Hello my friends,
I found several wonderful YouTube clips on Thai Massage that I think will provide you with some insights especially for those not familiar with the work. There are plenty others so you can explore that if you wish. To view these segments Click Here then scroll down to bottom of page to make selections.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Nice Balance
I have a pretty good idea of how my time will be spent in Thailand. The great thing about the massage training is that there are some good and well known schools there with a variety of schedules and training. Most schools that teach Thai Massage classes are Monday to Friday for 6 hours per day. The other course have off type schedules even some on weekends. I am searching out one Thai Massage teacher to work with. If I am able to study with him I will fit the other courses/schools around that. Altogether, I am taking about 120hrs of massage training with half of that for Nuad Bo-Rarn.
The cooking courses that I am interested in are full days, picking up from your guesthouse or hotel around 8:30am returning you about 5pm. My intent is to take 3 or 4 of these and I feel good about the two schools that I've selected (which operates 7 days per week) out of the many that I've found. These cooking classes will fit in between my massage studies schedule. Even though I will have my itinerary laid out I know I have to be open. So in that spirit I'll use the plan as a guide and trust the gifts along the path!
One of my adventure highlights takes place during the full moon (November 2nd). So whatever I am doing can fit around this. It is the Full-Moon White Water River Rafting trip. They have two trips. The first trip starts the day before the full moon and the second the day of. You river raft during the day, stop for dinner and relaxation and another several hours at night under the moonlight. I am really drawn to do this. I did do a rafting trip about 20 years ago and often talk about it over the years how I so much wanted to experience that again, well now I have an extra special opportunity. I am all over it!!!
I will be doing some other connecting to nature type thing, hitting up the Night Bazaar, and of course getting lots of Bodywork done. In this journey, I will be traveling alone. There has been a lot of planning so far. In the months to come the preparation is taking place and six months will be here before you know it. That is why we always want to be present and experience each moment for that is what adds to the quality of your life!
The cooking courses that I am interested in are full days, picking up from your guesthouse or hotel around 8:30am returning you about 5pm. My intent is to take 3 or 4 of these and I feel good about the two schools that I've selected (which operates 7 days per week) out of the many that I've found. These cooking classes will fit in between my massage studies schedule. Even though I will have my itinerary laid out I know I have to be open. So in that spirit I'll use the plan as a guide and trust the gifts along the path!
One of my adventure highlights takes place during the full moon (November 2nd). So whatever I am doing can fit around this. It is the Full-Moon White Water River Rafting trip. They have two trips. The first trip starts the day before the full moon and the second the day of. You river raft during the day, stop for dinner and relaxation and another several hours at night under the moonlight. I am really drawn to do this. I did do a rafting trip about 20 years ago and often talk about it over the years how I so much wanted to experience that again, well now I have an extra special opportunity. I am all over it!!!
I will be doing some other connecting to nature type thing, hitting up the Night Bazaar, and of course getting lots of Bodywork done. In this journey, I will be traveling alone. There has been a lot of planning so far. In the months to come the preparation is taking place and six months will be here before you know it. That is why we always want to be present and experience each moment for that is what adds to the quality of your life!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Taste of Thai
Although my focus for going to Thailand is to continue my studies in massage I cannot resist the opportunity to take a few Thai Cooking courses. There are over 15 Cooking schools in Chiang Mai which is in the Northern part of the kingdom.
In my research the most important things to me were flexibility in schedule and variety in the recipes. I found at least five schools that foot the bill however there are two that I am really drawn to:
Thai Farm Cooking school www.thaifarmcooking.net This Organic Farm is perfect for grounding myself once I arrive. This school was listed in several guidebooks and Thailand websites.
Siam Rice Thai Cookery www.siamricethaicookery.com This one is neat and seems very traditional. This school has wonderful remarks from previous students.
My intention is to take 3-4 day cooking classes at these two schools. I will remain open, who knows I may come across a real gem.
In my research the most important things to me were flexibility in schedule and variety in the recipes. I found at least five schools that foot the bill however there are two that I am really drawn to:
Thai Farm Cooking school www.thaifarmcooking.net This Organic Farm is perfect for grounding myself once I arrive. This school was listed in several guidebooks and Thailand websites.
Siam Rice Thai Cookery www.siamricethaicookery.com This one is neat and seems very traditional. This school has wonderful remarks from previous students.
My intention is to take 3-4 day cooking classes at these two schools. I will remain open, who knows I may come across a real gem.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Wealth of Information
The public library has been a resource that I've indudge myself with from time to time. In the last ten years (working for the City) I primarily use it to get out of the heat especially during the summers while working and often times use the computer for a variety of things such as catching up on emails or doing research for KIDZ HEARTS. As far as the material in the library I mostly borrow DVD's and sometimes positive audio programs. For all this I am GRATEFUL!
Few days ago, I was donating books to the library when it occurred to me to research Thailand, why didn't I think of that before?
I asked and received help from the librian. She was extremely helpful and I walked out of there with more material than ever before. Besides cultural and guide books, I found some videos in Thai and language tapes. This is a wonderful companion to the information I discovered with my online research.
For me the process itself has been encouraging, insightful, and fun!!! This has also shown me that when I get excited about something there is no limit to what I can absorb. The educational piece of this has broaden my awareness and appreciation.
I am open to any feedback, input, or suggestions you may have to elevate my experience.
Few days ago, I was donating books to the library when it occurred to me to research Thailand, why didn't I think of that before?
I asked and received help from the librian. She was extremely helpful and I walked out of there with more material than ever before. Besides cultural and guide books, I found some videos in Thai and language tapes. This is a wonderful companion to the information I discovered with my online research.
For me the process itself has been encouraging, insightful, and fun!!! This has also shown me that when I get excited about something there is no limit to what I can absorb. The educational piece of this has broaden my awareness and appreciation.
I am open to any feedback, input, or suggestions you may have to elevate my experience.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Researching Trip
I am happy to share with you that a target of mine for about 10 years is being realized. As most of you know I am passionate about massage and particularly in Asian Healing. In 1992 I took my first Massage class at International Professional School of Bodywork (IPSB) after recovering from a major back injury while working for San Diego Unified School District. I had lower back surgery before my awareness of alternative health. Taking the massage training was against my doctors advice however I knew deep inside that it was something that I needed to do and boy I am so glad I did. I discovered a talent within me that has been the source of inspiration on a variety of levels. For all of this I am grateful!
Although, I took some introduction classes in Oriental massage modalities it was not until the late 1990's when I took a Seitai Shiatsu internship with my teacher, mentor, and friend Rick Gold that I knew I was on a special path. A year or so later I took an intro Thai Massage class with Rick and I really enjoyed giving and receiving this work. It was only a weekend class but I was able to pick up techniques that I still use today. Meanwhile I continued my training receiving certification in tuina (Chinese Massage). I remember thinking I sure would love to go to China or Thailand to study.
I think because most of my training was in Tuina working with another teacher, mentor and friend, Skip Kanester I was mostly drawn to go to China but still entertained the possibility of going to Thailand. This idea was still in the background of my thinking. Late last year I was overcome with a deep feeling and desire to go to Thailand. A few months ago it became stronger. I started to look online at different schools over there and where did I want to study, Bangkok or Chiang Mai. The research has begun!
So, now I am here in the planning stage and the energy that I feel inspires me in many areas of my life and I feel so much richer for it! I have narrowed down that I will be training in Chiang Mai and will be leaving the states in late October returning early December. Also I have select the schools I am considering and waiting to hear back from one school perticular to confirm if they will be offering the course I want while I am there, I also have some alternatives.
Even though my focus is in my massage training, I was exploring the internet and discovered many things I want to do while I am over there, such as take a few cooking classes, go wild river rafting, elephant ride, and a variety of other things that I will share via Blog along with photos.
Although, I took some introduction classes in Oriental massage modalities it was not until the late 1990's when I took a Seitai Shiatsu internship with my teacher, mentor, and friend Rick Gold that I knew I was on a special path. A year or so later I took an intro Thai Massage class with Rick and I really enjoyed giving and receiving this work. It was only a weekend class but I was able to pick up techniques that I still use today. Meanwhile I continued my training receiving certification in tuina (Chinese Massage). I remember thinking I sure would love to go to China or Thailand to study.
I think because most of my training was in Tuina working with another teacher, mentor and friend, Skip Kanester I was mostly drawn to go to China but still entertained the possibility of going to Thailand. This idea was still in the background of my thinking. Late last year I was overcome with a deep feeling and desire to go to Thailand. A few months ago it became stronger. I started to look online at different schools over there and where did I want to study, Bangkok or Chiang Mai. The research has begun!
So, now I am here in the planning stage and the energy that I feel inspires me in many areas of my life and I feel so much richer for it! I have narrowed down that I will be training in Chiang Mai and will be leaving the states in late October returning early December. Also I have select the schools I am considering and waiting to hear back from one school perticular to confirm if they will be offering the course I want while I am there, I also have some alternatives.
Even though my focus is in my massage training, I was exploring the internet and discovered many things I want to do while I am over there, such as take a few cooking classes, go wild river rafting, elephant ride, and a variety of other things that I will share via Blog along with photos.
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