THAI MASSAGE 1 Training (beginner level)
The foundation, the principles and the structure of Thai-Yoga massage

April 16-19, 2010

Tuition: $540
Click here to pre-register for this workshop

This 4-day course will introduce you to Thai-yoga massage, a very ancient form of bodywork, related to Buddhism and yoga. Thai massage combines varied and powerful stretches, using long leverage techniques across muscle groups (inspired by yoga postures), and acupressure work on energy lines. Working the lines by acupressure and stretching can treat the whole body by opening energy, physical or emotional blockages. Traditionally practiced in Buddhist monasteries, massage has never been considered as “work”. Above all, it is regarded as a spiritual practice, a meditation. The masseur
practices in a meditative state and develops his sensitivity to tune in to the patient’s needs.

Thai massage promotes general health and well-being. It has a double purpose. On the preventive side, it actives the free flow of energy and improves fluid circulation, digestion, breathing capacity, body posture, flexibility, as well as releasing nervous tension. On the therapeutic side, it can cure a large number of pathologies such as lower back pain, headaches, digestive problems, stress, insomnia, nervous imbalance, neck and shoulder muscular tightness.

At the end of this 4-day course you will be able to:

1. Give a full body Thai-Yoga massage in the four traditional positions (prone, supine, side and sitting), and to understand where and when to use them.

2. Master Thai massage’s unique floor work:

• using hands as well as the feet, the elbows and the knees
• proper use of body weight
• stretching muscle groups (using long leverage techniques related to yoga

3. Know about and work on energy lines specific to Eastern philosophies and techniques.

David Lutt

David, 39, French, is a licensed osteopath (D.O.) combining his expertise and love of osteopathy, Thai-yoga massage and zen shiatsu.He is the co-founder of the College Osteo Thai based in France. He is a senior teacher of the Sunshine Network and one of the main teachers of the Thai massage Circus. He has spent 4 years living in Asia (India and Thailand) immersing himself in yoga, shiatsu, Vipassana meditation and traditional Thai massage. In Thailand, he studied mainly under Ajahn Chaiyuth Priyasith and Asokananda, and now spends much of his time running courses in Europe and Asia, including Thailand and Laos. David also teaches yoga and practices capoeira. More information can be found at osteothai.com.

For these classes, he will be assisted by Anastasia Xidis. Anastasia is a Tai Chi teacher and a massage therapist. She practices and teaches Tai Chi Chuan during the last 7 years. She is a student of Tew Bunnang (a well-known Thai Tai Chi Master) and Napoleon Xifaras. She teaches the Yang style of Tai Chi in Europe and Asia, and gives also private classes. Concerning bodywork, she is specialized in Thai massage and cranio-sacral therapy.