Thai Certification

BASIC CERTIFICATION: Two 4-day, or 5-day, courses are required:

Basic courses may be taken in any order to progress toward certification. Each basic course stands on its own, as a unique bodywork sequence, and may be taken separately from a certification path. The four bodywork flows joined together are designed to help people restore physical, psycho-emotional and spiritual harmony and wellbeing.

Basic Courses: (may be taken in any order)

Shiatsu: Zen Mind, Yoga Bodywork
Thai-Shiatsu: Yoga Bodywork Intensive
Thai Lower Body Intensive
Thai Upper Body Intensive

Certification Requirements:

Take any two of the four basic courses and receive Level I Certification.

Take three and receive Level II Certification

Take four and receive Level III Certification

Level IV and Level V Certification:

Assessment and Treatment in Thai-Shiatsu Bodywork Level IV
Assessment and Treatment in Thai-Shiatsu Bodywork Level V

TSB weaves theory and practice into an integrated whole, providing the practitioner with a solid foundation in Asian bodywork. Each intensive course offers a unique 1½ hour bodywork routine. Courses may be taken privately, at our studio in Lenox, MA.

Basic certification requires 25-30 minimum instructional contact hours and 5 documented practice sessions (approx. 8-10 practice hours) in giving Thai-Shiatsu Bodywork for each intensive course.

Level I certification requirements include 50-60 minimum instructional contact hours, 10 minimum documented practice sessions, and a supervised bodywork session both giving to, and receiving from, a Thai-Shiatsu Bodywork mentor (total hours for courses, practice and supervised session 60-70 hrs). Courses and documentation are to be completed within two years from the date of the initial intensive course.

Course Descriptions:

Shiatsu: Prone, supine and side positions with emphasis on whole body, covering the 12 meridians, including treating stomach, back, shoulders, legs, neck and head. (25-35 hrs)

Thai-Shiatsu: Yoga Bodywork Intensive: Prone, supine, side, and seated positions, with emphasis on whole body flow, covering the 12 meridians (25-35 hrs)

Thai Lower Body Intensive: Prone, supine, and side positions with primary emphasis on treating lower body, legs and back (25-35 hrs)

Thai Upper Body Intensive: Prone, supine, side, and seated positions, with primary emphasis on treating lower and upper back, shoulder, neck and head (25-35 hrs)

Assessment and Treatment in Thai-Shiatsu Bodywork: Level IV

Assessment and Treatment in Thai-Shiatsu Bodywork: Level V

Intention of Assessment and Treatment Courses

Courses help therapists to empower clients. Designed for professionals and interested individuals, courses are organized to give Thai and Shiatsu bodywork practitioners an understanding of life-changing Asian bodywork and therapeutic protocols, based on traditional Chinese medicine, yoga therapy, Ayurveda, and mind-body medicine.

Prerequisites Courses continue the training provided in TSB basic coursework. Prerequisites to these courses include at least TSB Level I Certification or a good foundation in Asian bodywork.

Methods of Assessment and Treatment include offering breathing exercises (pranayama), deep relaxation and self inquiry (yoga nidra), and meditation — Insight (Vipassana) and Loving-kindness (Metta) meditation from the Thai tradition; Japanese Zen meditation; and Taoist Qigong, breath and movement meditation. Protocols include offering yoga poses and Qigong breathing techniques, as well as practices of intention, visualization, voice/sound (nada yoga), ritual, and self-inquiry.

Courses are grounded in Western anatomy and physiology and mind-body medicine, including insights into the importance of connective tissue in dealing with injuries and chronic health issues. Therapeutic postures examine yoga energy anatomy (prana, nadis, chakras, and koshas). Qigong offers a direct experience of the dynamic play of the Five Transformational Energies and the interaction of yin and yang to create the circulation of life force (Qi in Chinese, Ki in Japanese and Prana in Sanskrit) along the energy pathways (meridians in TCM, sen lines in Thai massage, nadis in yoga).

Case studies examine common problems and protocols: presenting symptoms, posture and life style, diet, sleep, and support systems. Initial intake progresses from reading the body to hara assessment.

Assessment and Treatment IV: (minimum 28 contact hrs)
Upon completion of these courses, participants will be able to:

Cultivate presence and care in interviewing clients and in assessing symptoms, reading the body, and Hara assessment

Practice 20 to 30 minute protocols in prone, supine, side and seated positions, treating physical issues related to stomach, legs, back, arm, shoulder, neck and head issues
State fundamental benefits, contraindications and ethical practices
Adapt to, and care for, the client's safety, comfort and psycho-emotional issues
Use body mechanics and adaptations to give without depleting oneself
Integrate a basic understanding of traditional Chinese medicine, yoga therapy, mind-body medicine and aspects of anatomy and physiology
Use Qigong to cultivate awareness and sensitivity to vital life force
Empower clients to to care for themselves

Assessment and Treatment V: (minimum 28 contact hrs)

Continues theory and treatment protocols of Assessment and Treatment IV, including hara assessment and advanced treatment. Primary coursework focuses on case studies, practica and continued practice with instructor, students and guests.

The combination of stretch and compression is very effective, shuts off the mind chatter—deeply, deeply relaxing. This course will impact how I teach compression in Swedish massage. Ken is very prepared, knowledgeable. I want to learn more. - Patricia Wachter, Coordinator & Asst. Professor, Still Point Massage School, Greenfield, MA

Former Certification Process (prior to January 2010)

BASIC CERTIFICATION: Three 5-day courses were required before 2010:

Thai-Shiatsu Bodywork: Lower Body, Intensive I
Thai-Shiatsu Bodywork: Upper Body, Intensive II
Shiatsu: Full Body Intensive III, Shiatsu: Zen Mind, Yoga Body (Shiatsu Intensive)

Basic certification required 30 minimum contact hours and 5 documented practice sessions (approx. 8-10 practice hours) in giving Thai-Shiatsu Bodywork for each Intensive Course. Requirements include 100 minimum contact hours, 15 minimum documented practice sessions, and a supervised bodywork session both giving to, and receiving from, a Thai-Shiatsu Bodywork Mentor (total 135 hours). Courses and documentation are to be completed within two years from the date of the initial Intensive Course.

TSB I: Prone, supine, and side positions with primary emphasis on treating lower body, legs and back (30-40 hrs).

TSB II: Prone, supine, side, seated positions, with primary emphasis on treating lower and upper back, shoulder and neck (30-40 hrs).

TSB III: Prone, supine and side positions with emphasis on whole body, including treating stomach, back, shoulders, legs, neck and head. (30-40 hrs)