Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/72312
It does take some getting used to, however. After their first weekend some workshop students do feel as if they've worked out a bit at the gym. I remember at the end of my own first weeklong training, I was required to give a full ninety-minute treatment. By the end of it, I was drenched in sweat. Now I don't perspire unless I'm working in a very hot room. For most students, regular practice eliminates the workout soreness within a couple of weeks. That said, people with severe, chronic knee pain should probably stay away from practicing Thai massage, since much of it is performed kneeling on the floor. Severe chronic back pain also might rule out the practice. MYTH: IT IS DIFFICULT TO WORK ON THE FLOOR Most Western adults, unless they're into yoga, have not spent much time on the floor since they were children. Since Thai massage is done mostly kneeling and squatting, it can feel initially challenging until your body grows accustomed to moving in this new way. For most students, however, this unease starts to dissipate by the end of the first weekend and is gone within a few weeks of regular practice. You don't need a perfect yoga body to perform Thai massage. I can't squat with my heels on the floor and I've been giving Thai massage for more than six years. The key is to modify each technique not only for the client's comfort but also for your own—as long as you follow the guidelines of alignment and sound body mechanics. One student I know cannot work keeling; he has found ways to work in a lunge or with one leg extended. The techniques are highly adaptable. Spa Experience THE COMPLETE Back Bar Essentials Aromatherapy Starter Kits Spa Products for Home Seasonal Spa Tips Wholesale Accounts Free shipping on orders over $250 TO REQUEST A CATALOG CALL 1-866-915-8316, OR VISIT WWW.AURACACIASPA.COM massagetherapy.com—for you and your clients 65