Hello!My name is Dylan McEwen and I'm an RMT living and practicing in Toronto, ON. On January 3rd 2012 I will be going to Thailand to study traditional Thai Massage for 5 weeks in Chiang Mai. The main reason I started this blog was so I could stay in touch with all of my clients, friends and family while I am away on this great adventure. I will be writing and posting photos of all of my experiences so you can follow me everywhere I go! I'm also hoping to do as much research on massage practices in Thailand to compare to our massage industry in Canada. I've already looked up quite a few interesting places and am looking forward to visiting, asking questions and experiencing the differences first hand. Already on the list are a women's prison that teaches Thai massage as part of the rehabilitation process as well as many government programs that teach Thai massage to give residents the ability to earn income as well as help their own families with disabilities and discomforts. I'm also very curious about the herbal steam baths around the country that cater to post-natal women and their newborn babies - using medicinal herbs as well as steam to strengthen the babies immune system while healing and nourishing the new Mother. I have a lot to learn from the Thai people and will try and soak up as much knowledge as my brain can stand in the short time I am away.
I cannot remember the first time I was introduced to Thai Massage but my first training experience was through ICT Kikkawa College as part of my 2200 hour Massage Therapy Program. It was a 40 hour elective course on top of the usual curiculum and was taught by Alois Nikodym RMT. I have to say that hands down it was the most fun I had in the two years I was in school. I loved every minute of the course and it shaped my massage practice dramatically - I use techniques I learned that week in almost every massage I have performed since and it has helped to shape the RMT I am today. Since then I have taken additional training in Thai Hot Stem Body & Facial Massage through Whole Body Healing in Barrie with Dana Pharant RMT for a total of 24 additional training hours. Over the years I have worked hard to perfect the skills I learned in these 3 courses but feel that I have gone as far as I can with the knowledge I have been taught. I have dreamed about going to Thailand to study in more depth and direct from the source for years and finally it is happening!! I couldn't be happier or more excited!
About my course:
I will be away for a total of 7 weeks - 5 of which will be spent studying traditional Thai massage at TMC (Thai Massage School of Chiang Mai) http://www.tmcschool.com/ . This course is recognized by the CMTO (College of Massage Therapists of Ontario) and accredited through the Thai Government. I was hoping to take the Teacher Training as well but will be unable to be away from my practice for such a long duration. Perhaps in a few years I will be able to return and complete the training. I will still be sharing my knowledge with my fellow RMT's as much as I can in the meantime and using my new skills in my personal practice as well. I will be taking their Intensive Professional Thai Massage 150 Hour Program which is detailed below:
Intensive Professional Thai Massage 150 Hour Program (i5)
This is the first 5 weeks of Teacher Training GCT 300 Hour Program.
The main objectives of student taking I5 program are:
A: Be able to perform good quality Thai massage professionally.
B: Lay strong foundation to return to continue for GCT teacher training program.
This is the first 5 weeks of Teacher Training GCT 300 Hour Program.
The main objectives of student taking I5 program are:
A: Be able to perform good quality Thai massage professionally.
B: Lay strong foundation to return to continue for GCT teacher training program.
The i5 program will enable students to perform Thai massage safely and effectively. Thus the graduate will be able to offer Thai massage service to the public. The curriculum is approved by the Thai Ministry of Education for Intensive Professional Thai Massage 150 hour program.
For a Thai citizen this program will qualify the graduate to apply for skill testing with the Labor Department for the certificate of Thai massage therapist and able to apply to work aboard.
For a Thai citizen this program will qualify the graduate to apply for skill testing with the Labor Department for the certificate of Thai massage therapist and able to apply to work aboard.
The curriculum contains Comprehensive of Thai Massage 90 hour; internship massage to prepare students for real life situation; massage special need i.e. senior guests and special children at their centers; understanding blockages and how to release them.
TMC Mission and Philosophy:
This is the first post of many and I will be adding more information as I get ready for my trip. Please join my mailing list and follow me in my great adventure! Once I get back to Canada I will continue this blog - sharing my thoughts on Massage Therapy, my profession, techniques, thoughts and any inspirations that come my way. Stay tuned! and thank you for reading :) Dylan McEwen, RMT |
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