naj
Hello, I am naj; you may also know me as nephyr. I am the director, founder, instructor, and dish washer of The Naga Center, which I started in 2005. Basically, I am the Naga Center. I have been a massage therapist since I was 21 years old (born in '69, so you can do the maths), and have been traveling to Thailand regularly since 1998 to study traditional Thai Herbal medicine and bodywork. I am a research maven, dedicated to finding authentic and in-depth information to pass on to my students and clients as we all navigate studying a medical system that has been largely unheard of in the west. I lived with my family in Thailand for two years while I researched and wrote "Seven Peppercorns: Traditional Thai Medical Theory for Bodyworkers" and the revised “Thai Herbal Medicine: Traditional Recipes for Health and Harmony” with Dr. Pierce Salguero. Also, I’ve completed wilderness first responder training and will carry a big first aid kit on guided Thailand trips. I am the primary instructor at The Naga Center and write all Naga Center class curriculum; I also do the dishes and take out the garbage just like most small business owners. I love to play in my herb room making traditional formulas, and I tend to rescue animals a lot. Lastly, I have infinite gratitude to all of my teachers, and specifically to my primary Teacher, Tevijjo Yogi.
Claire Mittelstet
Claire is a yoga instructor and Thai massage practitioner extraordinaire as well as a Thai reusi da ton practitioner. She has studied Thai bodywork extensively with me here in Oregon and with Tevijjo Yogi in Thailand. Claire joins us from Astoria Oregon bringing a compassionate, grounded approach to teaching seasoned with a wry wit. You’ll see Claire teaching portions of the Thai bodywork courses here at The Naga Center.
Sarah Carl
Sarah has been studying Thai bodywork for over twenty years, both at The Naga Center and in Thailand. Sarah brings a strong body awareness stemming from years of massage practice and before that a history in dance instruction. You’ll find Sarah bringing her wisdom, wit, and humor to pathology classes
Jim Madras
Jim was my first cupping teacher (he is a truly gifted cupper) and I was his first Thai massage teacher. Over the years he has been a guest teacher at The Naga Center many times, whether bringing his mastery of fire cupping or emergency teaching my students when I had a concussion. You’ll meet Jim teaching kinesiology and dropping in to assist with the cupping portion of Rx classes.
Damion Bond
Damion and I have been lineage sisters for about 25 years, our paths repeatedly intersecting. With a strong background in dance, Damion has made a unique study of not only Thai massage, but of reusi da ton, the ancient Thai self care practice.
Admin & Tech
Django Boletus Jacobsen Fein
Django makes things beautiful, keeps things working, organizes and inspires. I have Django to thank for the better quality videos of classes, the visual loveliness of this website, photography, so much technical support, and a million other details. Django has been learning Thai medicine and massage since he was a child, has been traveling to Thailand since he was three years old and lived there for two years, but his true passions are musical theatre and photography. You can see more of his lovely photography boletusphotography.com. He is also a wonderful actor - djangoboletus.com is his actor profile.
Occasional Guest Instructors
Because I only host people who teach in a specific lineage I don’t often have guest instructors, but when I do it may be Tevijjo Yogi, Damion Bond, or Sarah Carl to name a few.
