Teacher Training
Teacher Training Apprenticeship for Certification as a Thai Massage Instructor
Our Thai Massage Teacher Certification Apprenticeship program is an in-depth comprehensive course designed for the serious practitioner of Thai massage and is available to students on an invitation basis. Unlike other teacher training courses which tend to focus solely on bodywork, our teacher training focuses equally on Thai tradition, history, philosophy and theory of Thai medicine. Readings on Thai history, traditional Thai medicine theory, indigenous culture, and Theravada Buddhism will complement your experience with Thai massage and help you to become a well rounded and knowledgeable instructor. You will also learn to perform the traditional ceremonies as they are performed in classes throughout Thailand.
Students invited to join in our teacher training program will have the opportunity to examine what makes a good teacher as they find their unique teaching “voice”. The extended learning intensive nature of this program allows for you to graduate with the confidence of vast knowledge in your subject that will separate you from others in the field. Certification in our program is given only to those who successfully complete the training and pass the examinations. Please note that our standards of quality are extremely high. This is not a “tack on another week of training and you’re a teacher” program. It is designed with a love and respect for traditional Thai medicine that probes beneath the surface.
Teacher Training Apprentices have the opportunity to choose what course they wish to focus their training on in preparation for teaching that course. Initial training will be in one of three core classes: Classic Thai Massage, Deep Thai Massage, or Therapeutic Thai Massage. Teacher training addendum courses may be taken after initial training is completed to certify instruction in additional courses.
This is a partial home-study and partial in-class course. How long it takes will depend on the prior experience of the student as well as the amount of time you can allow for your studies. Those with no prior experience in Thai massage can expect to spend at least one year to completion when pre-requisites classes and practice hours are factored in.
Please note that this certifies you to teach one of our core Thai massage courses. For certification in additional courses there is an add-on Teacher Training course that may be taken.
Course Overview
- Extensive recommended readings
- 300 in class training hours
- 500 logged practice hours
- Cultural project
- Research project
- Service Project
- Teacher training workshop
- Assist Teach a Core Thai Massage Class
- Instructor written examination
- Instructor practical examination
Required Classes
Must be completed to graduate from teacher training apprenticeship.
Thai Therapeutics
- (formerly level III)- Must be taken at The Naga Center.
- 40 hours $680
Deep Thai Massage
- (formerly level II)- Must be taken at The Naga Center.
- 40 hours $680
Classic Thai Massage
- (formerly level I)
- 40 hours $680
Teacher Training Workshop
- Must be taken at The Naga Center.
- 4 hours Included in cost of Teacher Training Course.
Elective Classes
Following is a short list of possible elective classes. Many classes in Thai Massage from other schools may be utilized in reaching the required 300 hours in-class training. Outside classes must have the approval of the Naga Center director.
Thai Herbal Massage
- Offered through the Naga Center, may also be taken elsewhere with Naga Center approval.
- 8 hours $145 (May be taken at Naga Center as part of the 3 day Specialties Combination Class $415.)
Thai Cupping Workshop
- Offered through the Naga Center, may also be taken elsewhere with Naga Center approval.
- 8 hours $145 (May be taken at Naga Center as part of the 3 day Specialties Combination Class $415.)
Thai Pre-natal/Postpartum Massage
- Offered through the Naga Center, may also be taken elsewhere with Naga Center approval.
- 8 hours $145 (May be taken at Naga Center as part of the 3 day Specialties Combination Class $415.)
Internships
- The Naga Center offers free internships in any class previously taken here. Internships may be utilized to deepen your understanding of a class, while accruing additional in-class training hours. Internships may be limited by space availability. At times students may intern with other teachers in the Tao Mountain network.
- Hours vary no cost.
Assistant Teaching
- One of your teacher training requirements is that you assist teach at least one Basic Thai Massage class at the Naga Center. In addition to this, there may be opportunities to assist teach in other classes in other areas. These hours may be included in your in-class training requirement.
- Hours vary no cost.
Trainings in Thailand
- If you have experience studying in Thailand you may seek Naga Center approval to apply these hours.
Creating Workshops and Classes
Ever wanted to teach a class about something you love? In this four hour workship we will explore ways to create classes in non-acadmenic subjects. From healing arts classes to tarot, from knitting to nutrition; if you have a passion that you would like to share with others, this little workship will help you to structure your class, find your teaching voice, create the ambiance you desire, and provide you with tools for working with groups and individuals. This class fun and easy class is taught by Nephyr Jacobsen, founder of The Naga Center. She created it because she loves teaching and wants to help others who have thought about teaching jump in.
- Pre-requisite: none
- Cost: $49.00
Upcoming Classes to be scheduled with Naga Center when you are ready.
Application & Cost
- Teacher Training Course $890
- Instructor Examinations $100
Please note that cost is the fee for the teacher training course, however, you must also factor in the cost of all other required and elective courses necessary to fulfill the course requirement of 300 in class hours. This includes all required classes.
Cost of classes listed are for Naga Center classes. Some of these classes may be taken elsewhere, in which case cost may vary.
This course certifies you to teach Level I Thai Massage classes. For advanced teacher training there is an additional course. The coursework for this is less, as is the cost, but a trip to Thailand is required.