I have been practicing, but have not been posting because I had been unable to get my certification request to go through.  It finally went through this morning, so I will start updating my notes regarding my practice sessions.  Further practice of the chi machine has led to interesting results.  Each time I perform this technique my partner says that she can feel the energy moving, but one time she said it only came up to her chest and stopped there.  She had a chest cold that day which was causing her quite a bit of congestion, so we concluded that she apparently had a blockage in the area of her lungs and her heart chakra.

The 2 footwork modules have proved very useful.  Not only does my practice partner love this work, but I have added it to the footwork I do on my table massage clients.  Some of it is similar to what I already did, but particularly helpful are the lateral movements of the feet.  I notice quite a bit of stretching and release of tension in the feet and ankles on most of my clients.

Although I tried to register for certification in July, I couldn't get the part to take the test to go through.  That is finally accomplished.  I will reorganize and repost my first first few modules.

Module 1 – Intro

Because I am a licensed massage therapist, I found much of the introduction module regarding body mechanics and basic concepts to be quite familiar. Table massage also emphasizes proper body mechanics and works with the client in supine and prone positions and sometimes in a side-lying position. In addition, Swedish massage emphasizes flow in the techniques. Since I also do chair massage, I already work with clients in a sitting position, also. Table massage also involves the techniques you list of compression, stretching, twisting, traction, rocking, percussion, kneading, thumbing, and holding. The video states that using diferent body parts to work is unique to Thai massage, but in fact, although we do not use the feet in table massage for obvious reasons, we also use the thumbs, fingers, hands (not just the palm, but the side of the hand or often a fist or knuckles), forearms, and elbows to work, and occasionally even get a leg involved to brace or prop a body part that we are working on.

Module 2 – Chi Machine

I tried the chi machine technique on my practice partner, and it seemed to go well.  After performing the technique, I explained to her what it was and she mentioned that she had thought she felt something going through her, but until I explained that we were moving chi she thought it might have been her imagination.

Further practice of the chi machine has led to interesting results.  Each time I perform this technique my partner says that she can feel the energy moving, but one time she said it only came up to her chest and stopped there.  She had a chest cold that day which was causing her quite a bit of congestion, so we concluded that she apparently had a blockage in that area.

I am fortunate that Swedish is only a part of my training and experience.  While I use Swedish as a base to help create flow in my work, I have many other tools in my toolbox.  But you're right that my style is apparently very different from many massage therapists because I often have clients comment that nobody has ever gotten to certain problem spots before in the way that I do.

Module 3 – Foot Massage 1

My practice partner loves the work in this module. I have added the moves in the first 14 minutes of the video to the work I do on my table massage clients.  Some of it is similar to what I already did, but particularly helpful are the lateral movements of the feet.  I notice quite a bit of stretching and release of tension in the feet and ankles on most of my clients. The move that involves the twisting and push/pull on the leg has proved very useful in the practice sessions as my partner has quite a bit of tightness in the upper legs, and this is very helpful in loosening that area.

Module 4 – Foot Massage 2

While most of the video is a review of concepts and the previous video, the new techniques may pose somewhat problematic for me. They work fine for my practice partner as she is smaller than me, but as I am a smallish person myself, with fairly small hands, I am not sure they will be as effective when working on a large person with large feet. The concepts and techniques are basically the same as I do in table massage, except that I work on one foot at a time using both hands on each foot. I think when working on a large foot this may prove to be more effective for me.

Module 5 – Leg Warmup

The compressions using the butterfly move received a good review from my partner. For the work with her leg angled, I did need to use a pillow under her knee, but the work went well and she especially enjoyed the work on the thighs. I find the inner thigh work especially useful as this is an area that is harder to work using other massage techniques.

Module 6 – Leg Warmup Forearm

Practicing the forearm moves felt a bit awkward with my very small practice partner. However, I could get the sense of how this could be very useful with a larger client. In the calf work, my partner particular enjoyed the rotating motion. The other technique that seemed especially effective was the rocking motion at the beginning of this segment. Rocking always seems a particularly good way to gently start loosening tight areas.

Module 7 – Leg Stretches 1

My practice partner had a restriction in her right hip and definitely needed a pillow under her right leg for the first stretch. She enjoyed the rocking motion, but the stretch and walking using the foot with the leg at a 90 degree angle seemed partcularly effective. Like the final stretch and the rocking variation, but it takes a bit more practice to perform smoothly.

Module 8 – Leg Stretches 2

My partner enjoyed the calf and knee work, and I find the knee technique useful for self-care when my knees start to feel a bit over-used. I am using the leg stretch in this module on several of my clients, and I find that they all seem to prefer it when I rock them into the stretch. This goes for yoga practitioners and instructors and non-practitioners alike, the only difference being how far I can ultimately take them into the stretch.

Module 9 – Leg Stretches 3

I totally get it about reminding clients to relax. I often remind clients (especially new clients) that it is my job to do the work for the next hour. The adductor stretches are probably among the most difficult, not because it is a difficult technique, but because this seems to be one of the tightest areas for most people. My clients, however, really appreciate the results we can get with these stretches. The hamstring stretches are great for everyone, but especially for athletes. The cross-body stretch is another favorite. I agree with asking for feedback, but have never been a fan of the 1-10 scale. I prefer more descriptive responses that tell me more about what exactly is going on.

Module 10 – Leg Stretches 4

Love the first spinal stretch and the hamstring stretch. I find the adductor stretch a bit more challenging, but think it will be very useful for my some of my clients at the yoga retreat.

Module 11 – Summary 1

The summary may be the most difficult of the modules. While most of the individual techniques don’t seem too challenging, keeping a flow through the process may take quite a bit of practice. I need to work on self-care to become much more limber and graceful in my maneuvering from one position to the next.

Module 12 – Hip Stretches

The calf and hamstring stretch with the leg raised toward a 90^o angle is fantastic. On less limber clients, a very little effort goes a long way. On flexible clients it gives a very powerful stretch. A chirpractor use to do a similar move on me when I was doing ballroom dancing, and the results were amazing. Hip stretches are among my favorite stretches. My practice partner was very pleased with the sacrum work, and I was surprised at how effective the elephant walking was in the case.