Thai Massage Foundations

Hands-on healing, grounded in safe and efficient body mechanics.

This introductory training teaches the foundations of Thai Massage to anyone who wants to learn it, whether you are a Yoga teacher, a massage therapist, or completely new to bodywork. Over four days you will learn to give a full session in all four positions, using compression, assisted stretching, and joint mobilization, while protecting your own body as you work.

Thai Massage is a clothed, floor-based bodywork tradition that combines rhythmic pressure with assisted Yoga-like stretches, and it is often called “passive Yoga.” Slava Surya Kolpakov developed the Surya Thai Massage Method in 2009. He built it on traditional Thai Massage as taught by Master Pichest Boonthumme, Master Jack Chaiya of the Nerve Touch School, and Master Chongkol of the International Thai Massage School, and integrated neuromuscular therapy, positional release, shiatsu, and myofascial release. The method puts the practitioner’s safe body mechanics first. Slava first trained at Yogaville in 2002, and this is Yogaville’s first Thai Massage training in years.

What You’ll Experience

• Safe body mechanics — how to use your body weight and posture to work without strain.
• All four positions — supine, prone, side-lying, and seated, each with its own sequence.
• Compression therapy — rhythmic palm and thumb pressure along the body’s lines of tension.
• Assisted stretching — Yoga-based stretches guided by the receiver’s breath and range.
• Joint mobilization — gentle movements that restore ease and freedom to the joints.
• Positional release — techniques that let tight muscles soften without force.
• Smooth transitions — linking techniques into one continuous, flowing session.

You Will Leave With

• A complete full-body Thai Massage sequence
• Body mechanics that protect your hands, back, and knees
• Confidence giving a session to friends, family, or students
• A foundation for advanced Surya Thai Massage training

Who This Is For

Level 1 is open to everyone, and no prior experience is needed. Most participants are Yoga teachers and massage therapists, but physical therapists and PTAs, nurses, personal trainers, dancers, martial artists, and anyone drawn to hands-on healing will also benefit. You’ll practice with a partner throughout, and enrollment is limited to 20.

Curriculum

• Principles of traditional Thai Massage
• Practitioner body mechanics and self-care
• Supine sequence
• Prone sequence
• Side-lying sequence
• Seated sequence
• Compression therapy
• Assisted stretching
• Joint mobilization
• Positional release
• Transitions and session flow

Prerequisites

None. Wear loose, comfortable clothing suitable for floor work and stretching, and come ready to give and receive bodywork with a partner.

Continuing Education

• Massage therapists: approximately 12 CE hours
• Yoga Alliance: approximately 12 contact hours
• IYTA CE certificate: $10 fee (free for members), ce@iyta.org
• Certificate of completion, Surya Thai Massage Method Level 1

Meet the Presenter

Slava Surya Kolpakov has practiced Thai Massage and neuromuscular therapy since 2006, after training in Thailand. He founded a Boston bodywork practice that grew to two locations and 25 therapists, working with Harvard athletics and the Boston Marathon, and he has trained more than a thousand bodyworkers since he began teaching in 2009. A student of Sri Swami Satchidananda and Swami Asokananda, he has taught Yoga since 2002 and leads Surya Pranayama Training at Yogaville the weekend before this program.

What Past Participants Say

Slava isn’t just a fantastic healer, he is one of the best teachers our company has ever worked with. We highly recommend him. His knowledge is invaluable. ~Lawani N., owner of Thaisport Bodywork

The best continuing ed class I have taken. As an LMT, this class is immensely valuable and educational. Slava is extremely knowledgeable, as well as kind, wise, and gentle in his approach. ~Raychell

I’m a massage therapist of 30 years, a yoga therapist, and a yoga teacher trainer. Slava is one of the top experts in his field. ~Anne

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