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You are here » Home / Faculties & Programs / School of Integrative Health / Traditional Thai Massage Program

Traditional Thai Massage Certificate Program

Program Overview

The Traditional Thai Massage Certificate Program (TTM) is a 297-hour (1-semester) program that introduces students to the philosophies, therapeutic principles and techniques of Thai Massage. It can be taken independently or as part of the Diploma of Eastern Therapies and Bodywork (ETB).

Thai Massage is a component of Traditional Thai Medicine, a holistic approach to health that addresses the body (through diet and herbs), psycho-spirituality (through practices such as meditation) and the flow and balance of vital energy in the energetic systems. The roots of Traditional Thai Medicine are found in T'ai hill-tribe shamanism and indigenous medicine. Over the years, Thai Medicine and Massage have adopted and incorporated influences from Indian Ayurveda and yoga practices, as well as Chinese healing arts. During a Thai massage, the practitioner guides the recipient into various postures linked together in a flowing series, applying acupressure with hands, feet, arms and legs. Three levels are addressed simultaneously - the physical body (joints, muscles, organs, etc.), the flow of subtle energy through pathways called Sen (meridians) and the realm of heart consciousness (spirit).

The Traditional Thai Massage Certificate Program can be taken as an independent program for students who have an interest in offering hands-on healing as a profession or want to augment current skills in bodywork. Students learn the movements, acupressure techniques, stretches and compressions that comprise a Thai Massage at the basic, intermediate and advanced levels. They also understand energetic anatomy according in the Thai system, and are able to identify and treat imbalances (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and energetic) by applying the principles and techniques of Thai Massage therapeutically.

Curriculum

The following courses comprise the Traditional Thai Massage Certificate Program. All courses must be completed for a student to be eligible for graduation. New students must complete the General Introduction component. Please see Study Options below for more information.

General Introduction		Total Requirements
Foundations in Eastern Therapies and Bodywork		1.2 credits	18 hours
	During this course, students learn the general background and cultural context for Eastern Therapies and Bodywork with specific attention to Indian, Chinese and T'ai indigenous medicines. This course offers an introduction to the theoretical principles and the history of spirituality and medicine. Both energy medicine and healing are defined, and basic energetic anatomy is explored, all through a comparative approach of Yogic, Ayurvedic, Thai and basic Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) systems.


Total		1.2 credits	18 hours

Traditional Thai Massage		Total Requirements
History of Thai Medicine and Massage		0.6 credit	9 hours
	Students learn the general background and cultural context for Thai massage with a deepening of the historical connections of Thai medicine to TCM, Ayurveda and Yoga. As well, students study the significance of Indigenous Medicine (Shamanism) and Buddhism to Thai Massage. In particular, students follow Thai Massage development from earliest historical records to modern day practice and have an in-depth historical connection to the Shivagokomarpaj Lineage.




Classic Routine		3 credits	45 hours
	This course introduces the 10 major Sen (meridians in the Thai tradition) with their names, locations, physical and energetic associations and functions. Students learn indications and contraindications in Thai massage as well as the 4 principles that govern application of the massage. Pressure application techniques and basic practitioner stances become the foundation for the physical work. From this foundation, students integrate the "classic routine" - a flow of movements, stretches and acupressure techniques that work the client's entire body from toes to head, front and back.
Practical Thai Massage (i)		4 credits	60 hours
	Students of Thai massage need to first master the movements and techniques learned in the classic routine, and then begin to apply them in clinic settings in order to deepen their understanding and application of the material. To help students integrate material learned thus far, this portion of the course is supervised practice with case studies.
Advanced Thai		3.2 credits	48 hours
	Students explore advanced energetic physiology, diagnostics and therapeutics in traditional Thai massage. In particular, this course focuses on advanced Sen theory - breaks and blockage in the Sen, energetic associations of each Sen and therapeutic options for clients. Students also learn intermediate and advanced Thai massage techniques.
Practical Thai Massage (ii)		6 credits	90 hours
	This course allows students to master the movements and techniques learned in the intermediate and advanced routines, and then apply them in clinic settings. This portion of the course is comprised of case studies and supervised practice on clients.
Electives (must complete 3 of the below)		3 credits	45 hours
	Cupping and Scraping in the Thai Tradition There are multiple techniques used by traditional Thai massage practitioners to help release toxins, imbalances and pain/ discomfort from various levels of tissues, in particular layers of muscle and connective tissue. The techniques presented in this workshop are similar to what is found in Traditional Chinese Acupuncture. Liniments are massaged into the affected region; cupping and/or scraping is then performed, followed by further massage if indicated. Prenatal and Postnatal Traditional Thai Massage Prenatal and Postnatal Traditional Thai Massage is performed in all stages of pregnancy and following birth. Massages attend to the specific needs of mothers-to-be and new-mothers, with special attention to the reproductive organs, and all of the support systems (respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous and endocrine) as well as soft-tissues that experience great changes during and following pregnancy. Table Thai Massage Table-Thai Massage is designed for the therapist who prefers to work on the table. "Table-Thai" is ideal for clients who enjoy the benefits of Thai massage but are unable or unwilling to lie on the floor. This workshop is intended to give you a one-hour routine of Table-Thai Massage or to be incorporated into your existing practices (Swedish, Deep Tissue or any type of bodywork). Thai Massage Back Walking For Thai massage practitioners looking to expand their skills, or anyone who wants to offer massage using their feet! Back Walking is wonderful for clients who want a deeper pressure or need some grounding, and for therapists who want to give their thumbs and wrists some rest! This workshop is intended to give you a one-hour routine of using your feet to apply pressure to the back-side of your client, and several other stretches that incorporate feet instead of hands.
Total		19.8 credits	297 hours

Study Options

The Traditional Thai Massage Certificate Program is a single semester program. Students may take this individually or as part of the Diploma of Eastern Therapies and Bodywork. All new students entering into TTM must complete the 18-hour General Introduction to Eastern Therapies and Bodywork.

Post-Graduation

Graduates are eligible for membership with the Natural Health Practitioners of Canada (NHCP) and can seek work in community health centres, clinical settings, therapeutic spas, the health & fitness industry and private practices. Graduates may also choose to enrol in other certificate programs at PRC or transfer into the Diploma of Eastern Therapies and Bodywork. This unique 4-semester program integrates Traditional Thai Massage with Yogatherapy and Ayurvedic Marmatherapy.

TTM graduates are able to return and participate as interns in classes free of charge. Internships offer opportunities for further exploration and to deepen knowledge and skills for continuous practice. Interns may attend open lectures, and may be asked to help in the classroom. Workshops and some lectures are excluded, and space is limited. Advanced booking through the Program Director is necessary.

Admissions

Entering students into the Traditional Thai Massage Certificate Program at Pacific Rim College must have a high school diploma or an equivalency test and all non-native English speaking applicants must demonstrate a mastery of written and spoken English. Any foreign applicant may be required to submit an official score report from an English proficiency exam such as TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Test System). Furthermore, applicants must be physically able to complete the movements and techniques taught in the program.

Pacific Rim College is determined to produce only the highest quality health practitioners. As a result, we reserve the right to admit and to retain only students who demonstrate the potential to achieve at the upper-most level. Applicants will be evaluated based on merits such as high academic achievement, emotional maturity, humanitarian activities, morality, community involvement and health-related experience.

All entering students into TTM must have completed the 18-hour General Introduction course Foundations in Eastern Therapies and Bodywork. This course is offered at the onset of the Certificate Program.

To apply for admission into the Traditional Thai Massage Certificate Program, please click on the button below and complete an online or paper application. Applicants are encouraged to apply by November 15 for January enrolment. Applications will still be considered after this point in time, but enrolment space will be limited. Placement priority is given to students enrolled in the Diploma of Eastern Therapies and Bodywork program. Upon favourable review of your application by our admissions committee, you may be contacted for an interview, which can be carried out via telephone if a person-to-person interview is not possible.

All successful applicants must submit a non-refundable enrolment deposit of $500 within 2 weeks of acceptance or by the 15th of the month preceding enrolment, whichever comes first. This deposit is credited toward tuition fees. Should a student decide not to enrol for the specific semester of study as stated in the application or registration form, the fee is forfeited and cannot be used to offset any charges that the student may incur. Enrolment space will not be reserved without this deposit.

International Students

International students are welcome to attend Pacific Rim College and are encouraged to apply. Canadian law requires foreign students to have a valid study permit to study in Canada. Pacific Rim College provides international students with the necessary documentation to receive a valid study permit. In some cases students can apply for and obtain a permit upon entering Canada.

Academic Calendar

	Winter 2012 - TTM	Winter 2013 - TTM	Winter 2014 - TTM	Weekly Schedule
Orientation	January 3	TBA	TBA	TTM classes are held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:30am-5:30pm and on Fridays from 8:30am-12:30pm.
General Introduction	January 3-5	TBA	TBA
First Class Day	January 9	TBA	TBA
Holidays	February 27-March 2 (Reading Break) April 6 (Good Friday)	TBA	TBA
Last Day of Class	April 11	TBA	TBA
TTM Electives	April 14-15, April 28-29, May 12-13, May 26-27	TBA	TBA

Class Schedule

Please click below for the class schedule for the Traditional Thai Massage Certificate Program. Upcoming schedules will be published as released.

Tuition and Fees

The total tuition per component is as follows. Full tuition payment is due by the end of the day of the "First Class Day" as indicated in the Academic Calendar above.

General Introduction	$280

Certificate Program	$4500

Please click here for a description of Academic Fees.

Financial Aid

This program is approved for Canada Student Loans. British Columbia residents can apply for student loans online through StudentAid BC by clicking here. Students can also pick up a paper application from PRC or any other academic institution registered with Canada Student Loans. For non-British Columbia residents, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca for information about Canada Student Loans.

For a list of all financial aid programs available to PRC students, please visit our Financial Aid page.