Thai Massage Professional Training Program

Curriculum
This is a brief overview. For expanded details see the program catalog

Bodywork Courses

Thai Massage Essentials 50 hours
Study of foundational Thai bodywork techniques, theory, and practice. Students learn to give a relaxing therapeutic sequential Thai massage. Hybrid Zoom and in-person.
In-person module October 14 - 17, both Wind and Earth paths.

Thai Massage Deep Tissue 50 hours
Study of deep tissue and passive stretching as practiced in traditional Thai bodywork. Hybrid Zoom and in-person.
In-person module December 2-5 both Wind and Earth paths.

Tools of Thai Massage 24 hours
Study of traditional Thai cupping, scraping, herbal topicals, herbal hydrotherapy and other tools.

Thai Massage Rx 21 hours
Study of tailoring a Thai bodywork practice to address a wide variety of common conditions that can be alleviated with massage.

Table Massage 41 hours
Study of western-Thai hybrid bodywork conducted on a massage table designed to prepare students for licensure exams that are western-centric as well as potential work in settings that require table skills. Hybrid Zoom and in-person.
In-person module April 27-30 Wind Path (Earth path optional, or can take 2nd year, dates TBD).

Modalities Round Table 9 hours
Study of a variety of massage modalities presented by guest instructors with specialized practices.

Massage Clinic 32 hours
Hands on clinic workshop in which students gain real world practice working on the public with instructor supervision. The Naga Center does not use clinic for revenue; instead of being a for profit clinic, students bring bodywork to underserved and low income communities.
In-person module June 1-4 Wind Path (Earth path takes this workshop 2nd year, dates TBD).

Massage Review 12 hours
MBLeX preparatory review massage protocols and practices

Modern Health Science Courses

Anatomy & Physiology 60 hours
Study of the structural amazing and complex anatomy and physiological processes of the body from cells to body systems

Kinesiology I 40 hours
Study of the anatomy, movement and palpation of the musculoskeletal system of the upper body

Kinesiology II 30 hours
Study of anatomy, movement and palpation of the musculoskeletal system of the lower body

Pathology 45 hours
Study of diseases, conditions and imbalances and impact of such to massage practice protocols

Pain Theory & Management 6 hours
Study of modern and traditional understandings of pain physiology, perception and mitigation

Modern Health Science Review 24 hours
MBLeX preparatory review of health science subjects

Traditional Health Science Courses

Traditional Thai Medical Theory for Bodyworkers 45 hours
Study of Thai element theory and body systems and imbalance through the traditional Thai view

Massage Practical Application Courses

Ethics From Thai Medicine 15 hours
Study of ethics through the view of Buddhadamma and Thai medicine teachings in relation to a healing arts practice. (Modern/western massage ethics will be covered in the Building a Practice course)

Cultural Competency I 20
Study of the complexities of a healing arts practice that comes from a culture that may not be your own and exposure to Thai culture with an understanding that cultural intelligence nourishes respectful and accurate practice.

Cultural Competency II 19
Continuation of conversations in Cultural Competency I with addition of a focus on equity and inclusivity, racial sensitivity, and working with clients from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, neurodiversities, genders and orientations in a massage practice.

Building a Practice 51 hours
Studies in building a practice from the ground up including but not limited to: envisioning, manifesting, marketing, sanitation, ethics, boundaries and laws.

Sustainable Practices I 20
Study and practice in building habits for career longevity with a focus on body mechanics and flexibility and strengthening for massage therapists through the traditional Thai art of reusi da ton.

Sustainable Practices II 15
Continuation of Sustainable Practices I with additional focus on boundaries and compassion fatigue.