Thai Bodywork School of Thai Massage Program

Thai Bodywork has one of the most extensive Thai massage training programs in the country

Our program will give you a strong foundation in the following areas:

• Thai massage history and healing philosophy
• A unique teaching and practice style that builds strong skills quickly
• Strong training in the principle of good body mechanics and working from the energetic core -- as opposed to "working with the hands", which leads inevitably to stress and injury.
• How to work in a way that is beneficial for both giver and receiver
• The idea of moving without effort -- fluidity and ease of transition
• Treatment variations for different clinical situations
• Cultural context, how it relates to Thai and Buddhist culture and other branches of Thai medicine
• Relationship of Thai massage to yoga and Ayurveda
  

Thai Bodywork's program provides the highest quality training in Traditional Thai massage in a very efficient weekend intensive format. We build your skills and knowledge from the ground up, and do not require any particular background upon entering the program. Having trained over one thousand students, we understand the needs of the beginner, and use principles from yoga and martial arts to teach the art of fluid full-body movement that is essential to Thai yoga.

Level 1: Thai Massage Fundamentals

As an entry point, all students are welcome to take our Level 1: Thai Massage Fundamentals.  This is a highly regarded, one-weekend training (no prior experience in massage is required) that teaches important fundamentals. It is the gateway to the rest of our program. When you complete Level 1, you not only can perform a practical, enjoyable and effective 1-hour Thai massage sequence, but more importantly, you understand how to learn Thai massage and how to work with efficiency and fluidity. 

Whether you intend to become a professional Thai massage practitioner, or just want to learn about Thai massage and perhaps earn professional CEUs, Level 1 is a great way to get started. Please see our student comments to see what past students think of our program.

Continuing Education

Thai Bodywork is approved by NCBTMB for continuing education in massage, which most states honor for state licensing requirements. All of our courses provide CE hours in massage, and some are also approved for Physical Therapy in IL and WI. All courses are approved as Continuing Education courses by NCBTMB. Some are also approved for continuing education in Physical Therapy. Our curriculum includes traditional Thai sequences, HandsFree Thai, Clinical Thai Bodywork, Thai herbal compress certification, and more.  Click here for detailed information about our curriculum...

Certification Programs

We offer two levels of certification.  Our Thai Bodywork Practitioner (TBP) Certification is a 220-hour program that establishes basic professional competency. Our Thai Bodywork Advanced Practitioner (TBA) Certification builds on the TBP program.  In this program, practitioners learn to work intelligently, analyzing and addressing specific client situations ....

Unique Features of Our Program

Thai massage education is not just about showing the student various techniques. As a beginner, you need to first learn how to move and work from your core, as well as how to learn Thai massage. We prepare you at each step for the next level of learning. Your work is constantly supervised by an experienced instructor who provides immediate feedback to help you improve.

• Students may study at their own pace, and only need commit on a course by course basis as their schedule and finances permit.
• A 50% deposit secures the student's place in class - the remainder is due when the student attends. There is no need to make large up front payments.
• We have one of the most respected Thai massage programs anywhere. We have been teaching since 2001 and have taught over 1,000 practitioners. Our students consistently give us the highest ratings and we get strong word of mouth referral. We are happy to provide references.
• We currently have over 350 hours of Thai massage-specific coursework available. We attract beginners as well as advanced practitioners from other programs.
• Our courses are supported by Chuck Duff's highly rated Thai Bodywork DVD Series, providing the student a detailed study aid before and after class.
• We place strong emphasis on developing excellent skills and body mechanics early in the student's education. Our students get high marks as practitioners. The overall program has a strong hands-on focus with high teacher to student ratios.
• We teach Thai massage as a long-term, sustainable practice that actually is beneficial for the therapist. We get many students who have hurt themselves doing conventional massage, and are looking to extend their career.
• HandsFree Thai and Clinical Thai Bodywork are modalities that are only taught at Thai Bodywork and by TBW Certified Instructors (TBI).
• Our program is unparalleled in teaching students how to work therapeutically. Chuck Duff is known as one of the experts in therapeutic Thai bodywork, and was the first in the industry to have a strong clinical component to the program (Clinical Thai Bodywork courses alone currently comprise over 140 hours in our program).
  

Evaluating Domestic and Overseas Thai Massage Study Programs

Given the lack of standards in the Thai massage world, students should do their research when evaluating domestic and overseas Thai massage study programs.