Thai Bodywork Career Guide
What is Thai bodywork?
Thai bodywork, also called Thai Yoga massage, has a unique character that is both relaxing and invigorating. It is a combination of passive Yoga stretching, Acupressure, Reflexology, energy work, and Meditation.
The Thai practitioner uses his/her thumb, palm, elbow, knee, and foot pressure to create a very unique healing art, which the Thais often refer to as energy medicine. Thai bodywork is more than passive yoga. Its profound effect releases tension, increases vitality, relaxes and revitalizes the entire body. Thai massage is unmatched in its ability to open joints and increase range of motion and flexibility.
How is Thai bodywork practiced?
Thai Massage is traditionally performed with the receiver lying on a floor mat wearing loose, comfortable clothing. This gives the practitioner leverage and the ability to use his/her body very effectively to facilitate deep muscle stretching and joint release, as well as point pressure, to open the body's subtle energy channels. Therapists are trained to respect everyone's varied amount of flexibility and can therefore benefit the limber, as well as those who are not very limber, by stretching everyone to their own personal limits. It is a very thorough treatment, treating the whole body, lasting for 1½ hours or 2 hours. The work is rhythmic and meditative, enabling both the client and practitioner to voyage together into deeper realms of consciousness and tranquility. The focus is balance and to create wholeness of body, mind and spirit.
What Thai bodywork certification is available?
Upon completion of coursework in Thai bodywork from an accredited program, which might require 500 hours of training and practice, optional board certification is available. Alternatively one can sit for a personal competency review exam administered by the ITTA Board of Examiners (NBTBE).
Where can I get training?
- Arizona
Cortiva Institute - Tucson - A campus in Tucson- Southwest Institute of Healing Arts - Tempe
- California
- Spirit Winds School of Thai Massage - Nevada City
- Institute of Professional Practical Therapy - North Hollywood
- Hands on Healing Institute - Pasadena (Tujunga)
- International Professional School of Bodywork - San Diego
- Thai Bodywork School of Thai Massage - Training in Chicago, IL
- Naga Center - Training in Portland, OR
- Colorado
- Eight Branches School of Asian Bodywork - Boulder
- Connecticut
- Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy - Groton - Groton
- Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy - Newington - Newington
- Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy - Westport - Westport
- Florida
- Keiser Career College - Greenacres
- Keiser Career College - Miami Lakes
- Keiser Career College - St. Petersburg
- Illinois
- Thai Bodywork School of Thai Massage - Evanston
- Windemere Institute of Healing Arts - Training in Decorah, IA
- Indiana
- Thai Bodywork School of Thai Massage - Training in Chicago, IL
- Iowa
- Windemere Institute of Healing Arts - Decorah
- Massachusetts
- Acupressure Therapy Institute - Cambridge
- Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy - Newington - Training in Newington, CT
- Michigan
- Institute of Natural Therapies - Hancock
- Institute of Natural Therapies - St. Ignace
- Thai Bodywork School of Thai Massage - Training in Chicago, IL
- Minnesota
- Windemere Institute of Healing Arts - Training in Decorah, IA
- New York
- Naga Center - Training in Portland, OR
- Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy - Westport - Training in Westport, CT
- Oregon
- Naga Center - Portland
- Oregon School of Massage - Portland - Portland
- Oregon School of Massage - Salem - Salem
- Rhode Island
- Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy - Groton - Training in Groton, CT
- Washington
- Oregon School of Massage - Portland - Training in Portland, OR
- Wisconsin
- Thai Bodywork School of Thai Massage - Training in Chicago, IL
- Windemere Institute of Healing Arts - Training in Decorah, IA
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