Advanced Northern-Style Thai Massage: The Complete Session
This course teaches the therapeutic side of Northern-style Thai massage as practiced at the Old Medicine Hospital Thai Massage School Shivagakomarpaj in Chiang Mai.
You'll work through a complete full-body sequence in supine, prone, side-lying, and seated positions. The course closes with two timed sequences, one to one-and-a-half hours and one-and-a-half to two hours, that bring everything together into a full session.
Throughout, the focus stays on sound body mechanics, accurate point location, and reading the person on the mat.
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Introduction & Handout
Welcome to the course — get oriented, download your reference handout, and learn how to get the most out of this learning experience.
Welcome to the course — get oriented, download your reference handout, and learn how to get the most out of this learning experience.
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Wai Kru & Lineage
The Old Medicine Hospital lineage and the Wai Kru, the prayer offered before practice.
The Old Medicine Hospital lineage and the Wai Kru, the prayer offered before practice.
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What is Thai Massage?
What distinguishes Thai massage from other bodywork, the conditions that call for caution or avoidance, and the effects a complete session produces.
What distinguishes Thai massage from other bodywork, the conditions that call for caution or avoidance, and the effects a complete session produces.
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Equipment, Modalities, Methods, Ethics & Guidelines
The equipment a Thai massage practice requires, the three modalities and ten methods that make up the work, and the ethical standards that govern it.
The equipment a Thai massage practice requires, the three modalities and ten methods that make up the work, and the ethical standards that govern it.
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Key Points & Abbreviations
The summary of key points and the abbreviation key used in every sequence and protocol that follows.
The summary of key points and the abbreviation key used in every sequence and protocol that follows.
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Hygiene & Body Mechanics
Hygiene standards and the body mechanics that protect both you and your client.
Hygiene standards and the body mechanics that protect both you and your client.
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The Elements
The four elements of Thai traditional medicine — Earth, Water, Wind and Fire — and how the body's tissues, fluids, movements and heat are organized among them.
The four elements of Thai traditional medicine — Earth, Water, Wind and Fire — and how the body's tissues, fluids, movements and heat are organized among them.
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Human Life
The Thai view of the human body as a whole — what animates it, what constitutes it, and why that view shapes the way Thai massage is given.
The Thai view of the human body as a whole — what animates it, what constitutes it, and why that view shapes the way Thai massage is given.
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Energy Lines (RBW)
The energy lines of the body and the red-blood, white-blood framework — artery and nerve — that underlies Thai massage's map of how energy travels.
The energy lines of the body and the red-blood, white-blood framework — artery and nerve — that underlies Thai massage's map of how energy travels.
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Supine: Feet & Ankles
The advanced warm-up and complete foot work — six points and five lines on the sole, four lines on top, and the circling and twisting that free the ankle.
The advanced warm-up and complete foot work — six points and five lines on the sole, four lines on top, and the circling and twisting that free the ankle.
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Leg Energy Lines & Pressure Work
Locating the inner and outer leg lines, warming them with elbow roll and palm squeeze, and the advanced forearm, elbow and foot-pressing options.
Locating the inner and outer leg lines, warming them with elbow roll and palm squeeze, and the advanced forearm, elbow and foot-pressing options.
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Bent-Knee Positions & Leg Stretches
Eleven steps of advanced leg work — tree pose, the ninety-degree hip and knee opening, seated foot pressing on the hamstrings, and the stretches that follow, each with options.
Eleven steps of advanced leg work — tree pose, the ninety-degree hip and knee opening, seated foot pressing on the hamstrings, and the stretches that follow, each with options.
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Lower Back, Abdomen & Prone
Lower back relief in the bent-leg-back position, the three-point abdominal massage, and the turn into prone for foot, leg and back work.
Lower back relief in the bent-leg-back position, the three-point abdominal massage, and the turn into prone for foot, leg and back work.
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Arms, Hands, Chest & Face
Chest and arm massage with the foot locking the armpit, detailed hand work from prone, face massage, and the supine upper-body sequence.
Chest and arm massage with the foot locking the armpit, detailed hand work from prone, face massage, and the supine upper-body sequence.
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Twists & Side-Lying
Lower and upper body twists, the open hip stretch, and the side-lying half-moon and back-walking work.
Lower and upper body twists, the open hip stretch, and the side-lying half-moon and back-walking work.
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Seated — Back, Shoulders, Neck & Face
The seated position from warm-up through shoulder, neck and arm work, back twists, the lower back stretch, and the closing Wai Kru.
The seated position from warm-up through shoulder, neck and arm work, back twists, the lower back stretch, and the closing Wai Kru.
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Supine Position
The supine half of the session, from the opening foot work through the leg lines, hip stretches, abdomen, chest, arms and hands.
The supine half of the session, from the opening foot work through the leg lines, hip stretches, abdomen, chest, arms and hands.
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Prone Position
The prone portion of the session, including knee pressing, the half moon, crocodile, double elbow walking and back line work.
The prone portion of the session, including knee pressing, the half moon, crocodile, double elbow walking and back line work.
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Seated Position
The seated finish — shoulders, neck stretches in all directions, back twists, chest opening, arm locks and the closing Wai Kru.
The seated finish — shoulders, neck stretches in all directions, back twists, chest opening, arm locks and the closing Wai Kru.
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Extending to 2 Hr Sessions
Detailed elbow and forearm work along the leg lines, then the side-lying position — the additions that extend a complete session to a full two hours.
Detailed elbow and forearm work along the leg lines, then the side-lying position — the additions that extend a complete session to a full two hours.
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A closing word, and the final quiz required for NCBTMB continuing education credit.
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