Thai Massage Video
HandsFree Thai Massage: The Commoner Style with Chuck Duff is a 2 hour DVD that shows how to save your hands and work safely on any size client. Purchase securely online .
Thai Bodywork Curriculum: Thai Massage Classes
We recommend that all students take Level 1, even if they come from other programs. The sequence and many of the principles are unique, and essential to the rest of our program. After Level 1, many options are available. The following courses are taught at Thai Bodywork in Evanston, and by Thai Bodywork Certified Instructors in various cities.
- The Thai Massage Core Studies track, consisting of Levels 1-3.
It is definitely preferable to take the levels in order, although students occasionally are permitted to take Level 3 first if they have special circumstances.
- Level 1: strong emphasis on fundamentals, body mechanics, teaches a 1-hour session and shows the student how to study Thai massage in our program. Prepares the student for further study at Thai Bodywwork.
- Level 2: Therapeutic fundamentals -- adding Southern style techniques, using Sen lines and trigger point technology to address specific client issues. An additional 2.5 hours of treatment are presented. Prepares the student for Level 3.
- Level 3: the complete Northern style sequence as taught at the Northern Medicine Hospital in Chiang Mai (3.5-4 hours). Intermediate stretches, backbends, lifts. Preparation for advanced stretches.
- Anatomy for Thai Massage and Yoga -- a highly hands-on, palpation oriented approach to muscle location, function and stretching. This course can be credited if the student has a strong anatomy background, although many students who have had anatomy find it to be extremely useful.
- HandsFree Thai, developed and taught exclusively at Thai Bodywork, shows the student how to work deeply and therapeutically with clients of all sizes, and without stress on the therapist.
- HandsFree 1: fundamentals of the HandsFree style, balance, using body weight, walking techniques, stretch variations. Teaches a 1.5-2 hours equence.
- HandsFree 2: advanced variations, continues refining the students ability to work on larger clients without strain.
- Luk Pra Kob - Thai Herbal Compress Certification. The herbal compress is a key component of traditional therapeutic work. It should be in any Thai therapist's knowledge set and is taught in the traditional way at Thai Bodywork.
- Clinical Thai Bodywork Track, consisting currently of 7 modules, is unique in the field and offers the student a detailed, reproducible clinical approach to hundreds of common pain conditions. The general approach involves assessments, analysis of perpetuating factors, sophisticated Thai treatments and client education/self-care. The student can enter the series at any point, and each module covers pain symptoms in a specific area of the body (for example, CTB 2 covers low back, sacral, hip and pelvic pain). Please see the CTB page for detail on this track.
- Thai Massage for the Spa Track - we teach trainings customized for the spa industry, including Thai massage for the table, Thai herbal compress and other treatments. These trainings are normally done onsite by Thai Bodywork Certified Instructors. Please contact us for details.
Thai Bodywork Course Descriptions
In the Heart of YogaHours: 0.00 | Thai Bodywork is proud to present a rare evening with Yoga Master, Mark Whitwell
Wednesday June 2, 2010 from 6:30PM - 8:30PM $20 admission, $15 pre-registration
Mark helps people connect with their own breath, their intimate partners and how yoga applies to each individual's health and body-type. Having studied since 1973 in the home of Krishnamacharya, Mark Whitwell seeks to put back what is often left out of western yoga education and practice, adapting Yoga to individual differences and remarrying Yoga to its Tantric origins. Mark is most interested in revealing authentic Yoga and how each person can easily, naturally and actually practice.
Mark has taught yoga for over twenty years throughout the US, Australia, and New Zealand. For many years he studied with T. Krishnamacharya and his son TKV Desikachar in their family home. Krishnamacharya is often known as "the Teacher of the Teachers". His students included Pattabhi Jois and BKS Iyengar who popularized elements of his work. Mark was editor and contributor to Desikachar's book, "The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice" as well as the author of "Yoga of Heart: The Healing Power of Intimate Connection." More info... |
Introduction to Thai MassageHours: 6.00 | This 6 hour course provides an overview of Thai massage body mechanics, techniques and styles for all who wish to learn more about the art (no prerequisites). This training satisfies the prerequisite for Clinical Thai Bodywork (CTB) enrollment for students who have no prior Thai background. We cover basic Thai energetic anatomy, compression techniques, basic stretches and body positions. More info... |
Level 1: Thai Massage FundamentalsHours: 20.00 | This fantastic training is the gateway to the rest of our program. There are no prerequisites for this course, and students are accepted without any prior bodywork training. You will be amazed at what you learn in a weekend as we teach you the critical fundamentals of body mechanics, positioning, compression, working with passive stretches, energetic, spiritual and historical background, basic concepts of clinical work, and much more.
You will learn a valuable 1-hour professional sequence that you can immediately put to use with clients, friends and family. The focus of this training is instill principles of full-body movement through carefully refined teaching methods that have helped thousands of students learn this fantastic art. Even students who have studied at other schools give us rave reviews about this training and our teaching methods. More info... |
Supervised PracticeHours: 3.00 | Supervised, 3-hour open studio time in which students of all levels can practice, ask questions and refine their technique. Open to any Thai massage practitioner from any school with at least 20 hours of training. Thai Bodywork staff will be available to answer questions and provide feedback. More info... |
Level 2: Therapeutic Thai Massage FundamentalsHours: 40.00 | This course establishes the foundation of a professional Thai Massage practice. The basic principles of Thai medicine are discussed, including the Sen Sip, therapeutic points, Southern and Nerve Touch (Jap Sen) styles and relationship to other point and line systems. Key treatment positions are taught for each area of the body. Thai line work is the key to relieving stagnation and making it possible for muscles to achieve their full length and function. We introduce the concepts of myofascial pain, trigger and reflex points, and the basic principles of Clinical Thai Bodywork. More info... |
Level 3: Northern Style Thai MassageHours: 70.00 | Our wonderful Level 3 training covers the Northern style sequence that was developed at the Northern Medicine Hospital in Chiang Mai. It is known worldwide as a standard of knowledge for Thai massage practitioner education, and consists of nearly 4 hours of treatment. This style is known for its Thai Yoga qualities and dynamic, flowing stretches.
Level 3 completes our traditional core series, and is mandatory for students who wish to become a Certified Thai Bodywork Practitioner (TBP). This is an extremely important training that provides the essential repertoire of asanas that any professional should have at their disposal More info... |
HandsFree Thai Massage - Level 1Hours: 20.00 | Learn to work on large or heavily muscled clients in a way that is highly beneficial for you the practitioner as well as for the client. Asana variations using feet, legs and knees allow the therapist to provide broad, deep pressure without endangering the hands, wrists or shoulders.
In this class, we learn a 2-hour treatment sequence that employs all treatment attitudes. This is an excellent way for the practitioner to safely work with athletes and other clients who require deeper pressure without putting stress on themselves.
As in all of our courses, we maintain a strong therapeutic focus in our teaching, guiding the student in how to work with specific issues of pain or dysfunction. We employ the principles of Clinical Thai Bodywork to teach the student patterns of pain and its origins while using HandsFree or Commoner style techniques. More info... |
HandsFree Thai Massage - Level 2Hours: 20.00 | Learn to work on large or heavily muscled clients in a way that is highly beneficial for you the practitioner as well as for the client. Asana variations using feet, legs and knees allow the therapist to provide broad, deep pressure without endangering the hands, wrists or shoulders.
In this class, we learn a 3-hour treatment sequence that employs all treatment attitudes. This is an excellent way for the practitioner to safely work with athletes and other clients who require deeper pressure without putting stress on themselves.
As in all of our courses, we maintain a strong therapeutic focus in our teaching, guiding the student in how to work with specific issues of pain or dysfunction. We employ the principles of Clinical Thai Bodywork to teach the student patterns of pain and its origins while using HandsFree or Commoner style techniques.
We teach HandsFree 2 once a year. This course more than doubles your HandsFree repertoire from HandsFree 1, and gives you an amazing set of tools for working in all areas of the body. HandsFree 1 is a prerequisite. More info... |
Thai Herbal Compress (Luk Pra Kob) for the SpaHours: 8.00 | This course covers preparation and use in the spa environment of Thai herbal compresses, herbal poultices, or Luk Pra Kob, which have been used in Thailand for hundreds of years as a medicinal treatment. The student will learn a treatment sequence that provides thorough coverage of the Sen lines. Upon successful completion, the student will receive an 8-hour certificate from Thai Bodywork. More info... |
A&P for Thai Massage and Yoga - Level 1Hours: 20.00 | This popular course teaches anatomy and physiology in a way that is interesting, practical and relevant to the practice of Thai massage and yoga. Not just another dry anatomy class, this series provides direct experience of bones and muscles at rest, in movement, function, isolated stretching, osteopathic techniques for regulation of muscle function, interaction with energetic anatomy, pain referral and other topics of critical importance to yogis and bodyworkers.
The emphasis of the series is on practical work and palpation to increase retention and make the course more fun.
AP1 (or equivalent) is a prerequisite for our Certified Thai Bodywork Practitioner certification, and is also great preparation for the Clinical Thai Bodywork series. More info... |
Thai Massage Fundamentals for the TableHours: 16.00 | This course teaches Thai massage fundamentals in the form of a 1-hour treatment sequence in the Chiang Mai style, specifically adapted to the table and the needs of the spa environment, including table body mechanics, draping, and other issues. This course is open to anyone and satisfies the Level 1 prerequisite for all of our advanced courses. We present the energetic and historical basis of the work, body mechanics, movement from the core, and fundamental techniques as well as how to effectively practice the routines. More info... |
Certified Thai Bodywork Practitioner CertificationHours: 4.00 | Certified Thai Bodywork Practitioner is a competency-based certificate which can be applied for after a student has successfully completed Levels 1-3, HandsFree 1 and AP1 (170 hours). Certification requires completion of written and practical tests, as well as a minimum number of documented sessions. More info... |
Thai Herbal Compress (Luk Pra Kob)Hours: 20.00 | This course covers preparation and use of Thai herbal compresses, or Luk Pra Kob, which has been used in Thailand for over 400 years as a medicinal treatment. The herbs used in Luk Pra Kob, which are wrapped in cotton cloth and steamed prior to application, have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and muscle relaxant properties. In addition, there are benefits to the skin as well as aromatherapeutic properties to the herbs, whose essential oils are released with steam.
In addition to traditional sen line application, we spend considerable time on the clinical use of the herbal compress for pain and restriction. Tthe course also covers the use of Thai herbs for traditional Thai herbal sauna or Thai steam treatments. Prerequisite: Some Thai massage experience. More info... |
CTB for Shoulder, Upper Back and Arm PainHours: 20.00 | This advanced course is suitable for Thai massage practitioners wanting effective tools for treating specific conditions of pain and dysfunction in their practice. This course covers specific, detailed Clinical Thai Bodywork treatments for shoulder, upper back and arm pain.
We will present the fundamental principles of CTB in an accelerated way, so students who have not attended prior CTB courses may attend this course. Students must have prior to attending a solid grasp of muscular anatomy and/or AP1 credit as well as Level 1 Thai Massage; Level 2 Thai Massage is recommended. It is recommended that in preparation, students read either Travell and Simons' Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction, Volume 1 relating to these pain areas, or equivalent sections in Claire Davies' Trigger Point Workbook. More info... |
CTB for Lumbar, Sacral and Hip PainHours: 20.00 | This advanced course is suitable for Thai massage practitioners wanting effective tools for treating specific conditions of pain and dysfunction in their practice. This course covers specific, detailed Clinical Thai Bodywork treatments for lumbar, sacral, gluteal, pelvic and hip pain.
We will present the fundamental principles of CTB in an accelerated way, so students who have not attended CTB before may attend this course. Students must have a solid grasp of muscular anatomy as well as Level 1 Thai Massage; Level 2 Thai Massage is recommended. It is recommended that in preparation, students read either Travell and Simons' Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction, Volume 2 relating to these pain areas, or equivalent sections in Claire Davies' Trigger Point Workbook. More info... |
CTB for Knee, Thigh and Groin PainHours: 20.00 | This advanced course is suitable for Thai massage practitioners wanting effective tools for treating specific conditions of pain and dysfunction in their practice. This course covers specific, detailed Clinical Thai Bodywork treatments for upper leg, groin and knee pain.
We will present the fundamental principles of CTB in an accelerated way, so students who have not attended CTB before may attend this course. Students must have prior to attending a solid grasp of muscular anatomy and/or AP1 credit as well as Level 1 Thai Massage; Level 2 Thai Massage is recommended. It is recommended that in preparation, students read either Travell and Simons' Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction, Volume 1 relating to these pain areas, or equivalent sections in Claire Davies' Trigger Point Workbook. More info... |
CTB for Headache, Neck and Facial PainHours: 20.00 | This advanced course is suitable for Thai massage practitioners wanting effective tools for treating specific conditions of pain and dysfunction in their practice. This course covers specific, detailed Clinical Thai Bodywork treatments for headache, neck and facial pain.
It is recommended that the student attend CTB Fundamentals prior to attending this course, but not a requirement. We will present the fundamental principles of CTB in an accelerated way, so students who have not attended CTB1 may attend this course. Students must have prior to attending a solid grasp of muscular anatomy and/or AP1 credit as well as Level 1 Thai Massage; Level 2 Thai Massage is recommended. It is recommended that in preparation, students read either Travell and Simons' Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction, Volume 1 relating to these pain areas, or equivalent sections in Claire Davies' Trigger Point Workbook. More info... |
CTB for Thoracic, Chest and Abdominal PainHours: 20.00 | This advanced course is suitable for Thai massage practitioners wanting effective tools for treating specific conditions of pain and dysfunction in their practice. This course covers specific, detailed Clinical Thai Bodywork treatments for thoracic, chest and abdominal pain.
It is recommended that the student attend CTB1 prior to attending this course, but not a requirement. We will present the fundamental principles of CTB in an accelerated way, so students who have not attended CTB1 may attend this course. Students must have prior to attending a solid grasp of muscular anatomy and/or AP1 credit as well as Level 1 Thai Massage; Level 2 Thai Massage is recommended. It is recommended that in preparation, students read either Travell and Simons' Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction, Volume 1 relating to these pain areas, or equivalent sections in Claire Davies' Trigger Point Workbook. More info... |
CTB for Elbow, Forearm and Hand PainHours: 20.00 | This advanced course is suitable for Thai massage practitioners wanting effective tools for treating specific conditions of pain and dysfunction in their practice. This course covers specific, detailed Clinical Thai Bodywork treatments for elbow, forearm and hand pain.
It is recommended that the student attend CTB1 prior to attending this course, but not a requirement. We will present the fundamental principles of CTB in an accelerated way, so students who have not attended CTB1 may attend this course. Students must have prior to attending a solid grasp of muscular anatomy and/or AP1 credit as well as Level 1 Thai Massage; Level 2 Thai Massage is recommended. It is recommended that in preparation, students read either Travell and Simons' Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction, Volume 1 relating to these pain areas, or equivalent sections in Claire Davies' Trigger Point Workbook. More info... |
CTB Lower Leg, Ankle and Foot PainHours: 20.00 | This advanced course is suitable for Thai massage practitioners wanting effective tools for treating specific conditions of pain and dysfunction in their practice. This course covers specific, detailed Clinical Thai Bodywork treatments for lower leg, ankle and foot pain.
It is recommended that the student attend CTB1 prior to attending this course, but not a requirement. We will present the fundamental principles of CTB in an accelerated way, so students who have not attended CTB1 may attend this course. Students must have prior to attending a solid grasp of muscular anatomy and/or AP1 credit as well as Level 1 Thai Massage; Level 2 Thai Massage is recommended. It is recommended that in preparation, students read either Travell and Simons' Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction, Volume 1 relating to these pain areas, or equivalent sections in Claire Davies' Trigger Point Workbook. More info... |
Clinical Thai Bodywork: FundamentalsHours: 20.00 | Clinical Thai Bodywork is a modality for the treatment of specific pain conditions using Thai massage in conjunction with other disciplines. A highly effective modality for the treatment of pain, CTB was developed by Chuck Duff in 2005.
CTB Fundamentals is a required course in our TBP certification program. The course covers the principles of trigger points and pain referral, use of adjunct techniques such as heat, cold distraction, and post-isometric relaxation, assessment, perpetuating factors and specific techniques that are useful for pain patterns in different body areas.
We will present mini-protocols in 3 body areas: shoulder, lumbar/hip and knee as examples of addressing these pain conditions using the CTB approach. More info... |
Student Clinic Evening SessionHours: 3.00 | Students have an opportunity to perform sessions on the general public under the supervision of Thai Bodywork instructors. Intake, treatment design, contraindications, and specific conditions will be covered in the context of actual client cases. Clinic is open to Thai Bodywork students who have completed at least 80 hours of training. Each clinic shift is 3 hours and consists of 2 60-minute sessions plus instruction. There is a student clinic requirement for TBP certification. More info... |
Upcoming Classes
- Aug 04 : Level 2
- Aug 13 : AP1
- Aug 20 : Level 3
- Sep 10 : Level 1
- Sep 13 : TableSpa
- Sep 17 : LPK
- Oct 08 : HandsFreeL1
- Oct 11 : HandsFreeL2
- Nov 05 : Level 1
- Nov 19 : CTBFundamentals
- Nov 29 : TableSpa
- Dec 03 : Level 1
- Jan 07 : Level 1
- Jan 12 : Level 2
- Jan 21 : Level 3
