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What is the best way to learn Thai massage?
At what point are you a qualified Thai massage practitioner? How many in-person study hours do you need, and who regulates the number of hours? And what is the best way to study and choose qualified teachers? Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer to these questions.
In Thailand, many Thai massage shops offer one-day, three-day, or five-day training courses in Thai massage and claim to guarantee that students will be able to perform a 2-hour Thai massage upon completion. Similarly, some Thai massage schools in the Western world offer weekend courses, including one-day or even half-day courses that teach the basics of Thai massage, leading students to believe they are qualified to give Thai massage.
This advertisement is deceptive, as it is impossible for anyone to become a qualified Thai massage practitioner within a few days. There is no specific timeframe for becoming a ‘qualified’ Thai massage practitioner, but it typically takes months to years to become proficient in Thai massage.
This advertisement is deceptive, as it is impossible for anyone to become a qualified Thai massage practitioner within a few days. There is no specific timeframe for becoming a ‘qualified’ Thai massage practitioner, but it typically takes months to years to become proficient in Thai massage.
Learning Path
The best way to start learning Thai massage is to first learn Traditional Thai massage. Traditional Thai techniques, transitions, and breathing are essential for future Thai bodywork. And since the lineage of every school offers different techniques, it is beneficial to learn classic sequences from several different teachers, schools and lineages and then practice them for an extended period before expanding the scope of the study.
Equally important is knowledge of traditional Thai medicine, herbalism, acupressure protocols and element theory. Although it may be tempting to superimpose similar traditions, such as Ayurvedic or Chinese medicine, Traditional Thai Medicine is unique, and a student needs to understand Thai massage from this perspective.
The best way to become a Thai massage practitioner is to complete a training program at a school approved by Thai Healing Alliance International (THAI). THAI is an international network of massage therapists, teachers and schools that work in traditional Thai massage. THAI promotes standards of study and practice of traditional Thai massage worldwide and offers general information about Thai healing arts. THAI-approved schools demonstrate that the school or program meets the standards of excellence set by the organization.
Many Thai massage schools, including Sirius Health, offer study programs ranging from 120 to 200 hours. These programs give the impression that a graduate will be qualified to begin professional practice as a Thai therapist or teach Thai massage immediately upon completing the program. However, these programs are only legally binding in countries with a licensing body affiliation. For instance, our 180-hour program gives students the requirements to register with the Natural Health Practitioners of Canada (NHPC) for Thai massage.
Some schools also offer Teacher Training programs that range from 300 to 500 hours. These schools insinuate that students will be legally certified to teach after completion. In most cases, these programs only give the student the qualification necessary to teach one or two levels of that school’s curriculum. To become a THAI Registered Instructor able to create a curriculum, a student must study Traditional Thai massage at multiple schools.
Where to Learn Thai Massage
In Thailand
Thailand offers both informal settings where you can learn Thai massage and formal training programs for aspiring Thai massage practitioners.
Informal Training
As part of the Thai cultural tradition, Thai people learn Thai Massage at home from their family or someone in the village or neighbourhood. Sometimes free basic programs are taught at local cultural centers, as many Buddhist temples offer some Thai Massage education.
The typical learning path for many practitioners is to learn in-house from other practitioners at spas and massage parlours across Thailand.
Formal Training
Three governmental departments oversee the accreditation of Thai Massage and Thai Traditional Medicine in Thailand. The Thai Ministry of Public Health oversees the development of the Thai massage curriculum and research. The Thai Ministry of Education manages the education infrastructure for Thai massage. The Thai Ministry of Labour oversees the requirements and permissions for practicing Thai massage in Thailand.
Thailand has five categories of places that offer formal Thai massage training. First, many universities offer a three-year Bachelor’s program in Thai Traditional Medicine, which includes Thai massage and other Thai bodywork modalities. This program offers a one-year Master’s program in this field.
The second category of formal training schools is traditional Thai Massage medical associations approved by the Thai Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Labour. The Thai Traditional Medical Services Society (TTMS) and the Union of Thai Traditional Medicine Society (UTTS) are widely known associations. The associations hand out certificates of completion approved by the Thai Ministry of Public Health and/or the Thai Ministry of Labour.
The next category of formal training schools is vocational Thai Massage and Spa training centres, which the Thai Ministry of Public Health also oversees. These programs are very accessible to Thai people, as their tuition fees are significantly lower than those of previous schools.
The fourth formal training option within Thailand is the Schools for the Blind. Thai massage is part of vocational training for people who are blind, and the programs at these schools are specifically designed to cater to them.
Finally, private Thai massage schools, approved by the Thai Ministry of Education and the Thai Ministry of Public Health, offer Thai massage training to both Thai citizens and foreigners. There are about 400 private massage schools in Thailand. Some of these schools have English programs accessible to foreigners, but most have programs taught in Thai.
Thai massage education generates millions of dollars in tourist revenue each year in Thailand. Unfortunately, there is no standardized curriculum for foreigners or direction from the Thai government on how to educate foreigners about the safe, effective and legal practice of Thai massage in their native countries.
Private schools can give certifications recognized by the Thai Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Public Health. And some even offer certificates recognized by the Thai Ministry of Labour. However, many schools and teachers teach whatever they wish, including hybrid modalities and other therapies that do not originate in the Thai tradition.
Outside Thailand
THAI has basic standards of study and practice for traditional Thai massage worldwide. THAI Registered Thai Therapists and Teachers practice in over 35 countries and territories.
Registered Thai Therapist (RTT): The minimum requirements to become an RTT are 250 hours of formal hands-on training with two different teachers or schools, and 40% of this training must be with teachers or schools affiliated with THAI.
Advanced Registered Thai Therapist (Advanced RTT): The minimum requirements to become an Advanced RTT are 350 hours of formal hands-on training with at least three different teachers or schools, two of which must be certified by THAI. Advanced RTT members must have studied in Thailand at least once and completed a minimum of 10 hours of Thai cultural studies.
Registered Instructor: The minimum requirements to become a Registered Instructor are 500 hours of formal hands-on training with at least three different teachers or schools, and 40% of this training must be with teachers or schools affiliated with THAI. Registered Instructors must have a wide range of studies and experience with multiple teachers over a minimum of three years. In addition to manual techniques, they should also have some study experience in Thai acupressure protocols and basic knowledge of Thai element theory.
In Canada
To practice Thai massage professionally in Canada, you must register with the Natural Health Practitioners of Canada (NHPC). NHPC represents over 6,300 practitioners who work in over 60 massage and holistic health practices, including Thai massage.
Certified Thai Practitioner: NHPC requires that a practitioner have 150 hours of in-person training at Thai massage schools recognized by NHPC. Mostly, NHPC defers to THAI to determine which schools qualify and which do not.
Member of
Thai Healing Alliance International
