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September 26, 2013
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I just started my second Thai Healing Massage Academy course. This one is the Hip Therapy Course. Interestingly enough, in the first course, The Complete Thai Massage course, is currently covering the hip as well!
It seemed to be perfect timing when one of my regular clients came in today and mentioned experiencing discomfort in her hip abductors. I was able to incorporate several of the techniques into my client's session.
Time to practice with my partner...
June 28, 2010
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You figured it out how to set up the second thread. 
Interesting coincidence that both courses are covering the hips right now. There will be some duplication, but the hip therapy course will go much more in depth. I guess you will be twice as good at it in this way. 
September 26, 2013
Offline Lessons 1 and 2 - I'm such an anatomy nerd!! I love the integration of evaluating the hip condition, the visual cues of recognizing imbalances in the hip and how to provide treatment to the appropriate area. As I mentioned earlier, I my client came in with discomfort in her hip abductors. What a great time to incorporate the newly learned hip treatments. The softness of the wrists when rocking is a significant change to some other massage techniques, but makes great ergonomic sense, as does the variable pressure and the circular moves.
One of my favorite parts of the courses you teach are the gentle reminders to keep the hands soft and use them as listening tools.
Our youngest, the 8 yr old loves the rocking techniques. He says they are his favorite.
Thanks again for putting together yet another wonderful and thorough course!
June 28, 2010
Offline You are the third person in today's batch of posts who commented about how well the motion or rocking techniques work. You are right, it is my favorite way of working. It is better for the therapist and more enjoyable and more effective for the clients. Definitely a winner all around!
September 26, 2013
Offline Lesson # 3 - It's interesting because when I practice at home, we practice on the floor. When I'm at my office, I use my massage table. You have included so many options in each video, it's really easy to feel comfortable even when practicing new techniques and modifying them to work using a massage table. When using these techniques with clients on the table, many of the techniques are easier for me to work on the table when the client is prone rather than supine. When practicing at home, it's much easier to work my way around my partner when they are on the floor. I am also watching the video again and picking up on things I missed the first time.
Tonight, my partner and I are reviewing the the techniques from each of the videos. (The youngest helped, too. He loved the footwork on the hip flexors)
September 26, 2013
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Hi Shama,
I'm having difficulty paying for the hip therapy exam. I've logged in to my account, have registered for the CE certification, but when attempting to pay for the exam, I get one of two error messages - 1) you must log in to purchase this (after I had logged in) or 2) you must register in order to take this exam. I am currently enrolled in the Complete Thai Massage Course and in the middle of that exam. Would that prevent me from being able to register for the Hip Therapy exam? Can you help?
June 28, 2010
Offline I sent you an email about this, and I also asked another course student how he does it. Here is his response: "You use the existing student sign on. I use the same sign on name and password you gave me. It will prompt you for payment when taking another course."
The only other issue I am aware of is that the CE test question registration does not work if you use an iPad.
We will get it sorted out!
September 26, 2013
Offline Lesson #4 - hip joint stretches
Love the hip traction move from the Hip Pie lesson. In the past, I've done traction one leg at a time. The stabilization of the opposite leg makes perfect sense.
We often use the bound angle position in yoga and I've used this technique with several of my clients for the past 5 years. The primary difference is alternating sides and rocking. The motion feels very natural and rhythmic and again, makes perfect sense to change the intensity of the stretch.
(Kids are way more bendy than moms are!)
June 28, 2010
Offline Just checking - did you ever get the CE certification thing figured out?
September 26, 2013
Offline Lesson #5
After this lesson, I practiced my first Thai Massage on the floor with an actual client (a very familiar, regular client and yoga student). The client came to see me with severe lower back pain. I was able to utilize Hip Pie slice #3 (and 4 sparingly) to help alleviate. I also used the technique from a previous lesson, placing one hand on the ASIS and drawing upward on the waist. Felt SI adjustment upon traction.
Client feedback was very positive and when we finished, the client no longer experienced any pain or discomfort in the lumbar region. Called to check on the client for three days after the session. No back pain!
Lesson #6
This rocking technique helps alleviate tension in the hip flexors. Great way release the anterior hip, by putting the hip in flexion. This allows the work to move deeper into the hip.
Loved the rocking of the leg sideways in position #6. Brilliant! It feels so soothing. Loved the variations.
-Pretty fancy with the forearms and shoulder leaning into the hamstrings...the positioning still seems a little awkward, even after lots of practice. Will have to revisit this move and practice until it feels more fluid.
September 26, 2013
Offline Lesson #7
Circular rotation of the hip, slice #7
Love incorporating the rocking into the hip slice #7 stretch. In yoga, the cross legged stretch is typically done with the ankle positioned over the thigh. Good variation, changes the position of the head of the femur and the dynamics of the stretch. (I had to try this one on myself 
) It gets so deep into the hip joint!
Intricate movement on #8. Thanks for the clear explanation. We had to review it several times in order to replicate. Grateful for a patient partner!
Lesson #8
Butterfly hands, pressure from the heel of the hands. Nice to have the client on their side. I actually used this on the same client who came in with severe back pain. I had to prop the leg up and the client was unable to move into hip pie position #6, but by the end of the session had no pain!
The galloping method seemed interesting when I saw it...the first several times were rather clumsy...practicing often seems to be the best remedy. I'm thankful I have a full schedule of clients to practice what I'm learning each day.
June 28, 2010
Offline Now that is impressive. After your first session on the floor and with an actual client you were able to relieve your client's back pain. That's what I call a great job.
It seems that your yoga background is really helping you to understand how Thai Massage works. Well, there is a reason why it is often called "Thai Yoga Massage".
You already have a full schedule of clients to practice on - perfect setup. You are on the fast track, it seems.
September 26, 2013
Offline Lesson #9 - Side lying position
I have continued utilizing these methods on the floor (in practice) and modifying them for use on the table. It's interesting to see my massage practice changing to preferring working on the floor. My Thai training in the past has not been as informative and comprehensive as this one has been. The hands on part seems so sensible and easy to translate. I still need more practice moving around the client and transitioning from one side to the other. I still have to think my way through the massage, rather than feeling or observing my way through, which at times can be a little frustrating. It's a good life lesson..practice patience...practice practicing
I have been practicing the use of knees in the 1.2.3.2.1 practice on the gluteal and hamstring muscles. My favorite was the application of friction on the gluteal muscles while leaning in and out. That move proved to be a little more natural for me.
Lesson #10 - Hip flexors
I have been using a technique shown earlier, the scooping and circling around the hip flexors with a great deal of success. It seems to release the hip flexors and allow deeper stretches. I was glad to see a lesson dedicated to this important muscle group!
Practice - In the past, I had been doing a similar hip flexor stretch, but in a much more linear way...This semi-circle hip rotation makes brilliant sense and adds great dimension and depth. Much more beneficial to the hip joint rather than just focusing on the hip flexor.
The figure 4 leg stretch was a new variation to me, too. Resting the foot on the opposite hamstring and using my knee in the gluteal muscles started off a little laughable, with me fumbling around trying to position myself properly, but we managed to giggle through it!!!
September 26, 2013
Offline Lesson # 11 - Summary
I'm sad to see this course ending! I am already plotting my next course, but it has proven difficult to work on two certifications at the same time. So, I'll hold off until I finish my other certification before starting another.
I hope each of your students has appreciated the value in the summary sessions. They are a great way to show the complete practice in action. The transitions, the pacing...it really helps to have a visual aid! And, I manage to catch some things I may have missed along the way.
Practice....I am using this summary video as a guide, to help me with the transitions and the flow. Every day, my level of confidence is increasing, with only a few bumps in the road. Thank you so much for putting such a quality course together!
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