THE THEORY OF ELEMENTS - 6 Hour One-On-One Online Lecture

Since ancient times, different civilizations have questioned reality and what it means to be a human being. Sages from India, China, Tibet, Greece, Babylon, and other parts of the world concluded that the best possible way to explain reality to the human mind is through Elements. Although Element theories differ in structure among various traditions, they all share the common role of being an unsurpassed way to describe everything. The theory of Elements helps us understand how natural forces define human life from birth, through growth, maturation, aging, to the moment of death. It also helps us realize that each of us is born with a specific quality, or better put, a "natural signature" - Element constitution, a fact widely unknown or denied throughout Western civilization, which tends to perceive us all as equal, like machines. We are not. With this natural constitution at birth, our lives begin to unfold, influenced by numerous natural phenomena such as seasons, weather, the food we eat, other people, plants, and animals. In response to all these influences, we react according to our constitution. This constitution, along with our interaction with the world, shapes our character, life tendencies, the types of activities we choose, the way we react to the environment and other people, and, for the therapist, the most important aspect - it affects our health.

For every body-mind-oriented therapist, it is crucial to understand these fundamental laws of nature. Every human has specific needs and is prone to developing specific diseases. To effectively counteract disease, we need knowledge of the recommended therapies and activities for each Element constitution, and how to match them. Not all people should eat the same food; what is healthy for someone may be unhealthy for someone else. The same goes for all other activities, such as the type of work we should do, the length of sleep, the type of exercises, and so on. Each of us is unique. The knowledge of these natural processes that shape our existence is truly a requirement if you want to elevate your practice to a higher level. This lecture is meant for all bodywork professionals, regardless of their background, and is specifically adjusted to match the attendee’s experience and current level of knowledge and understanding.

The lecture is divided into 3 two-hour parts in 3 days

For more information, please write to tttbelgrade@gmail.com

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How Did Thai Massage Become What It Is Today ?

Ajahn Dao 1916 - 2013

Recently, I was inspired by one of my students to clarify certain facts regarding Thai massage practice and its evolution. Many people are unaware that Traditional Thai medicine faced a ban in Thailand for most of the 20th century.

The ban was initiated in 1923 when Western medicine replaced Traditional medicine as the official healthcare system in Thailand, rendering the traditional practices illegal. This prohibition persisted until the mid-80s when, under the guidance of the World Health Organization (WHO), the Thai government launched the "revival" project. The project aimed to reintegrate Traditional medicine into the public health care system. However, to achieve this, the traditional practices had to be standardized to align with Western academic standards, essentially resulting in the corruption of traditional medical practices. This "new" curriculum of Traditional Thai medicine excluded various aspects such as the traditional knowledge of anatomy and physiology, teacher-student relationships, divination, magical sciences, several physical therapies, and techniques that were challenging to learn or required extensive mastery.

In this process, Traditional medicine underwent significant alterations, giving birth to the "new" Traditional medicine, which is currently heavily promoted and regulated by the Thai Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education. This confusion is why there is widespread misunderstanding about what Traditional Thai Medicine truly encompasses. In reality, two distinct and incompatible traditions are often referred to by the same name.

Thai massage, as a component of Thai medicine, shares a similar fate. A parallel can be drawn with popular Yoga, where ancient traditions underwent a similar process of corruption. Just as Yoga asanas were extracted from the broader body of authentic Yoga practice, resulting in a "new" Yoga that resembles fitness more than spiritual practice, the techniques of Thai massage were separated from the extensive body of Thai medicine. Thai massage, created in this manner, often appears more like a wellness service than a spiritual practice.

In Thailand, all schools of Thai massage primarily teach massage techniques. For years, Westerners believed that learning Thai massage equated to acquiring techniques, associating the breadth of techniques with therapeutic proficiency. However, there was a substantial gap in understanding the practice, acknowledged by those honest with themselves. This gap was either obscured by blending Thai massage techniques with other medical systems like Chinese medicine or Ayurveda or by emphasizing aesthetics with new age props such as candles, incense, Buddha heads, essential oils, and relaxing music. This led to the phenomenon of "style over substance" Thai massage, where the practice appeared impressive, but the knowledge gap remained evident.

The gap resulted from the removal of crucial elements during the creation of the "new" Thai medicine and Thai massage. Addressing this gap requires a deeper understanding of the human body, its composition, functioning, the impact of lifestyle and environment, causes of pain, diagnostic capabilities, and the suitability of specific therapies for given situations. While Thai teachers often rely on vague concepts like "intuition" or "feeling," the true answer lies in the medical knowledge of Traditional medicine in Thailand. Unfortunately, this knowledge is either unknown to many Thais or has a language and cultural barrier that prevents its transmission to non-Thais, leaving a considerable challenge for those seeking a comprehensive understanding of Thai massage.

The human body is too delicate for the frequent application of intense and potentially hazardous techniques, a characteristic for which Thai massage is renowned. Relying solely on "intuition" can be unreliable and unclear. While softer, gentler, and non-invasive techniques like effleurage might align with intuitive guidance, Thai massage is notably recognized for its vigorous stretches and forceful pressure techniques often delivered using elbows, knees, or feet. The inherent nature and structure of these techniques hint at the therapy's originally therapeutic intent. Going beyond safe limits, even by a small margin, can transform Thai massage into a form resembling martial arts, posing potential dangers that demand a careful and knowledgeable approach.

In summary, the foundational element for any physical therapy practice, irrespective of the specific technique applied, lies in the medical knowledge of Traditional medicine in Thailand. Echoing the sentiments of my teacher, it is crucial in the practice of Thai massage to adhere to the medical knowledge of Thai medicine. Whether performed on the floor, table, chair, in a moving train, on a roof, with or without oils, or with the client clothed, half-clothed, or naked—these external factors are inconsequential. The primary objective of Thai massage is to address and resolve the client's issue, and as a therapeutic practice, one must possess the knowledge of how to achieve this; everything else is secondary.

Individual Online 8 Hour Lecture on Traditional Medicine of Thailand

This individual (one-on-one) in-depth introduction into the magnificent world of Thai medicine can currently be an ideal way to improve your knowledge. As a practitioner, you will gain a greater understanding of your practice and massage in general. By learning the basics of Thai anatomy and physiology, you will understand what the body consists of and how it functions. The theory of Elements will help you understand what causes sickness and how it can be treated. Different diagnostic tools for bodywork will help you acquire a real perspective on your bodywork practice - is massage a solution for the particular health issue or not? What is the Elemental constitution of the client? What is the structure of the treatment that should be applied to the specific constitution with a specific health problem? If you have been trained just to apply numerous massage techniques, this lecture will give you a deeper understanding of when, how, and why each massage technique should be applied or not. Regardless of what type of bodywork you were trained in, this knowledge will give you a lifetime insight into how natural processes shape health and disease. The lecture is specifically adjusted to match the attendant’s background, experience, and current level of knowledge and understanding.

The lecture is divided into 4 two-hour parts in 4 days

For more information, please write to inbox or tttbelgrade@gmail.com

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