Thai Massage Classes


To register for all classes please click here

Thai massage is an ancient healing modality that combines acupressure, massage, and intensive stretching. While Thai massage is intensely physical, it is technically considered energy work as the intention, even when doing yoga stretches, is always the opening of energy meridians. Thai massage is performed with the client fully clothed, on a mat on the floor. Our Thai massage courses are the heart of our school, designed to provide our students with the most complete Thai massage education available. Each class is packed with theory, practice, cultural connections and ceremony.

Thai Massage Level I Certification Course
Now offered as either an intensive or part-time class

In this 40-hour class students are introduced to Thai massage as they learn how to give a complete 90-minute session. Class is composed of demonstrations and practice, as well as lectures on the history, culture, and theory of Thai massage. Students will also participate daily in traditional Thai ceremonies as they are performed in Thailand.

This course is a very intensive learning experience, with the transmission of large amounts of information. Class is steeped with Thai culture, providing students with an opportunity to connect with the roots of this ancient modality. There is no pre-requisite for this class and students with no prior massage training are welcome, but must come with a willingness to study intensively for their time in class.
This course is taught by Nephyr Jacobsen, founder of The Naga Center.

Upon completion of the Basic Thai Massage Certification Course, all students will be given a free
1-year membership in the Tao Mountain Association, with full access to the member area of
the TM website, a site rich with information on Thai massage.
Pre-requisite: none Cost: $699

Upcoming Classes

August 11th - 15th (40 hr. 5 day intensive)
August Class is Full
October 6th - 10th (40 hr. 5 day intensive)

Student Study Trips in Thailand

Come with us on a gently guided student study trip to Thailand! On this three week journey to the Land of Smiles, we will work with a variety of Traditional Thai Medicine practitioners, including Thai Massage masters, participate in a Thai medicinal cooking class, and visit temples, mountains open air markets and oh so much more. In order to go deeper in our Thai massage studies in Thailand, our student trips require that you have taken Thai massage Level I.
For more details, e-mail or call us.

Upcoming Journey
October 23rd - November 13th

Thai Massage Level II Certification Course

This 40 hour course builds on the training of the Basic Course, adding a deeper layer of understanding of Thai massage technique. In this class we will focus on body mechanics and postural alignment while learning advanced yoga stretches and alternate client positions such as seated and sidelying. This class has a strong focus on working deeper while saving your wrists and alternatives to "the sequence". Students will explore foundations of traditional Thai medicine and sen theory while developing their ability to 'sense' sen line blockages. We will also provide an introduction to regional differences such as southern style and Hill-tribe methods of Thai massage as well as Barefoot Thai massage. Continued lectures on Thai medicinal history, culture and healing are presented daily as well as participation in traditional Thai ceremonies.

This class is largely influenced by the teachings of Ajahn Pichest Boonthumme, master of Thai massage. It is taught by Nephyr Jacobsen, founder of The Naga Center.

Pre-requisite: Beginning Thai Massage from The Naga Center, or equivalent from another school with Naga Center teacher approval. Cost: $699 Upcoming Classes Starting Dec. 2nd, 2 day/week, 3 week course Meets Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Thai Massage Level III Certification Course

This class is currently indevelopement. Overview and schedule will be posted soon.

Advanced Course in Thai Medical Theory

Thai massage is an ancient healing modality and part of the 4-year training program of a traditional Thai physician. In this 40-hour class, you will learn how a Thai therapist diagnoses and treats disorders by working on the sen. You will also learn restorative postures for specific disorders, and improve your understanding of body mechanics and postural alignment to allow you to get more out of your practice of Thai massage. In this class, we will take an in-depth look at sen lines and acupressure, as well as the customization of therapeutic massage routines for specific disorders.

This class will also focus on Thai medical philosophy, its evolution out of Buddhist ideas, and its application in modern Thailand by folk and Ayurvedic doctors. Thai medicine is rooted in Ayurvedic tradition, but is not interchangeable with Indian medicine. It is also quite distinct from Chinese medicine. This course will explore Thai medicine for the indigenous cultural heritage it is, and will open up for participants a whole new vista onto the Thai tradition.

This course is taught by Pierce Salguero, author of several books on Thai medicine and researcher of Asian medicine at Johns Hopkins Medical School. Pierce studied and taught at the Shivagakomarpaj Traditional Medicine Hospital from 1997-2001, and founded Tao Mountain in 2002 as a branch of this lineage. He specializes on Thai medical theory, Asian history, and Theravada Buddhism. This class is only offered once a year, and is a rare opportunity to come and study with one of the foremost academics of traditional Thai medicine. Pierce brings to the classroom a unique love and understanding of traditional Thai medicine based on years of living in Thailand. Classes taught by Pierce are inspiring and delightful.
We recommend that you sign up early.

Pre-requisite: You must have studied Thai massage in-class at least 40 hours, and be able to perform a 1.5-hour classic routine Thai massage fluidly without a book or other visual guide. It is recommended that you have 100+ hours experience with Thai massage before attending this course. Alternately, this course is also open to graduates of our Thai herbal trainings who are practicing herbalists with 100+ hours of clinical practice
Cost: $699
Upcoming Classes
This special class will be offered again when Pierce returns from Taiwan

Thai Herbal Massage Certification Workshop

This class is not currently being offered as a stand alone class. Foundational Thai Herbal Massage is taught in the pre-natal Thai Massage class and the complete class content is being offered in our Thai Specialties Combination class. See below for details.

Pre-Natal/Postpartum Thai Massage
Certification Course

In this two day (16 hr) workshop students learn to give Thai pre-natal massage, Thai postpartum massage, and Thai infant massage. Pre-natal and postpartum Thai massage has been traditionally performed by massage therapists and midwives in Thailand to encourage a healthy pregnancy and to nurture healing after delivery. Class gives an in-depth understanding of this ancient way of helping women through the childbearing process using traditional Thai herbal compress massage. Instruction is given in the making and usage of Thai hot herb packs as well as a foundational understanding of the relationship between Thai herbalism and Thai pre-natal massage. Recently our infant Thai massage class has been incorporated into the pre-natal class, with lessons in guiding clients in this wonderful parenting skill. Lectures include Thai techniques and philosophy, Thai traditions surrounding childbearing, as well as an allopathic (western) understanding of the physiology of pregnancy. This class is rich with cultural traditions, ancient insights, folklore, and truly lovely nurturing techniques that will bring a unique wisdom and healing into your practice. This is a wonderful class for massage therapists, doulas and midwives.
As with all The Naga Center classes, students will be invited to participate in traditional Thai ceremonies and will enjoy a learning experience that provides a deep cultural connection to Thailand. This class is taught and designed by Nephyr Jacobsen and is based on extensive research and study with many Thai massage teachers and herbalists.

Pre-requisite: Beginning Thai Massage from The Naga Center or equivalent, or Naga Center teacher approval. Cost: $269

The entire course content of this class can now also be learned in our Specialties Combination Class. Scroll down for details.

Pre-requisite: Beginning Thai Massage from The Naga Center, or equivalent, or Naga Center teacher approval. Cost: $269 Upcoming Classes July 25th - 26th, 2008 See also Thai Massage specialties Combination class schedule for more dates

 

  

Thai Massage Specialties Comination Class

This 28 hour 4 day intensive combines Thai Herbal Massage, Thai Pre-natal/Postpartum Massage, and Thai Cupping. Learn all three together saving both time and money while enjoying a depth of learning that is hard to find in a weekend class.
Thai Herbal Massage - students will learn to use traditional hot herbal compresses in a Thai massage session as well as the foundations of Thai herbalism and how to prepare the compresses.. Thai herbal massage is an easy way to provide deep therapy and relaxation using aromatic healing herbs. It is especially good for clients with increased pain sensitivity such as those with fibromyalgia and it provides a deep nurturing for clients going through emotionally challenging times. More details about herbal massage can be found on our Herbal Massage Classes page

Thai Pre-natal/Postpartum Massage - students learn to give Thai pre-natal massage, Thai postpartum massage, and Thai infant massage. Pre-natal and postpartum Thai massage has been traditionally performed by massage therapists and midwives in Thailand to encourage a healthy pregnancy and to nurture healing after delivery. Class gives an in-depth understanding of this ancient way of helping women through the childbearing process using Thai herbal compresses

Thai Cupping - Cupping is an ancient healing technique found in traditional medical practices the world over that uses glass "cups" to apply suction to the body to release toxins and tension amongst other things. This class teaches the art of cupping through the Thai lens, and instructs in how to incorporate cupping into your Thai massage practice.
Thai Herbal Linaments, Balms & Compress Creation - We will make linaments balms and compresses to use in our Thai massage practice - fun!

Pre-requisite: Beginning Thai Massage from The Naga Center, or equivalent from another school with The Naga Center teacher approval. Cost: $559

Upcoming Classes
July 28th - 31st

Partners Thai & Deep Tissue Bodywork
Weekend Workshop

Bring your significant other, good friend orroommate and have fun while learning techniques to alleviate physical tension and pain. Techniques taught do not require a massage table, or any previous massage training. In addition to learning basic skills for each major body section, we will discuss individual class member's recurrent pain patterns in order to instruct partners how best to help each other.
Since most of us cannot receive professional massages quite often enough, this two day workshop instructs you in ways to lessen your partner's chronic aches. This class is for those wishing to learn serious massage techniques that they can easily use to help another feel better. Techniques are based primarily on Thai massage, but may include other modalities as needed to address individual needs.

Pre-requisite: None. Cost: $199 per couple

Upcoming Classes
August 30th - 31st, noon to 4:30 p.m.

Going Deeper, Ongoing advanced study

In this ongoing monthly class students practice and develop new skills based on their own pace and needs. This is time to address individual questions that arise from practice, strengthen our weak points, experiment in the safety of a classroom, make mistakes, and even develop new moves in the spirit of the living tradition of Thai massage. This class is led by Nephyr Jacobsen. Students are encouraged to bring questions, ideas for areas of extended study, frustrations and inspirations. Attendence hours will be logged so that a certificate of attendence can be provided twice a year with a tally of hours. Students should always check the schedule before class to be alerted to any changes.

Pre-requisite: Beginning Thai Massage from The Naga Center, or equivalent from another school with The Naga Center teacher approval. Cost: $25 Beginning: To be Announced

 

Fusion Certification Course
Swedish Deep Tissue & Thai Integration
(blending Thai techniques into a deep tissue table session)

In this 40-hour class students will learn to incorporate Thai massage techniques into a deep tissue Swedish massage setting. More than just bringing Thai massage to the table, this class blends some of the best aspects of eastern and western massage, birthing a new modality that allows for some of the deepest, most thorough massage work possible.
Therapists will learn principals of deep tissue massage, advanced passive stretching techniques for the table and many skills such as sidelying work and energy line stimulation. There will be daily lectures on subjects such as the East/West healing arts relationship, Thai culture, and Thai healing theory. Students will be guided to find their path around the body in a new way that is certain to deepen and inspire their massage practice.
This technique gives client's a truly in-depth massage experience while providing the therapist with the tools to give a deep flowing massage that greatly reduces repetitive strain injuries. This modality is not traditional Thai massage, hence it is not a part of our relationship with the Tao Mountain Association.

Pre-requisite: Basic Thai Massage. .
Cost: $699
Upcoming Classes

September 15th - 19th

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