Yoga Therapy

SomaVeda TAELR Tool Assisted Energy Line Release Protocol

SomaVeda® T.A.E.L.R.™ Tool Assisted Energy Line Release Protocol

Pronounced “Tayler”… For thousands of year the ancient Reishi physicians and Masters of Ayurveda and Yoga Therapy have relied on external tools to assist them in therapeutically managing energy disturbances to the Mind, Spirit and Bodies of their patients and clients, their friends and family members. We continue this practical approach to healing and therapy today.

SomaVeda® TAELR™ is especially suitable For Trigger Point Syndromes caused by disruptions and or disturbances to energy lines.

The SomaVeda® TAELR™ tool set includes many traditional and modern innovative methodologies to bring harmony and correction for low oxygen significant traumatic and metabolic induced disorders and syndromes. Traditional SomaVeda® TAELR™/ IASTM (Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Massage) tool/ instruments include but are not limited to “Tok Sen, Dewy Mai Sen, Gua Sha (Thai Acupressure/ “Jap Sen Nuad, Tok Sen Nuad“), Cupping, Bamboo Stick, Roller, Whisk” etc. Reduction of pain, increase in range of motion, reduction in referral pains such as migraines and back pain may be significant and immediate. Perfect for Sports and work related injuries and dysfunction.

We use all of the traditional tools and modern versions as well: Wooden, Buffalo Horn, Jade, Plastic and Stainless steel. TAELR™ Therapeuticians also use various styles of Hammers, and Probes in the striking, vibration and or striking techniques which are common as well.

Indications:

  1. Pain Syndromes: Acute and or Chronic… Especially Back, Neck, Hip, Shoulder, Knee, Ankle, Wrist pain. Any chronic pain located in or near a joint.
  2. Hip Pain associated with Replacement
  3. Limited Range of Motion
  4. Motor Control Issues
  5. Muscle recruitment issues/ Musculoskeletal imbalances
  6. Neck Pain
  7. Myalgia and Myalgia type syndromes (i.e. Fibrymyalgia). Any pain associated or located on an energy line (Meridian, Thai Sen Line, Prana Nadi or related facia planes that follow or coincide with energy line locations.)
  8. Myofascial Pain and Restrictions
  9. Faciopathies and Rheumatic type symptomologies (i.e. Plantar Faciitis, Frozen Shoulder, Rotator Cuff Tendenitis, Tibialis Posterior Tendinitis, Intercostal pain, Shin Splints, Heel Pain)
  10. Connective Tissue Arthropathy (i.e Tendonitis, Tennis Elbow and the like)
  11. Neuralgia and or Neuralgia type pain syndromes
  12. General Tendinopathy ( impingements, Rotator Cuff tear or adhesion, Golfer’s Elbow, Tennis Elbow, Illiotibial band syndrome (IT Band Syndrome), Patellar tendenitis, Achelles tendinitis, Metatarsalgia, Bone Spurs, tendinosis, Shin Splints
  13. Arthritis
  14. Cellulite
  15. Lymphatic Stasis and Interstitial Fluid Stasis. Chronic joint swelling associated with Sprains and Strains, Chronic Ankle Sprains
  16. Ligament Strain injuries
  17. Muscle Strain injuries
  18. Non-Acute Bursitis
  19. Chronic Inflammation, both general and localized.
  20. Migraine Headaches
  21. Reducing Facial restrictions and or Scar tissue which interferes with healthy and productive function such as Post Surgical and Traumatic Scars.
  22. RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy)

TAELR- Tool Assisted Energy Line Release

According to PHYSIOPEDIA “Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation or Simply IASTM is a new range of tool which enables clinicians to efficiently locate and treat individuals diagnosed with soft tissue dysfunction. The technique itself is said to be a modern evolution from Traditional Chinese Medicine called Gua Sha[1].However Gua Sha was not used to treat Musculoskeletal conditions but was traditionally applied along meridiens to move the bad chi out through the skin. IASTM is a is a procedure that is rapidly growing in popularity due to its effectiveness and efficiency while remaining non-invasive,with its own indications and limitations.”

However Physiopedia although correct is incorrect to ascribe the use of tools in therapy exclusively to traditional Chinese Medicine! Using tools in medical therapy is first recorded in the classics of Indian and Thai Ayurveda … the Sushruta Samhita recorded Ayuvedic Physician using a great variety of instruments to supplement the use of their bare hands over four thousand years ago.

In our indigenous traditional way of thinking we make no defined distinction separating the body into physical and or energetic quanta. We see no clear distinction at all. Fascial Planes= Energy Lines and vise versa. Additionally in the western variations there is little or no emphasis on the traditional Hammer and Probe type of technique which is consider vital in our traditional medicine.

This treatment strategy and protocol is useful for therapist who are seeking to use their hands less as the primary tools or expression of their healing arts… Through the use of the various instruments one may do entire sessions and treatments Hands Free!

Example of a SomaVeda® T.A.E.L.R. protocol for treating Plantar Fascitis

A derivative of the traditional oriental techniques becoming popular in western medical physiopathy are called “Graston®, Fascial Abrasion Technique® etc.”

In this course we introduce and explain all of the traditional tools used in TAELR™ practice and with live demonstration practice exchanges building application competencies. Students through lecture and in-class learning environment improve understanding of indications, contraindications and clinical applications for common conditions and issues. Additionally, students are introduced to the protocol as a form of Complimentary and Integrative Medicine Practice in the context of a modern Religious Therapeutic modality suitable for ministers of traditional medicine practice.

In the SomaVeda® TAELR™ Certification Course the practitioner receives certification as a Certified SomaVeda® TAELR™  Technician.

We introduce the SomaVeda® TAELR™ protocol in the Ayurveda LifeStyle Consultant (CTP2) module. Further training is offered in the Ayurveda Health Counselor and SomaVeda® Yoga Therapist and Teacher Certification Certification Programs. Advanced training is offered once a year in Brooksville, FL at the Thai Yoga Center during the Annual Advanced and Teacher Conference and twice a year during our ongoing programs in Thailand (December and April annually).

SomaVeda® Thai Yoga TAELR™ Certification Course

 

SomaVeda® TAELR™ is a Registered Trademark and Service Mark of Anthony B. James, All Rights Reserved. 06/2018

June 2018, 200 Hr. SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Practitioner

June 2018, 200 Hr. SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Practitioner/ Certified Thai Yoga Teacher Training Program

NAIC/ SCNM: Thai Yoga Center for Indigenous Thai Yoga, Ayurveda, Yoga Therapy and Natural Medicine Photo’s

Sacred Ayurveda, Yoga Therapy, SomaVeda® Thai Yoga, Indigenous Traditional and Natural MedicineSCNM: Thai Yoga Center for Ayurveda, Yoga Therapy and Natural Medicine Photo’s June 2018 intensive Thai Yoga Therapy at The Native American Indigenous Church (NAIC): SomaVeda College of Natural Medicine and Thai Yoga Center located at the NAIC Sanctuary in beautiful Brooksville, Florida.

Aachan, Dr. Anthony B. James, Khruu Dr. Julie James, Khruu Dr. Arianna Coe, Khruu Alex Ryberg and Khruu Rob Mcaulay co-facilitated this amazing journey in Traditional Thai Yoga Massage!

Students participated in the NAIC Seminary: SomaVeda® Indigenous Thai Ayurveda and Thai Yoga Therapy Basic Practitioner Certificate Course (CTP1). This SomaVeda Integrated Traditional Therapies® Indigenous Thai Ayurveda and Yoga Therapy Practitioner Certificate Training included fifteen additional courses emphasizing Sacred Nutrition, Counseling, Emotional Mental Health Strategies, Nutrition and supplementation to enhance practice results, Ayurveda, Yoga Therapy and Legal Guidelines for NAIC Ministers.

We were also very Proud to Graduate two new SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Certified Teachers! Welcome to Khruu Patrizia Fitzmorris and to Khruu Ken Pennock!

SomaVeda® Thai Yoga programs stress practice development and marketing strategies that work!

NAIC/SCNM: Thai Yoga Center Ayurveda/ Thai Yoga/ Yoga Therapy/ Indigenous, Traditional Medicine, Thai Traditional Medicine religious therapeutics educational programs and Certification programs visit ThaiYogaCenter.Com

Learn more about the science behind SomaVeda® Thai Traditional Medicine at www.ThaiMassage.Com

SomaVeda® Indigenous Thai Yoga certification programs are under the direction of Aachan, Dr. Anthony B. James and Thai Yoga Center staff teachers: Khruu Dr. Julie James.

For information on NAIC Seminary College Degree Programs visit SomaVeda.Org Thai Traditional Medicine: (Indigenous Traditional Thai Yoga: Traditional Thai Massage: Indigenous Traditional Medicine: Yoga Therapy: Ayurveda: Ayurveda Yoga Therapist: Ayurveda Health Counselor: Yoga Therapist: Learn Thai Yoga: Doctor of Sacred Natural Medicine).

Schedules and Locations for NAIC Sponsored SomaVeda® Thai Yoga and Ayurveda Certification programs are posted at SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Calander.

SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Therapeutic Day Program

A Therapeutic Art and Science, developed for the benefit of mankind. The practical expression of loving kindness addressing the issues of pain and suffering.SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Therapeutic Day Program

SomaVeda® incorporates elements of mindfulness, gentle rocking, deep slow stretching and rhythmic compression to create a singular healing experience.

The four principle therapies used in traditional healing are Wai Khruu (paying respect and affirmations for mental, emotional and spiritual health), Herbs and Natural Substances, Sacred Nutrition or Eating for long life/ Diet and healthy eating  and Laying On of Hands (Chirothesia/ Marma Chikitsa/ Yoga Therapy).

SomaVeda® Certified and Authorized Practitioner’s and Therapist (Medicine Persons) determine best treatment strategy after intake based on traditional Vedic and western biologic assessments. They look at the whole person assessing the body, mind and spiritual needs of the client and then lay out a multi-day program which will methodically work through and treat appropriately the needs of the client. Every individual session and or component of the SomaVeda® Therapeutic Day program is unique and different. Think of the program as not just a treatment but a journey of discovery into the possibilities of healing based on this traditional therapeutic model.

Content therapies included are based on Ayurveda, Yoga Therapy, SomaVeda® Thai Yoga, Medicine of Hope™, Indigenous (clerical/ pastoral/ ministerial) Healthcare, Healing Science and Medicine (IHSM).

SomaVeda® incorporates elements of  mindfulness, gentle rocking, deep slow stretching and rhythmic compression to create a singular healing experience.

It brings fundamental elements and energy into harmony; creates wholeness of mind, body and spirit, in the client and the practitioner as well.  It is is an excellent alternative form of vibrational and energy based healing work. It is suitable for rehabilitation, pain relief, and stress reduction. Nurturing, calming, and enlivening SomaVeda® will expand your ideas of what hands on healing can be.

SomaVeda® Protocols Included:

Basic Program: Seven different sessions over a period of seven or more days. However, please note: SomaVeda® Therapeutic Day programs are designed/ tailored for the individual client and their specific needs for health and balancing. That means this protocol will vary from one client to the next and will also vary over time as to what is emphasized and what is not. Advanced Therapeutic Day Programs may be over 20 or 30 individual sessions and incorporate both the basic protocol and adjuncts as deemed appropriate and necessary.

The program will emphasize the balancing of both physiological/ structural and psychological/ emotional and the energetic/ vibrational as well including but not limited to 1) All the primary Chakra, 2) Over 700 Marma-vital points, 3) All primary energy lines i.e. Meridians and Thai Sen Lines, 4) Five Doshic Bodies, 5) Three Primary Dosha (Vatta, Pitta, Kapha), Ayurveda Pulse (Nadi Vignyam), 6) Over 300 therapeutic Yoga Asana or Postures.

SomaVeda®: Thai Yoga Therapeutic Day Protocol
Seven Sessions over Seven Days
Session #1: Intake and Traditional Vedic and Naturopathic Clinical Assessments and a Short General Balancing Session
Session#2: Supine Position Intensive
Session #3: Side Lying Position Intensive
Session#4: Prone Position Intensive
Session #5: Abdominal/ Torso and Leg Stretching
Session #6: Seated Position Intensive
Session #7: Long General Session and re-assess
Total contact time average 10.5 hrs.
All program/ sessions include Assessment, Sacred Therapy, food-nutrition and supplement counseling, Mental-Emotional and Spiritual counseling by a Certified NAIC minister/ counselor. Programs may incorporate Traditional Thai Yoga Mat, Table or Chair as appropriate for session and or client.

Advanced SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Therapeutic Day Programs may also include:

▪ SomaVeda® Pancha Karma Detox and Vitality enhancement
▪ SomaVeda® BET/ EFT Energy Psychology- Tapping for Mental and Emotional issues.
▪ SomaVeda® Sacred Nutrition: More specific coaching, education and demonstrations on obtaining and preparing whole food nutrition to support healing and wellness.
▪ SomaVeda® Vibrational- Energy Medicine: Adjunct healing modalities such as Light (Near-Far-Infrared/ Photo-biomodulation Therapy), Bio-magnetic/ PEMF Therapy,
▪ SomaVeda® Complex Decongestive Therapy (CDT)
▪ Massage Therapy (If NAIC Practitioner is also a State Licensed Massage Therapist!)
▪ Reiki
▪ Homeopathy
▪ Herbology
▪ Jade Integrative Therapy
▪ SomaVeda® Subdermal Endermatherapie

Among the many benefits of SomaVeda® Thai Yoga the following have been noted:

• Enhances the Body/Mind /Psyche connection
• Practically expresses loving kindness
• Practical extension of Divine Energy (Chirothesia)
• Lowers low-density liprotein (LDL) cholesterol (”bad” cholersterol)
• Raises high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the “Good” cholesterol)
• Boosts immune system, helps increase resistance to infection
• Lowers high blood pressure
• May reduce risk of some cancers (Static Lymph and or site toxic)
• Assist in management of type 2 diabetes
• Reduces stress and enhances sense of well being
• Increase bone density by stressing connective tissue and “bending the bones”
• Reduces Risk of Heart Attacks
• Helps to Increases lean muscle mass
• Balances the Chakras, promotes the
circulation of Prana and vital energies
• Reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression
• Reduces chronic fatigue and related syndromes
• Increases tendon and connective tissue extensibility.
• Increases range of motion and reduces resistance to motion (PNF)
• Virtual cure for many soft tissue disorder (Fibromyalgia, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome)
• Reduces pain and referred pain from trigger points
• Effective in reducing Migrane Headache frequency and severity
• Reduces swelling and edema
• Increases circulation of fluid and oxygen to deficient areas
• Increases range of motion and general mobility
• Effective treatment in many kinds of soft tissue related disorders
• Stress and emotional related infertility and impotence
• Removes Toxins and speeds recovery
• Reduces and or eliminates the harmful effects of negative emotions
• Effective treatment in psycho-somatic and psycho-emotional illness
• Effective treatment for Repetitive Stress Disorders
• Addresses nutritional and food issues and increase nutrient motility
• Reduces back and neck pain
• Integrates and supports proper alignment of all structural parts of the body without ballistics or force. (Osseous alignment)
• Reduces and or eliminates active / latent Trigger Points and equalizes/ reduces areas of high neurologic activity
• Effective lymphatic Drainage modality

For more extensive review of medical, clinical and anecdotal evidence for the benefits of the SomaVeda® Therapeutic Day program CLICK HERE!

SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Practitioner Certification Program: March 2018

SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Practitioner Certificate Program : March 2018

NAIC/ SCNM: Thai Yoga Center for Indigenous Thai Yoga, Ayurveda, Yoga Therapy and Natural Medicine Photo’s. Sacred Ayurveda, Yoga Therapy, SomaVeda® Thai Yoga, Indigenous Traditional and Natural Medicine SCNM: Thai Yoga Center for Ayurveda, Yoga Therapy and Natural Medicine Photo’s March 2nd. to March 28th. 2018.

Scroll to bottom of page for Photo Gallery!

This was a 200 Hr. intensive Thai Yoga Therapy at The Native American Indigenous Church (NAIC): SomaVeda College of Natural Medicine and Thai Yoga Center located at the NAIC Sancturary in Brooksville, Florida. Graduates completed the 200 Hr. / 27 day NAIC Seminary: SomaVeda® Indigenous Thai Ayurveda and Thai Yoga Therapy Basic Practitioner Certificate Course (CTP1), (CTP2-Ayurveda Wellness Counselor/ Ayurveda Lifestyle Consultant Certificate), (CTP3- Ayurveda Health Counselor Certification) and/ or the TCP (SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Teacher Certification Program).

This SomaVeda Integrated Traditional Therapies® Indigenous Thai Ayurveda and Yoga Therapy Practitioner Certificate Training included SomaVeda® Level One, Two, Three, Four and Five and specialized Yoga Therapy (Traditional Thai Yoga Massage) and Ayurveda course. The CTP program includes fifteen additional courses emphasizing Sacred Nutrition, Counseling, Emotional Mental Health Strategies (BET/ EFT), Sacred Nutrition and supplementation to enhance practice results, Ayurveda, Yoga Therapy and Legal Guidelines for NAIC Ministers. SomaVeda® Thai Yoga programs stress practice development and marketing strategies that work!

NAIC/SCNM: Thai Yoga Center Ayurveda/ Thai Yoga/ Yoga Therapy/ Indigenous, Traditional Medicine, Thai Traditional Medicine religious therapeutics educational programs and Certification programs visit ThaiYogaCenter.Com Learn more about the science behind SomaVeda® Thai Traditional Medicine at www.ThaiMassage.Com. SomaVeda® Indigenous Thai Yoga certification programs are under the direction of Aachan, Dr. Anthony B. James and Thai Yoga Center staff teachers: Khruu Dr. Julie James, Khruu Rachael Marshall for her assistance in class.

For information on NAIC Seminary College Degree Programs visit SomaVeda.Org Thai Traditional Medicine: Indigenous Traditional Thai Yoga: Traditional Thai Massage: Indigenous Traditional Medicine: Yoga Therapy: Ayurveda: Ayurveda Yoga Therapist: Ayurveda Health Counselor: Yoga Therapist: Learn Thai Yoga: Doctor of Sacred Natural Medicine & Doctor of Ayurveda Medicine.

Schedules and Locations for NAIC Sponsored SomaVeda® Thai Yoga and Ayurveda Certification programs are posted at SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Calendar.

Repetitive Stress Injury, The SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Approach to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Thai Yoga Mastery with Aachan James

Repetitive Stress Injury, The SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Approach to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
(Reprint Original Article December 27, 2011)

Repetitive Stress Injury, The SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Approach to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

 Part 1 of 2. by Anthony B James DNM(C), ND, MD(AM), DOM(C), DPHC(h.c.), PhD, RAAP, SMOKH

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a challenge that is cropping up more and more frequently. Conventional remedial treatments are fine and can be examples of compassion in action, but Western style physical therapeutic and orthopedic approaches are limited in just how much compassionate relief they are able to deliver. This is because the conventional Western therapeutic model for treatment is not holistically based. A more compassionate approach is a protocol which leads to fundamental understanding and renders the application of remedial therapies unnecessary! This approach is entirely holistic (Naturopathic and Religious Therapeutic).

What is CTS? The common conventional medical understanding of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or CTS as quoted from  “Tabers Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary” defines CTS as “soreness, tenderness, and weakness of the muscles of the thumb caused by pressure on the Median Nerve at the point at which it goes through the carpal tunnel of the wrist.”

The origin of the Median Nerve or Nerve Medianus are the internal and external cords of the brachial plexus. It is a motor and a sensory nerve. Its function is to enervate the pronators and flexors of the forearm, two external lumbricales, thenar muscles of the thumb, skin of the palm and the first four fingers.

Considered a syndrome, the generally accepted cause is fatigue injury and concomitant secondary trauma derived from over-use. This would also generally classify CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome) as an RSS or Repetitive Stress Syndrome type of injury. In most of the cases that I have seen, the cause was simple and easy to determine and verify. Clients were performing menial, repetitive tasks which primarily focused workload, pressure and or impact on the thumb, fingers and wrist. They were pushing with the thumb, pressing or tapping with the fingers, grasping, squeezing and twisting with the hand, or combinations of the above. In some cases they were doing all of the above. The kinds of situations which can produce this kind of working stress are quite varied and diverse; typing or working on computers including extensive mouse work or pick and place tasking on a manufacturing line. Virtually any repetitive work involving the fingers and hands done over a period of time can lead to this type of break down.

The more narrow the parameters of the particular stress the more likely the stress is to lead to the development of the syndrome. It has been noted for instance that the simple act of typing on a keyboard transfers thousands of individual impacts which send minute shock waves to the wrist and forearm. It is the combination of these little shock waves and the narrow range of motion one must maintain in order to type efficiently that eventually leads to breakdown and deterioration.

CTS is turning up more frequently among Western style therapists and even oriental style therapists who use a few narrowly defined techniques for every client, over and over again. Especially susceptible are those who squeeze and twist the fingers and wrist while exerting pressure on or with the thumbs. This does not necessarily mean that the techniques themselves are bad, although some are. Rather, repetitively performing these narrowly focused techniques with an ever-diminishing range of motion is bad. In a sense, this is inevitable for these therapists because as they gain experience in these methods, they will tend to become more efficient in the application of the few techniques they are using and the one or two body parts that they are using.

I have personally interviewed massage therapists whose total pharmacopoeia of therapeutic “hand” tools was based on no more than five different positions of the hand, and was limited to only using the hands to apply pressure! There are even schools that teach that the only part of a therapist’s body which may touch the client is their hands and that it is somehow improper or immoral to use another part of the body! As a SomaVeda® Thai Yoga stylist you may laugh, but this is no laughing matter. Therapists trained in this simple way of using just a few techniques for everything are bound to breakdown sooner or later as the cumulative stress of releasing tens of thousands of individual points and squeezing tons of flesh and muscle with just the hands and fingers begins to take its toll. Working conditions further exacerbate the problem, such as the Western practice of exclusively working on or around a massage table.

Although there are operations and applications that seem to be well suited to a massage table, by and large the table by design engenders poor body mechanics. The table simply holds the body of the therapist out and away from the area they are working on. Some schools and state licensing boards even prevent the therapist from leaning on the table for support! Why is this? The fundamental idea upon which proper body mechanics is based on is that the closer your center of gravity is to the point or area you are applying pressure to, the less muscular effort it takes and the more efficient the application of pressure becomes.

A concrete example that we use in class is in standing. When you are simply standing you are maximizing the application of pressure under your feet with little or no stress to the rest of your body. Depending on how much you weigh, you could be exerting one or more than one hundred pounds of pressure on the surface of your feet to the surface under your feet with zero effort, no more effort than if you were just standing. As the point or surface you wish to press on moves away from your center of gravity you become less efficient and strain more. This straining is your attempt to create a compensation for being off center through muscular contraction. It is possible to do this but it costs dearly. It costs in the actual amount of energy that you expend as you work and it costs in the wear and tear, stress and deterioration of your own body/mind/spirit. We work off center because we are off center. Strain and the resultant suffering from strain seem like normal and acceptable consequences of making our way in life. However, this is not true! When we are established in our center and work from our center, we are balanced in everything that we do. When we work from a place of balance there is less effort required, with few or no detrimental consequences from this kind of effort. In fact, this kind of effort actually increases your capacity to do more.

Using the massage table is also part of the SomaVeda® Thai Yoga repertoire!  Doing Thai Yoga and Thai Massage has always been a very important part of traditional Thai Medical Massage applications, especially in Thai Hospitals. There are approximately one hundred seventy Thai VA or veteran’s hospitals run by the Royal Ministry of Health. All of them have a wing or floor exclusively devoted to Thai Traditional Medicine and all of them use tables and raised platforms to do their work. The difference between the Thai Table applications and methods is the variety of techniques and the dramatic differences in body mechanics used in Thai Style Yoga therapy. So, please do not misunderstand when I speak of the harmful effects caused by working on a massage table because I am referring only to Western types of massage or massage therapy techniques on the table.

This is another reason why the integrated holistic approach of the SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Massage way is so brilliant. When we say, “we use the whole person to treat the whole person,” we are also saying that we use the whole body as the instrument with which we apply pressure and energy to the body of our client! As the workload is more evenly distributed with dozens of different tools and as we switch from tool to tool, such as from hand pressure to foot pressure, there is little opportunity for a repetitive stress disability to occur. The bottom line is that therapists trained in limited and conventional Western protocols do not know what the prognosis is for their practice longevity. On the other hand, the specific TAO or WAY of working we share as SomaVeda® Thai Style Yoga therapists has already been refined and perfected over many, many years.

CTS and RSS syndromes may become the leading cause of disability among working massage, massage therapists, physical therapists, body work therapists etc.  in the not so distant future. Already many therapists and professional body workers that I meet in trainings and workshops suffer from the precursors of wrist, hand and arm pain in one or both hands. Not all persons stressed in the same manner will develop CTS, but there are mediating factors which could determine predisposition such as age, heredity, physical conditioning including functional range of motion, diet/nutrition (i.e. any specific deficiency), pre-existing trauma, injury, or scarring resulting from injury.

Additional mediating factors in susceptibility to not only CTS but any degradation of health, function and longevity are nutritional, emotional, mental and energetic. Energetically we must also consider the balance of and between the major Chakras and the representation of their homeodynamic status or balance in the physical, psychological and emotional states. For example, if one performs the very same menial task in a “good place” versus in an “angry place,” one is more likely to hurt them selves in the latter.

The SomaVeda® treatment protocol is basically always the same. The treatment itself may be broken down into three distinct phases or categories. INNER, OUTER, & SECRET.  

The Inner deals with the innate energetic, pranic, and Chakra correlations and considerations found in the matrix body. For those of you not familiar with the terminology, the matrix body is your total energetic body including all of the chakras, lom (Wind Gates), all of the Sen or Prana Nadis, meridians, elements, extraordinary vessels and acupuncture points which make up the luminous body. Treatment of the Inner may or may not be performed hands on or with Asanas. It may also utilize Puja, prayer, affirmation and focused intention with visualization or meditation techniques and guided breathing or Prana Yama. The focus of the Inner is to create or stimulate a movement toward balance between the various energetic parts of us. This state is evidenced by the free and unrestricted flow of energy or prana. The Inner is also related to the healing mind and innate wisdom of balance which operates in every cell and which is the true overseer of healing processes in the body/mind/spirit. When we place our hand on the client and ask permission and direction to treat, this is the “who” or “what” we are communicating with.

Because the inner deals with the energy body and disruptions within the energy system, then we also consider here the role of pathological emotional and mental states. In SomaVeda® we teach that the cause of all negative emotions is a disruption in the body’s energy system. Examples of negative emotions are fears, phobias, compulsions, neurosis, anxieties and the like which are unreasonable and or irrational.

The Outer addresses the symptomatic and observable physiologic/pathological considerations in the tangible physical body (TPB). This usually involves hands on application of pressure to the body by holding specific points and applying therapeutic Asanas or postures. The focus of the Outer is the same as in the Inner except that we are looking for homeodynamic stasis or a balanced and harmonious state between the physical being and all of its parts. This may look like a reduction in obvious trauma and sensitivity as well as an increase in all circulation, a reduction in number and intensity of active and latent trigger points with a corresponding increase in mobility and range of motion.

Results may also include reduced edema and swelling, lower residuals of metabolic waste and by products of the trauma along with a reduction in atrophy, scar tissue and further reduction in the pathological production of scar tissue and less pain. In short, a movement toward optimum health and return to function.

The Secret approaches the spiritual or metaphysical aspects of this challenge to one’s harmony and equilibrium in the context of one’s whole life and person.

Please note: The mentioned distinctions of energetic and physical self are arbitrary to help in your understanding. In reality, all such distinctions are illusion and can be limiting. In actual treatment the more advanced practitioner addresses the Inner, Outer and Secret simultaneously without preference for one over the other.

In Part 2 of this article I will break down treatment approaches and strategies for each of the Inner, Outer and Secret elements of the disorder.

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Original Post © Anthony B. James, The Thai Yoga Center, Brooksville, FL December 27, 2011

Thai Yoga Concepts: Sustainable Eating and Sustainable Health: Part 1 of 4

Thai Yoga Concepts: Sustainable Eating and Sustainable Health: Part 1 of 4

Veda Vyasa Award August 2017

By Anthony B. James DNM(P), ND(T), MD(AM), OMD, Ph.D., RAAP

(Transcribed from a live talk at the Florida Sustainable Living and Perma-culture Conference, Plant City Florida, March 26, 2011)

Welcome! I am so happy that you all have come to share this Sustainable Living and Perma-culture conference with us and explore what sustainability is. There is clearly a lot of passion in this group about what sustainability is and what a sustainable life means. I’ve been going around and talking to lots of beautiful people with really succinct, clear and dynamic visions about what they are trying to achieve. These are big goals!

I am a medical doctor (Monastic Physician), Traditional Naturopathic physician, Oriental Medical Doctor, Vidya (Classical Indian Ayurvedic Physician) and Aachan i.e. traditional master teacher/ professor of Thai Traditional Ayurveda and Yoga Therapy. I am what you think of when you hear about alternative medicine or complementary medicine. What you think of when you hear about wacky medicine that actually has conscience. I am one of those people and I’m proud to be one of those people. I teach medicine, alternative medicine, holistic health, yoga, and everything to do with what it means to try and survive in this world as a healthy balanced person.

At first when I was brainstorming for this talk sustainable living I thought, “well maybe I can talk about 10 principles of health for sustainable living.” The more I thought about it the more I realized “well that’s just crap! I’m not going to be able to do that!” First of all, anybody who knows me knows that one thing I like to do is get behind the curtain and go behind the scenes to get to the real issues because I’m one of those crazy doctors that thinks that in order to balance and achieve optimal health we actually have to go to the origin of the symptoms of our dysfunction. The problem with that is that there are a lot of causes, and some of them are kind of big! There is such a thing as geo-pathic stress, there is such a thing as economic stress, there is such a thing as social stress, there is such a thing as ecological stress, interpersonal stress, toxins, poisons, bacteria, viruses, chemicals and especially radiation right now. Add to that mix of external stress the internal truth that we can be our own worst enemies. Whew!

All these things are contributing to whether or not you feel happy and well right now in this moment. How are we going to achieve that? Even more complex, how are we going to sustain it? Oh my god! That’s a complicated issue. But we have to start somewhere. I have taken some insight from some of the other presentations here and I may not be able to remember the individual names of the presenters because I was so tied up in the really beautiful messages that they speak. I want to always pay respect that I learn from other people, that’s basically how I got here. I’ve been fortunate to have really good role models for sustainable ideas about personal health, wellness and balance and that’s what I’m trying to perpetuate.

Our common survival is linked

So I am Dr. Anthony James and I live here. This is my home, this is my classroom and this is where I teach every day. I want to welcome you to share our space and to bring your energy and contributions on a personal level because I think one of the core concepts that we have to focus on in sustainability is that while we get caught up in the environment, we get caught up in ecology, we get caught up in the external landscape issues, the bottom line is that we are people and we are concerned with ourselves and each other. One of our primary motivations to try and find sustainable solutions to the questions that the world is giving us right now is so we can survive as humans, so we can survive as people! I think one of the most important ideas that we have for sustainability is that we keep reaching toward connectivity with each other and that we don’t let these issues separate us and cause us to fracture and to go off in our own little survival corners with our own little survival strategies. I think our survival as a species or as individuals is absolutely connected to us remaining connected to each other. No matter the kinds of strategies we’re working with, we’ve got to hang! Our survival is dependent on one another. No matter what else I say it’s always going to be in the context of community because the more research I do, the more I realize that I don’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of surviving long term if you personally aren’t going to help me do it. It’s not going to happen! On many simultaneous levels I am completely dependent on my community for survival. No matter what our individual strategy of sustainability we have to keep bringing it back to our family, to our friends, to our community, which are all flesh and blood people. You know, “you prick at them, they doth bleed” kind of thing, that’s the core of it right there.

In this community I know we have some people in our midst that are hardcore sustainable educators and perma-culture educators. But we also have a few people here who don’t really know what the word means. They’re not really sure- What is this sustainability thing? What does that even mean? I am going to start with that and then take my marching orders and try to get through as much of what I have to talk to you about as possible. I know you’re probably not going to remember anything other than the “hello,” however, I also believe that there is such a thing as the Akashic record. I also believe that the ‘stress adaptive human biological transformational machine’ that is sitting in the chair has an absolute perfect ability to mimic, record and adapt to external environments and circumstances. If in fact I can say anything at all that has substance and resonates with any core truth within you then you will have a perfect memory for it and at some point you will recollect it in context, although you may not remember where it came from and I’m OK with that.

What are the principles of sustainable living?

Whatever it take to live a long, healthy, and happy life while respecting and caring for the community of life in which we live.

–Working to improve the quality of our life, enabling human beings to realize their full potential for life expression. Building self-confidence and leading lives of dignity that are in and of themselves fulfilling.

-Living in such a way as not to be a burden by creating suffering for ourselves or others while seeking health education, a decent living, political freedom of expression, human rights, and freedom from violence. Sustainable means stepping away consciously from the origin cycle of the creation of suffering for ourselves and for others.

Some of you might recognize that last phrase. It is the last statement in the Metta Sutra Buddhist mantra that is considered to be the most perfect example of Bodhichitta or generating a perfect thought. An example of the most perfect thought a person can have in their head is, “May all beings be happy, may all beings be free from suffering.” Regardless of high, low or middle status, may they be free from suffering. The last sentence in the Metta Sutra says, “May I no longer participate in the origination cycle for the creation of suffering for myself and for other beings.” Essentially those are the principles of sustainable living!

We have the technologies, ideals and philosophies of sustainable living, but how do we get there? How do I no longer participate in the creation cycle of suffering for myself and for other beings, and then how do I explore, experience, and receive the effect of that philosophy? This is where we get into our green technologies. We get into to our democratic social imperatives, our holistic medical paradigms, and we get into our geologic viewpoint of “think global, act local.” These are technologies to actually implement the imperatives.

I am connected to the global paradigm of life

I know that I want to say no to pain, suffering, disorganization, disease, manipulation and coercive ideologies. How do I do that in real terms for myself, my family, my friends, my neighborhood, my community, my town, my county, my state, my country, my nation, my ocean, my sky, my world? How do I do that? Is there a way that I can be functional on all those hierarchies? I do believe that it is possible. Again, I’m another one of these holotropically and holographically minded people and I believe on some level that simultaneously within the context of my humanity and expression of physiology and my DNA that energetically physically, emotionally, and mentally I am connected to the global paradigm of life, I am part of the thin veil or film on the surface of mother earth that we call organic life. On some level, we all serve a function and we’re all interconnected in that way. There is a way to live within the framework of internal and external natural equilibrium’s and sustainability is the key. There is a way to conserve the earth’s vital resources and diversity while promoting our own for our selves, our friends and families, children and children’s children. As the Native Americans say, “we work for the life of seven generations.”

Not being sustainable is counter-intuitive to you own survival

The main reason to be sustainable is that it’s crazy not to be! It’s crazy! If you really understand what’s going on, it would be insane to not be. So, I don’t want to be crazy! It has been part of my path of life to move myself through whatever means was available towards a progression of sanity. I want to be more; I don’t want to be less. Not to be sustainable is counter intuitive to your survival. Thoughts, actions and deeds that are counter intuitive to your survival and those around you are freaking crazy! I don’t want to be crazy and that’s one reason I want to be sustainable.

Planetary die-off cycles of humanity?

Did anyone hear the lecture yesterday on paleo-human life here in the state of Florida? Did you hear the part about periodic human die-off? 12,000 years ago there was proliferation, anthropologically speaking there were millions of humans in our geographic region. Then they just kind of go away and there was a period of time where they weren’t here. Several thousand years later we start to see a continuation but it’s not too good. The technologies aren’t too good and it’s like they lost something. Then they kind of pick it up and they get going again and the arrowheads get a little sharper and a little more precise – and then, they go away for a couple thousand years! Then they come back again.

My understanding is that we are at the precipice of one of those cycles right now and we are arrogant to ignore that these cycles exists.  They have been repeated several times in the last 12,000 or 15,000 years! We will be subject to the consequences if we ignore our external environment and internal environment. Anthropologists say that the disappearance and resurgence of the population is a result of conflict over harvesting of food and inappropriately harvesting of food that led to massive die offs. Spreading of disease without containment strategy also led to massive die-offs. Not understanding the impending doom by noticing the changing planetary conditions led to planetary die off.

Guess what folks? We have all of these things happening right now. The only difference between us and our paleo brothers and sisters is that we have the internet so we have more of a real-time communication network that allows us to address these issues a little bit faster whereas our paleo brothers and sisters were dependent on the “telephone game” to communicate this information. “The sky is falling! The glaciers are coming!” Then a couple of thousand miles away: “I heard something about…there is some guy with snow-cones coming?” “Well I don’t even like snow-cones, so screw that!” They were subject to that problem. We have the possibility of hope because we have a greater ability to communicate. It’s not necessarily technology, but the possibility of simultaneous global communication. Continued in “Thai Yoga Concepts: Sustainable Eating and Sustainable Health Part 2“.

(Sustainable Eating Part 2, 3, 4)

For more information on educational materials by this author see the Yoga Therapy bookstore at BeardedMedia.Com. If you think your friends would benefit from this information please have them subscribe to our newsletter!

 

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Sustainable Eating and Sustainable Health: Part 1 of 4… Copyright© 2011, Anthony B. James, DNM(P), ND(T), MD(AM)  All rights reserved under International and Pan American copyright conventions. World rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Inquires should be addressed to: Anthony B. James, DNM(P), ND(T), MD(AM), 4715 Brooksville ·  http://www.ThaiYogaCenter.Com

Seven Unique Characteristics of SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Therapy for Multiple Therapists

Seven Unique Characteristics of SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Therapy for Multiple Therapists

(two to six practitioners)

Thai Yoga Therapy for Multiple Therapists

The benefits of SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Therapy for Multiple Therapists and the group dynamic in therapeutic interaction are well known. I would like to bring a higher awareness of this to the SomaVeda® community, specifically, and to the wider community of Yoga and Oriental Bodywork practitioners in general. There is a dynamic quality and energy that is only available when two or more practitioners concentrate on one individual.

As individual practitioners, we are seeking to create promwihan sii, the four divine states of mind: loving kindness, compassion, vicarious joy and equanimity. With two or more practitioners working together, the element of promwihan sii is demonstrated in the atmosphere of community. The client is surrounded with love, compassion, joy, and equanimity. The practitioners also partake in this experience as partners with each other and with the client.

TIGHTENS THE FOCUS
Each practitioner brings his or her full attention to the client. The attention is focused in a more narrow way as the treatment progresses. This narrowing of the work perspective brings more attention to the particular area being worked as well as to the client as a whole.

INFLUENCES THE MATRIX BODY
One of the more subtle and beneficial processes observed in SomaVeda® Thai Yoga is seen when one subtle body or matrix body, interacts with another. The results of this interaction of the subtle energies found in the prana nadis, the meridians, chakras and morphogenic field between client and therapists are quite profound.  The subtle bodies of each person interact with and support one another, the influence of the stronger light body interfering, compounding and supporting the light body of the  weaker. As the practitioners are working in harmony and ‘outnumber’ the client, their healthy bio-energetic fields influence the weaker in a positive way. Time and time again, a client begins to experience shifts of energy and releases before any of the therapists even touch him.  The treatment really begins the moment the group decides to share their vitality and light with their patient.

Sometimes, I think this is where the profound treatment really takes place and the bodywork may well be what we do to keep busy in the meantime.  In other words, the most profound work of the session takes place in a Chi or Prana space. A Chi or Prana space is a space in which the air is vital and filled with Prana or Chi.

LAYING ON OF HANDS
For centuries, the laying on of hands has been a secret teaching in many religions. This healing method is common to many disparate religions and philosophies. There is significant power in having a group ‘lay on hands’ with the expressed intention of supporting a healing miracle. Often, even in the face of extreme odds, healing will manifest spontaneously as a result of the intention alone.  We should not discount this but be aware that particular clients may fall into this category of receptivity. It is important that we are gathered and focused together to touch.

No matter what your level of expertise, lay on with confidence. There is not now nor has there ever been a monopoly on the miracle of true healing. The existence of love and compassion as love’s practical manifestation is beyond reproach. Being available to actually touch the sick person manifests the thought of love into the practical manifestation of love, a compassionate act. This means to me that the universe’s wealth of energy and gift of healing light is not respectful of or limited to one man or class of men or women.  If the universe will work or ever did work through the hands of a man or woman to manifest healing, this opportunity or gift is available to all for the asking now. As one of my favorite teachers, Burmese Bando Grand Master, Dr. U Muang Gyi used to be fond of saying “No nation has a monopoly of the sunlight.

CREATES A SENSE OF COMMUNITY
The interaction between one practitioner and one client is special and profound. The interaction that may take place between multiple therapists and one client is special and utterly distinct. It is a function of community and may only take place with a high level of agreement between everyone involved.  This agreement is between the practitioners as a group and between the client and practitioners.

This is an opportunity for community expression of love and compassion. The result of this play between everyone involved is rewarding. What an incredible opportunity to live the responsibility we have to care for each other. Two, three, even five or six practitioners can work together to weave a web of love and support around the needy or lucky individual receiving treatment. A sense of real connectedness develops and is experienced by all.  This is healthy for client and practitioner alike.

The transmission of loving energy is not only on a vertical axis, it is distributed horizontally as well. This focused moment of care generates ever-widening circles of joy that impact and affect everyone in the vicinity and more. It is not unusual to see spontaneous healing’s occurring on the periphery of the treatment area. It is not uncommon to see healing and resolution of imbalance occurring within the members of the treatment team themselves. The unfolding of the healing encounter may continue long after the moment of being together has lapsed. This is why we say ‘to heal one is to heal all.’

HEIGHTENS INTENTIONALITY AND ACUITY DURING SESSION
When one practitioner works on the client there is a predictable ebb and flow of attention and manifested intention on the part of the practitioner.  More simply stated, sometimes the practitioner is more present with his client than at other times. Sometimes the practitioner is not present with his client at all!  I call this ‘cruise mode’ and I am arguing against ‘cruise mode.’ When real challenges call, only true presence can answer.

With several practitioners on the job, several things take place:

1. The practitioners stimulate each other.  Working together requires more attention and, like magic, more attention is there.

2. The cycle of attention and the ability to remain in a meditative, focused state is different for each practitioner. These cycles of attention and inattention will rarely coincide for all practitioners. One or more of the practitioners will be attentive at all times.

The potential result of this is a completely focused session for the client from beginning to end. The reason I say potential is that there must be a high level of trust and cooperation between the multiple practitioners for this result to take place fully.

LOWERS THE PHYSICAL DEMAND ON EACH INDIVIDUAL PRACTITIONER
With all sharing the work, there is a reduced requirement for physicality on the part of the individual healer or therapist. Each practitioner works with a greater sense of ease.  This virtually eliminates overexertion and burnout.  In fact, most practitioners report that working together in this way is stimulating and refreshing!

CREATES OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH DIFFICULT CLIENTS
I first began to research multiple practitioner bodywork while assisting World Class Power lifters at the University of Virginia in 1986.  I was working as a conditioning consultant with strength coach Bill Dunn and then World Champion Lifter John Gamble.  John was 57” across the chest and had 20” arms. He weighed in at 318 pounds with 7 to 11% body fat.

Conventional therapy was out of the question!  I could barely lift an arm much less move his whole body. I recruited some willing students and was able to treat him very nicely. Everyone worked together to move him from asana (posture) to asana, at which point I would apply the specific pressure to release or effect the key points without straining in any way.  If it worked for John, it can work for anyone!

Another example of a physically difficult is a non-ambulatory patient in a wheelchair or bed who is incapable of assisting himself. With several practitioners, there should be no difficulty at all. There are also clients with complicated pathologies or traumas that need consideration. Several caring, professional practitioners are extremely reassuring to the client.

There is a great opportunity in working with one of the most tragic segments of our population, those with AIDS. Many well-meaning therapists are afraid of or thoroughly intimidated by the thought of working with people with HIV.  Correspondingly, the people who would benefit the most from some nurturing bodywork from their community miss out.

By working together as a group of caring therapists supporting one another in the care of the HIV person, everyone benefits.  Being in a difficult place is not so scary when you have reliable support from people you know. If you are afraid of working alone with “difficult clients” for any reason, reach your hand out to someone like you or someone stronger and work together to do what is in your heart to do.  In the end you will be stronger as a therapist.

MASTER MIND THERAPY
The group mind of the group therapist can be quite insightful. The several therapists take on a new identity, that of the group master mind, sharing the qualities of all.  With practice, the group takes on the appearance and attention of a single master therapist with infinite tools available to bring about the possible healing of the client.

SomaVeda® Thai Yoga for Multiple Therapists and the group dynamic therapeutic interaction has the possibility of opening doors to healing which conventional, one on one, type of sessions can not. The experience and possibility of expanded healing are as good for the group as for the client or receiver. For example, one additional variation is for the group to rotate in, to have each member of the healing team to take turns being both a giver and or a receiver in turn!  Step up your communication and organize a partner approach to your next session and experience for your self what this wonderful SomaVeda™ Thai Yoga variation has to offer.

The multiple therapists style of Thai yoga is a standard part of the curriculum of the SomaVeda® Thai Yoga (Traditional Thai Massage)(Thai Yoga Massage) Practitioner Certification Program. Thai program is hosted four times a year at the Thai Yoga Center in Brooksville, Florida. For details on the CTP and other fine educational offering at the Thai Yoga Center Click Here!

But for now, enjoy the Thai Yoga Multiple Therapists video, be inspired to explore and expand your practice!

For SomaVeda Thai Yoga Articles Main Page Click Here!

To see the SomaVeda™ Thai Yoga Multiple Therapists application for the standard Massage, Massage Therapy table:

1) Table Thai Slide Show #1

1) Table Thai Slide Show #2

1) Table Thai Slide Show #3

For information on SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Practitioner Certification Program Click Here!

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Thai Yoga Massage and Thai Massage Chair Technique

SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Massage and Thai Massage Chair Technique

Yoga Massage and Thai Massage Chair Technique

You have to explore this!

Yoga Massage and Thai Massage Chair Technique on a portable massage chair is the perfect adjunct to your existing practice for so many reasons. Having a portable massage chair opens up the possibility for mobility and the expansion of your practice. First of all, virtually any kind of portable massage chair is suitable. I know there are a good variety of makes and models in different price ranges. I’ve seen them on Craig’s list for as little as $50.00, EBay for $100.00 (new) and up to $500 or $600 retail in some massage magazines. To start with, I recommend a basic, sturdy chair in your lower price range. If you like the work (as I think you will!) then bump it up with some bells and whistles to enhance your sessions like a fully adjustable face cradle, etc. I simply set up the chair and adjust in such a way that I do not have to mess with any settings once I get moving. After all, the whole point of any tool (and a portable massage chair is a tool) is to assist me. I don’t work around the chair, I use the chair!

The chair techniques we use in the Thai Yoga Massage Chair Vinyasa or flows are basically adaptations of the standard seated position flows we already practice. For example, there is a traditional seated flow in every style of Thai Yoga (Traditional Thai Massage). Some are very simple like the Seated Position flow in our SomaVeda® Fundamentals of Thai Yoga: Level One. Some seated position flows are more exhaustive such as in our Ayurveda Thai Yoga: Level Two, our Nuad Boran, Northern Style Flow in SomaVeda® Level Three and the more advanced courseswhich we teach in our Certified Thai Yoga Practitioner Program (CTP). The traditional style flows in the seated position on the mat are optimal for perfect body mechanics and have been refined for centuries in various schools. The techniques themselves are not new. The chair application is new and has been in practice for only about 25 years. When I first started teaching chair applications around 1989, we were actually using kitchen chairs and draping clients over the dining room table! The new chair designs are small, lightweight and practical.

We simply and thoughtfully adapt our existing flows and techniques to the client on the chair. It’s very exciting. I’ve always said in class that every time you vary the angle of “attack” or presentation of pressure to the client’s body, body part, line or even variance of your own body position in relation to the client, you are in a new line, a new structure, and you have a new effect.

This is one of the reasons we have five different body attitudes such as the seated position. This is also why we have over one thousand different flows and Asana to bring energy, attention, consciousness, breath and pressure to the client. The upright position and attitude of the chair allows us to explore a different opportunity  of bringing these qualities to the client and their lines, points, chakras and meridians in creative new ways.

It is important to refer again to the idea that the chair is not in charge, you are. The chair  is only important as a tool. At first glance the design of the chair seems to suggest that  there is only one angle for the client to “sit” on the chair, facing into the cradle. Not true!  You can have the client sit in any orientation, facing front, side, or with their back to the  chair. The arms can be down in front (there is an arm rest), or one arm may be up, tucked behind the back, out forward, to the or side, or both arms can be up with fingers interlaced behind the neck.

Additionally, your own position in regard to the client’s position is also fluid. Your positioning is malleable and changeable according to how you are seeking to bring energy to bear with the client or what lines you want to emphasize. For example, you can stand on either side, in the front, in the back or you can kneel or lunge at any angle. Working the outside leg lines while in a lunge with the inside elbow is very powerful.  Speaking of the legs, please don’t forget the legs! As you know if you’ve been practicing your SomaVeda® Thai Yoga, the legs, leg lines and Lom (wind Gates), hips and pelvis are very important. Try every variation from all sides, high and low, to find the angles that work best for you. Of course, if you come to class I’d be happy to show you!

Additional ideas for the chair? It is portable and for some off-site demonstrations it might work even better than a mat or table. The park, a trade show, a corporate office, your church, meet-up group, etc. We have taken chairs to all of the above including Yoga conferences, Renaissance fairs and music festivals. Be creative! Once you are comfortable, grab that chair and off you go!

You can integrate a chair session into your existing practice. For example, I have a mat, table and chair in the same room. This gives me the opportunity to change surface and tactics appropriately for the needs of my client as well as my own body mechanics. Just a note here: NEVER sacrifice your core body mechanics or create a mechanical disadvantage in order to bring pressure to bear with a client. Never. Thai Yoga is not about the pressure any way, right? If the angle or technique is awkward or difficult… change it to one that gives you more leverage, control and finesse.

What if you are working on a client who is too uncomfortable to lie down on the mat or you are concerned that they might not be able to safely get up? Put them on the chair! The seated position makes it easy for injured, weak, elderly, or sick clients to come and to go. By way of integration, the chair is marvelous for facials, head, neck and shoulder emphasis as well as reflexology of the head, hands and feet. When we do advanced protocols such as SomaVeda® Pancha Karma cleansing and detoxification regimen, we also do aromatherapy, herbal infusions and applications with Sweedana and therapeutic steam. In another article I’ll be happy to explain and demonstrate some of these more advanced concepts.

But for now, enjoy the Thai Chair video, be inspired to explore and expand your practice!

For SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Articles Main Page Click Here!

For information on SomaVeda Thai Yoga Practitioner Certification Program Click Here!

To reach us by email Click Here.

What is Traditional Thai Yoga Therapy?

Thai Yoga Center

 

What Is Traditional Thai Yoga or Traditional Thai Massage (Thai Yoga Massage)?

Thai Yoga is comprehensive, sophisticated healing arts derivative of Theraveda Buddhism, Buddhist medicine, Buddhist Psychology, Theraveda Vipassana Bhavana, Classical Indian and Tibetan Ayurveda and Yoga Vedanta. It is not required that one become a Buddhist to practice this healing art, though it is helpful to understand Buddhist principles. It is more accurate to call this medicine by its traditional names like “ancient, anachronistic or Old Thai Way of Healing with The Hands,” but the slang form, “Thai Massage” is in use, and as long as this is so there will be some understandable confusion.

The type of traditional Thai Yoga therapy that most people will be exposed to is ráksãa thaang nûat (healing massage treatment). This is commonly known as the Nuat Thai or Nuad Boran styles of Thai Yoga therapy, spiritual massage, and healing work of Thailand.

The primary outcomes associated with the practice of Thai Yoga are called ProMiiWihan Sii ( Brahmavihara) or four divine, boundless sublime states of mind; Love, Compassion, Joy and Equanimity. As long as these four qualities are communicated, transmitted and exemplified during a session, it is considered to be successful. For this reason it is possible to have a Thai Yoga session with little or no actual touching!

In addition to the four divine states of mind we practice and perform Puja– a ritual healing process of prayer, affirmation and acknowledgement. We acknowledge the sacred space shared by client and Yogi, we honor and acknowledge the Bodhisattvas and progenitors of our way and teaching, and we “generate the Boddichitta,” the perfected mental processes of enlightened beings through Mantra recitation of OmNamoShivago, the Metta Sutra or anything else that invokes and invites the essence and energy of love and healing to move within ourselves and our client.

This prayerful and thoughtful meditation attunes powerful energies and petitions the sacred and symbolic metaphors of deities, ancient guides, and role models that provide the basis for all further communication and expression of Promiiwihan Sii.

The secondary outcomes are of lesser importance and may or may not share characteristics common to many forms of western massage such as effleurage (stroking and kneading the muscles), manipulation (manipulating or aligning osseous or skeletal parts) and pressure point or acupressure style technique (applying deep, consistent pressure to specific nerves, tendons, or ligaments and accupoints or Lom). In order to balance the functions of the four Dosha or body elements called thâat tháng sìi (Lom, Fai, Din, Naam), Thai Yoga incorporates elements of energetic and Prana assessment, mindfulness, gentle rocking, Asana positional release, deep stretching, focused breathing or Prana Yama, Chakra balancing, Prana Nadi or Sen line balancing and rhythmic compression to create a singular healing experience.

Native American Indigenous Church (NAIC),The SomaVeda College of Natural Medicine (SCNM) and the Thai Yoga Center are representative of and support authentic Traditional Thai Medicine (TTM), Thai culture and healing arts. Our member instructors are directly authorized teachers, representatives and traditional lineage holders in several different traditional secular and Buddhist schools:

–Buddhai Sawan Institute Ayudthaya and Nongkam (famous for martial and healing arts for 900 years)
–Phra Wat Chetuphon (Buddhist Temple, Wat Po Traditional Thai Medical School…One of the oldest schools of traditional arts),
–Buntautuk Hilltribes Northern Provencial Hospital and Training Institute also known as “The Old Medicine Hospital of Shivago Komarpai.”
-ITM (International Thai Massage, Chiangmai)
–Mama Lek Chaiya
-The Foundation for the Blind
-Buddhist Temple Wat Sawankholok, School for the Blind
–Wiang Klaikangwon Industrial Community & Educational College program sponsored by HM. King Bhumibol, Anantasuk Thai Massage)

There are several other significant lineages, teachers and Grand Masters. Most important is the Buddhist medicine derived from the famous Saint Shivago (Jivaka). In the United States traditional lineage and teaching is primarily passed on via the educational programs of the Thai Yoga Center in Brooksville, FL. Additionally, we recognize all schools formally recognized by the Royal Thai Ministries of Health and of Education and The Union of Thai Traditional Medicine Society (UTTS) listed or not!

There are actually quite a few different traditional “schools” of Thai yoga Therapy. They range from the big university driven or supported programs of Bangkok, to the “family” style oral and traditional lineages of Thailand’s Northern Hill Tribe people such as Karen, Lisu, Lahu, Mien and Akha People. Their influence is a growing factor in the modern expression of Thai Massage, especially in the North.

Thai Yoga is a colloquial or geographically distinctive system. Modern Thai yoga Therapy is a synthesis of several different regional variations based on location, region and in some cases the specific influence of a charismatic teacher. Traditionally there was mention of the “Seven Schools”. Of course there was not in the past only seven schools! Considering this was the primary medicine of millions of people for over a thousand years it is logical to assume there were many different schools in operation at one time or another. For example, every temple teaching or practicing these healing arts could have been considered a school and there were hundreds if not thousands of these over the years.

The most famous traditional school in the north is The Buntautuk Northern Hill Tribe Medical Hospital or “The Old Medicine Hospital.” Under the auspices of Grand Master Aajan Sintorn Chaichagun (Transitioned November 2005) it has become a national and international phenomenon. Teaching various levels of programs to Thai and falang (foreigner) alike, Aajan Sintorn was also famous for his daily recitation of the Pali Om Namo Shivago prayer and invocation for blessing. Twice each day he would lead the entire community in this rhythmic and beautiful traditional mantra for healing. In the north they say, “you don’t know Thai Massage until you know this mantra!” Today the Wat Po Association of Traditional Doctors, member schools and Aachans or Master Instructors are bringing this work into the modern world. Famous schools and their head Masters such as Anantasuk Rongrian under both Phaa Kruu Anantasuk and Aachan Nantipa Anantasuk work with the King’s Rajaprajanugroh projects to completely document the traditional medicine and preserve its rich heritage.

Northern Thailand is closer to main land China so there is more Chinese and Laotion influenced massage techniques. For example, a well known teacher and practitioner in Chiangmai, Mama Lek Chaiya and her family teach what is called nûat jàp sên (nerve-touch massage), a Chinese-style massage technique that works with the body’s nerve meridians much like acupuncture. Some of the plucking techniques are reminiscent of Tuina and can be quite unpleasant. However, the ultimate aim of balancing the chi takes precedence over comfort!

It is important to remember that any and all applications of physical pressure are intended to convey ProMiiwihan Sii to balance and harmonize the thâat tháng sìi and Tri_dosha or Three Winds, Humors or energetically based body types. Thai yoga is a sophisticated system of exchanging love with pressure, just as a hug can convey care, consideration and love with physical pressure. It’s just that in Thai Yoga that loving embrace is conveyed with great detail and sophistication.

The practice of Thai Yoga is substantially based on principles of classical Ayurveda as described in the Caraka Samhita Sutra, Susrita Samhita Sutra, Gheranda Samhita, Atharvaveda, Pradipika, and Ramayana, without most of the overt references to Hindu deities. The philosophies and principles of these Ayurvedic texts have also been re-interpreted in Theraveda Buddhism. Two influential texts in the Theraveda system are the Buddha Dhama and the Vipassana Bhavanna. Ayurvedic practices emphasized in Thai yoga include Samkhya (Sanskrit= Satkhya), Creation Cosmology, Rajas, Satvas and Tamas, Dhatus, Doshas, Sen Lines (Prana Nadi), Lom (Wind Gates, Sanskrit= Marma), Pancha Karma, Asana, Prana Yama, and Mantra.

Traditional Thai Yoga IS Yoga and has within it’s practice all of the benefits of Yoga practice. To read an outstanding article on 18 amazing benifits of Yoga, According to Science by Author Jen Miller Click Here!

The four Thai Ayurvedic elements are: earth (din-solid parts of the body, including nerves, skeleton, muscles, blood vessels, tendons and ligaments); water (náam-blood and bodily secretions); fire (fai-digestion and metabolism); and air (lom-respiration, and circulation). Borrowing from India’s Ayurvedic tradition, some practitioners employ Pali-Sanskrit terms for the four bodily elements: pathavidhatu, apodhatu, tecodhatu and vayodhatu. The book “Lines, Wheels, Points and Specific Remedies” covers this theory in detail.

Thai Yoga Massage and or Traditional Thai massage are systems of yoga therapy and all aspects Somaveda® Style Thai Yoga follow Ayurvedic and yogic principles.

From the Ayudthaya period until early this century, the Thai government’s Department of Health included an official massage (Marma Cikitsa) division (phanâek mãw nûat). Under the influence of international medicine and modern hospital development, the responsibility for the national propagation/maintenance of temple based Thai Ayurveda was eventually transferred to Phra Wat Chetaphon (Wat Pho) in Bangkok, where it remains today. Traditional Yoga therapy has persisted in most of the provinces and there has recently been a resurgence of popularity throughout the country. The Wat Po system is divided into two completely separate and distinctive categories: the tourist massage pavilion and Tourist massage school, (Ronrian Sala Thaang Nuaat) and the School for traditional Medicine for training and certification of Maw Nuad (Massage Doctors). There are huge differences in the term and quality of training. For example, a tourist may receive an introductory massage certificate in as little as ten days, where the full program for Maw Nuad is twelve to fourteen semesters or four full years. In the United States we have many different levels of recognitions for Certified Thai Yoga/Massage Practitioners.

The Royal Thai Ministry of Health relies on the Union of Thai Traditional Medicine Society (UTTS) to formulate and maintain standards of practice and competency necessary for formal licensing of secular, non-religious professional Traditional Thai Medicine providers in the kingdom.

Within the traditional Thai medical context, a Thai Yoga massage therapist (mãw nûat, literally, ‘massage doctor’) usually applies Thai Yoga together with pharmacological (herbal) and/or psycho-spiritual treatments as prescribed for a specific problem or specific imbalance of the Dosha or winds and humors of the body, mind, and spirit. It is becoming quite popular for many Thais to also use traditional Thai Yoga as a tool for relaxation and disease prevention, rather than for a specific medical problem. However, once you leave the big city and move into the country you begin to see more reliance on the application as energy based medicine.   This includes the resurgence and growing popularity of the self treatment regimes and Yoga practices of “Reusi Dotan” or Reishi Yoga.

Traditional Thai yoga, Thai Yoga massage and or Thai massage is not the same as “Massage,” “Massage Therapy,” or “bodywork,” as commonly defined in so-called “Massage Laws.” The term “Thai Massage” is western slang, mostly promoted by tourists in Thailand. Although the use of the term is now common, it still is misunderstood and misused by the misinformed. It is easy to be confused when similar words are used, such as “Massage,” but legally there are distinctions and differences in definitions.

Please note: In common English when we use the word “massage” we do not mean it in the same context as the typical western usage. In the west “Massage” means something like a “rub down” for money and is primarily referring to systems derived from Swedish Massage and Massage Therapy. “Thai Yoga and or Thai Massage” (Phaen Boran Ráksãa Thaang Nûat) is completely unrelated!

Legally words can have different meanings than words used in common, non-legal language. For example, “Massage and Massage Therapy” definitions are based on the practice of “Swedish massage.” “Swedish Massage” is new (less than one hundred years) in European and American culture. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine “The term “massage therapy” encompasses many different techniques (see box for examples). In general, therapists press, rub, and otherwise manipulate the muscles and other soft tissues of the body. They most often use their hands and fingers, but may use their forearms, elbows, or feet”.

Compare this definition with the definition given for what is Thai Yoga at the beginning of this article “Thai Yoga is comprehensive, sophisticated healing arts derivative of Theraveda Buddhism, Buddhist medicine, Buddhist Psychology, Theraveda Vipassana Bhavana, Classical Indian and Tibetan Ayurveda and Yoga Vedanta. “

Thai yoga massage sounds similar to Western-style massage at first glance, but what is not mentioned in the proceeding definition is that Thai yoga massage is a spiritually based system of healing and movement education (Yoga). It is based entirely on principles of energy balancing (Sen, Tri-Dosha, Lom, Chakra etc.) and the actual touching, contact or soft tissue manipulation is incidental to, and not the central aim of the practice! I want to emphasize this statement again “It is possible to have a Thai Yoga session with little or no actual touching”. However, touching is good! This work brings fundamental elements and energy into harmony and creates wholeness of mind, body and spirit.

Thai yoga massage is a spiritually based Somatic technique and profession, a modality with standards established in the Buddhist holistic centers and temples thousands of years ago. It has an established code of ethics known as the Buddha Dharma, The Eight Fold Path, Ahimsa (non-violence) and the “Ten Rules of the Healer.” There is an established criterion for education and professional practice for services that were never intended to be “Massage” or “Massage therapy.”

Where Can I Learn Thai Yoga and Thai Massage?

1) NAIC/ SCNM: Thai Yoga Center provides a registry of approved schools, teachers and certified practitioners of Thai Yoga and Thai Massage. Thai Yoga and Thai Massage Directory

NAIC Members are legally entitled to practice Thai yoga, Thai Yoga Therapy , Thai Massage in all fifty states with NAIC Membership and Authorization without requiring any special licensing. Of course that means as long as what is practiced is not in violation of existing medical laws or that the practice is under the umbrella of an expressive private membership association or recognized church or ecclesiastical authority or organization. We are happy to answer any questions that you have pertaining to the legal practice of our energetic and spiritually based art of healing and transformation.

2) The Thai Yoga Center: In the US today the traditional lineages of Thai Yoga Therapy and Traditional Thai Massage are passed on via the in Brooksville, Florida through the Mastery and teaching of Aachan Anthony B. James ND, MDAM. Aachan James, after 30 plus years of extensive devotion, practice and research brings several different and complimentary traditional lineages to life.

To learn more about the SomaVeda College of Natural Medicine and Thai Yoga Center Click Here!

SomaVeda® Thai Yoga is the core modality of our four Certificate and five College Degree Programs. Other elements include but are not limited to Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Native American and Western Nature Cure or Traditional Naturopathy (Non-Drug, Non-Surgery, Non-Radiation or any dangerous, unsafe, invasive, non-natural therapy).

The SomaVeda® Thai Yoga based Associate of Sacred Arts: Major Natural Wellness(SCNM: A.S.A) degree program qualifies graduates to sit for the ANMCB (American Naturopathic Medical Certification Board) Traditional Naturopathic National Boards. A Traditional Naturopath is considered by many to be at the top of the holistic pyramid. We have established a program to educate conscience and spirit based natural and holistic health providers and ministers of all types and levels in the traditional, spiritual based healing methods of Thai Yoga.

If this all sounds interesting to you and you would like to experience SomaVeda@ Thai Yoga on a first hand basis, then consider taking one of our certification courses or joining one of our famous Thailand Externship Programs. We have been providing quality access to Thailand, Thai yoga massage and Thai Culture for over 30 years. Our programs feature extensive hands on massage training and internationally recognized certification as well as great exposure to the country and the people through our Eco-Tour, country survey style approach. Join us for the adventure of a lifetime!

For more information on educational materials by this author see the Yoga Therapy bookstore at BeardedMedia.Com. If you think your friends would benefit from this information please have them subscribe to our newsletter!

Disclaimer:
All Information is provided for educational purposes only and not intended to be used for any therapeutic purpose, neither is it intended to diagnose, prevent, treat or cure any disease. Please consult a health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. No infection treatment products are sold from this website and every attempt is made to make statements which are unbiased and are solely in the best interest of the members, public and patient.While all attempts have been made to ensure the accuracy of this information. The author and ThaiYogaCenter.Com does not accept any responsibility for any errors or omissions.

The information provided in this article and or website has not been reviewed by the FDA. The FDA specifically considers anecdotal information and or research to be unreliable and or non valid. Additionally the information provided in this article is educational and to some degree anecdotal and in no context or meaning is it implied by the author or the website that it be intended as a substitute for competent medical advise. Patients suffering from a severe medical condition are advised to consult with their physician.

Copyright© 2017, Anthony B. James,  All rights reserved under International and Pan American copyright conventions. World rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Inquires should be addressed to: Anthony B. James, 5401 Saving Grace, Ln, Brooksville, FL 34602· http://www.ThaiYogaCenter.Com

©2017 Anthony B. James, The Thai Yoga Center, Brooksville, FL.

September 2017, NAIC Seminary: 200 Hr. SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Practitioner, CTP1

NAIC/ SCNM: Thai Yoga Center for Indigenous Thai Yoga, Ayurveda, Yoga Therapy and Natural Medicine Photo’s

Sacred Ayurveda, Yoga Therapy, SomaVeda® Thai Yoga, Indigenous Traditional and Natural Medicine

SCNM: Thai Yoga Center for Ayurveda, Yoga Therapy and Natural Medicine Photo’s September 2017 intensive Thai Yoga Therapy at The Native American Indigenous Church (NAIC): SomaVeda College of Natural Medicine and Thai Yoga Center located at the NAIC Sancturary in Brooksville, Florida.

Students participated in the NAIC Seminary: SomaVeda® Indigenous Thai Ayurveda and Thai Yoga Therapy Basic Practitioner Certificate Course (CTP1). This SomaVeda Integrated Traditional Therapies® Indigenous Thai Ayurveda and Yoga Therapy Practitioner Certificate Training included SomaVeda® Level One. Balance of the program was rescheduled do to mandatory evacuation for hurricane Irma!

CTP program includes fifteen additional courses emphasizing Sacred Nutrition, Counseling, Emotional Mental Health Strategies, Nutrition and supplementation to enhance practice results, Ayurveda, Yoga Therapy and Legal Guidelines for NAIC Ministers.

SomaVeda® Thai Yoga programs stress practice development and marketing strategies that work!

NAIC/SCNM: Thai Yoga Center Ayurveda/ Thai Yoga/ Yoga Therapy/ Indigenous, Traditional Medicine, Thai Traditional Medicine religious therapeutics educational programs and Certification programs visit ThaiYogaCenter.Com

Learn more about the science behind SomaVeda® Thai Traditional Medicine at www.ThaiMassage.Com

SomaVeda® Indigenous Thai Yoga certification programs are under the direction of Aachan, Dr. Anthony B. James and Thai Yoga Center staff teachers: Khruu Dr. Julie James.

For information on NAIC Seminary College Degree Programs visit SomaVeda.Org Thai Traditional Medicine: (Indigenous Traditional Thai Yoga: Traditional Thai Massage: Indigenous Traditional Medicine: Yoga Therapy: Ayurveda: Ayurveda Yoga Therapist: Ayurveda Health Counselor: Yoga Therapist: Learn Thai Yoga: Doctor of Sacred Natural Medicine).

Schedules and Locations for NAIC Sponsored SomaVeda® Thai Yoga and Ayurveda Certification programs are posted at SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Calander.

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