Hi Shama,

I practiced module 31 (more side lying) but for the shoulder.  There really is something to be said for side lying and the access it gives to the shoulder mm's (and the hips).  We just started Fall Ball (baseball again) so Jack will love this work after he pitches in a game.  I rushed through the session tonight because it's a school night and we got started late but he liked the work and said it "hurt but in a good way"  He didn't care for the rocking motion at the shoulder but I may have been going too fast.  The stretches are wonderful.  I wish I had taken this course while I was still doing Massage Therapy.    A lot of the upper body work would translate well to the table.  Thank you as always for everything you have put into this course!  I will keep practicing.  Namaste.

Hi Shama,

Jack and I just worked on module 32.  Well, I worked and he got to enjoy the fabulous shoulder stretches   He had games on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday so he was more than a little sore and this was the perfect routine for him.  His scapula was fairly loose and it was easy to get under it.  I have worked on clients like you have described where the scapula is glued to the back.  Subscapularis can be a challenge to release.  I still need to work on body positioning but that will come in time.  I love the traction move for the arm and shoulder.  Jack was super ticklish so I just moved my hand down a bit.  He said the stretch (where I am clasping his hand on my knee and then I do the clockwise circles) hurt but I can see where that would be a great stretch for someone with really tight shoulders.  I hope you are well.  Take care. 

Hi Shama,

I've been working on modules 33 and 34 (The sitting position)  I didn't expect to like the moves as much as I did since I don't find sitting comfortable at ALL.  I totally agree that ending the session with a sitting position could detract from the relaxation of the massage.  Jack said he didn't really like the sitting position very much and when I asked him why he said that his back was hunched and it just wasn't comfortable to sit for very long especially after sitting all day.  He loved the upper trap work and the offset rocking with the edges of the hands.  I really liked the neck work with the interlaced hands.  I'm not sure if I was doing the foot rocking correctly but he said it felt good.  (Where my feet are just below the shoulder blades.)  Do the feet go up and down or forward and back?  Jack loved the spinal twist move too.  My favorite stretch (maybe from the whole course!!...) was the traction move where their hands are around my neck and I lean back.  He loved it too.  I'm not sure if I would want to do this on someone who was much bigger than me because it could be a problem to get back up.    I have to work on the shoulder stretch in module 34 a little more.  That felt a little awkward.  As always, GOOD STUFF!!  I will keep working on it and I know it will all come together.  Maybe someday I can make it look as graceful and beautiful as you do.  I always think to myself as I'm watching the modules...."I've got this"  and then when I go to practice it I realize that it takes a LOT of practice to become proficient at Thai Massage    I think I have one more module to go which I will watch again and post about tomorrow. I hope you are well.  Namaste.

Dear Shama,

I re-watched the last module on Client communication. This was always an area that I felt comfortable with because I was very familiar with the information that I needed to present and my intention was always to educate my clients as well as give them the best massage that I knew how to give.  I would refer people to other practitioners, doctors or physical therapists if they needed that.  I always did an intake form with new clients and kept soap notes on every client.  I would review the notes before the client's appt. so that I was reminded of what their issues might be, the type of pressure that I usually used and sometimes I would make personal notes about things they shared so that I could remember to ask (for example) "How did your Mom's surgery go?" When you have a busy practice the notes help tremendously.  The soap notes were an important part of my practice and I think that it sets the tone for first session when you go over the intake form and take notes.  I always allowed enough time to do a short intake before every massage even if I saw the person every week or every month.  A lot of people do not want to talk during a massage but I always encouraged them to let me know if the pressure was too much.  I like your 1-10 system even though I never used that before taking this class. 

Well, my dear Shama, I am finished with the course and even though I have thanked you repeatedly throughout the course I just want to let you know that this was an amazing course and you are an outstanding teacher.  It is very apparent that you put your heart and soul into making these videos and that you really care about the quality of the class and want your students to succeed.  I have about 5 months left to complete my Yoga certification and when I am done with that I want to take your heavenly head massage course.  I appreciate all of the feedback from you and will continue to practice this form of massage.  I will stay in touch from time to time and will let you know when I am ready to take the heavenly head massage class.  Blessings and best wishes for your health and continued success.  Namaste.