7-day Beginners course in traditional Thai yoga Massage
What is Thai Yoga Massage? Originating from the hindu tradition, traditional Thai yoga massage is a multi-faced healing art: sometimes it appears as a dance of loving kindness, sometimes a precise healing modality creating space and movement in the body, sometimes tangible meditation in movement… In all of its aspects, it aims to balance the sun-like and the moon-like energies of the patient, to flow freely in the central axis, similar to most styles of classical hatha yoga. In this course, the introduction to the tradition as a way of life is also given: great emphasis is lain on giving the massage with awareness, equanimity, and loving kindness. This is how the massage can be seen as sublimating “bodywork” into understanding and spiritual growth for both giver and receiver.
Overview of the course: we start with an introduction to the historical, philosophical and spiritual background of thai massage, and a hands-on training in ergonomic posture, application of body weight, and work from the practicioners centre or „hara”. We will then work systematically through all the important energy lines of our patients body, building a repertoire aiming to give on the last day what is known as a “full body massage”. This is a complete treatment of more or less 2 hours, tailored to suit the state of health, the dimensions and the flexibility of the patient.
Who is the course for? Requirements from the student: The 6/7 day beginners course in traditional thai yoga massage is intended as an introductory course for complete beginners, and as an enrichment or revisionary workshop for those who already practice thai massage. No previous massage experience is necessary. However, as the massage takes place on matresses on the ground, a certain amount of physical mobility is recommended.
What is the material based on? The course material is Bali’s book „Nuad Bo Rarn: Introduction to Thai Massage”, a thorough introduction to the foundations of the northern style. It is currently available in Hungarian only, with a photo manual available to those not speaking the language. Translations currently in progress.
What is included in the course fees? Tuitional fees and printed course material. For Hungarians, the course book is given, while for non-Hungarian speakers, the photo manual is provided. The course may be expanded into a Lifestyle Camp, which is a retreat in the country. In this case the course fees include 3 hearty vegetarian meals a day and accomodation.
What about certification? All those successfully participating in the beginners course will receive a certificate of their studies form the organizing school. For those participating in a Lifesyle Camp, the organizing school (Internatinal Massage Academy of Budapest) gives a signed and stamped certificate of the school, a „Lifestyle camp” document for Hungarian naturopath studies, and an „apostile’ of the contents of the course and the number of hours spent with training. What the certificate allows you to do in the business sphere depends on the local regulations of the area where you wish to practice. These rules tend to change form time to time, and from region to region. In some countries of the world, it allows you to write off the hours you gained for a naturapath, masseur or alternative therapist curriculum, while some countries only accept their own registered schools. Feel free to ask Sunshine Network teachers in the given country for more information.
How many hours of study are certified? This course is usually taught in a total of 60 hours.
How do I register? Check the specific course which you wish to attend (click here for teaching schedule) for contact person, and signal your intent to join. They are open to answer any further questions you may have about the course.
Differences between this course and the 12-day course: this course evolved as a result of Balis teaching in city schools in Budapest, where temperal and spatial constraints were applied to the course. As the courses usually are weekend courses for those working during the week, the morning practice of yoga and meditation could not be included. Instead, they are introduced, and short practice is done at the beginning and end of massage sessions. The course material contains most of the essentials of Asokananda’s book, with the more complex stretches of the 12 day course missing, and simpler variations and working postures are introduced to a few exercises. For those who have done a 12 day beginners course already, this course contains some new material and working postures, but should be seen primarily as a revisionary course.
Variations of the 6 day course: the 6 day course is primarily taught at weekends in cities, for those wishing to learn thai massage. However, it has proven to work well when given in nature, expanded to 7 days, and placed in the framework of morning meditation and movement, and evening practice. This creates a beautiful beginners retreat (successfully implemented in Kisnyalka as Lifestyle Camps).