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April 23, 2013
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Hello Shama! I'm looking forward to expanding my services by offering clients the best upper body and head massage 
I reviewed and practiced Modules 1 and 2 and although there wasn't a lot of techniques to learn and practice, the subtleties of the techniques did take a while to get. The sternum is often very sensitive on clients so it's an area that I don't often work. However, the techniques you showed were gentle enough that I feel confident that I will be able to include them. I had learned the "Thymus Thump" in massage school years ago and had forgot about it and how beneficial it is. I'm glad you reminded me!
Pam
June 28, 2010
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Hi Pam, welcome to another course. I remember you from the Complete Thai Massage course.
The Heavenly Head Massage course will put the icing on the top - or was it the cherry - of your Thai Massage (or any other massage). That's what it has always done for me. 
There is a lot of subtlety in it, however once you get to the neck techniques, you will also find many very solid techniques which are quite unique.
Also please take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Certification check list (steps 3 and 4 especially):
Certification Check List
I am looking forward to your feedback on the modules.
April 23, 2013
Offline I am loving doing Thai massage but it is still sometimes a struggle to get clients (esp those that are used to table massage) to try it. I'm hoping by learning some stand alone specialties, such as this course, that can be done on either the table or the mat, I can introduce some Thai techniques to those that are resistant and perhaps they will give it a try! If not, that's ok too since these techniques can be done on both surfaces.
I really enjoyed the chest module. I've never really massaged the chest because I've only known 1 or 2 techniques to use so this was very informative. The majority of my clients are women so it's always been an area that I didn't work much but with these techniques, I'm able to work a little more thoroughly while still being professional.
I really liked the twist at the end. It's pretty easy to do on the mat but it's a little more challenging to to on the table especially being able to keep the flow. I'll have to practice that some more because I think that technique is great especially for my table clients that I want to introduce some Traditional Thai work too!!
June 28, 2010
Offline >> Pam, I think you did not read the certification check list which I referred to above since you are still not labeling your posts according to the module number. 
Regarding the upper body twist, I have done that many times on a massage table. In my case I keep the table quite low, just above knee height. Then you stand up and do the twist. You cannot do it while you are sitting behind the client. This is one of the very few techniques which you have to do standing up when working on a table. Most everything else can be done while you are sitting behind the client.
April 23, 2013
Offline So sorry, I thought I had read the required info but obviously I hadn't
This posting is for Module 3
This posting is for Module 3Pam said
I am loving doing Thai massage but it is still sometimes a struggle to get clients (esp those that are used to table massage) to try it. I'm hoping by learning some stand alone specialties, such as this course, that can be done on either the table or the mat, I can introduce some Thai techniques to those that are resistant and perhaps they will give it a try! If not, that's ok too since these techniques can be done on both surfaces.I really enjoyed the chest module. I've never really massaged the chest because I've only known 1 or 2 techniques to use so this was very informative. The majority of my clients are women so it's always been an area that I didn't work much but with these techniques, I'm able to work a little more thoroughly while still being professional.
I really liked the twist at the end. It's pretty easy to do on the mat but it's a little more challenging to to on the table especially being able to keep the flow. I'll have to practice that some more because I think that technique is great especially for my table clients that I want to introduce some Traditional Thai work too!!
April 23, 2013
Offline Module 4 - Neck 1
My client really enjoyed the Wave technique. It took some time to get the flow down but it really is a comfortable technique for me as well as for the client. The only issue I can see doing this is on some clients is that some people really have a hard time relaxing their head and allowing it to be moved by the therapist. It may be challenging for some but definitely worth adding it in!
The neck warm up is really nice. I usually do a little bit of this but normally do not spend as much time as this before going into stretches. I will try to include more warm up so I can get a better sense of what is going on in the neck muscles.
June 28, 2010
Offline You are right, some people are just not able to relax their neck into the wave technique. What I do in such cases is talk them into relaxing and letting go. Some people are simply not aware of their restrictions, and when I tell them to relax their neck, it often helps them to do just that.
I also sometimes use visualizations (in challenging cases) like telling them to imagine that their neck is like a flexible rubber band, or I have them breathe into their neck. Sometime those methods accomplish what the physical manipulations don't.
April 23, 2013
Offline Module 5 - Neck 2
I never thought of making a technique out of moving someone's hair out of the way! I often work on women with long hair and it's always a challenge doing neck work. This technique is great since it's an effective warmup while still getting the hair out of the way 
The full hand neck lift worked great for my client. She just started coming to me because of migraines and this was a wonderful gentle movement. While we may be able to rub our own necks, it's impossible to do this technique to ourselves and she loved it. The other techniques I already use in my regular massage and they always work great
June 28, 2010
Offline I think you will encounter more pleasant revelations in this course!
April 23, 2013
Offline Module 6 - Neck 3
I practiced the big neck roll on the table and it was a little more challenging than I had expected. I believe it's because my table was a little too high to get the proper angle for my arms. The small neck roll worked better on the table. I need to remember to lower my table
The other techniques are similar to the ones I already use but the slightly different ways of doing them provided a totally different feeling to them. My client really like those. I usually use my fingertips under the occiput but using the side of the index finger as a lever to work in this region was really nice. It provided a larger base so it didn't feel too "pokey" since this is often a sensitive area for most clients.
June 28, 2010
Offline Yes, your table has to be just the right height. For me that means a little above my knees. If you go much higher, your ergonomics are off for the big neck roll.
April 23, 2013
Offline Module 7 - Neck 4
This was the most difficult for me so far! The techniques are great but I definitely need more practice to get the flow down. I practiced these are on the floor as these seemed to be a little too difficult to do on a table. The last technique with the forehead against my knee was my favorite to do and my client loved that one the best.
June 28, 2010
Offline I understand - some of the neck techniques are quite complex and not so easy to learn. But with a little more time and practice I have no doubt that you will figure them out, and then you will have some very unique techniques in your repertoire!
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