about me
2009 continues to be a year of exploration and study for me. I’ve now
lived in Bristol for 18 months – and in the same house for more than a year! This has been a very grounding and rewarding experience and I’m
enjoying developing life and business in my ‘home city’. This year, I have
taught the Thai Massage Practitioner Diploma in England for the first time
(after many years teaching in Thailand, Spain, India and Greece) – with a
wonderful group of motivated and talented students. It has been a pleasure and
a real privilege to share what I know with them. The Advanced Course in May,
which my sister Nicky and I taught together also went very well and it was
wonderful to feel the ‘Sangha’ come together and share in Bristol; people came
to study with us from all over the UK – and from France!
In terms of qualification and experience, I am a fully qualified and
registered Traditional Thai Massage therapist and teacher (RTT, ITEC, CThA),
and a Yoga Alliance certified yoga teacher. Having worked in education and
publishing in Spain for 9 years, I made a life change in 2001 and began my
current journey in massage, yoga, meditation and a generally healthier
lifestyle. Over seven years I trained and worked with a number of different
Thai Massage teachers and Masters including Asokananda (author of The Art of Traditional Thai Massage) who
authorised me to teach for The Sunshine Network in 2004; Nicky Smith (Co-Director of Bodywisdom and
author of Thai Massage) and Thai
Master Pichet Boonthume. I did my Yoga Teacher Training with Louisa Sear (Yoga
Arts). Along the way, I have been influenced in my practice and teaching
through my work with Clive Sheridan, Donna Farhi & Rudra (Iyengar) and most
recently by the wonderful, unfolding and inspiring teaching of Angela Farmer
and Victor Van Kooten. I have also studied Nutrition with CNN (Barbara Wren)
and incorporate Craniosacral Therapy and Reiki into my work.
I am an authorised teacher for Thai Healing Alliance International
(THAI) and am co-director of The
Bodywisdom School of Thai Massage (www.bodywisdom.org.uk)
I had my own massage clinic and taught yoga in Mykonos, Greece until I
moved to Bristol where I practice massage in St Werburghs and teach yoga at Bristol
City Yoga in Stokes Croft as well as offering private tuition. I am currently
studying to become a personal coach in order to work with individuals and businesses
towards greater success, fulfillment and well-being. Having been very physical
in my life for the past 7 years, I find that combining the bodywork and
teaching I do with working creatively and intellectually with other people
towards achieving their goals makes
for a happier, more fulfilled and balanced me – and that definitely feeds into everything
I do!
traditional
thai massage
what
is traditional thai massage?
Traditional
Thai Massage or Thai Yoga Massage is an holistic practice that views the body
as an alive system of energy. When this energy becomes blocked or imbalanced in
some way, it can lead to ‘dis-ease’ in the
physical body.
This deep, healing massage works to overcome & prevent imbalances.
It combines the use of gentle yoga-based stretches with sensitive
acupressure & manipulation to suit
each person, creating a powerful tool for physical, energetic and emotional
well-being.
a
little history
Traditional Thai Massage has its roots in Ayurveda. It is believed to
have been developed by Jivaka Kumar Baccha who was physician to the Buddha and
was part of the knowledge and teachings that migrated from India to Thailand
alongside Buddhism over 2,000 years ago.
Since then it
has been practiced, developed and handed down through the generations and it is
this teaching from master to student that makes this work the intuitive healing
art it is. It has always been seen as a spiritual practice, not just a massage
and until recently was mainly practiced in the Thai Buddhist temples. It is the
physical application of ‘Metta’ (loving kindness) and enables both giver and
receiver to open energy channels and be healed.
your treatment
You wear light, comfortable clothing and your massage is given on a firm
but comfortable futon on the floor. Cushions are used if appropriate to support
your body in order that you can let go completely. We also use music, incense,
candles… whatever puts you most at ease and creates an environment that allows
you to relax and enjoy.
traditional Thai
Massage benefits:
·
sports people, deep massage to both
prevent injury and help in post-injury rehabilitation
·
those who wish to feel more grounded and in contact
with their bodies
·
those who need pain
relief for chronic or acute back
pain, knee pain, shoulder pain or injuries
·
in pregnancy –
improving energy flow, reducing
water retention and ‘heavy legs’, connecting
with your baby
·
those in high power or stressful environments who need to
switch off and renew – very calming
and relaxing
·
asthmatic conditions; opening out
the chest cavity and allowing greater
ease in breathing
·
digestive difficulties – detoxifying the internal
organs
·
helps deep detoxification
and boosts circulation of both blood
and lymph
·
in increasing flexibility – both for those who are
already flexible (for example, yoga and pilates practitioners) and those who
feel stiff and uncomfortable
·
both the old and young; fit and unfit
relax.......revitalise........renew........refresh
some
ways in which we can work:
traditional thai massage: 90mins/2hrs
A Traditional Thai massage usually lasts up to 2 hours
(sometimes more) in order have full therapeutic benefit and create energetic
& physical balance…Suitable for all ages & needs and I promise you that
time flies!
thai massage -
dynamic or relaxation: 1 hr
A relaxing shorter session is, of course, of benefit. Thai
techniques are applied to relieve pain
& tension mainly on the back, legs, neck & shoulders & head - our
main ‘problem’ areas.
thai &
ayurvedic massage: 1 -2 hrs
For those who love the use of oils, especially on the
back, neck & shoulders. We combine Traditional Thai and Ayurvedic
techniques using organic oils to achieve deep relaxation & therapeutic
benefit.
thai massage in
pregnancy (1-2hrs)
Traditional Thai Massage is of huge benefit to both
you and your baby. We work on a supportive mat/futon on the floor in whatever
position is most comfortable for you (often on your side, particularly later in
your pregnancy), supporting your body with pillows so you are comfortable and
relaxed throughout. The massage works on a number of different levels;
energetic, emotional and physical. We use a combination of pressure, gentle
stretches and manipulation in order to achieve a complete balance. This is
important during a time when emotions and hormones can run riot and your body
is going through constant changes.
Receiving Thai Massage before, during and after your
pregnancy boosts your immunity, improves your energy levels, prepares you for
labour and helps you find greater ease in your body. It’s great for relieving
the legs and lower back of aches and pains associated with carrying your baby
and can also effectively treat those difficult to reach areas of the upper back
and shoulders. The massage is a wonderful time for you to relax and for you to
bond with your baby who also benefits enormously both energetically and physically.
After your pregnancy, it’s the perfect way for you to
reconnect with your body and take care of yourself whilst you care for your new
baby.
Sports Performance & Injury Rehabilitation (1-2 hrs)
Traditional Thai Massage works on a number of different
levels. In training and performance we function both physically and
energetically. Thai Massage works to relieve muscle tension that comes from
strong exercise or sport and clear both physical and energy blockages that may
lead to injury. Having worked with referrals from gyms over several years, I
have experience in treating bodybuilders, runners and swimmers as well as those
who follow a fitness regime for general fitness and know that it greatly
enhances sports performance as well as speeding recovery from injury.
Thai Massage works holistically, that is - on
the whole body - from the feet upwards, releasing tension in the legs, hips and
pelvis that may cause problems in the lower back. Likewise, you can be treated
for arm, shoulder or neck tension. Deep pressure on muscle using hands, elbows
or knees, combined with stretching, manipulation and energy work means that you
receive a complete balancing for the whole body. You can expect improved
flexibility, better circulation of blood and lymph, detoxification, greater
ease in breathing, lubrication of joints and profound relaxation.
Did
you know? In Thailand, Thai Massage is commonly used
to treat injury and to help in rehabilitation and it has much in common with
physiotherapy.
hatha yoga
Hatha Yoga is
also from the Ayurvedic Tradition and as a physical, spiritual and mental practice it goes hand-in-hand with
Traditional Thai Massage. I teach group & individual classes, always
tailoring for individual requirements. I love to feel and see the body and mind
unfold and unwind; each of us at our own pace and rhythm. My work with the body
in massage feeds into my yoga teaching and practice and vice versa.
hatha
yoga classes: 1 – 2hrs
We practise asanas
(postures) & pranayama (breath
work) to suit your level, your physical & emotional needs and time
available.
thai massage & hatha yoga:
90mins - 2hrs
We combine yoga and massage for a truly individual
session; guiding you through asanas
& pranayama that can help you
help yourself when you work alone whilst also allowing you to relax while I do
the work!
Yoga Classes
in Bristol
at Bristol
City Yoga, Backfields Lane, Stokes Croft
Tuesday:
7’45-8’45am (£6)
Early
Bird Hatha Yoga
This early morning class incorporates
breath work (pranayama) and asana to get us into our bodies, warm up, stretch
and start the day in the very best way possible. The class is open to all but
is particularly appropriate for beginner-intermediate students. This is a
precise but flowing form of Hatha Yoga, using the body’s inner ‘knowing’ as our
starting point.
Drop-in
class/ discount for 10 classes
Wednesday: 1-2pm (£6)
This 1 hour lunch time class is the
perfect opportunity to get back into your body in the middle of the day. As
with other classes I teach, it is a combination of breath work and asana to
warm up and stretch the body and also to ground ourselves and find the silence
inside.
Drop-in
class/ discount for 10 classes
Please call me to arrange private
tuition in the comfort of your home or mine
Bodywisdom
School
calendar of courses
& retreats
Bristol
Courses
Diploma course in Traditional
Thai Massage - BodyWisdom School of Thai Massage
with Fiona Smith
This is a recognised
practitioner level diploma.
Course Dates for 2010
January:
8, 9. 10
February: 5, 6, 7
March: 26, 27, 28
May:
7, 8, 9
Practice Day: TBC *
Final Assessment: TBC *
* There will be time between the course
content and the practice/ assessment days to allow for case studies to be
completed.
This is a non-residential course
Group size: max 10 students
Location: Yogasara, Picton
Street, Montpelier, Bristol BS6 5QA
Course
Fees
£860 – includes exams fees, course book
& additional materials
Payment: A non-refundable deposit of
£200 secures your place on the course. The balance may be paid either:
·
In full on the first day of the
course
·
By cheque in 4 installments of
£165 on the first day of each module
Application
Criteria
In order to take a place on this course,
you:
·
Have completed a 1-2 day
introductory workshop with Bodywisdom School OR
·
Have previous training in
Traditional Thai Massage and received at least 2 full Thai Massages from a
Bodywisdom Tutor OR
·
Received at least 2 full Thai
Massages and private pre-course tuition from a Bodywisdom Tutor
In order to complete the assessed part
of the course, which leads to the professional Diploma, students should already
hold or be currently studying towards a recognised level 3 diploma or
equivalent in Anatomy & Physiology (A&P). Some students may wish to
study this course as professional or personal development; if you do not plan
to practice professionally you can choose to be exempt from the final
assessment. If you are unsure whether this applies to you, please ask for more
details.
You will get more out of the course if
you have a good general level of fitness; if you have any doubts about this
please ask!
If you wish to apply for a place on the
Bristol Diploma Course, please contact me on 0774 7514971 or email fiona@bodywisdom.org.uk to arrange an
informal interview in which we will answer any questions you may have and
discuss what you hope to gain from your study in a little more detail. It’s
also your opportunity for you to be sure that this is the right course – and that
we are the right teachers – for you.
Core Module (4 weekends/ 2
residential weeks)
The
course begins with an introduction to the massage techniques and the principle
and theory of working with energy. We work progressively, opening the body from
the feet toward the head. The weekends are broken down into working the body in
different positions.
Inherent parts of the course will be: yoga, meditation, chanting, historical
and theoretical foundations, self-care and postural awareness techniques and
how to work safely with contraindications and common conditions. On the final
weekend of this module there will be an informal assessment to guide students
toward their own practice.
Our
course manual is Thai Massage by Nicky Smith (co-director of Bodywisdom). We
use it as a reference book on the training course alongside other materials.
By the end of the course you will have learned practical techniques to give a
comprehensive full-body Traditional Thai Massage (A full body massage takes approximately
2hours)
The
core teaching is followed by a practice day and then, when students have had
time to practise, there is a written paper and practical exam. Case studies are
also taken. Full details will be given on application.
Please write for full details of the course content
Traditional Thai
Massage Advanced Skills Workshops
With Fiona &
Nicky Smith
Next workshops
planned for early 2010
Nicky & I bring our own specialist skills to these
weekend workshops and our students have commented how much they enjoy working
with the two of us together! Advanced workshops are a forum for deeper
exploration into the spirit of Thai Massage and what that means for us as
individual therapists. This tradition used to be passed from master to student
over years of study; these advanced workshops provide opportunites for us to
continue to learn from one another, develop our intuitive skills and to dance
with the work.
We welcome all those who have
completed their basic practitioner training with any school.
introduction to traditional
thai massage – dates for 2009 TBC
weekends and introductory
days (please contact me for details and to be put on my mailing list)
These weekends or introductory days
are a playful, but very practical introduction to the joys of sharing touch
with friends, family or a partner using Traditional Thai Massage. They are open to anyone who wishes to explore
the use of caring touch to work with others. Many yoga practitioners and
teachers find it a wonderful way to deepen their practice and understanding of
the body and for working with adjustments; others simply wish to learn some
simple techniques to help family members or enjoy giving massage to a partner.
People of all ages are very welcome; if you have any doubts about your level of
fitness, please do contact me. By the end of a weekend workshop, you will have
learned enough to give a simple one-hour treatment and will also explore some
yoga and breathing techniques to use alongside the practice.
These weekends/days are also the
introduction to the Diploma Course, for those who wish to study to Practitioner
level*.
for more
information and details, please contact me
courses
& retreats worldwide
Details of
Bodywisdom courses in South-East England can be found on www.bodywisdom.org.uk
links &
recommended websites
