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May 17, 2012
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My family was stationed in Germany when I came into existence 
it is a common name there and my parents fell in love with it. I think people became confused because I am Puerto Rican, I don't look it and then I have a German name.
May 17, 2012
Offline I was forced to take a short break but I am back and will review the previous videos and begin to post as I progress. If that is allowed?
June 28, 2010
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Certainly this is "allowed" - no drill sergeants around here. 
The only thing is that you started a new topic, and I moved your post to the topic which you had originally started so that it shows up under all your previous posts and the continuity is maintained. So just keep posting here by clicking on the "Add Reply" button instead of the "Add Topic" button.
May 17, 2012
Offline Sigh of relief ha ha I am very excited to pick up where I left off. I have reviewed the lecutures up until I had to shift focus temporarily for a certification I needed to complete that had time constraints. However, I am very excited to announce that every Sunday my whole family will be getting together for breakfast as usual and they have all agreed to let me practice on them. I will have a nice range of ages, and body types which I think will be good practice.
June 28, 2010
Offline Sounds like the perfect setup! 
May 17, 2012
Offline Namaste and many blessings to everyone who reads this thread. I was not able to complete the program as you saw from earlier posts due to extenuating circumstances. However, I am back on and looking forward to restarting and finishing this program. I will begin posting regularly starting Monday.
June 28, 2010
Offline Welcome back, looking forward to following your progress!
May 17, 2012
Offline Even though I had previously seen this video I am still happy to have watched it again. It's a great introduction. It's straightforward and easy to understand. As previously mentioned, I am a Yoga practitioner and I really feel these lecturers will not only make me a better therapist but also a better Yoga practitioner. I am very excited to move on in this course.
June 28, 2010
Offline Good, this time will be the successful run to the finish!
May 17, 2012
Offline It is very exciting to start this wonderful course. I really feel like the knowledge and skills I am learning will not only make me a better therapist but also a better Yogic Practitioner. I took a CEU course this summer on meridian sedation and it reminded me of quite a few techniques that I have seen in these videos. I felt like I was more prepared for that class because I had this program to introduce me to the proper body mechanics and techniques. I have only made it through the first 3 videos. And cannot wait to watch the next video. The only difficult I have encountered is how to take notes on what I am learning. I am very used to having specific names for techniques or writing a particular muscle, pictures from a manual or print out, or area that you are working on. I have been drawing little stick figures as funny as that may sound. But I know that I am going to learn a lot in these videos and I want to make sure I can go back and study the techniques. I am not worried about it though because our bodies also learn the technique and once you are in that position or starting position that your body memory will also remember.
June 28, 2010
Offline That's exactly true - our bodies are learning the techniques as well. Actually when I teach live classes I discourage students from always referring to their notes since I don't want them to develop a mechanical follow-the-book mindset. Of course in the beginning you won't remember it all and that's okay. It's good to take notes. And it is better to think in conceptual ways than in sequential ways. You will see how I teach this in various places in the course. It will all come together for you.
The other thing is that Thai Massage is not working primarily with anatomical concepts, but with the concepts of energy flow and how that impacts the body. So you really don't have to know the name of each muscle you are working on. Ultimately the idea of Thai Massage is not to just move body parts, but to move energy.
Here in Thailand practically no therapist can name muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments etc, and they can still do excellent work. It is a different approach from the western one. Of course it is a good idea to have a working knowledge of anatomy, but that in and of itself will not make you a better therapist.
Developing sensitivity, learning how to feel your way around the body and improving the quality of your touch will definitely make you a better therapist.
May 17, 2012
Offline Umm I am confused...it looks like my last two posts were deleted.
May 17, 2012
Offline Nevermind they are showing up now. Thank you Shama what you just wrote is EXACTLY what I needed to hear. You are absolutely right. And having read what you wrote will remind me that I need to adjust my study methods accordingly. I know this will be a good fit for me. I am not learning a massage routine or particular treatment. I will need to get even more attuned with my client in order to know what THEY need me to do for them. Energetic modalities are much different, as are eastern and western modalities. Thank you again.
June 28, 2010
Offline I am glad my response struck a chord in you!
May 17, 2012
Offline Yes, it definitely did. I really enjoyed the first three videos. The introductory video reminded me that this is not just mechanical like some of the other body work modalities. It reminded me that this is about "feeling" and "tuning" into your clients body (while also using proper ergonomics) in order to use the techniques that will help or fulfill their needs in seeking out your services. You cant just do a routine because everyone is different. Instead in these videos we are getting the tools and then it is up to us to be able to identify what each client will need. The video on ergonomics and the chi machine will probably be in my list of favorites at the end of this course. I really like the relaxing affect the technique can have on the client in the beginning of the session. Which is important because I think in other modalities where the client must disrobe there is some apprehension. Even myself as a therapist I feel a little apprehension when I disrobe for a massage session. So I think this is a tool that I will always use to open my sessions. And the emphasis in not only the comfortability of the client but also of the therapist is so important. The techniques shown for foot massage I feel are great. I feel very confident in being able to perform them. At this time I am using two consistent individuals for my practical time. They are my step-mother (44 year old female), and my son (6 years old). However, I do plan on trying these techniques out on more individuals but I know for sure that I will be working on both of them consistently through the entirety of this program. I will be posting brief testimonials and feedback from both of them as I start to incorporate regular practice of these techniques and those that I learn in the videos this week.
June 28, 2010
Offline I agree, the fact that you can keep your clothes on will put many people at ease who otherwise might be apprehensive.
Those Thai Massage therapists who only follow a set routine are "massage mechanics" in my book. My purpose is to training healing artists.
I like to start the session out in a relaxing way, and end it in a relaxing way. That frames it nicely.
May 17, 2012
Offline I like that healing artist has a nice Sound to it. I want to ask if you close with the chi machine but I have a feeling that you may say "you will find out later in the course" ha ha
June 28, 2010
Offline You guessed wrong on that one. I can tell you exactly how I end all my sessions right now. I use parts of my Heavenly Head Massage program. That's a winner every single time! Everyone loves it.
May 17, 2012
Offline Interesting I have been practicing the chi machine and the techniques for foot massage as shown in the first few videos and have been getting good responses. It is different from what I'm used to doing in table massage so it makes me want to practice a little bit extra so that I get used to them. I've actually caught my mind trying to think of how I can adapt these techniques in a way where I could use a similar technique on the table. I'm not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing.
June 28, 2010
Offline It's not a good or a bad thing, but working on the floor has several advantages:
- Your body mechanics are easier and more effective since you can get right on top of clients
- There are a number of techniques that cannot be done on a table
- You can move clients around much easier since a floor mat is a bigger surface than a table
Quite a few therapists are doing Thai Massage on a table, so it can be done, however I have a strong preference for working on the floor for the above mentioned reasons.
There are reasons for working on a table. For example if therapists have problems with their knees or ankles and just cannot get into some of the positions that are used when working on the floor, then the table is a good alternative.
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