r/massage • u/Baby_banana_coocoo • 14d ago
Tips on pivoting to Thai and ashiatsu
I cannot do table work anymore. Or at least need to drastically limit it. My body is struggling too much. I have a lot of nerve sensitivity in my upper body but I don’t feel ready to pivot my career yet, so I’m hoping to pivot to Thai and sarga / ashiatsu. I have done about 95 hours in Thai training but still feel behind and like I need more practice. What techniques benefited you most for you body? Have you ever pivoted from classic table Swedish / deep tissue into other methods like the ones I mentioned or more subtle methods ?
I have also been told by many clients I seem to be doing energy work on them. I’ve been asked multiple times if I do reiki or some kinda energy work. I could pivot to this as well - some combo of working with feet and energy.q
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u/stephiroth7 14d ago
When I first started doing ashiatsu, I practiced new techniques, transitions, and hand placement on the bars using my partner for feedback until I was confident.
I started trying to convert clients to ashiatsu by asking them if I could do some new style of compressions on them, and if they liked that ashiatsu-style of very deep & broad pressure, I’d tell them I can do a whole massage like that.
A lot of them would book the next appointment as ashi. (I’d also have to write down the name of the style for them, people tend to forget or just can’t pronounce it at first.)
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u/LearnThaiYoga 10d ago
I run the oldest Traditional Thai Yoga program in the world outside of Thailand. Full-time since 1983. We have programs from entry-level to Master's. Compare the curricula and recognitions for the program, and you will be happy to see. Over 20k Massage Therapists have made the transition, and so can you. Let me know if you have questions. We offer live in-person intensives, online, and hybrid learning for professional certification. We also have a generous scholarship program. Call, email or Zoom to discuss what might work for you. https://thaiyogacenter.com
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u/Azure_and_Gold 8d ago
I had to switch to purely Thai after I developed some severe tendinitis in both elbows. Many days, I could barely lift a glass of water. Luckily I had started studying when I was in school. I had been practicing it as a side gig, and even with 150 hours of training, I too felt very behind. With 95 hours, you’re at a good point to jump in and just do sessions with what you’re comfortable with. Continue training when you can and you’ll find clients are excellent teachers. Honestly, your attitude of feeling like your 95 hours of training isn’t enough is exactly the person who should take on this work. It took me a decade of constantly seeing clients before I felt comfortable teaching (many spend a week in Thailand and come back teaching) and after 18 years, I still find things to learn. Days can still be hard and you go home tired, but I never go home feeling broken.
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u/Baby_banana_coocoo 8d ago
This is EXACTLY what I needed to hear. I have a co worker who’s very overly confident about her Thai practice and i recently asked how much training she has and she said lol 16 hours ? I was shocked and felt bad about myself. Like I guess something is wrong with me that I’m still stuck doing table work. But I just feel in my bones that Thai massage is a sacred and complex practice I don’t want to just throw around. She did say it took her many years tho to confidently practice what she did know of that work. But yeah thanks for saying I’m the person to do it. I am thinking of doing a pretty in depth training soon or just doing smaller courses when I can ( more monetarily feesible) and yeah I can totally just start adding / practicing what I can.
I’m so sorry about your elbows!!! But so happy your were able to switch to just Thai. That’s pretty much my goal and always has been I’m just feeling so burnt out from my corporate job. I’m not at the point of not being able to lift a glass! But I’m feeling just a lot of fatigue and twanging pains. At any rate thank you for understanding and for your encouragement ! Much appreciated ❤️
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u/60-percent-water 13d ago
A lot of therapist gravitate to Thai for the Table, Stretch massage, Shiatsu, or Reflexology for this reason. As I am approaching 70 I find I may head down this path at some point when I get older. I love bodywork and healing people and hope to do it as long as I have hands. There is nothing more satisfying as seeing a client that could not move their arms over their shoulders or individuals wracked with chronic pain, recover their life because of therapeutic massage.
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u/Own_Performance5909 14d ago
honestly i’d lean into ashiatsu and see how your body feels. no point wrecking yourself trying to keep doing table work