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 massage work. 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. Levels 1, 2 and 3 are all 32 hours in class plus a minimum of 4 hours of home practice per level.

Basic Thai Massage Certification is given after completing Levels 1 and 2 which are designed to be taken together sequentially in order to learn the complete basic Thai Massage sequence. It should be noted however, that Level 1 can be taken on its own and still give you a good foundation.

Advanced Thai Massage Certification is given after completing Basic Certification plus Level 3.

All classes begin with an inward focus to quiet the mind and open the heart through vipassana meditation and prayer. This is followed by physical warm up exercises in preparation for the giving and receiving of Thai massage.

Level One Thai Massage Sacred Bodywork Training - 32 CE hours*
In this thirty-two hour intensive beginners training program, you will be introduced to northern style Thai Massage. Over fifty Thai massage moves in the supine and prone positions will be taught. Fundamental Thai massage techniques such as palming and thumbing (acupressure), rocking, leaning, practitioner-client alignment, joint mobilization and assisted progressive stretching will be taught. Attention will be given to proper body mechanics, posture, pressure, rhythm, focus, body-mind connection, and presence. Upon completion of Level 1, you will be able to give a one hour Thai Yoga Massage in the supine and prone positions.

Level Two Thai Massage Sacred Bodywork Training - 32 CE hours*
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. Any free additional time will be used for reviewing Level 1's supine and prone positions. On the last day, in order to complete Level Two, you will give the basic Thai Massage sequence. Basic Certification will be given upon successful completion of the final practical exam. Upon completion of the training, you will be able to give a two hour full body Thai Yoga bodywork session in the five traditional positions. You will be well on your way to a professional practice. Please note: In order to join Level Two, you must have completed Ananda's Level One training.

Level Three Thai Massage Sacred Bodywork Training - 32 CE hours*
In order to join Level Three, you must have completed Basic Certification. In this thirty-two 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. 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 material. On the last day, in order to complete Level Three, you will give a cusomized Thai Yoga Massage to someone you bring to class. Advanced Certification will be given upon successful completion of the final practical exam. You will be able to give a three hour Thai Massage sequence in the five positions creating your own combinations of Thai Massage sequences .You will now be ready to establish a thriving heart based practice.

Continuing Education Hours
*In order to receive continuing education hours, you must be registered for the training, attend the training in its entirety, and fully take part in the workshop. You must complete and sign a CE request/evaluation form. There is a $25 fee for the CE certificates. You will receive an official letter and wall certificate approximately 3 - 4 weeks after your request and fees have been received. There is a $25 fee for remake certificates. After successfully completing Level 1, you can receive a Certificate of Completion. After successfully completing Levels 2 and/or 3, you can receive a Certificate of Achievement. These CE certificates are different from the certificates students will get who complete Level 2 (Basic Certification) and/or Level 3 (Advanced Certification).

Recommendations for the Thai Massage Trainings

• Book - Thai Massage, Sacred Bodywork by Ananda Apfelbaum.Click here for price and to order. They will also be available at the workshop.
• 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. They will also be available at the workshop.
• Private Classes - 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.
• Bodywork Experience - This is recommended, but not necessary.

• Practice - minimum of four 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 practical exam.
• Physical Condition - you need to be able to work on your hands and knees.
• Sheet and Yoga Mat - bring a twin-size, flat sheet as well as one or preferably two yoga mats to class for use during the workshop.
• Attendance - come to class on time and stay for the duration of the class unless an exception has been given.

Make Up Classes due to Partial Attendance
It generally takes two hours of private training to cover the material missed during a six hour workshop day. Missed classes must be made up before the next workhop day. During makeup classes, only the actual Thai massage material will be covered and not other workshop activities.There is no pro-rated enrollment for partial attendance, although if one misses an entire weekend of training then one need only pay for the weekend attended as well as the make up classes. Make up classes are $90/hour.

Private Training
One on one private Thai Massage training is also available with Ananda at $90/hour. To set up private training, email Ananda. ananda@thaimassagesacredbodywork.com

Cancellation Policy
The courtesy of 48 hours notice to cancel or reschedule your class is appreciated. Failure to comply will result in the full charge - no exceptions.

Refund Policy
No refund/credit will be given except for in an emergency situation of ill health. If a refund is given, it will be for the balance of remaining class hours minus a $50 processing fee.

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

Upcoming Thai Massage Trainings 2012

Level 1, NYC

Spring/Summer 2012

5/12-13, 6/2-3 & 6/9-10 (all three weekends must be taken).

Please submit the Student Application Form along with your payment of:

• $495* early registration fee (up to 4/28/2012)
• 
• $535* late registration fee (after 4/28/2012)
• 
• Discount: Levels 1 & 2 together $975* early registration fee (up to 4/28/2012)
• 
• $1015* late registration fee (after 4/28/2012)
• 

Level 1, NYC

Fall 2012

Dates to be announced.

Please submit the Student Application Form along with your payment of:

• $495* early registration fee
• 
• $535* late registration fee
• 

Level 2, NYC

Summer 2012

6/15-16, 6/23-24, 6/30-7/1 (all three weekends must be taken).

Please submit the Student Application Form along with your payment of:

• $495* early registration fee
• 
• $535* late registration fee
• 

Level 3

This is over two weekends. Date to be announced.

Please submit the Student Application Form along with your payment of:

• $495* early registration fee
• 
• $535* late registration fee
• 

Want to take the training again?

It's a great idea to repeat the training. All repeat courses are half price:

• Repeat Level 1 $250
• 
• Repeat Level 2 $250
• 
• Repeat Level 3 $250
• 

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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

"Ananda Apfelbaum is a masterful educator of the art and science of Thai Massage. With clear communication, watchful eyes and a gentle yet firm approach, Ananda is able to impart this challenging system of bodywork and coach each student to their full potential. Her depth of knowledge and understanding in both the physical and spiritual aspects of Thai Massage, combined with her evident compassion for all makes her a remarkably effective teacher. I have been blessed by the opportunity to study both privately and in group workshops with Ananda and it was an honor to have been her student."
-Sharon Leahy, Artistic Director, Choreographer, Dancer, Rhythm in Shoes

"Ananda is the best massage teacher I have ever studied with and I have taken multiple trainings and courses over the past twenty years. She knows her material to the core. She is very organized in her presentation and she is a caring, compassionate teacher."
-Liz Gemme, LMT

"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

"Thanking the universe for a teacher like you. With great respect."
-Vania Benscome

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