Register
Log In
Home
September 15, 2021
Offline
Module 1
My experience with this course is love at first sight. The combination of working both physically and energetically with clients feels like a very natural thing for me. This is not to say I expect this all to be easy in practice.
Upon watching this first module it is clear that my current experience as a yoga practitioner and teacher will serve as a great foundation. Sitting on the floor is something that I actually like to do whenever I can.
I love the idea that anatomy is not the key driver. In my yoga practice and teaching my style has been more to create a flow of movement driven by the energy of the student or students in the room. I’ve steered clear of technical language especially around anatomy only because it was not authentically my reason for teaching or doing yoga. I will be very conscious of the same idea in Thai massage where the movement is akin to a dance between partners.
Utilizing body weight and working ergonomically versus using muscle power truly resonates with me. One of the things that really stands out is the idea that the client should not be feeling as if you are doing a lot of work or putting forth tremendous effort or strain. I know that in the past I have done simple moves with my husband and he responded with a concern that I was working too hard. My intentions were good and in fact I did not feel overly taxed but the point is that he felt that I was. As a smaller woman working with my husband, a larger heavier person, it is easy for that to happen. But this time I was able to put the concept of ergonomics to work being aware that the experience needs to feel energetically comfortable and that my transfer of energy to my client is very palpable for them. It seems I was able to do a better job in that transfer of energy this time.
Lastly, the breath work is something that comes fairly intuitively for me. It felt very natural practicing the “lean in breathe out” technique and is one more thing that makes me feel like I am very much in sync with the basic concepts of Thai massage.
I’m really looking forward to learning more about the energy lines throughout the course.
Thank you Shama!
Kim Vecchio
June 28, 2010
Offline
Hi Kim, welcome to the Complete Thai Massage certification program. I loved reading your first post about module one. It inspired me, and I am the creator of the course! 
I am sure you will do very well with the course, especially with your yoga background.
It looks like you have it all figured out with the forum posting. As a formality, I always post a link to our certification checklist at the beginning of each thread to make sure that it is all correctly organized. So here it is for your perusal:
I am looking forward to reading about your progress with the course.
September 15, 2021
Offline Module 2
The concepts of being in the right mindset and using your body, your natural flow and energy to drive the movement is very inspiring to me. Also, the idea that correct ergonomics will make it possible for me to work with larger individuals than myself is very interesting and comforting to know. In other words, it would appear that I do not need to be big and strong to become a capable therapist. In fact, in watching some of the additional videos from Thailand, it is clear that I am in good company as a small woman.
Nevertheless, practicing the Chi machine with my partner still seemed like it could be a challenge. After practicing it I discovered that with the right position and by letting my body flow I was able to transfer that movement to his body. At first I wasn’t sure what it would take to create movement along his entire body and I was focused on his hips as confirmation that I was on the right track. He is a very appreciative partner in the sense that his body really could use the stretching and healing energy that comes from the Thai massage. He did indeed feel a sensation of energy and warmth in his back, hips and legs. I can see why this is a great way to start the massage.
June 28, 2010
Offline "It would appear that I do not need to be big and strong to become a capable therapist" - This is exactly true since most Thai Massage therapists in Thailand are small Asian women, and that includes my Thai wife who has been working on typically much larger westerners for two decades.
There are some techniques that you can either modify or skip on much larger and heavier clients, and that will be addressed in this course in many places.
1 Guest(s)
