Thai Manual Therapies Specialist Program
In-depth 244 CE hour Thai massage training
Our next cohort is scheduled for
September 24th, 2025 - May 4th, 2026
Welcome to The Naga Center’s Thai Massage Specialist Program, a hybrid distance and online lovingly guided study of the beautiful art of traditional Thai bodywork. Here students find a warm and welcoming space for in-depth mentorship style studies in an ancient and complex healing arts modality. This is an intensive in-depth course of study designed for seasoned Thai massage practitioners, teachers, and beginners alike.
This hybrid online/in-person program unites students from a variety of locales in sweet supportive shared learning. Hands on workshops are held in a peaceful environment surrounded by nature and jars of herbs, while online classes are interactive and create a vibrant and caring community that feels surprisingly close to the in-person experience.
This program goes from beginner sequences that will bring new understanding to the most experienced Thai bodyworkers, to topical Thai herbal formulas to working with Thai element theory and into condition specific treatment protocols. If you have taken Thai massage classes before, here is where we fill in the gaps and expand your understanding of Thai massage is and can be, culminating in approaching Thai bodywork from a Thai diagnostic and Thai treatment oriented view rooted in Thai medical element theory.
Instructor
I am Naj; your primary instructor for this program. I am the director, founder, instructor, and dish washer of The Naga Center, which I started in 2005. Basically, I am the Naga Center (and much of this website is written first person, in my voice). 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 and lived there for two years while writing my books on Thai medical theory and herbalism. You can learn bunches more about me, and also learn about Claire and Jim who will be lending a hand with this program, here.
Curriculum and Schedule
September 24th, 2025 - April 20th, 2026
All classes except live workshops are synchronous online classes
Online classes are held Wednesdays 9-9:50 am & 2-5 pm & Fridays from 2-5 pm
There are no more Friday classes after January 23rd
All times are Pacific Standard (west coast US) time
In-person workshops are held surrounded by nature in Gresham, just a few minutes outside of Portland Oregon
Orientation
September 22nd
10 am - 12 pm
On Zoom
Wai Kru/Cultural Competency 26 hours
Online classes Wednesdays September 24, 2025 - April 15, 2026
9 am - 9:50 am PST
Group wai kru practice, Thai cultural lessons and attendant Q&A. We have been having weekly wai kru since 2012 and here we will often be joined by students from past cohorts as it is in this space that we bridge between rising and alumnus students and thereby create and maintain community.
Sustainable Practices 20 hours
optional
Friday Mornings 10 to 11 am PST
September 26, 205 - February 27, 2026
Sustainable Practices instructor TBA
Study and practice in building habits for career longevity with a focus on body mechanics and flexibility and strengthening for massage therapists through the traditional Thai art of reusi da ton, self massage, use of herbs, protective measures and more.
Thai Massage Essentials 18 hours
Online classes Wednesdays 2-5 pm PST
September 24 - October 29th
Study of foundational Thai bodywork techniques, theory, and practice. Students learn to give a relaxing therapeutic sequential Thai massage that they can begin to utilize in their practice.
The online Zoom portion of this course will be taught by Naj or Claire
Traditional Thai Medical Theory for Bodyworkers 45 hours
Online classes Fridays 2-5 pm PST
September 26, 2024 - January 23, 2025
Study of Thai element theory and body systems and imbalance through the traditional Thai view. This is the foundation upon which all Thai bodywork stands. For many Thai massage practitioners outside of Thailand it is the missing link. What makes Thai massage Thai is not stretches, clothes, or a mat on the floor; what makes it Thai, is choices guided by Thai medical theory and view.
Essentials of Thai Massage Live Workshop 24 hours
November 15 - 17, 2025
Hands on practice of all bodywork techniques learned thus far. Our first in-person gathering! This is where we get to experience what we’ve been learning, fine tune our work, give and receive, laugh, maybe cry, break bread and bond.
Thai Massage Deep Tissue 18 hours
Online classes Wednesdays 2-5 pm November 5 - December 17, 2025
Study of deep tissue and passive stretching as practiced in traditional Thai bodywork. This is a layering on to the Essentials class, bringing in more intensive stretching, deep compressions, and an understanding of making lasting change.
Thai Massage Deep Tissue Live Workshop 24 hours
January 27 - 29, 2026
Hands on practice of all bodywork techniques learned thus far. Gathering in the yurt again! Same as before, we’ll be diving deeper into the bodywork that we have been practicing.
Tools of Thai Massage 24 hours
Online classes Wednesdays 2-5 pm December 7, 2025 - February 18, 2026
Study of traditional Thai cupping, scraping, herbal topicals, herbal hydrotherapy and other tools. Thai bodywork is rife with amazing tools that make the practice expansive, technical and extremely therapeutic. In this module we will dive into some of my favorites.
Thai Massage Rx 21 hours
Online classes Wednesdays 2-5 pm PST
February 25, 2026 - April 15, 2026
Study of tailoring a Thai bodywork practice to address a wide variety of common conditions that can be alleviated with massage. This is where our approach really takes a turn into using Thai diagnostics to form Thai bodywork treatment plans.
Tools/Rx Live Workshop 24 hours
May 2 - 4, 2026
Hands on practice of techniques learned in Tools and Rx classes and putting it all together. This class marks the completion of the Specialist Program and includes finishing ceremony.
Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring Break dates:
Thanksgiving break - November 23 - 28, 2025
Winter Break - December 21 - 28, 2025
Spring Break - March 22 - 28, 2026
Dues and other Expenses
Core Program: $4,000
Other Variable Expenses
Required books estimate $50 (Seven Peppercorns & Thai Herbal Medicine by nephyr Jacobsen and Self Massage and Joint Mobilization of Traditional Thai Yoga: Reusi Dat Ton by David Wells)
Thai massage mat $100 - $300 (optional, a mat is very useful but not required)
Various Thai massage tools, list to be provided $200 - 500
Discounts
$200 credit card processing fee discount to students who commit to paying by cash or check
$200 Fossil Fuel Eco Discount for students who agree to commute to in-person workshops by non-car (bike, walk, public transportation)
Payment Plans
I offer flexible payment plans to those for whom this will be helpful. We can chat about this at your admission interview which will be scheduled after your application is received.
Before registering please read our disease mitigation protocols
