This advanced workshop will build a repertoire of techniques for giving a full-body massage without the use of our hands. The inspiration for developing this material came from seeing small masseurs “killing” their thumbs and wrists, attempting to give pressure to suit the needs of heavy, muscular patients. This workshop aims to provide tools to avoid long-term injuries and pain in the thumbs, wrists and arms, arising from such situations, and to give alternatives to masseurs who already have shoulder, arm or hand injuries, to give time while they heal.

We will look through the body from foot to head in the sequence of a Northern style thaimassage (from the front position, through the side, back and sitting positions, up to the face massage), and learn how to work the energy lines with the use of elbows, underarms, knees, heels and the balls of our feet, utilising solely the bodyweight of the practicioner. Most of the massage positions used will be sitting or standing, giving a welcome relief to the half kneeling working postures difficult for those with stiff or painful legs.

The 2 day workshop is open to all who have completed a beginners course with the Sunshine Network. Those who work with other styles of thai massage are also welcome, the workshop can serve as an enrichment class, as long as they have an operative knowledge and practical sense of the ten sen, the energy lines which are the foundations of northern style.