PRACTITIONER TRAINING PROGRAM

The comprehensive deonThai METHOD Practitioner Training Program has been divided into modules that are designed to fit into busy schedules and allow sufficient time in-between for practice and perfection of technique.

LEVEL 1 — FOUNDATION CURRICULUM: MASTERING THE BASICS

The following three courses are all designed to get you practicing immediately, experiencing the benefits of improved wellbeing for you and your clients, friends and family. They are the gateway to the rest of the training program and can all be taken by anyone, without any prior experience in Yoga, massage or bodywork. They are also an excellent choice for "already trained" practitioners (from any other school or teacher) who want to review the basics and/or explore different ways of applying the versatile art of Northern Style Traditional Thai Massage.

The techniques taught in these classes include the best of the renowned Traditional Northern Style Sequence, as developed at the Old Medicine Hospital in Chiang Mai, Thailand. You will also be taught additional moves from other lineages, as studied and adapted by Senior Teacher Deon de Wet during his long career as an internationally successful Thai Yoga Massage therapist and Hatha Yoga teacher.

The philosophy and principles of Traditional Thai Healing Massage, taught in these classes, are fully compatible with those of the Shivagokomarpaj Lineage, the Traditional Medicine Hospital in Chiang Mai and its official Sister School, the Thai Institute of Arlington, Virginia.

LEVEL 1A — ESSENTIALS OF THAI YOGA MASSAGE (24 CE HOURS) &
LEVEL 1B — FUNDAMENTALS OF THAI YOGA MASSAGE (24 CE HOURS)

These two 3-day initial training modules can be taken in any order. They both lay down a solid groundwork for the effective practice of Thai Yoga Massage in the Northern Style.

In each, you will learn a basic, but refined set of techniques, resulting in an effective 90-minute sequence, working energy meridians, mobilizing joints and stretching limbs.

The theory, history and philosophy behind Traditional Thai Massage will be introduced at this level, but the emphasis of the class is mainly on practical application. The objective is to get you safely practicing on most types of people, as soon as the class is over, with a new ability gained to effectively help others on their way to better health and wellbeing.
You will receive a detailed guidebook with pictures and descriptions to aid in your ongoing practice.

The courses include Yoga sessions to improve the student’s own comfort, strength and flexibility, as you learn how to help others toward better health and wellbeing.

Credit for 24 Continuing Education Hours is granted for each class through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork — NCBTMB.

After completion of both Level 1A and Level 1B courses you will have a comprehensive and integrated set of techniques lasting 3 hours or more.

There are no prerequisites for either course.

Tuition Fee: $445 each module

Level 1A - Upcoming dates and locations:

January 20, 21, 22

Beverly Hills, California

April 13, 14, 15

Lake Norman, North Carolina

May 18, 19, 20

Beverly Hills, California

Level 1B - Upcoming dates and locations:

February 24, 25, 26

Wilmington, North Carolina

 

LEVEL 1 — FOUNDATION OF THAI YOGA MASSAGE (40 CE HOURS)

This 5-day course is an alternative to the two 3-day modules described above and teaches you a comprehensive set of techniques to apply in a sequence lasting at least 3 hours - a firm foundation for the ongoing and professional practice of Thai Yoga Massage.

This workshop combines the Level 1A Essentials and Level 1B Fundamentals classes, to arrive at a complete repertoire of moves, facilitating an effective healing of body and mind in all kinds of clients. It is intended for participants who prefer to complete the entire Level 1 Foundation Curriculum in a more concentrated time frame, with a 5-day intensive format.

We will cover the fascinating history and philosophy behind this age-old healing modality that originated in India and has been practiced in Thailand for thousands of years.
We will also delve into the theory behind the integration of physical bodywork with meridian-based acupressure and energy work, learning how to apply a highly efficient combination of assisted Yoga and therapeutic healing massage.
The course includes Yoga sessions to improve the student’s own comfort, strength and flexibility, as you learn how to help others toward better health and wellbeing.

You will receive a detailed guidebook with pictures and descriptions to aid in ongoing practice.

Credit for 40 Continuing Education Hours is granted through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork — NCBTMB.

There are no prerequisites for attending this course.

Tuition Fee: $745

Level 1 Foundation - Upcoming dates and locations:

March 21 - 25

Upper Ojai, California

July 18 - 22

Upper Ojai, California

 

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LEVEL 2 — EXPANDED CURRICULUM: DEEPENING THE PRACTICE

These two courses are more advanced and are intended for practitioners that have already undergone at least 3 days of Thai Massage training. They can be taken in any order and each course focuses on teaching the techniques described in its title and include the basic, intermediate and advanced moves relevant to that particular module.

LEVEL 2A — SIDE-LYING AND SEATED THAI YOGA MASSAGE (24 CE HOURS)

This 3-day course makes up one half of the Level 2 Expanded Curriculum.

Prerequisites are completion of 3 days of Thai Massage training with any recognized school or teacher.

In this course you will learn how to perform a full body treatment session, with the client lying on their side and in the seated position.

We will teach more assisted stretches with meridian and pressure point therapy, as well as some “Village” style techniques where the therapist uses the feet, knees and elbows to save the palms and thumbs.

This style and position of work is especially good for working on pregnant women and anyone else who has difficulty lying on their back.

On completion, you will earn a certificate with 24 hours of continuing education credit through NCBTMB.

Tuition Fee: $445

Upcoming dates and locations:

February 17, 18, 19

Beverly Hills, California

June 22, 23, 24

Beverly Hills, California

 

LEVEL 2B — EIGHT LIMBS OF THAI MASSAGE (24 CE HOURS)

Using Feet, Knees & Elbows, Saving Your Hands

This 3-day course makes up one half of the Level 2 Expanded Curriculum.

Prerequisites are completion of 3 days of Thai Massage training with any recognized school or teacher.

In this course you will learn how to perform Thai Yoga Massage in the Northern “Village” style, using the feet, knees, forearms and elbows to great effect.

It includes a whole new repertoire of moves for the supine (face up), prone (face down) and side-lying positions.

These are very effective techniques for light-weight therapists with smaller hands and especially good for working on athletes and larger clients who can benefit from the smooth application of deeper, leaning pressure.

We will teach you how to do an additional sequence of therapeutic stretches, as well as more techniques for improved therapist self-care and better body mechanics.

On completion, you will earn a certificate with 24 hours of continuing education credit through NCBTMB.

Tuition Fee: $445

Upcoming dates and locations:

November 11, 12, 13

Lake Norman, North Carolina

December 2, 3, 4

Beverly Hills, California

April 27, 28, 29

Beverly Hills, California

August 17, 18, 19

Beverly Hills, California

 

PARTNER THAI YOGA MASSAGE CLASSES

These classes are intended for anyone, especially the non-professional, who wants to learn techniques for enhancing wellbeing in others and themselves, naturally and non-verbally. They also may serve as a practitioner’s introduction to the deonThai METHOD.

The classes focus on guiding anyone, at any level of training or experience, in the art of nurturing touch. We demonstrate the simplicity of using the physical form to help one another feel profoundly better, by way of a centuries-old system of healing used by friends and families all over South East Asia.

They may consist of anything from a few hours in a Yoga studio or private home, to several days of workshop in a retreat-style setting in a diverse range of environments.

Private training is also available and can be tailor-made to suit the needs of individuals, couples and small groups anywhere in the world.

Contact us anytime to inquire about creating and scheduling a special opportunity for healing and learning.

Enhancing Wellbeing, Naturally, Non-Verbally

Designed for anyone and presented anywhere, these classes could last from 2 to 15 hours.

Participants in both group and couples classes enjoy a profound sense of release and contentment as they help each other to deeply integrate body, mind and soul.

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GROUP CLASSES

Fun, safe and therapeutic, assisted Yoga stretches and Traditional Thai Bodywork techniques are used that can be done by and to, most people.

One person acts as the “Giver” and is more active, while the other is the “Receiver” and is more passive. Later, the roles are switched, allowing participants to experience both ends of the spectrum.

Most of the moves can be performed by anyone with just a medium level of fitness and flexibility, as long as a kneeling position can be maintained for a few minutes at a time.

There is no prior experience required, with either Yoga or Massage.

Participants practice comfortably clothed, on special mats on the floor, while the instructor carefully demonstrates each move on a model, verbally guiding the group through a satisfying sequence of stress-releasing, soul-retrieving Thai Yoga Massage.

 

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COUPLES CLASSES

Based on the same principles as above, these classes take the interactive experience a little further, allowing participants to deepen the experience of intimacy with their partner.

Couples are guided through an experiential journey, combining assisted Yoga, moving Meditation and Traditional Thai Massage. They learn how to sensually enhance the loving energy of a close relationship by using the art of nurturing touch as the foundation for intimate communion.

Upcoming dates and locations:

January 6

West Hollywood, California

 

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TESTIMONIAL

"My husband and I attended Deon's Thai Yoga Massage training as a couple and were delighted!

Deon's teaching style and focus on practicalities provided a foundation in a modality unfamiliar to us, with ease and enjoyment.

We have been practicing with one another, weekly and it continues to be a wonderful opportunity for sharing loving affection and intimacy.

Many thanks, Deon!"

- Jennifer Klein, Wilmington, North Carolina

PRIVATE TRAINING

HONING SKILLS WITH THE TEACHER

• Deon is available, by appointment, to teach one or two people at a time - all levels, all classes - in an intensive style and private environment, in Ojai, Los Angeles or anywhere else in the world.
• All of the material in any of the classes described above can be addressed in this way.
• Rates are negotiable, but are usually around $600 per day (one person) and $800 per day (two people), plus any related travel and living expenses.