Thai Massage Techniques Demonstrated by Thai Bodywork Founder, Chuck Duff

There are well over one thousand techniques and variations in the lexicon of traditional Thai massage. Each teacher and regional style has unique variations. Advanced practitioners must learn not only a wide range of Thai yoga techniques, but how and when to apply them safely and effectively for a given client's needs. Because of the infinite variation in body types, it is important that the therapist gain a strong foundation in body mechanics early in their training.

Thai Yoga Techniques - Photo Gallery

Skilled Thai yoga massage is much more than simply applying a series of techniques. At Thai Bodywork School of Thai Massage, practitioners learn that the flow in transition between asanas, and the state of mind of the therapist are as important as the techniques themselves. A Thai yoga therapy treatment is a positive, energizing, uplifting experience for the client as well as the practitioner. A session is a flowing dialog between client and practitioner, akin to a dance or martial arts form. The client is passive and completely and safely supported in all positions by the therapist.

	Straight Leg Pullup, Uttanasana (Level 2 and Advanced)
	This assisted forward bend allows the client to achieve full flexion without effort. Stretches the hamstrings, back, and muscles of the rotator cuff, lower trapezius and upper back. With proper body mechanics, it becomes a nice stretch for the therapist as well.

	Standing Psoas Lift, Ardha Dhanurasana (Level 3)
	When lifting any part of the client’s body weight, it is essential that the therapist maintain center of gravity between their feet, and use the powerful locomotive muscles (starting with the legs) to do the work. This variation of half-bow pose allows the client to remain completely relaxed while gaining the benefits of extending the leg at the hip, which stretches the psoas and quadriceps.

Assisted Cobra, Bhujangasana (Level 1 and advanced)

There are many variations of the assisted cobra pose. This is a relatively easy version that can be adjusted to the needs of the client. The cobra opens the chest and shoulders, and assists the client in deepening extension flexibility in the thoracic and lumbar spine. The pose can be varied by the practitioner from a very minimal stretch with the shoulders barely lifting from the floor, to a full backbend in which the client’s head is well behind their shoulders.

	Side Lying Psoas Stretch with Feet in Back, Natarajasana (CTB)
	This deep psoas stretch is an assisted, side-lying version of Dancer’s Pose. It is typical of a class of Thai asanas that allow the client to experience some of the benefits of a relatively sophisticated yoga posture without active effort. As a standing yoga pose, it requires a sophisticated combination of strength, balance and flexibility that only advanced students can achieve.

Thai Massage Techniques: Benefits

Some people call Traditional Thai Massage "Lazy man's yoga", because the therapist is skilled at supporting the client in stretches that are yoga poses. In many cases, the client can experience the benefit of poses that would be difficult to achieve unassisted, because it can take years to develop the requisite strength, balance and flexibility to achieve the poses in a solo yoga practice. Also, the therapist works energy lines while the client is in the pose, which has a synergistic effect in opening and energizing the body. Clients who practice yoga often find that regular Thai yoga therapy sessions enhance their practice, allowing them to stretch and open more quickly and avoid injury.

Thai yoga therapy has many benefits including:

relief of pain due to arthritis, repetitive stress, overworked muscles
enhances your practice of yoga, pilates, and other physical modalities
balances the body's energy pathways
better resistance to injury
improved range of motion
release of lactic acid and other toxins from areas of accumulation
toning of internal organs
increased energy and peaceful alertness
emotional calming and deep relaxation.

More about Thai massage training at Thai Bodywork...

Clinical Thai Bodywork Techniques

Clinical Thai Bodywork, a therapeutic modality developed by Chuck Duff, is a therapeutic form of Thai massgae that can achieve amazing results with pain and dysfunction. CTB is used by athletic trainers, yoga teachers, rehabilitation professionals, and massage therapists who regularly treat clients with acute and chronic pain or dysfunction. Chuck teaches CTB Certification trainings at Thai Bodywork and is empowering practitioners to bring these highly effective techniques into a variety of health professions.

Thai Massage Training Classes

Thai Massage Techniques Demonstrated by Thai Bodywork Founder, Chuck Duff

Thai Yoga Techniques - Photo Gallery

Straight Leg Pullup, Uttanasana (Level 2 and Advanced)

Standing Psoas Lift, Ardha Dhanurasana (Level 3)

Assisted Cobra, Bhujangasana (Level 1 and advanced)

Side Lying Psoas Stretch with Feet in Back, Natarajasana (CTB)

Thai Massage Techniques: Benefits

Clinical Thai Bodywork Techniques

New Thai Massage Thai Massage Job Board and Forum

Thai Massage: Therapeutic Thai Fundamentals DVD with Chuck Duff

Expert therapist Chuck Duff discusses common pain conditions in each part of the body along with relevant treatments.