Module 9

Finally a module that felt a little more natural and easy! I don't know if it is because of the practice, but I think it is also because this module had a lot of yoga style stretches. I always enjoy incorporating the elephant walking, as I have said the past few modules. 

In this particular module, I found the transitioning easier, especially between the intense hamstring stretch, and the supine twist. I think maybe up until now, I have been focusing too much on the transition, placing every foot, knee, hand in the exact spot and memorizing those placements. In this module, I experimented with using my intuition, and moving in a way that felt smooth and natural between different positions. As soon as I did this, I noticed I was doing it the way you were in the video- but was just using my natural instinct rather than trying to memorize how you were doing it. So I guess when you say not to become mechanical, and to allow the flow of energy and intuition to take over- this theory can be applied to not only the treatment and stretches themselves, but also the transitions of the therapist. 

Module 10

i found this module quite straight forward and smooth. At first i tried this on a friend of mine, as my usual partner was away. I had a challenge finding the femeral artery at first on this person, but did eventually find it. Once I practiced on my partner, i was able to locate the pulse immediately. I suppose with time it will become easier to locate instinctively.

Module 11

i have spent quite a few days just practicing this full flowimg sequence, and watching the video several times. Throughout the modules, i have been practicing from the first module forward, always including the newest module. So in a sense ive had time to practice the  flowing sequence with more moves each time. It was very helpful to actually see it  someone else perform it in a flowing motion- especially for details such as timing & rhythm. I have been using my intuition and gaging my partners energy when trying to understand how fast or slow movements should be. Thank you for the helpful video

Module 12

Hello again! It has been four weeks since I have posted- wow! I hope that my pace is ok for you, I have enjoyed time to practice the lower body before moving onto the hips and have been practicing the hips now as well for some time. 

I think the practice has allowed me to move forward with alot more confidence and grace, as this module felt very natural and very good for myself and my partner. I am getting more comfortable with, and more able to read the limit of my partner's stretching ability, which was something I was a bit nervous about before. Accidentally pushing them too far etc. 

I enjoy adding in a rocking motion to some of the hip stretches shown in this module. For example, the hip & piriformous stretch, when we can rock the knees in circles. I find that with any hip stretching (in thai massage, but also yoga) that rocking swaying motion really helps to soften the surrounding muscles, and allows the hip joint to open and move more freely. 

Module 13

I enjoyed that this module really focused on client relationships and gauging their experience using the 1-10 method. I also found it interesting how the subtle change of wording (ex. Discomfort vs. pain) can really effect the experience a person has during a treatment. I know i often refer back to yoga (but it is so similar!) in my classes, i can see how powerful the mind is for people trying to open into deeper stretches. I often ask them to reflect if they have categorized their sensation as good or bad, or like it/dont like it. I ask them to try and allow the sensation to be present without putting it into a box. For some people, i can immediately see their whole body soften, as they melt deeper into the stretch. Long story short (haha) i can see how the wording could sway their experience, and how important the connection is to the client to allow that softening and opening to happen!

Module 14

Funny how I mentioned briefly about two modules ago how much I love the rocking sensation to help open into the joint space. Needless to say, I really enjoy this module. As I mentioned before, in yoga and massage I feel the rocking motion relaxes the client's body AND mind, softening them into the stretch or movement.

I am excited to use rocking motion throughout the entire treatment- beginning with the chi machine, so give that relaxing element throughout to help maintain relaxation and openness. I will be starting to incorporate this more in my practices from here forward.

I also like the smooth transition while keeping contact with the client, from one side of their body to the other. This will definitely take practice. As I have mentioned in previous posts, the transitions and therapists positioning seem to be the trickiest parts for me, requiring alot more practice!

Module 15

I will definitely look into the Thai Rocking Massage once I have finished these modules.

Module 15 was very familiar for me, as it reminded me alot of the reiki I practice with clients. Taking the time to place the hands overtop of the hara, to feel the breath and connect is so valuable- and I really enjoy that this course includes that as part of the training. 

I also enjoy the abdomen massaging techniques, and appreciate you teaching them although they may not be "traditional" I feel that this area really appreciates being addressed and relaxed, and as you said in the video, we really do hold so much there emotionally. Also, as a woman, I find that during the time of menstruation, this area really craves a gentle touch to help soften and encourage the cleansing process within the body. 

Module 16

i feel like i say this about almost every module- but this is a fav, haha!

shoulders seem to be a common tense area in most people, and I feel these techniques are especially beneficial for thise who work at a desk, in a vehicle etc for ling periods of time. 

during the arm triangle stretch i used a yoga block for my partner to place under their hands, as their range of motion in the shoulders is a bit limited. This extra support allowed for a deep stretch and im interested to see if the range of motion will deepen with time and continuous stretching of this area.

Module 17

Wow! I am really amazed at how much you can do with the hand, and never even thought of the wrist as part of massage. I enjoyed receiving this touch even more than giving it! So relaxing, I could actually feel it immediately effect my blood pressure or something, my heart beat got slower and deeper. I don't know how or if that makes sense, but having the hand cared for is intensely relaxing and almost meditative. 

The arm wasn't as intense in my opinion, but equally as interesting to see the 3 lines of the arm, and work along them differently. I could see myself paying for, and enjoying an hour long hand massage all by itself. 

I am sure that different people's bodies react to being stimulated in different areas, but what are your thoughts on the hands, and why the touch is so intense? Could it be a scientific explanation of simply having more sensitive nerves, or maybe an energetic thing going on? Or perhaps a combo?

Module 18

Transitioning (for me) seems to be the part of Thai Massage I need to spend the most time on. The rhythm of the massage itself tends to come a little faster than the transitions (or positioning) throughout. In some of the transitions, (especially this one with the shoulder traction at the top of the head) I found a little more natural for me to work through. In other modules, I have found subtle ways of moving my body a little different than how you do it. This probably depends on my size relative to my partner's size. I think like anything else, this will probably get easier with time, but as it is now, I find it to be one of the more complicated aspects of thai massage. It could be also that there is so much to think about with positioning of my body, partner's body, what it my next massage move etc. I suppose with time, the flow will just come from natural energy and rhythm rather than processed thought. Part of being a student I guess!