February 2011

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Sewall Fundraiser

02/25/2011 in CMT School, Thai Massage

You may already know about our fantastic Thai Yoga Massage Clinic, but what you don’t know is that if you come in for a session on March 31st your bliss will benefit others as well.

On Thursday March 31st the proceeds of your 60 or 90 minute Thai Yoga Massage will be donated to Sewall.  Sewall is a child development center that offers programs and support geared toward the best possible outcome in child development.  This is an amazing center that provides services for many things from early intervention to mental health services.  Your donation will benefit the children enrolled in the programs of this non-profit organization.

So, come relax and soak up the benefits of a Thai Yoga Massage, all the while knowing that your generosity will go a long way in the life of a child.

The rates are still the same: $28 for a 90 minute session and $21 for a 60 minute session.

Contact: Hillary@dimassageschool.com or danielle@denverintegrativemassageschool.com

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Pain in the …

02/23/2011 in CMT School, Thai Massage

As you may know a tight Piriformis muscle can literally be a pain in the behind!  Working slowly into a proper stretch is key for treating the kind of radiating pain that can reach into the hips and buttocks when the Piriformis compresses the sciatic nerve.  During a Thai Yoga Massage session, the stretches performed often directly impact this particular muscle.

It’s important as a Thai Yoga Massage therapist, sports massage therapist or any practitioner incorporating deep stretches, to be aware of different bodies and how to modify for them.  Not everyone is going to feel something in the same way.  The best way to determine where a client is feeling a stretch is to simply ask him to point to the area that feels the most stretch.  This is a good way of taking out any chance for confusion if the person doesn’t know the name of the muscle.

In Thai Massage oftentimes a Pigeon stretch is the best way to get into the Piriformis muscle, similar to that in a Yoga class.  However, there are times when a person may feel the stretch more deeply in the hamstring.   The next best posture will be an assisted figure four.  Again this is very similar to the known Yoga pose, but the client will use the therapist’s leg or knee to rest his straightened leg on.

With so many postures to choose from, a Thai Yoga Massage can be modified to benefit any body and this is an emphasis throughout the program at Denver Integrative Massage School.

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Feel great while you give!

02/21/2011 in CMT School, Thai Massage

“Before we can receive, we must first give.”- Lao Tzu

There are so many reasons why Thai Yoga Massage is popular and growing quickly.  It’s done while the receiver is fully clothed, it infuses the use of yummy herbal compresses, it is done in longer sessions than many styles of massage, it incorporates reflexology and other forms of bodywork but most importantly it feels as good to the giver as it does the receiver.

This is something that a lot of massage therapists may struggle with.  Many injuries can plague a therapist from long term use of the body and bad postural habits.  With Thai Yoga Massage the practitioner is not only usually treating a client on a mat on the floor but they are using their own body weight to create pressure as opposed to muscling through a session.

In stretches such as pigeon the therapist is able to lean into the client’s body, acting as a lever to sink deeper into the posture.  Along the same lines even while giving a Thai Massage on the table a practitioner is able to lean into the table, shifting weight from side to side while using forearms to roll or “sanook” the energy lines of the legs.

In Thai Sanook means fun.  It’s something that we do a lot as Thai Massage therapists because it does feel as good  to the practitioner as it does for the client.  At Denver Integrative Massage School emphasis is placed on the importance of feeling good in your own body while working so that longevity in a massage career is possible.

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Amazing Coconut!

02/18/2011 in CMT School, Thai Massage

We love it in cakes, candy, adult beverages and the scent alone evokes images of palm trees and sand.  But this amazing thing (nut, fruit, seed…you decide) has so much more to offer!!!

Known as “The Tree of Life” every piece of the coconut can be put to use.

  • The meat of a coconut is edible.  Offering less sugar and more protein than most other fruits.  The flesh also produces the milk used in many culinary recipes and items such as coconut ice cream or creamer.
  • The husk can be used to make musical instruments, door mats and is often a potting medium in Thailand.
  • Coconut water mixes well with blood and was used in World War II for emergency transfusions.  Because the water also contains many vitamins and minerals and fiber it is a healthy option and found in sports aids.
  • The shell can be used to make items such as buttons, as a fuel source, and accessories such as earrings.
  • Technically because a coconut is not a true nut it is known as a drupe but it does produce nut oil that is used in cooking and more.  Some research has shown that virgin coconut oil is effective in treating bodily conditions due to its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral properties.  Studies show that coconut oil has been effective in treating digestion and heart conditions.  Lately it’s even been considered a great treatment our furry friends for allergies and wounds.

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Menthol and Camphor

02/17/2011 in CMT School, Thai Massage

Menthol and Camphor

Two great additions to a healing practice!  Both make an appearance in our adored herbal compresses.

White Camphor, extracted by vapor distillation from the camphor tree is also known as Kara Boon in Thai.  It is safe only in small amounts due to its extreme stimulating properties.

  • Stimulates the heart
  • Warming agent
  • Diaphoretic (produces perspiration)
  • Slight anti-microbial, anesthetic and anti-itch
  • Draws blood to the surface to detoxify
  • Can be to treat Neuralgia and arthritis

Borneal Camphor, while not a true camphor has still played an important part in ancient medicine. It is derived when crystals are collected from fissures in the trunk of evergreen camphor trees.  It has been said that the Chinese burn camphor incense during funerals and important ceremonies.  This too should be used in small amounts.

  • Thai use to treat nausea from heat and dehydration
  • Treats wounds, sprains
  • Can be used for infectious diseases, nerve pain and nervous exhaustion
  • Aromatherapy for stimulating with its sharp smell

Menthol

Referred to as Pimsane in Thai this compound is derived from peppermint oil and is used for many things.  It shows up in many lip balms and cough medicines.

  • Local anesthetic
  • Relieves throat irritation
  • Antibacterial properties
  • Cooling
  • Increases blood flow
  • Aids in digestion

Not only are these ingredients used during a Thai Yoga Massage session through herbal compresses but they can be found in other liniments such as: Tiger Balm, Muay Thai liniment and other Thai herbal balms.

Throughout the program at Denver Integrative Massage School these effective compounds will be introduced into sessions as our future practitioners implement them via compresses and liniments, and balms.

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