to what you are posting, you should have no problem doing good work on clients. Or you can combine it with your yoga teaching. Yoga students are the perfect candidates for Thai Massage.
I understand that a big move will definitely impact your practice routine. No problem here.
September 5, 2013
Offline Thank you for your understanding. I found my job in Bavaria, only 60 km from Munich. I have the impression that Munich and the surrounding area are great for alternative healing offers. I already discovered a Thai Massage Room in one of the villages here. I started to work with people, who have a mental disability - autism. My supervisor asked me in which direction I would like to develop myself further and I said that I could imagine to introduce some of the people to Yoga and to provide individually support as needed combined with creativity. Currently I am working a lot with my hands to establish good contact with the people, who can hardly communicate and/or express emotions. Somehow I imagine that we learn everywhere something important what we just need on our journey in order to take the next step. Everything and everybody is our teacher. I also want to make some income with Thai Massage and Germany is certainly a better country for that, than the south of Spain.
I want to travel again, but for now I am here.
Module 30
I love the elephant walking - wherever it is - in this case on he back above the spine. It's very soothing - for my partner and for me as massage therapist. The thumbing method was a bit hard on my partner's back. Leaning on erector muscle with palm and the stretch between left and right hand worked much better on her. With the last exercise I was very careful, because my partner isn't very flexible and this is really a massive stretch. I asked how much I could pull back without causing any discomfort.
September 5, 2013
Offline Session 31
My partner enjoyed the shoulder circling very much - with both hands and the next version circling with left hand in trapezius area and the other hand a little bit higher. It took a little bit time to find the right rhythm for the shoulder circling with built in stretch. Rocking helps always to balance the energy in the body you are working on. I had to skip the next movement "arm circling with shoulder stretch" as it was too much for my partner. The shoulder wrapping techniques were more suitable and got good feedback.
Session 32
The second and third technique to loosen up the shoulder was very effective as my partner confirmed. The shoulder and arm traction reminded my of previous techniques. The shoulder and arm traction stretch needed more attention until I had figured it out. Sandwich rocking on shoulder was easy then.
My partner could sense how the stress left her and her body felt lighter than before.
June 28, 2010
Offline Clearly not all techniques work for everyone. That's why I always emphasize that the techniques are options to choose from, not mandatory sequences. The real skill is to know what to do on whom.
In most cases massive strong stretches can always be replaced with a more gentle rocking motion. And there is nothing wrong with skipping techniques. No client will ever know what is "supposed to be" in a session.
September 5, 2013
Offline Session 33
I found most techniques in this session very useful and easy to apply.
One of my favorites was the kneading of the trapezius area where you squeeze and pull and following the rocking movements and also the push left - right foot forward + wiggle. The body twist I needed to skip as it isn't right for my partner.
Session 34
At first I was not sure if I would like the movements. It seemed quite unusual compared to what I did so far. But I gave it a try and started to become more comfortable and confident with it.
My partner relaxed quickly after the first movement (traction for arms and hands) didn't feel difficult and she could sit good with her legs crossed. The second movement required all my skill in keeping my balance and took longer. The third and fourth movement felt a bit strange at first with my partner's head on my leg, but once I used my forearm on the opposite shoulder of my partner or did the circular movement I was just flowing with the energy. My mind stopped telling me things.
Thank you very much for a very comprehensive, unique and inspiring course in Thai Massage.
June 28, 2010
Offline Those last techniques are not exactly the easiest ones, so they do take some time to practice and get used to. From now on it is all about re-watching the videos, practicing more and letting it sink in more. With those videos you have everything you need to be a very effective Thai Massage therapist. The next video is not about techniques, but all about client communication which is actually a very important skill to have.
September 5, 2013
Offline Session 35
This video was very informative and I can imagine that they will be clients, who need a few more explanations about Thai Massage to feel comfortable and it is always important to know about any health problems/ areas to focus on. I will certainly use some ideas from the video.
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