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January 19, 2014
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Module I Introduction
Yesterday I watched the intro. I was mindful of synchronizing my breath with my movements in an exchange of energy. I used my body weight with compression as I worked on my skier/clients sore muscles. Every client said best massage ever!I am excited to learn and practice Thai Massage.
June 28, 2010
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"Best massage ever" is a pretty good start for your first module. 
Welcome to the forum, I am looking forward to seeing you progress!
January 19, 2014
Offline MODULE 2 CHI MACHINE
I found it a bit challenging to sit on my heels. My feet are tight because I've gotten away from my yoga practice. In my experience, sitting on my heels will become comfortable with practice. As I performed Chi Machine on my partner,I focused on my breath, posture, rocking w/ my hips and focusing on their hips. The first attempt was tiring because I was muscling the move as I had my hands elevated a bit from my thighs. My partner is tall, heavier then me, and muscular. I focused on resting my hands on my thighs and the move became kinetic and simple as opposed to a struggle and tiring. I learned the importance of breath movement and exchange of energy. In this case technique was relevant. Hands on thighs were key. My partner liked the move and found it relaxing. He did say that he felt a looseness/movement in his knees. He's 24 years old and has had two knee surgeries 3 and 6 years ago. He's strong and athletic, a skier,so I'm not concerned,simply relaying his observation.
June 28, 2010
Offline Several students initially have difficulties sitting in what I call "Japanese style". However after a while this problem almost always goes away with practice.
It looks like you already realized some things like not muscling your partner. The Chi Machine should feel easy for you if done right. Especially if you work on heavy legs, don't lift them!
The test if it's done right is if your partner experiences a pleasant tingling or energy rush in the body after you do the Chi Machine for a couple of minutes. 95% of clients do experience this, but there are some who don't no matter what you do.
January 19, 2014
Offline just wondering...is there a list of the sequence/ moves? I find it helpful to have a list to follow when practicing with my partner. I've been writing them down on my own.
June 28, 2010
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You will find out very soon in the course that I really discourage working with lists and sequences since it tends to result in a rather mechanical one-size-fits-all type session. Although in the beginning it is necessary to remember the techniques in a sequential way, the goal is to become a healing artist who can intuitively and spontaneously choose the appropriate techniques and apply them to a particular kind of client.
Granted, this does not happen in the early stages of the training. However you will see that I give you a better system for remembering the moves than just a list of sequential techniques. I call it "conceptual thinking" versus mechanical thinking.
This includes the "8 ways to move the feet" and the "hip pie" which you will learn a little later. All the techniques which you are learning in this course are options to choose from, not mandatory sequences. The main reason is that one technique may work great on one body type but not at all on another body type. Or one technique will be easy for you to do, but another one might be difficult for you due to size and weight of therapist.
So the goal is to become a creative, intuitive, sensitive and inspired therapist who can listen with the hands instead of just doing something with them. I realize that this is a mouthful in the very beginning of the course, but it is a preview of coming attractions, and at one point you will be very glad that you learned it this way and not as a mechanical system.
The second thing is that there are several summary videos in this course where you will see how it all fits together. That's something you can even follow along with, and those modules are the favorites of many students.
January 19, 2014
Offline Thank you Shama. I just received another module where you talk about conceptualizing rather than being mechanical. I will set aside my old ideas about massage in liue of being intuitive.inspired, creative and sensitive....a much more fluid and appealing approach. Learning the techniques in this fashion is more relaxed and less intimidating.
Module 3
I watched the video several times and worked on the feet. I did write the moves down just for the sake of including everything so I could practice. I like the idea of approaching this like a dance. I'm just beginning and know that flow will come with practice. I pay attention to breath, ergonomics and the feeling of being relaxed. My feet are becoming more comfortable while kneeling.,which is less of a distraction. I also translated some of these techniques to my table massage today.
June 28, 2010
Offline Great, you are catching on to the spirit of it!
Many of my students apply techniques to their table work. This can definitely be done. I always demonstrate it on the floor since first of all it is my preferred mode of working and second you can use your body weight more effectively that way. It is best to learn it on a floor mat and then translate it to the table if you want. In this way you have proficiency in both.
January 19, 2014
Offline MODULE 4
I enjoyed playing with the different moves for the foot. I really enjoy the 12321 compression/rotation. My partner liked it as well. Its challenging and fun. Its helpful to think about the 8 different ways to move the foot. It translated to the table as well. I incorporated it into a lower leg muscle compression combined with moving the foot medially and laterally. It kind of just slipped into the massage. I'll keep watching and practicing. I'm taking a much more relaxed approach. Watching the videos over helps me a lot.
June 28, 2010
Offline That's one of my favorite foot techniques. If I don't have so much time for foot work in a session, and I have to choose one, that's my favorite choice. You sound like you are progressing nicely - good to hear!
January 19, 2014
Offline Module 5
Love the leg warm ups. My partner enjoyed the way they felt after skiing. Quads were a bit sensitive so adjusted the pressure accordingly. The rolling and pulling seemed to really help relax those sore muscles. I put it all together w /the foot massage. My partner found it very enjoyable. I continue to watch my breath, ergonomics and focus on using my body weight.
June 28, 2010
Offline Actually leg warm ups can be a massage session at by itself. I use the term warm up, but it is not just a preparation for the "real thing", the stretching. I have done many sessions where all I did was doing muscle work without any stretching. That's just a little clarification on the term "warm up".
January 19, 2014
Offline Module 6 and 7
Thank you for the "warm-up" clarification
My partner and I have just recovered from a week long stomach bug.We had to put practice on hold for a few days. We're back and enjoying the new forearm work and stretches on the legs.
On the "figure four" bent leg stretch, I found the slow rocking motion, in conjunction with the 12321 to be very effective in gently opening up my stiff partner's hips while providing a gentle stretch to the calves and quads. Breathing and body weight are a primary focus. We also worked on the forearm moves. I also found these to translate to the table.I typically use my forearm a lot in table. The rolling and rocking add to it a new dimension and make it more comfortable for both myself and my client/partner.
The bent leg stretches are great hip openers as well. I'm really enjoying the slow movements 12321 in all of the techniques where they are used. The moves aren't static which make it a more comprehensive stretch, ie. it treats different areas. My client liked the hip traction move 12321 as well as the additional move with the rocking. It felt good on the lower back/glutes as well.
June 28, 2010
Offline The 1-2-3-2-1 system has found a new fan, it seems.
It's good that you focus on breathing and body weight, because without that, nothing will feel very good.
January 19, 2014
Offline MODULE 8 AND 9
Great calf work for a sore skier. I began gently and went stronger per my partners request. I performed the adductor stretch/compressions doing 12321. He said it felt good. The bent knee leg stretches not only felt good on the hamstrings but also stretched the lower back/side. I also did the knee friction and bent knee/foot on table hip stretch. I did the rocking/gentle approach and progressed to a stronger stretch
June 28, 2010
Offline Thai Massage is perfect for athletes and sports aficionados in several ways. It can fix their issues and it can prepare them for better performance and it can help prevent injuries. Way to go!
January 19, 2014
Offline MODULE 10
I've been loving all of the Thai massage techniques both stretching and compression. I focused this time on power and softness. It is a more patient approach which I find more enjoyable to perform and my client/partner stays more relaxed. It allows me to remember to breath and use my whole body. I did the hamstring stretch/spinal twists and the adductor stretch . I also like the calf/ achilles stretch. It's a great ergonomic position for the move. Finally, I tried the blood stop for about 30 seconds and my partner did feel a surge in warmth in the leg.
June 28, 2010
Offline Most people think that power and softness are opposites, but this is just not so. I call it the "power of softness", and it is one of the secrets to making massage effective without causing unnecessary pain. Power alone can be brutal, softness alone might not get the job done, but power with softness is the ideal combination.
Clearly you did the blood stop correctly!
January 19, 2014
Offline 11 & 12 MODULES
I watched the video of the entire session several times. I actually did an entire session beginning with all of the rocking moves. My partner likes them and we found that they are a gentle and effective way to warm up and loosen up a tight sore athletes body. I followed with compression (elephant walking) some rolling and twists followed by some stretches gentle to strong.The straight legged hamstring/achilles/calf stretch was well received as well as the hip pie moves. I did incorporate some rocking here, as well as the friction moves where the hip catches the femur. Frictioning works. I am conscious of power and softness,focusing on the Hara and breath. Moving around the body is becoming more fluid for me, while maintaining contact with my partner. I like the hip rocking with what feels like a gentle twist on the back. They are nice hip openers with the bonus result of lower back pain relief. So many great techniques for sore legs. I find that I begin with some wiggling and work my way up to stronger moves when my partner is ready. I communicate to keep the good pain at a 7. I find that above that is mostly unnecessary. My client/partner begins to resist and tighten up at an 8. Then it becomes a bad pain. Communication when increasing power and doing strong moves has been imperative
January 19, 2014
Offline Modules 13 &14
Today I focused on the hip rocking along with what felt like a spinal type twist. I rocked the glutes up while pushing gently down on abs. I worked on a man so I was careful with my hand placement keeping them to the sides of the hip. I practiced crossing over the body while maintaining contact. It was a little awkward at first but I got the hang of it. He said that the hip rocking felt good on the lower back.
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