Three Winds Academy - Yanumoja Yoga * Thai Massage * Ayurveda - Yanumoja Yoga Teacher Training Pacific Rim College

~ Traditional Thai Massage Certificate Program ~ Pacific Rim College

Traditional Thai Massage is a 4-month college certificate program designed and offered by Nikki Manzie at Pacific Rim College. This in-depth training includes philosophy, therapeutic principles and techniques of Thai Massage with supervised practice and client-clinic hours.

Thai massage forms the “energy medicine” component of the unique healing system of Traditional Thai Medicine. Thai medicine is a holistic approach to health, incorporating treatment for body (through diet and herbs), psycho-spiritual healing (through practices such as meditation), and treating the flow and balance of vital energy in the energetic systems using Thai massage.

Program Objectives and Outcomes

The Thai Massage Certificate Program is a wonderful stand-alone program for students who have an interest in offering hands-on healing as an augment to current skills in bodywork and healing, or as a profession on its own. Students learn the movements, acupressure techniques, stretches and compressions that comprise a Thai Massage at the basic, intermediate and advanced levels. They also understand energetic anatomy according in the Thai system, and are able to identify and treat imbalances (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, energetic) applying the principles and techniques of Thai Massage therapeutically.

Graduates of this program can use knowledge and experience gained to work in community health centres, clinical settings as well as private practice. Graduates easily find work in the spa and health & fitness industry, as well as in clinic settings and private practice. Working side by side with other massage modalities, graduates can apply for membership with the Natural Health Practitioners of Canada (NHCP). Their therapeutic skills enable them to work in fields such as sports injury/recovery, injury recovery (structural and soft tissue injuries), trauma recovery, and general support for illness/disease recovery.

An easy transition into the Diploma of Eastern Therapeutic Bodywork can be made for a more in-depth program of studies that integrates Thai Massage with other bodywork modalities, including Yogatherapy, and Ayurveda and Marma therapy.

Program Structure and Course Descriptions

- Foundations in Eastern Therapies and Bodywork
During this course, students learn the general background and cultural context for Eastern Therapeutic Bodywork with specific attention to Indian, Chinese and T’ai indigenous medicines. This course offers an introduction to the base theoretical principles, as well as the history of spirituality and medicine. Both energy medicine and healing are defined, and basic energetic anatomy – all through a comparative approach of Yogic, Ayurvedic, Thai and some basic TCM systems – are explored.

- History of Thai Medicine and Massage
Students learn the general background and cultural context for Thai massage with a deepening of the historical connections of Thai medicine to TCM, Ayurveda and Yoga. As well, students study the significance of Indigenous Medicine (Shamanism) and Buddhism to Thai Massage. In particular, students follow Thai Massage development from earliest historical records to modern day practice and have an in-depth historical connection to the Shivagokomarpaj Lineage.

- Classic Routine
This course introduces the 10 major Sen (meridians in the Thai tradition) with their names, locations, physical and energetic associations and functions. Students learn indications and contraindications in Thai massage, as well as the 4 principles that govern to application of the massage.
As practical knowledge, pressure application techniques along with basic stances for the practitioner become the foundation for the physical work. From this foundation, students integrate the “classic routine” – a flow of movements, stretches and acupressure techniques that work the client’s entire body from toes to head, front and back.

- Thai Practicum (i)
Students of Thai massage need to first master the movements and techniques learned in the classic routine, and then begin to apply them in clinic settings in order to deepen their understanding and facility with the material. This portion of the course is supervised practice with case studies and intended to help students integrate material learned thus far.

- Advanced Thai
Students explore advanced energetic physiology, diagnostics and therapeutics in traditional Thai massage. In particular, this course focuses on advanced Sen theory – breaks and blockage in the Sen; energetic associations of each Sen and therapy options for clients. Students also learn intermediate and advanced Thai massage techniques.

- Thai Practicum (ii)
This course allows students to master the movements and techniques learned in the intermediate and advanced routines, and then apply them in clinic settings in order to deepen their understanding and facility with the material. This portion of the course is supervised practice – case studies and invited clients serve for practice models.

Curriculum Hours

Traditional Thai Massage Certificate Program

Requirements

Foundations in Eastern Therapies and Bodywork
History of Thai Medicine and Massage
Classic Routine
Thai Practicum (i)
Advanced Thai
Thai Practicum (ii)

18 hours
9 hours
45 hours
60 hours
48 hours
90 hours

Total

270 hours

Dates

January 4 - April 16, 2010
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
8:45am - 6:30pm with afternoon breaks

Cost

Total: $4002

Contact

Pacific Rim College
www.pacificrimecollege.ca
250-482-2119

Teacher

Nikki Manzie, Director, Diploma of Eastern Therapies and Bodywork program

NOTE: All Information is as of November 2009. Please require Pacific Rim College for the latest information.