Thai Bodywork School of Thai Massage Course Catalog

Thai Yoga Training courses

Following are the Thai Massage classes currently offered by Thai Bodywork. Levels 1-3, consisting of 130 hours of hands-on traditional style Thai massage training, constitute the core curriculum for professional practitioners. Students achieve basic competency in delivering a 1-hour Thai massage after Level 1, however it is expected that professionals will continue their training to achieve Certified Thai Bodywork Practitioner status (TBP). This certificate requires completion of Levels 1-3, HandsFree 1 and AP1 as well as testing and other requirements.

Levels 1-3 should be taken in order. HandsFree 1 and AP1 can be taken at any time. CTB1 requires completion of Levels 1 and 2 and AP1 (or quivalent) prior to admission.

Level 1: Thai Massage Fundamentals is typically offered each month, while the other courses are taught typically 2-6 times per year.

Level 1: Thai Massage Fundamentals

Hours: 20.00
CEU Contact Hours: 17.00

This 2.5 day hands-on workshop is suitable for new students or practitioners wanting to learn Thai massage fundamentals and acquire an alternative modality. Level 1 is the gateway and prerequisite to all of our advanced courses. We present the energetic and historical basis of the work, body mechanics, movement from the core, and fundamental techniques as well as how to effectively practice the routines. The student learns an effective 1-hour treatment sequence, and learns how to work in a sustainable way that does not injure the practitioner. More info...

Level 2: Therapeutic Thai Massage Fundamentals

Hours: 40.00
CEU Contact Hours: 34.00

This course builds fundamentals of therapeutic Thai massage for a professional practice. The course covers theory, therapeutic applications, how to structure treatments, table applications, and much more. The student learns a 2-hour treatment sequence, as well as how to structure an effective 1-hour session appropriate to client needs. Prerequisite: Level 1. Upon successful completion and practical assessment, the student will receive a 40-hour certificate that is recognized by NCBTMB and ABMP. More info...

Level 3: Northern Style Thai Massage

Hours: 70.00
CEU Contact Hours: 50.00

This course continues to build a foundation for a professional Thai Massage practice. 200 Northern method Asanas are taught, along with theory, therapeutic applications, how to structure treatments, table applications, and much more. Upon successful completion and practical assessment, you will receive a 70-hour certificate that is recognized by NCBTMB and ABMP. Prerequisite: Level 1+2. Students may be admitted without Level 2 by instructor permission. More info...

Level 1 CTB: Fundamentals of Clinical Thai Bodywork

Hours: 20.00
CEU Contact Hours: 20.00

This course covers the fundamentals of Clinical Thai Bodywork, a modality developed by Chuck Duff that blends the techniques of Thai yoga massage with acupoint and trigger point systems and a structural analysis of body function. CTB is highly effective in reducing or eliminating patterns of pain and restriction, often in cases that have failed conventional medical treatment. CTB gives the student specific tools to assess and design effective treatments for the most common client complaints and can be integrated into a mat, chair or table-based practice. This advanced course is suitable for Thai massage practitioners wanting effective tools for treating specific conditions of pain and dysfunction in their practice. We will establish the foundation of Clinical Thai Bodywork for application on either the mat or the table. Topics include advanced asanas, common pain syndromes, trigger point therapy, using point stimulation, understanding pain referral pathways, and their relationship to sen lines, TCM meridians and fascial connections, yoga therapy and much more. Prerequisite: Thai Massage Levels 1 and 2 and AP1. More info...

Clinical Thai Bodywork Level 2: The Upper Body

Hours: 40.00
CEU Contact Hours:

This advanced course is suitable for Thai massage practitioners wanting effective tools for treating specific conditions of pain and dysfunction in their practice. We will build on the foundation concepts in CTB1, with intensive application to specific upper-body conditions. Topics will include application of Thai techniques to anterior head and shoulder syndromes, headache analysis and treatment, frozen and painful shoulder conditions, tennis elbow, neck pain, back pain, wrist and hand symptoms, thoracic outlet syndrom, carpal tunnel, tendonitis, working with physical therapy/strength and conditioning, breathing mechanics, and more. Prerequisite: Clinical Thai Bodywork 1. More info...

HandsFree Thai Massage Level 1

Hours: 20.00
CEU Contact Hours: 17.00

This weekend course provides an introduction to the techniques of HandsFree Thai, which allow the practitioner to work on large or heavily muscled clients in a way that is highly beneficial for the client and safe for the practitioner. Many asana variations using feet and knees, comprising a 1-hour treatment. More info...

Thai Herbal Compress Certification

Hours: 20.00
CEU Contact Hours: 17.00

This course covers preparation and use of Thai herbal compresses, or Luk Pra Kob, which has been used in Thailand for over 400 years as a medicinal treatment. The herbs used in Luk Pra Kob, which are wrapped in cotton cloth and steamed prior to application, have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and muscle relaxant properties. In addition, there are benefits to the skin as well as aromatherapeutic properties to the herbs, whose essential oils are released with steam.The course also covers the use of Thai herbs for traditional Thai herbal sauna or Thai steam treatments. Prerequisite: Level 1. More info...

Table Thai Massage for the Spa

Hours: 20.00
CEU Contact Hours: 20.00

This course teaches Thai massage fundamentals in the form of a 1-hour treatment sequence in the Chiang Mai style, specifically adapted to the table and the needs of the spa environment, including table body mechanics, draping, and other issues. This course is open to anyone and satisfies the prerequisite for all of our advanced courses. We present the energetic and historical basis of the work, body mechanics, movement from the core, and fundamental techniques as well as how to effectively practice the routines. More info...

Thai Herbal Compress Treatment for the Spa

Hours: 8.00
CEU Contact Hours: 8.00

This course covers preparation and use in the spa environment of Thai herbal compresses, herbal poultices, or Luk Pra Kob, which have been used in Thailand for hundreds of years as a medicinal treatment. The student will learn a treatment sequence that provides thorough coverage of the Sen lines. Upon successful completion, the student will receive an 8-hour certificate from Thai Bodywork. More info...

Certified Thai Bodywork Practitioner Certification

Hours: 4.00
CEU Contact Hours: 0.00

Certified Thai Bodywork Practitioner is a competency-based certificate which can be applied for after a student has successfully completed Levels 1-3, HandsFree 1 and AP1 (170 hours). Certification requires completion of written and practical tests, as well as a minimum number of documented sessions. More info...

A&P for Thai Massage and Yoga - Level 1

Hours: 20.00
CEU Contact Hours: 17.00

This course is an introduction to anatomy, physiology and kinesiology for Thai massage practitioners, yoga teachers, and others. The focus in the A&P 1 course is on developing a solid grounding in these issues for students who have never had formal education in anatomy, or wish to refresh their knowledge with a different approach. Instead of the usual dry, memorization-oriented A&P, this class strives to be as interactive and hands-on as possible to increase retention and make learning anatomy fun. REQUIRED TEXT: Trail Guide to the Body, Third Edition (Red cover, coil bound). Available for purchase at Thai Bodywork. More info...