Module 2:

What caught my attention in this lesson was the freedom to create and veer from tradition.  This is a sign of progress and evolution.  We can Thank the tradition  of the past without being a replica.   It is important to use independent influence on our practice.  Sure, the moves may have been done in the past, but as long as it comes from the heart and we channel good energy, it's unique and effective.  There is no such thing as Routine in bodywork.  

I am nervous about working with my partner.  He is very tall, muscular and doesnt have much respect for bodywork and free movement which makes it hard to work with his physiology.  I will take on the challenge because that's what will make this an even better journey, but I need to remember ergonomics and posture even more so in order to avoid injuring myself!  

I LOVE the Chi Machine!  Even a couple minutes was relaxing and energetic at the same time.  I did it to my children to see if it had a calming effect on them (they couldnt sit still long enough).  I loved the focus on the hip movement and how all body movement derived from that center, just like dancing.  It made a difference in understanding how to create the flow of energy.  The Chi Machine is like the gift of energy to my partner.  

Module 3:

I have come across the importance of making a first impression several times in the last week in different articles.  Maybe I need to finesse my impression skills!  This is good advice.  Just as important as showing kindness and having good manners, leaving people with the idea that you are trustworthy and have good intentions is a great way to get them coming back for more (of whatever you have to offer).  Im not known to have the softest touch, or at least verbally.  I'd like to make up for that in my touch.  My goal is to have a gentle yet confident start.  

Listening to my body - my own ergonomics and also what I sense is happening with my client - is just as important as my client's feedback.  I like this idea.  Great way to encourage communication through other senses beyond speaking.  

I like the rotating traction and contraction.  I've never done this before but Im happy to learn it as a new skill.  My one concern is how realistic these moves are for me as a smaller person if I am working on a larger person.  A "dead" leg can be very cumbersome and hard to manipulate.    As a side note, I think in the future it would be very helpful to have a view from behind you, or looking at the client from your perspective to see the positioning of your fingers.  Im sure I'll figure it out with practice, but initially I want to have more visual cues.

Thank you!

Module 5:

Key Points for this module is definitely most important never to stretch a muscles that hasnt been warmed up.  So often people think that stretching is a warm up.  I always tell my massage clients that it's so important that they stretch after their work out for the most effective change in muscle tone and flexibility.  Glad that is important here too.  

I can already tell that the modules are cumulative and building upon the previous ones.  Things will start to flow and become cohesive Im sure.  I think this will ensure learning the techniques faster because it's review at the same time as introducing new movement and how they connect.  I like that I get to pick and choose which moves I do on each client.  I dont have to do each move on everyone, only the ones that apply to them most.  

I need the reminder to keep my back straight!

Again, I have concerns that my body weight alone is not enough pressure for someone with dense muscles and heavy limbs.  Otherwise for somewhat equal sizes, I like the idea.

I understand not wanting to confuse people who are not familiar with anatomy, but sometimes I wish I knew the muscle you are working on more specifically.  For example, am I focusing on the lateral rotators or the hamstrings in the "inner and lower inner thigh"?  Maybe some anatomy is helpful?

thanks! 

Thank you Shama for the article.  It was helpful in calming my Western-like need to have all the anatomy involved in the learning process.  It adds a fresh perspective to how I approach this style of bodywork.  Gracias!

Module 7:

Im concerned about potential wrist injury and strain with the body weight leaning down on the client, especially at an angle to gain traction.  Is there a way to avoid or protect the wrist?

I love the idea of telling a story of the body's needs by paying attention to the tightness (or flexibility) of muscles and joints.  It's one more way to have non-verbal communication with the client.  It's very important because this is a way to work on issues in the body before the pain signals begin, essentially catching the concern before it becomes an injury.  I also need to keep in mind working with each body's resistance.  Using bolsters to help the restricted area become less compromised is very helpful.  I will take this to my practice on the table as well.  A body cannot reach a point of comfort until we put them there.  Some bodies require more help.

Thank you for the reminder to continue syncing breath with movement.  Calming and good practice.

Im loving how much of Thai Massage is comprised of traction and compression.  THere such comforting techniques, gentle and effective.  Similar to a therapeutic hug!

*I find myself wanting a recap of the session without the instruction.  Like after we run through the step by step learning, I'd like to see what it looks like all put together at the end of each module.  Just something to think about.

Module 10:

Thank you for giving me a Mantra to work with. It was very helpful to stay connected and to be able to express my intention with my action.  I am starting to put it all together like an artistic piece of dance and flowing movement. Sometimes when working with a client in stretches on the table, I find that Im forcing a movement to the point of extreme.  This is better for both of us - I use my body weight, breath, posture and Hara to create results.  I have been working with the idea of Hara energy for over 10 years in Yoga (Uddiyana bandha).  But I visualized this energy source while I was practicing and somehow it was different.  I love the reservoir analogy.  It was so warming and strong, really helped me pull from the core.

It was a challenge for me to do the spinal twist on my tall client.  The knee on client's knee was better than just using my arms, but I still felt stretched a little beyond my comfort.  Maybe this is just one of those stretches that I leave for people closer to my height.

When doing the spinal stretch across the body with the client foot in your groin, does the knee remain bent or is there the intention to straighten it with the stretch of the hamstrings?  In the move after that one, is the stretch intended for the hamstrings or the IT Band and TFL like in Reverse Supta Padangusthasana in Yoga?  Again is the full expression with straight knee or keep the natural bend? 

THe ankle to ankle adductor stretch is so lovely for the client and so easy for me.  It was subtle yet deep and effective.  

My partner LOVED the blood stop.  It was such a strong rush of energy and warmth.  It reminds me of hydrotherapy techniques (contrast baths) or some manual lymph drainage techniques.  Encourages temporary blockage of flow to create a stronger rush and ultimately more fluidity.  Very cool.

Module 11:

I think I often think that I have to be hands on and in action during a massage session with a client. I drape as quickly as possible and rarely stop to take a sip of water or alter the volume on the music.  Im starting to rethink this approach.  At least with my Thai Massage practice.  Slow movement does not equal a waste of the client's time.  It's time for me to be methodical and thoughtful in my movement.  THanks for the reminder.  

I found that practicing the whole leg routine I got a little jumbled in the transitions and properly aligning myself in finding the right body positioning.  It'll come with time but it felt funny to be disjointed and choppy.

I like the option of doing rotations or rocking into a stretch (for clients with tighter muscles).  THis is a nice fall back and it buys me a little time to plan my next move while in transition while it also let's the client ease into the stretch without us going at it blindly.

How long does a typical session take?

Can a client engage in the calf stretch?  Sometimes i've noticed that it's not a deep enough stretch without the client taking action simultaneously.

Module 13:

Im happy you addressed the issue of whether the client should feel pain in a session.  I just told a friend that I was taking this course and she said, "I dont know much about Thai Massage other than I've heard it's very painful."  This was a real surprise to me as it looks the opposite when Im watching the videos. It looks gentle and comforting stretches.  There must be a misconception of mispractice  that makes people think this.  Im relieved to know and use the 1-10 method as a guide so I can become a therapist who does not make someone think that TM is painful!

I also appreciated the distinction between pain and discomfort.  This is something I often use with my clients in traditional massage.  Im ok with discomfort but I never intend for a session to be painful which is how I explain to them to communicate with me.

I love the scooping, wiggling, circling and rocking of the hip.  This is such great work for the psoas (an area where so many people hold tension and suffer from tightness).  I'll be incorporating this into my daily practice as well as my Thai practice.

I will keep in mind that a session for someone with less flexibility may consist mostly of "warm up" and eventually lead into stretches.  Not everyone's ready for a deep stretch and it's up to me as the professional to give the body the option to take things slowly.

*Thanks for the reminder in your last comment that I dont need to hold on so tightly to my knowledge of anatomy.  My approach can be equally effective if I detach myself from the Western way of thinking of the body and use more intuition and a more traditional Thai approach.  I'll do my best (although I still like the anatomy crutch to get me through the beginning of Thai Massage haha).