INTRODUCING

Thai Massage Training

Ananda teaching at Omega Institute Photo by Heidi Kettler

Thai Massage Sacred Bodywork training is a wonderful learning experience devoted to the study of Thai Massage. The focus of the training is hands on. A spirit of love and community is created and sustained throughout the program via group discussion, prayer, meditation and from the healing and connecting power innately found in this unique form of bodywork.

Thai Massage Sacred Bodywork training is a three level program consisting of: Beginners Level 1, Intermediate Level 2, and Advanced Level 3. Level 1 is 32 hours in class plus 3 hours of home practice. Level 2 is the same with 32 hours in class plus 3 hours of home practice. Level 3 is 39 hours in class plus 3 hours of home practice.

Basic Thai Massage Certification is given after completing both Levels 1 and 2 which comes to 64 hours in class plus six hours documented home practice. The total number of hours is 70. They are constructed to be taken together in order to complete the basic traditional Thai yoga massage sequence. It should be noted however that Level 1 can be taken on its own and will give you a good foundation.

Advanced Thai Massage Certification is given after completing Basic Certification plus Level 3 which comes to a total of 103 hours in class plus nine hours documented home practice. The total number of hours is 112.

Location for all the Thai Massage Trainings
The Warshaw Studio, 115 Wooster Street #2F (between Prince and Spring Streets in Soho), New York, NY 10012. This is near the N, R, or W Prince St. stop or the C or E Spring St. stop.

Level One Thai Massage Sacred Bodywork Training
In this thirty-two hour intensive beginners training program, you will learn the history, theory, and practice of northern style Thai Massage. Each class begins with meditation and prayer followed by warm up exercises. You will then learn over fifty Thai Massage movements from the traditional sequence in the supine and prone positions. While learning these movements, you will learn fundamental techniques used in Thai Yoga Massage such as palming and thumbing, joint mobilization, energy line work, muscle stretching, and assisted yoga poses. Attention will be given to proper body mechanics, posture, pressure, rhythm, focus, body-mind connection, and awareness. Upon completion of Level 1, you will be able to give a one hour Thai Yoga Massage in the supine and prone positions. You will have a strong foundation for a professional practice.

Level Two Thai Massage Sacred Bodywork Training
In order to join Level Two, you must have completed Level One. In this thirty-two hour intensive intermediate training program, you will learn more than sixty new Thai Massage movements in three new positions: side-lying, inverted, and seated. You will also learn some new techniques such as knee pressing and a very healing technique known as blood stopping which deeply relaxes the body and mind. After completing the new material, the material that was previously learned in Level One will be reviewed, refined, and integrated with the Level Two material. On the last day, in order to complete Level Two, you will give a Thai Massage to someone you bring to class that day. No notes may be used for the final. Basic Certification will be given upon successful completion of the final exam. You will be able to give a two-hour full body Thai Yoga Massage in the five traditional positions. You will be well on your way to a professional practice.

Level Three Thai Massage Sacred Bodywork Training
In order to join Level Three, you must have completed Basic Certification. In this thirty-nine hour intensive advanced training program, you will learn more than sixty new Thai Massage movements from the supine, side-lying, prone, seated, and inverted positions. These movements will be added to your practice so that you have a larger movement vocabulary to work with. This will enable you to work with people of different sizes, flexibility levels, and needs. You will also learn abdominal massage, which is an important healing aspect of Thai Massage. The emphasis of the training will continue to be hands on. Material from Levels One and Two will be reviewed, refined and integrated with the new Level Three material. You will learn how to create your own sequences in order to give a customized two and a half to three hour Thai Massage. On the last day, in order to complete Level Three, you must give a Thai Yoga Massage to someone you bring to class that day. No notes may be used for the final. Advanced Certification will be given upon successful completion of the final exam. You will be able to give a three hour Thai Massage or to create a shorter massage using variations of the traditional flow. You will now be ready to establish a thriving heart based practice.

Recommendations for the Thai Massage Trainings

• Book - Thai Massage, Sacred Bodywork by Ananda Apfelbaum.Click here for price and to order.
• DVD - Thai Massage, Sacred Bodywork by Ananda Apfelbaum. This covers the Thai Massage sequence learned in Levels 1 and 2. Click here for price and to order.
• Private Class - Ananda will go over your Thai Massage techniques posture by posture and give you guidance and feedback. This will ensure that you practice correctly.For information on private training, click here.
• Massage Session - This will help you understand Thai Massage better
• Previous Experience is recommended, but not necessary.

• Practice - three hours of documented home practice for each level of training.
• For Levels 2 and 3, you must give someone a massage in class for the final.
• Physical Condition - you need to be able to work on your hands and knees.
• Sheet and Yoga Mat- you need to bring a twin-size, non fitted sheet as well as a yoga mat.

Make Up Classes
It generally takes two hours of private training to cover the material missed during a six-hour Thai Massage workshop day. Missed Level 1 course hours must be made up through private lessons with Ananda prior to starting Level 2. Missed Level 2 course hours must be made up through private lessons with Ananda prior to joining Level 3. During makeup classes, only the actual Thai Massage material will be covered and not other workshop activities such as warm up exercises, meditation, etc. Make up classes are $90/hour; $85/hour if it is 2 hours or more.

Private Training
One on one Thai Massage training is also available with Ananda at $90/hour or $85/hour for prepay of six hours which comes to $510 and saves you $30. To set up private training, email Ananda. ananda@thaimassagesacredbodywork.com

Refund Policy
No refunds/credit will be given except for in an emergency situation of ill health.

Further Information
If you have any questions regarding the information presented here, please contact Ananda at: ananda@thaimassagesacredbodywork.com

Upcoming Thai Massage Trainings

*Note: These prices all include the associated training manual.

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Endorsements:

"This class has been an amazing experience for me. I feel blessed to have had this opportunity."
- Felicia Tomasko, LAYOGA Magazine staff

"Even before I met Ananda, I could tell from our correspondence that she was filled with caring, kindness, and compassion. I have studied with her through Level 1, 2, and 3 and have enjoyed every minute of it. Ananda teaches from a place of love for every student and all beings. She imparts this to her students and therefore helps to create exceptional Thai massage therapists."
- Elyse Sparkes, Personal Trainer

“After having taken both level 1 and 2 from Ananda, I could only say that someone learning this healing modality from Ananda is just plain lucky. She has an incredible balance of dedication to Thai Yoga’s roots and history and modern adaptability. The courses are well paced and her method of showing how to perform each move and rotating clients throughout the workshops enables you to develop your sense of touch on different body types. I highly recommend the book as a resource for continued guidance after the course to be able to think through different ways to moderate the poses or work more deeply on one part of the body. After the class, I had much more body awareness for myself, as well as being able to share this gift with clients, friends and family.”
- Hope Loraine Cotter, Executive Assistant

"Ananda is a brilliant teacher, a wise woman."
- Mindy Groff

"Ananda, created a beautiful learning atmosphere. I'm most grateful."
-Althea Lewis

"I thank Ananda for her supportive teaching and patience."
- Amy Eisenberg

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