How does one get to teach Traditional Thai Massage?
During the search for new ways to dissolve states of pain and bodily blocks
I experimented with different massage techniques. In the middle of the
90ths I came across Traditional Thai massage. After the first session, I had
the feeling to have come back to my center. For the first time after a long period, I felt
totally refreshed both bodily and spiritually. Furthermore, the numerous different techniques
including pressure, stretching and exercises I had only witnessed in Yoga
so far left a strong impression on me. My interest to study this form of body-therapy
that includes so many different levels was awakened.
After I had gotten more information about the Traditional Thai massage in talks with massage-therapists,
in the internet and in books, I wanted to find a suitable school to get trained in
this technique. Quickly, it became clear that I would only find such a school in Thailand. Like TTM,
Shiatsu is an acupressure technique that is exercised on the floor. So I decided to
start off with a Shiatsu training as a preparatory training. Even though Shiatsu is based on the five-element
model of traditional chinese medicin with the associated meridians, and TTM is based
on ancient Indian medicin with the nadis as associated energy lines (called sen in TTM), they have a
great deal in common as far as the different acupressure points and the pressure- and stretchingtechniques
are concerned.
Shiatsu therefore offered an introduction into the different techniques of treatment on the floor. During this training, it was a revelation to me to have unintentionality as a focus, always to be open to surprises, to experience what happens with me when I`m centered in myself and to work meditatively. Touch is treatment at the same time,and an exchange of energies takes place. How do I manage to always have new energy run through me during the treatment without depleting my own resources? That is an item which demands a reflexion of my own everyday life. That`s not always easy, because we just take on too many things, and feel depleted afterwards.
After I had worked as a Shiatsu practitioner for a while, I took the decision to go
to Asia for a while, and study TTM there. I decided to study the northern style
and therefore went to study the International Training Massage(ITM) in Chiang Mai.
The manager and teacher of this school is Mr. Chongkol Setthakorn. He was the main teacher at the
acknowledged Chiang Mai Old Hospital before he opened the ITM school.
The material taught is very extensive compared to other schools, and is divided in 5 levels, that each include a theoretical part and an extensive practical part. In level 1 and 2, 136 different techniques for the treatment of the dorsal-, prone- and lateral position aswell as the treatment in the sitting position are taught. In level 3, you get a first insight into the location of the sen with the connected acupressure points. Level 4 is the therapeutic level. In level 4, it is conveyed how to deal with different painful symptoms with a certain sequence of techniques and the acupressure of points. Level 5 is the teachertraining which has the function to pass on the knowledge aquired in level 1 and 2 to new pupils.
In the beginning of 2003, I concluded these 5 levels at the ITM school. After I had worked in hotels
and different health institutions for a while, I decided to pass on this form of body-therapy. So the
idea to teach classes for TTM was born. Shiatsu and TTM were now known to me as a client, a pupil
and a practician. A question I posed myself was whether it would be possible to unite Shiatsu and
TTM and to practise a combination of both. I have taught the Traditional Thai Massage in Berlin
from October 03 on, first in the health centre in Rykestraße, then in the Bodywork centre in
Kopenhagener Straße and from march 2005 onwards in the Bodywork centre in Hans Otto Straße.
In the beginning of 2005 I decided to get trained in the southern style taught in the Wat Po
in Bangkok because of the very good acupressure- and therapy level that is taught there.
My teacher there was Moh Sunaate Toomnork.
During one`s work one quickly discovers that it`s difficult to put into practice a 2000-year-old Asian technique in Europe, because the mental and bodily flexibility of the clients are limited. In connection with this problem, I profited from the Shiatsu training as well as from the co-operation with physiotherapists and massage-practitioners of different traditions. Through this I am capable to introduce alternatives into my training in the case of techniques difficult to exercise
Training
| 2000 - 2002 | Tai Chi training/teacher Shi-Jong-Chen |
| 2001 - 2003 | Shiatsu training ZFHB Berlin |
| 2003 | International Training Massage Chiang Mai Thailand Training in the northern style of TTM level 1 to 5 teacher training included, headteacher: Chongkol Settakorn |
| 2005 | training in the southern style of Traditional Thai Massage, general-and advanced level, headteacher: Moh Sunaate Toomnork, Wat Po Bangkok |
| 2005 | Reiki USUI SHIKI RYOHO first grade Ashara Kuckuck Berlin |
| since 2003 | Practice of several Yoga-forms, present focus: Ashtanga-Yoga |
Patrick Colin Ladewig
teacher and therapist for traditional
Thaimassage (ITM) northern style
Shiatsu practitioner
(01512 / 6974031)
Mail: patrick@bodyworkpool.de
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