This week as I've mentioned I started a Foot Massage Course. Afterwards I meet with Master Teacher studying an amazing healing process called Tok-Sen. I read about the course prior to coming here and knew I wanted to experience it without really knowing what it is all about. I am absolutely amazed at how wonderful receiving and giving this work is. This evening was my second session of learning, practice, and feeling the work.
The warm up of the body is with some of the Thai Massage principles then using the tools mostly on the energy lines we provide an incredible relaxing experience. I am proud to say that I seem to pick it up right away and it feels so right. It is my favorite type of bodywork to do and receive. When they tell me that it is only in Chiang Mai, I say and now in San Diego, California USA. If anyone who reads this has studied this and is willing to do trades...shoot me an email.
I hope for those of you that I work on will be willing to experience this unique form of massage, you will be glad that you did.
The School of Massage and Health has been the perfect school for me to study and more than just learning massage the connection with people from all over the world is awesome. I have met so many like minded, wonderful and warm people from all over the globe. This has increased the richness of my day to day experiences.
For some reason I cannot access the website from here so I am unable to add a link at this time. I will post the link when I return to the states when I do my summaries of the journey. For now you can email the school at tsomfh@yahoo.com
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
I am so blessed to love and to be loved so. Being in Thailand has warmed my heart and soul in a way as never before. The Thai people have been so friendly and kind to me. This includes most everyone I come in contact with. My precious instructors at School of Massage and Health, my laundry lady, the folks where I stay, the places that I eat, the people that pummel my body with massage, my tattoo artist, the master silversmith, all the friendly faces I see as I wander the streets of Chiang Mai, and just about anyone that I extend a smile to I get one back. Especially the young children that I see and laugh with. For the intensity in the love I have for people I want to extend my many thanks to these beautiful people here that has shown me that it is possible to love so, genuine LOVE. I now can hold these experiences in my heart.
Prior to coming here, if I would smile at someone or wave hello with no response I would allow myself to be upset and would say things to myself that was unhealthy. People are who they are and I no longer have this high expectations of others. If I extend greetings without a return gesture it is okay because the love in my heart is stronger than that and it does not change how I feel about my fellow man. I am free!!!!
Prior to coming here, if I would smile at someone or wave hello with no response I would allow myself to be upset and would say things to myself that was unhealthy. People are who they are and I no longer have this high expectations of others. If I extend greetings without a return gesture it is okay because the love in my heart is stronger than that and it does not change how I feel about my fellow man. I am free!!!!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Herbal Compress
On Saturday I took an incredible course called Herbal Compress. 
Our wonderful Master teacher taught us about the herbs and how they can help the body. We learned about fresh and dried herbs. We made up our own herbal balls one in dry form then another fresh for our session practice. I was really impressed with the varied uses of herbs in healing the body of many different ailments.
Walking around in the city I see many places offer herbal massage. I had no clue what it was. My thought was that it was like circulatory (Swedish) kinda like aroma therapy but with herbs....I was wrong.
Our wonderful Master teacher taught us about the herbs and how they can help the body. We learned about fresh and dried herbs. We made up our own herbal balls one in dry form then another fresh for our session practice. I was really impressed with the varied uses of herbs in healing the body of many different ailments.
After lunch we began treatment. We practiced and studied how to apply the herbs to the body and found the warmth of this process very comforting. I also like this treatment because I can use it on the Elderly as well as people that are not as receptive to touch as with other forms of bodywork.What a wonderful treat (to add to the many treats that I've experienced in Chiang Mai).
Monday, November 16, 2009
Playing Petanque with the Locals
On Friday on my way home I took the back streets and notice some people playing my favorite outdoor game, Petanque. As I observed they waved me over so I did. It was very special and even though they did not speak English it was really great to connect again with locals and have a fun time with them. The woman I call Mama could count in English and she said friend. It is a family and a few friends 
who made up a court. I came back the next day after my herbal class to play a bit longer. I would like to spend more time with them however my time now is becoming very limited and my principle focus at this time is to complete my Massage education. Thank you Thai people for making me feel comfortable and showing such warmth. I love you!!!
Jewelry Making Course...Day 2
Last Friday I attended another Jewelry Making Course. I wanted to try and make a ring for something different. I am not a ring guy but I thought the experience would be valuable and it truly was. 
I started off with a design that I could implement several techniques. The process of creating a design was not the challenge it is when the instructor told me that I would have to use math. The first reaction was shocked because I did not even consider that and it seemed that I reverted back to my troubling times during school and instantly had those feelings of lack and I was not
a good student as my classmates. Then a touch of fear had set in and I began to felt helpless. The gentle Master Thai teacher helped me through this part of it with the calculations. When I was growing up after the experience I had regarding my mother many teachers avoided me like I was a plague so that had compounded my feelings of inadequacies. The growth continues and it affirmed within me the importance of my life's work with the Kidz Hearts Foundation.
I started off with a design that I could implement several techniques. The process of creating a design was not the challenge it is when the instructor told me that I would have to use math. The first reaction was shocked because I did not even consider that and it seemed that I reverted back to my troubling times during school and instantly had those feelings of lack and I was not
a good student as my classmates. Then a touch of fear had set in and I began to felt helpless. The gentle Master Thai teacher helped me through this part of it with the calculations. When I was growing up after the experience I had regarding my mother many teachers avoided me like I was a plague so that had compounded my feelings of inadequacies. The growth continues and it affirmed within me the importance of my life's work with the Kidz Hearts Foundation.Anyways the magic started and I turned a piece of silver into a part of my creative process. The experience is unmeasurable as much of my experiences here in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
It was difficult to get a good enough photo image of the ring to add to this post for the "bling" was blinding!!! Smiles
Went to Prison
I knew that would catch your attention;)
One of the different things that I wanted to experience was to get a massage at the Chiang Mai's Women's Prison. The facility across from the Correctional center has a spa and gift shop. I walked in where a guard directed me to the room where I changed into fisherman's pants and a top. I put my personal things into a locker and laid on the mat getting ready for an experience in which I had no idea of what to expect. This Thai woman started to work on me and I was immediately impressed and
have to say it probably was the best Thai massage I ever received. At the end of the session I was offered a cup of lemon grass tea and really took in the sensation of this nice Thai Massage session.
One of the different things that I wanted to experience was to get a massage at the Chiang Mai's Women's Prison. The facility across from the Correctional center has a spa and gift shop. I walked in where a guard directed me to the room where I changed into fisherman's pants and a top. I put my personal things into a locker and laid on the mat getting ready for an experience in which I had no idea of what to expect. This Thai woman started to work on me and I was immediately impressed and
have to say it probably was the best Thai massage I ever received. At the end of the session I was offered a cup of lemon grass tea and really took in the sensation of this nice Thai Massage session.What I understand from talking with the guard and what I read in the guide books is that the money that is made goes to the these women who are about to be realeased within 6 months in which they are able to have a savings when released. These are not harden criminals. I refered to "Lonely Planet". Some of the information is a little outdated. A 1hr Thai massage is actually 180baht (almost $6 USD) and the hours are from 9am-4pm. They also do foot massage but not Herbal like the book says.
In trying to encourage others to try it out I get all kinds of reactions. It is okay though I cannot expect people to be open to this kind of experience but I do think that people need to get out of their head and their preceived ideas not only of this but anything in their lives. How do you know if you don't try? What is getting in your way?
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Great Eats III and a Personal Share!
This last Saturday I was guided to have lunch at this nice place "Yoga" restaurant. When I walked in I felt a wonderful vibe.
It is a very charming place with great people. It was nice speaking and connecting with them. You can tell this woman is very loving and sweet. I had the red curry with brown rice. You can really tell the food came from the heart and with love. I am honored to have been drawn here and continue to meet wonderful people from all over the world.
Side note:
It is really profound for me that I am at a place that I am not even recognizing myself and as each day unfolds and I delve a little deeper into my experiences and have greater insights into who I am and who I want to be in the world, how can I be who I was before coming here? I have stretched so much that there will be 
major changes in not only my lifestyle but also in the way that I experience my world......a major step will be in the way of the employment that I do for income, Parking Enforcement. I will continue my life's work (the Kidz Hearts Foundation), my work of passion (massage), my work of Joy (providing wonderful gift baskets for all occasions) but also expand myself and work experience by attracting the perfect work for me.Foot Massage Course
First day of Thai Foot Massage course. It is much more that I thought it would be. I have always given great foot massages mostly intuitively and got better with the various massage classes and much practice over the years.The course is a week long and we covered many techniques today that actually amazed me. I first thought, we need a full week just to learn foot massage? There really is much more to it than one would think. It is wonderful when you let go of "What you know that you know" and take it in. I still at times get a little frustrated because I want the flow to happen immediately but I have to take a step back and realize that I am learning something new. Just because I have studied
and practice massage nearly 17 years and I have a wonderful flow in my current practice does not mean I have to hold myself to this perceived higher expectation of myself. I know that I have quality in my touch and I am reminded of that when I put my hands on people. This process of learning many wonderful techniques has revealed a deeper quality of who I am and a wonderful sense of my experience of the "NOW". My teacher is a wonderful, warm, and nurturing person. I really like her and she has adds a fun way of learning. I appreciate her patience with me.
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