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Course: Foundations of Thai Medicine
Dates:
(Not currently offered. See Thai Medical Apprenticeship.)
This is the only course of its kind anywhere in the world. It is based on over a decade of dedicated training, study, and research by Dr. Pierce Salguero (PhD in History of Medicine from Johns Hopkins Medical School, and author of the best-selling books on Thai massage, Thai herbs, and Traditional Thai Medicine).
This class is geared toward serious practitioners and teachers of Thai massage and related arts. Whether you are interested in deepening your practice, integrating more traditional knowledge into your teaching, or entering into our Teacher Training program, this class is for you. It will open up a whole new vista onto the complexity and depth of the priceless Thai traditional medical heritage, and you will learn practical skills you will be able to incorporate into your therapy practice and teaching.
The course focuses on the following aspects of Thai medicine:
1. Traditional Thai medical diagnosis. In this course, we will thoroughly discuss the Thai Four Element theory, as well as traditional methods of client assessment based on body type, astrology, dosha, mental & emotional qualities, dreams, time, season, place, and many other factors. These skills will be learned throughout the week, and practiced in a student clinic on the final day of the class, in which you will have the opportunity to asses real clients under the supervision of Thai medical experts. Take-home skill: You will learn how to assess clients using traditional Four Element diagnosis, and how to incorporate this knowledge into your massage and/or herbal practice.
2. Thai Buddhist healing. We will discuss Thai Buddhist ideas about the body and practices that promote mental and physical wellbeing. Take-home skill: You will learn how to set up an altar in your healing space, if you chose, and several healing meditations to balance your mind and body.
3. Lineage Ceremonies. We will discuss the role of lineage in the transmission of Thai medicine, and introduce students to the various different lineages or styles of Thai massage and medicine. Take-home skill: You will learn how to understand and conduct the wai khru (honoring the traditional teachers) and the sacred string (tham khwan) ceremonies in order to authentically transmit Thai medical teachings in the traditional way.
4. Thai spiritual healing. We will also introduce students to the Thai spirit world (Thai animism or shamanism). We will discuss a range of healing practices associated with this world view, including how to use protective amulets, magical spells and chants, exorcism and spirit possession, and how to care for spirits in spirit houses. Take-home skill: You will learn how to set up a therapeutic space in the traditional Thai way in order to protect yourself and your client from negative energies and spirits.
5. Thai medicine theory and history. Throughout the class we will focus on Thai medical philosophy, the history of medicine in Thailand, Thai Medicine's relationship to Indian and Chinese medicine, and the diversity of healing practices in modern Thailand. Take-home skill: You will become familiar with a number of Thai healing arts that you may wish to pursue in order to enhance your practice, such as tok-sen, traditional Thai chiropractics, back-walking massage (yam khaeng), astrological medicine, magical medicine, and other Thai modalities.
6. Teaching Thai healing arts. This course is a stepping-stone for serious practitioners to become informed teachers of the Thai healing arts. If you are interested in entering into the Thai Institute's Teacher Training Program, you should be aware that this course is required for all candidates. Whether you are already teaching or are thinking about doing so in the future, this course will help you to integrate more Thai history and culture into your classes, and to connect more deeply than ever with Thai tradition. Take-home skill: You will have the opportunity to read some of the fundamental historical texts that all serious practitioners and teachers of Thai massage and medicine should be familiar with, in order to enhance your practice and/or teaching.
This course is accepted by NCBTMB for 40 continuing education hours.
* This is required for the Thai Institute of Healing Arts Teacher Training Program.
* Courses fill up fast. Call with any questions you may have.
"**Traditional Thai Massage & Medicine Symposium FREE with Thai Medicine Theory Course Registration.**"
Learn from the Source, Learn the THAI WAY
Toll Free (888) THAI-WAY
Already studied at another school? Transfer coursework into our program.
A course deposit of $249 will hold your place in a class. 30-days prior to the start of the class you will need to pay the remaining balance to be confirmed in the class. Course fees are non-refundable however can be applied to any future course.
* Courses fill up fast. Call with any questions you may have.
Learn from the Source, Learn the THAI WAY
Toll Free (888) THAI-WAY
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