Thai Yoga Massage School and Career Resources
Rooted in Ayurvedic medicine, Thai bodywork, also called Thai massage or Thai yoga massage, combines stretching and body movements to loosen muscles, release tension and eliminate disease.
Through training at Thai massage school, practitioners learn how to integrate yoga, energy healing, acupressure and meditation to relax and invigorate clients, reducing their stress and tension and helping them achieve greater health.
Career Overview
Thai yoga massage sessions are performed on a padded mat on the floor to give the practitioner better leverage in deep muscle stretching and joint release for the client. Typical sessions last one to two hours, and clients remain fully dressed in loose, comfortable clothing.
Using their hands, knuckles, elbows and feet, the practitioner employs a series of movements to stretch the client’s entire body and apply point pressure intended to open the body’s energy channels or sen.
Considered both a therapeutic and meditative treatment, Thai bodywork not only improves flexibility, circulation and range of motion but also centers the body and mind.
Training and Education
Specialized Thai massage schools and traditional massage therapy colleges offer training in Thai yoga massage.
What You’ll Study in Thai Bodywork School
While content may vary depending on the program, you can expect your Thai massage school courses to cover these topics:
- Thai massage history and healing philosophy
- Thai massage fundamentals and sequences
- Energetic anatomy and physiology
- Principles of clinical Thai bodywork and Thai medicine
- Acupressure points and methodology for various health conditions
- Anatomy for Thai massage and yoga
- Contraindications and diseases
- Ergonomics and proper body mechanics for practitioners
- Hands-on practice
Average Length of Study
Thai massage school programs involve around 220 hours of training, plus a specified number of practice sessions given to clients and certified instructors.
Students interested in board certification through the International Thai Therapists Association (ITTA) must complete a minimum of 501 hours of training at a board-approved Thai massage school.
Average Tuition
Tuition for practitioner-level Thai massage school programs costs around $4,000 to $6,000. Many schools allow you to take classes on your schedule, giving you the time you need in between to absorb class teachings and conduct hands-on practice sessions.
Thai Bodywork Certification
Thai yoga massage therapists can seek voluntary certification through ITTA, which requires candidates to pass a written exam in addition to completing an approved certification program.
Career Outlook
Massage-oriented professions like Thai bodywork can anticipate faster than average employment (20% growth) through 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ current Occupational Outlook Handbook.
The increasing popularity of alternative medicine, touch therapies and self-care as paths to overall health and wellness are among the many factors that will contribute to the strong job growth for massage professions over the next several years.
Thai Bodywork Salary
Salaries for massage professions, including Thai yoga massage, can vary widely. You can research massage salaries for your state here:
Learn more about massage therapist salaries.
Is a Thai Bodywork Career Right for You?
A Thai yoga massage career requires thorough training in anatomy, Thai massage energetic principles, acupressure, yoga and clinical Thai bodywork techniques.
Your intuition and self-care practices combined with an understanding of basic business concepts are also essential to building a successful Thai bodywork practice.
If you are interested in Thai bodywork training, take a closer look at Thai massage schools. Then choose the Thai massage training program that meets your personal and professional needs.
Sources: ThaiYogaBodywork.com, International Thai Therapists Association, Thai Bodywork School of Thai Massage
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