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June 28, 2010
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Aside from moving to Thailand where most people are quite short, there will always be a challenge for small therapists working on much larger persons. The solution is to not try to drive a square peg into a round hole and just skip techniques where the discrepancy is such that either the technique is not effective or it strains you too much to do it.
All the techniques in the course are options to choose from, not mandatory sequences, and not all techniques will work on everyone. There is absolutely nothing wrong with skipping some techniques. The art is to create a session which works well for the client AND for you, the therapist. And this means that sometimes you have to decide what NOT to do.
November 16, 2013
Offline I pretty much thought that was the case....but....with all the variations you have shown I figured it would not hurt to ask since I'm pretty sure a move to Thailand would not be an option for me. 
I really appreciate how you are so attentive in your responses. The immediate feedback is worth a lot.
November 16, 2013
Offline Module # 13
Really enjoyed the philosophy side of this lesson. The explanations of how to work with the client for problem areas that they may have and measuring progress were so clear and simple. One of my partners has some serious tight areas and your explanations gave some valuable insight into the best ways to address this. Much appreciated and practicing these methods proves over and over again how important it is to always remember that the "dance" requires two. Without it there would only be a performance, which is not what all this is about.
June 28, 2010
Offline I am glad that this resonates with you. These are the things that make a Thai Massage special.
November 16, 2013
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Module # 14
Very nice, not only did we already learn that Thai massage is a "dance", we learned how to dance within the dance moving from one side to the nice. This will be a challenge for these knees of mine but I love a challenge and it may even strengthen them with time 
BTW....going by your emails sent I hope you are feeling much better.
November 16, 2013
Offline Module #15
This one was very nice and it was also familiar since I have been doing very similar self massage abdominal techniques for some time. Clients are loving that we are starting the shoulder work also
June 28, 2010
Offline I appears that you have come a long way with your Thai Massage despite your initial concerns due to your knee issue. I am really glad that you managed to go through with this training.
November 16, 2013
Offline Yes, the knee provides a challenge but not an insurmountable one. 
Module #16
This was surprisingly a more challenging module than I thought initially. This is one module I will revisit "many" times. I know from myself how "good" shoulder work feels and I really want to get to point where this flows more smoothly...and it will...in time. I feel really lucky that I have practice partners that are both short and tall as it give me a better perspective on subtle adjustments to techniques. The taller one with me shorter is definitely a practice in refinement...which is good.
June 28, 2010
Offline Actually there is lots more shoulder work coming once you get to the side position modules. So you will have plenty of options.
November 16, 2013
Offline Sweet.
Module #17. The hand work was a hit. And, as a side note....I switched it up and had my partner return the favor....hehehehe. Actually, both the giving and receiving of the hand work feels really good.
June 28, 2010
Offline I know, I could receive hand massage all day long! Glad you got to experience it too.
November 16, 2013
Offline Modules #18 and #19
I really appreciate the work on the transitions. Going around the head reminded me of how I moved in Aikido a long time ago for the floor work. Your breakdowns of the transitions is a dance in itself
Both the review in module #19 here and the earlier one really puts every into focus. The individual techniques are wonderful, but seeing it all put together is like putting music to the dance. These reviews come at very good places in the training helping to tie together everything you have taught.
June 28, 2010
Offline "These reviews come at very good places in the training helping to tie together everything you have taught." That was the idea!
Regarding the various transitions - one of my students jokingly calls me Spiderman because of my easily getting around people. I take that as a compliment from him!
November 16, 2013
Offline Module # 20
Great introduction to the prone techniques. Very valuable advice on the use of pillows for props. Funny, never thought of a small pillow just on the side of the head....even though it made perfect sense when you said it. 
Nights are always cool here especially during the winter and the advice of the blanket is one that I already use. I know from myself how cool you can get when you are totally relaxed.
November 16, 2013
Offline Module # 21
I really enjoyed this module....a lot of dancing...
Since I am small I used the alternative way of sliding underneath the leg. I actually used it for a different reason than not enough strength though....I used it to get out of my own way with a taller person.
A lot of moves in this module made it a great sequence all by itself.
November 16, 2013
Offline Module # 22
I have a question on the stretch with both legs on a more flexible person. On the one leg stretch we were leaning into the hamstrings to avoid twisting the knee. Does that not come into play (the twisting of the knee I mean) when we do both legs at once?
June 28, 2010
Offline You are correct. That's why this is a stretch which you can only do on very flexible people. If you feel that there is significant resistance, then definitely don't do it. However there are people who can easily handle it without stressing their knees. I see this here in Thailand where people are much more flexible in general. Like all strong stretches, it is a judgment call.
November 16, 2013
Offline Ok, have had limited computer access over the last two weeks but I was able to download the videos and do the practice but getting these posts was "not" working well. At any rate, I was writing them down as I went so I will post the notes from the modules to date here:
Module # 23
Very detailed explanation on the anatomy of the sacrum and the techniques. The people that I was able to practice on do a lot of sitting so this was a very good module to practice on them. The general comment was that they felt like they had a deep tissue massage because it loosened up their lower back very nicely. Need to work a little bit on my balance for the knee but it will come.
Module #24
I don't think we can every hear enough of "protect you thumbs and wrists". 🙂 Wow, this module was very popular with the people I worked on. They loved the back work.
Most, even the men, preferred a pillow under their chest as for the men it was a litle easier on their lower back interestingly enough. Again, most of the people I worked on work at a desk all day so the lower back is definitely tight and all the of these were more than welcome to them.
Module #25
Really liked your explanations on finding the tight spots. I love the way you put things in a way that is sooo obvious once you actually feel it. The knee work will be a little while before/if I will be able to do with these knees of mine. But I loved the instruction and demonstration as I have had this done but it's a little hard to see what is happening when you are the client. LOL
Module #26
It's always nice to hear that "traditional" may not be "optimal" in every case. Being already on Module #26 with no sore thumbs or wrist definetely shows that the alternate approaches to the same back work is a very "smart" way to contiue the practice. The forearm techniques feel very natural as is the galloping technique. Actually, more often than not the elephant walk ends up being the galloping technique...
Module #27
This module had techniques that I find with so many people was the most beneficial. The shoulder and trap work are key to keeping our posture as we age. The trapezius gets sooo tight with people that are always at a computer AND even for many people I know who do manual repetitive lifting everyday. Being part of the older population myself I realize that this becomes even more true as time goes on.
Module #28
Again, the summary modules are most beneficial. With this summary especially I did not realize how many techniques we had covered until they were all put together in a summary. It is hard to believe we have come so far.
Module #29
I was not sure the reaction for sitting on the thigh but surprisingly there was very positive feedback on this technique. A little awkward the first few times moving down so will need to work on the ergonomics for that part but definitely possible. The hip techniques on the side were very positive in the feedback also as it was reaching areas that were not as easily worked in the other positions.
Module #30
I really found the twist type technique to be very natural in the side position. The spinal twist with rocking is a little more difficult to get the hang of but I can see how this could feel wonderful once there is a smooth rhythm. For now the rythm is very slow but even that has positive feedback.
June 28, 2010
Offline Wow, that was an encyclopedia of Thai Massage notes. My impression is that you are very comfortable with all the material and are progressing well. That's a short answer to a long post!
November 16, 2013
Offline Module #31 and #32
The shoulder work and scapula work in these two videos seemed at the same time easier and harder. It was much easier moving around smoothly but some of the moves were much more technical. It is hard to believe how much we have learned and the shoulder work...although it needs work on "my" end was a hit. My partner felt the benefits of lot of techniques from both of these videos as he has had rotator cuff surgery in the past and keeping the range of motion in his shoulder is very beneficial.
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