How to Learn Thai Massage

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  • The practice of Thai massage is a complex massage method that requires several skills. Techniques used include gentle rocking, yogic stretches, and rhythmic compressions accupressure along energy lines (Sen), which are very similar to Chinese meridians. There are various resources that you can use to help learn the methods used by Thai massage practitioners. There are videos and books you can use for introducing yourself to the methods, but this needs to be complemented by taking coursework at a school that has experienced practitioners. This guide on how to learn Thai massage presents you with a gradual, but sure, approach for acquiring the skills of massage practitioners so you can help others to relieve pain and feel better.

  • Tips

    • If you have knee problems, it will make doing some of the kneeling methods difficult if not impossible
    • After taking the classwork, practice your technique. Find friends who are willing to let you practice on them. Be gentle with them, as Thai massage techniques can be applied too harshly in some cases.
    • Find other Thai massage practitioners to work with and do exchanges. You both will learn and benefit from the experience.
    • Sometimes it helps to take the coursework a second time for it to stay with you. Be open to that possibility.


  • Introduction

    You can begin the process of learning about Thai massage by doing two things - seeing videos that can be found on YouTube and by learning about Thai massage from the book that is mentioned below in Step 1 of this how-to. From your reading and video instruction, you should get a general idea of the application of this technique and about Thai medicine, which will help you focus on the physical techniques when you take coursework. The investment of time in the reading will take 1-2 weeks. Short duration and longer duration courses in Thai massage are discussed in Step 2 below. Finally, advice is given on how to get the most out of your learning experience.

  • Step 1: Recommended Reading and Video Introduction Course

    You can start learning about Thai massage from a book that is recommended by teachers: Thai Massage : A Traditional Medical Technique by Dr. Richard Gold. In his book, you can learn about the context in which Thai massage is practiced, as a branch of Thai Medicine - a rich heritage and a complete health care system, similar to that in Traditional Chinese Medicine, but with influences of Ayurvedic practices from India. This book has an accompanying video as well.

    There are two other books you should consider as well that are used in coursework for Thai massage, written by C. Pierce Salguero: Thai Massage Workbook: Basic and Advanced Courses and the Encyclopedia of Thai Massage. Both of these books are necessary for a full understanding of Salguero's presentation of this material.

    Make a choice as to which book you want to use for this introduction and then embark on taking some coursework and gaining practical experience to really understand the practice.

  • Step 2: Find a School That Teaches Thai Massage

    You can go to Thailand to learn about this massage technique. For instance, there is the Wat Pho school in Bangkok. They have coursework in basic, advanced and acupressure techniques that are of short duration (5-day and 10-day classes). Follow the Wat Pho link to find out information on how the school operates its school. Advance reservations are not required.

    A top-notch school in the United States for learning Thai massage is the International Professional School of Bodywork in San Diego (where Dr. Richard Gold teaches). The coursework here is geared towards the professional and there are prerequisite courses before you take the 150-hour Thai Massage Course. Another professional 350-hour course to consider is that offered by Thai Bodywork School of Thai Massage in Evanston, Illinois. If you live near Portland, Oregon, consider the Naga Center.

    You can find schools on the internet that offer weekend coursework and week-long seminars for the beginner, intermediate and advanced methods, such as The Thai Institute in Arlington, Virginia and the Thai Bodywork school mentioned above (level 1 only).

  • Step 3: Taking the Classwork - Advice on Getting the Most Out of Your Experience

    Classes in Thai massage can be very intensive. Follow the guidelines below to take full advantage of your experience:

    1. Your full attention is needed because a very large amount of information is given. The learning is not all mental, as in all massage techniques, so you need have an acute physical presence of being as well.
    2. It is best not to schedule other things in the evening so you can review what you learn each day.
    3. Take notes when there are lectures that are describing the theory and techniques, it will help reviewing what is learned easier.
    4. Thai massage requires practitioners to move and be in positions (kneeling, lunges, squatting) that are different from table-massage methods. Some of the schools incorporate gentle yoga classes to help you achieve the needed flexibility. If you are already a regular yoga, qigong or tai chi practitioner, so much the better.

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