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July 18, 2014
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Module 1
This video was very informative.Usually when i massage my client on the ground in the supine position i generally have lower back ache and a pain at the back of my neck however after looking at this video multiple times i learnt some positions (proper ergonomics) that i can manipulate my body while massaging on the ground and did not have the lower back ache at the end of the session.I felt comfortable and relaxed while massaging as a result of proper ergonomics.
I asked my client if she preferred the compression technique when i used the force of my muscle compared to compression by body weight and she said that when i used body weight it was more relaxing to her.
I tried stretching the leg of my client as shown in the video but she felt some discomfort so i did not continue.I will wait until i receive the video for stretching the leg before i attempt it in the future.
At first i had my client on an exercise mat on the ground but it was still uncomfortable so i placed a piece of sponge under the mat and it was found to be more comfortable for me also.
It will take me a while to get accustomed to synchronizing my breathing with my movements but i guess you need to concentrate in the beginning to ensure you exhale when compressing.
June 28, 2010
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Hi Nabeel, welcome to our forum. I am glad you liked the first video, and it seems that you got quite a bit out of it.
July 18, 2014
Offline Module 2
Thank you soo much Shama for the explanation on the different terms used to describe Thai massage. I always thought they were different types of massages that consisted of different techniques.
I heard about the chi machine and its amazing benefits but i didn't know that it could be simulated soo easily. At first i didn't get it right but after looking at the video a few times i got it.
It's really important to have the client's leg at the mid thigh area towards the inside of the thigh because when its closer towards the knee, i noticed that the wavelike motion is not achieved. Furthermore there needs to be a space between the legs of the massage therapist because if the legs are too close together the client's leg will bounce each other and my client was uncomfortable when i made that error.
My client really enjoyed the chi machine technique very much and said it was very relaxing and felt energized.
June 28, 2010
Offline Looks like you got the subtleties of the Chi Machine figured out. It's really a neat technique, especially since nobody else in Thai Massage is doing it.
July 18, 2014
Offline Module 3
I had to look at the video many times and had to practice alot before i got the positions and movements right.It is really important not to use the force of the biceps and to just rely on the weight of the body when doing these stretches. I had to focus on the positions where my hands were being placed when moving between the three positions.
When using the technique of moving my body in circles while pressing and turning the feet outwards in three positions took me a while to get good at and i had to focus alot when doing this technique but my client said it was relaxing.
My client really enjoyed the massage and said that her feet felt relaxed and lighter after it was performed on her.
June 28, 2010
Offline This particular technique where you move your body in circles is not exactly an easy one. This one takes time for everyone to get good at, since it does combine several movements into one.
July 18, 2014
Offline Module 4
Thank you soo much Shama for the revision of what was taught in module 3 and for the encouragement.It was much appreciated.My client enjoyed the kneading technique on the sole of the feet.I have a question though. The sen lines run laterally so why didn't we follow the direction of the lines from the heel to the toes when kneading at the bottom of the feet?
The massage is very thorough though.I noticed that after practicing what i learnt from your videos that all aspects of rotation of the ankles and well as flexing of the feet was covered.
Once i understood the principle of what was being done it was easier to remember the technique and positions
June 28, 2010
Offline In regards to the sen lines, it is not a matter of rigidly following a line in a certain direction. What counts is that you stimulate them, and that's not just a directional thing. Anyway, there are different schools and ways to work with the feet. Even if you disregard the sen lines, let's say, you will still hit lots of reflexology points. So it is practically impossible to work on the feet and not stimulate something, if it's sen lines or reflexology points. So what I mean is that you don't have to follow specific lines on the foot in a certain direction in order to get a good result from the foot massage.
July 18, 2014
Offline Module 5
Excellent technique for locking the leg into position when massaging the thighs.At first i was pressing on the thighs and there was a lot of movement then after watching over the video i realized that i didn't lock the leg into position with my foot.
What is the reason for breathing out when pressing on the muscle and breathing in when releasing from the press?
Rolling up,kneading with the heel of the hand at the base of the feet, the calf muscle and thigh muscle was very relaxing for my patient.
Thank you for the encouragement and motivation in your videos.
June 28, 2010
Offline Regarding the breathing pattern: That's the natural flow. If you do it the other way round, it feels like you are working against yourself. If you exert an effort, you breathe out. It's the same in martial arts. If you strike or kick, you breathe out. That's how you get your power.
July 18, 2014
Offline Module 6
I really like the technique that was taught in this module for warming up of the leg.At first i had my client's leg closer to my abdominal area but it was a bit uncomfortable so i adjusted the placement of the leg and positioned it to the mid of my thigh area when pushing and pulling. The pushing and pulling took me a while to master before it became as smooth as the way you did it.
When trying the second technique on my patient,she complained that it was a bit uncomfortable for her since my forearms are not very muscular and are quite bony.Do you have any suggestions with regards to this?
Thank you for sharing this alternative method for warming up the legs.I need to practice more to remember the positions so i can combine both the techniques taught in module 5 and module 6.
June 28, 2010
Offline The secret is to lean in with feeling and sensitivity, sink in slowly without any muscle pressure. It takes a bit of practice to find and feel the right spot under your forearms. One way to reduce potential discomfort is to roll the forearm a little instead of applying straight linear pressure. If a therapist has very bony forearms and the client has very bony thighs with little muscle mass, then I would use leg rocking techniques instead.
July 18, 2014
Offline Module 7
I am really impressed by how it is possible to tell the position of the hip just by observing how the feet are aligned.I tried the gentle rocking technique before stretching the leg of my client and she found it to be very relaxing.
I have a question Mr Shama.My client complains of putting more of her weight on the left side of her body when sitting or even standing and i have found that the feet of the left leg is in the usual opened position pointing outwards.Can you advise me on how to correct that problem? and will the stretches in this module correct that problem and if so how often does this stretch have to be repeated for this condition to never come back?I'm sorry if i ask too many questions but i really like when my clients get relief when i do a massage on them.
I really enjoyed this lesson and my client felt a release of tension in her hip region when i did the stretches that were taught in this module.
Thank you Mr Shama for enlightening me in the arts of Thai massage
June 28, 2010
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If someone has a structural misalignment, then this is often caused by certain life style habits. For example men might carry their wallet in one back pocket which throws their hip out of alignment, or women might carry their handbag on one shoulder all the time which can throw their entire posture out of alignment.
If you try to correct a problem through Thai Massage therapy, but the client keeps doing what caused the problem in the first place, then you are fighting an uphill battle.
Ideally you would try to find out what the cause of the problem might be. Sometimes this can be quite obvious, and sometimes it can be very difficult to find. There might be postural issues like scoliosis, kyphosis or lordosis, all of which can contribute to the problem.
One way of narrowing down the problem is to check if the height of both shoulders is the same or if one is higher than the other. This can often give a clue to postural misalignment.
Regarding how long it takes to correct such a condition depends on several factors: How long has the client had this problem? Can you identify the cause and get the client to change a life style habit that might reverse it? Is the client willing do do helpful exercises or yoga positions which might help?
All this takes a good amount of experience and often some additional skills or knowledge on the part of the therapist.
July 18, 2014
Offline Thank you Mr Shama
July 18, 2014
Offline Module 8
Thinking conceptually makes it easy to remember the moves and stretches.I think working on all the leg muscles is important in warming up the muscles before the hip stretches. I had forgotten to do the leg warm up and went straight into the stretch and it was very uncomfortable for my client but after warming up, the stretch was carried out with a lot of ease and comfort.
My client felt really relaxed when applying the technique to relax the calf muscle and she said that her knees felt lighter after the session.I did the knee relaxing technique on a few clients and they especially enjoyed having their knees rubbed especially in the circular motion.
I was having some problems in remembering how to perform the hip stretch with the clients foot being placed on the groin area of the practitioner but after practicing for a day i got it.Can that stretch be done on a pregnant woman?
Thank you for showing the different ways of doing the same stretch.
June 28, 2010
Offline If a pregnant woman has a big belly, then you cannot do that stretch. If she is the early stages of pregnancy, then there should be no problem. You can always do a lighter version of this stretch like just circling the leg instead of going for the full stretch. Then you would avoid pressing on the belly, but the stretch would still be very effective for the hip joint.
July 18, 2014
Offline Module 9
When i did the previous stretches taught in module 8 i noticed that the muscle that was mentioned in this module was really tense. This way is a really simple method of warming up the muscle and when i did the stretch as you taught it my client said that her leg felt very loose. I was not able to carry my client's leg right down because after a certain point i noticed a sense of discomfort so i desisted.
For the leg stretch at the 45 degree angle i wasn't able to carry out the stretch at first so i moved it in a circular motion as you showed earlier in this module and then i was able to stretch it a little more.
I tried the hamstring stretch but i was not able to stretch it much because my client showed some discomfort as i used more body weight but when the entire massage was over she felt really good.
At the end of the massage my client informed me that she had better bowel movements had her entire hip area felt better.
June 28, 2010
Offline Good feedback and good results is what it's all about! There will always be stretches that you won't be able to do or that need warming or other motion techniques first. That's normal. But you seem to find the right way of approaching it! 
July 18, 2014
Offline Module 10
Hi Mr Shama. Thank you for showing the stretch from a different angle in this module. My client was not very flexible so i couldn't stretch the hamstring muscle much but i used the one to ten method and she felt no discomfort throughout the massage.
My client complained of pains at her SI joints and when the stretch by moving away from her body was performed she said that she felt some relief.She didn't tell me of the pains that she had in her SI joints until after the massage though.
If someone complains of pains at the joints but has no fractures, lets say the have a sprained ankle for example, can these stretches be performed?
My client was not very athletic and i couldn't stretch the adductor muscle much.
I tried the blood stop method on my client and when i took my hands off her she really felt the tingling sensation as the blood started flowing once again. Also while pressing on her legs i felt the pulse.It was an amazing feeling for me.
My clients legs felt amazing after the massage and she was really satisfied.
Thank you Shama.
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