ANCIENT THAI MASSAGE

Centered upon Awareness and Compassion, Breath and Posture, Natural Rhythm and Mindfulness

This two and a half thousand year old practice written in stone can promote peace and wellbeing, flexibility and mobility, relieve pain and tension, and foster deep bonds in family and community.

Known as lazy man’s yoga, Thai Massage combines elements of yoga posture, breathe awareness, acupuncture meridians, chi gong and reiki energy healing, shiatsu, abdominal belly massage, polarity, and myofascial techniques. Using body weight and mechanics instead of muscle effort, givers can receive yogic benefits when performed properly.

Adrian Andrejeff is a direct lineage bearer through the Thai government accredited school, ITM International Training Massage, honoring the original founder of Thai Massage, doctor Shivago, and the generations of ancestors who passed this tradition to us in our time.

INTRODUCTION CLASSES

Adrian offers 4 hour classes with eight to twelve steps each covering feet to head in each class. Each class is a stand alone separate class, but students are welcome to attend as many as possible to learn more.

A demonstration and explanation where students observe is the first part, followed by more demonstrations as students give and receive the techniques with supervision. These classes require students to be able to kneel comfortably, as techniques are performed on mats on the floor.

Some mats are available, but students are advised to bring yoga mats, futons, blankets, flat pillows, and/or sheets. Video recording is permitted and notes are provided.

LEVEL 1 CLASSES

Level 1 is the face up laying on back techniques, the foundation of Ancient Thai Massage. It covers approximately 63 techniques and is taught in 30 - 40 hours. The eight sessions can be taught in four or five days, or can be spaced into eight to ten teaching days. Taught in the way I learned it, I take time to ensure students achieve these skills. The techniques can be physically demanding, and basic yoga practice is highly encouraged for students.

I went to Chiang Mai in 2004 and got licensed as a Thai Massage instructor in 2005.  I was already trained and experienced in yoga and tai chi, and spent all my time in Thailand studying and practicing intensely so I was able to learn the ancient practice well.  After practicing on family, friends, and community for a decade, I began teaching.  My parents were both teachers for many generations, and presenting the information in an efficient and timely manner is my nature, as many of my students have told me I am a great teacher.  From teaching for a decade, I have learned even more about how to share this honorable tradition.  I truly believe Thai Massage is a world cultural heritage, and priceless treasure.  Having practiced on young and old, from disabled out of shape folk to flexible yoginis, I have come to find the just right sweet spot of appropriate pressure and stretch, which I am able to communicate to students.

Thai Massage is certainly 2500 years old, engraved in stone in Wat Po temple in Bangkok.  Practiced in temples, hospitals, and households in Thailand, as many variations have developed as family recipes.  A profound peace can be produced which enhances meditation and many other functions.  Devotion and compassion are inherent in the practice.  Societal peace is a product of appropriate affection, and trust and loyalty is a natural result of respectful, nurturing, guided touch.  I have seen pain relieved, flexibility increased, even postural adjustments, as nick named soft chiropractic.  The fruits of yoga can be bestowed upon people who have never practiced, enticing them to learn and practice self care through breathe and postural awareness, which can assist the metabolic functions of organs and immunity.