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November 16, 2013
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Here we go. I am so looking forward to this adventure.
Module #1
The introductory video was a wonderful overview and a good reminder that this is an art and not simply a mechanical process. The balance you discussed between the person receiving the massage and the person giving the massage was very enlightening. The overview of the different techniques tellls me that there is much to learn as I walk this path.
June 28, 2010
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Hi Kim, welcome to our forum! I am looking forward to working with you in your new adventure! You got that one right that there is a lot to learn on this path, and it is rewarding and exciting. 
November 16, 2013
Offline Module #1
Ok, not sure who loved the Chi Machine more...my partner or myself. I did not even have to ask for feedback from my partner. After we finished and he rested there a while he said it felt so good he didn't want to get up.
It took a little while to figure out how to sit comfortably on my feet because of structural issues with my knees as we discussed earlier but I found if I use a very small bolster behind my knees I can sit up straight and relax comfortably into the position. Hurdle number 1 with the knees so there is hope. I am open to any other ideas you may have on this Shama.
What was most interesting to me was that it left me with a sense of being centered and at the same time relaxed and centered my partner.
I can't wait for Module #3.
June 28, 2010
Offline I am glad to hear that your knee issue is not proving to be as much of an obstacle as you had feared, and you already found your first workaround. I am sure with a little creativity you will find more workarounds if necessary, and I am always available to help if you need advice.
You will see throughout the course that there are many ways of doing things. It is not a rigid sequence which you have to follow. It is more an artistic flow which is guided by what you are able to do, and what type of client you are working on. In other words, it is a fluid system, not a mechanical one.
It is great that you could do the Chi Machine well. This one is often not so easy in the beginning, so that's a good sign!
November 16, 2013
Offline Module #3
Wow, there was a lot of information in this module. The detail in the lessons were unbelievable. It made bringing it to life so simple...very powerful.
On the first time looking at the lesson I was not sure that I would be able to remember everything. After several times watching through the "flow" of it came through and the "lightbulb" came on. The way everything was broken down definitely contributed to that so I thank you for your wonderful, detailed instructions. 
Interestingly enough I did not have too much trouble grasping the circular motion. 
Where I struggled the most to get comfortable and flowing was the last technique, with my leg underneath my partners. Practice, practice, practice and still practicing to find that sweet spot where I am not so close with my partner's foot and not leaning back just to have the space for turning the foot out and pressing forward. It gets better each time but definitely a ways to go.
Luckily, my partner does not have an issue with being the recipient of my practice.
June 28, 2010
Offline That's great that you figured the circular motion out quickly - that one is often challenging for new students.
Don't worry about remembering everything. When you go through the course the first time, there is no way you will remember everything. That will take months and even years of practice so that it becomes so much part of you that you don't have to think about it anymore at all. You are not expected to remember it all right away. And your clients would never know anyway what you "forgot". Just do what you remember and build gradually from there. These are not mandatory sequences that break if you forget something.
I am glad you had "lightbulbs" going on. 
November 16, 2013
Offline Module #4
So far, the work on the sole of the foot get the most stars....other than the Chi Machine that is. I got an interesting response to the technique for circling up between the toes also...my partner stated that it felt like as I completed each one there was a grounding connection in his foot. I am not sure if it was just the circular motion traveling up or that I gently pulled each toe at the top and paused before going to the next but it was wonderful to hear.
June 28, 2010
Offline It sounds like you are developing a nice technique and style of working - good to hear that!
November 16, 2013
Offline Module #5
This module reminded me of your stick shift story on a previous module as far as getting into a comfortable position for the techniques inside the thigh. The instructions in the module were very clear....just translating to how it works for my body will take time
The biggest challenge I face is finding an ergonomically correct way of moving for these that works for me....not discouraged, but realizing that this may take a while before I find that place where it flows. Until then I practice until I find the sweet spot for efficiency and comfort which translates to an even better experience for my client as time goes on.
June 28, 2010
Offline What you are experiencing is totally normal and expected. In the early stages of the Thai Massage training it often feels a bit clumsy. You have to focus so much on getting the techniques right that it is difficult to find the flow and the sweet spot. Once you get to the point where you don't have to think about the techniques so much anymore, when they feel easy and natural, then it will be much easier to focus on the flow and all the other elements which make up good Thai Massage. There is a learning curve which everyone has to go through. Once they get to the last third of the course material, most students report that they now feel the flow and it all starts to fall into place. Patience, grass hopper!
November 16, 2013
Offline Module #6
Love the forearm techniques...seems to just flow and comes much easier as far as a whole body movement. Still working on getting the hang of the outside of the leg and getting out of my way but it will come. BTW Shama....loved the grasshopper comment. If you only knew how accurate that was... my husband cracked up when I read it to him. Patience is something that I constantly remind myself of. Lots of patience with other people but can always use the reminder to apply it to myself as well. Here's to peace and patience on the journey...many blessings
June 28, 2010
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I am glad that my grasshopper comment hit the nail on the head. And I am glad that I provided some amusement for your husband. There is a saying "Why do angels fly? Because they take themselves lightly!" That was always a lesson which I took to heart. Laughing is good medicine, especially when we can laugh about ourselves.
November 16, 2013
Offline Module # 7
I have seen these Thai stretches many times and it took your breakdown of it to de-mistify it. This module was fun. Well, they are all fun when you break down how simple they can be. Goes to show that the simple things in life really are the best. My husband is recovering from a hip impingement from years of hard running/biking training and he loved these stretches as they actually seemed to provide some space within the hip joints. He had no issues with tightness during the warmups as we used the pillow under his knee so the presses, which lengthened away from the hip, were comfortable for him.
November 16, 2013
Offline Module #8
I was definitely glad you showed alternate methods for working on people much larger than ourselves. My partner is 6' and I am 5' 3" so it made these type of techniques possible. It worked fine to follow the moves from module 7 because I have large hands but without all the different ways you showed us for the hip stretches in this module it would have been impossible to do. With the technique for using the shoulder it was not only comfortable for me but allowed me to maintain correct alignment for both of us and using my whole body. You definitely don't see that in a lot of video programs. Hat off to you Shama...thank you
June 28, 2010
Offline Thanks for the kudos!
With Thai Massage the old adage is very applicable: "If the only tool you have is a hammer, then everything looks like a nail." That's why you need a variety of a alternate techniques to vary your approach based on whom you are working on. That's a big part of the art of Thai Massage.
November 16, 2013
Offline Modules #9 and #10
I put the feedback for these together for two reasons. One, they flow nicely together and two, I was offline for a couple days.
I really enjoyed these modules and putting the pieces of the "hip" pie together. I had the chance to practice with both tall and short individuals so I had a good chance to get a feeling for these and believe it or not it is actually starting to make intuitive sense. The intensity of the stretches on module 10 served as a good opportunity to get a feeling for what is appropriate for each individual. Oh, and everyone loved, loved, loved the spinal twists and going slowly and asking for feedback worked very well. I would always ask for feedback but find it interesting that you can usually feel where they have reached where they should go even before they even confirm it....nice
November 16, 2013
Offline Almost forgot to mention....interesting responses to the blood stop also, in a good way
June 28, 2010
Offline You are right, the more experienced and the more sensitive you become, the more you will intuitively know how far you can go. I still always tell the client to feel free to give me feedback via the one-to-ten method since it is empowering for the client to know that the session will never go to a place where they can't handle it or where it just becomes stressful for them.
November 16, 2013
Offline Module #11
It was great to see everything all put together in a flow. I have been incorporating the warmups and usually one other technique in addition to the new material but it helped to see you put everything together.
November 16, 2013
Offline Module #12
Thank you, thank you, thank you, for all the different variations. Had a little difficulty one of the last techniques keeping my clients legs straight at first when stepping through since I am short. Any ideas on making that technique smoother for us short people?
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