SpecTHAIcular Part 2

Better Late than NEVER....

It's crazy how times flies when you come back to reality! I sincerely apologize for my long absence in my storytelling role... What can I say? I am back in my beautiful city for almost 3months now and finding that chasing time is part of my overly structured Montreal lifestyle!
Oh well! Sabai Sabai!

I have to admit I've been procrastinating writting the rest of my adventure as I would feel somewhat nostalgic afterwards... But you can't hide forever! Believe me I tried! Life has a way to bring you little popup reminders that you can't just ignore - So here I am - Stopped snoozing and getting up thanks to my numerous wakeup calls!

Chiang Mai II - Northern Style!

As you know by now (and if you got that long term memory span) -
I finished my Yoga Teacher Training in Koh Samui after one long, hard, painful, so rewarding and amazing month!
I found that I had no boundaries when I put my head, heart and soul in it! 

When I knew what I was capable of and how far I came… I thought the sky is the limit! Why not continue my journey in this beautiful ThaiLAND?!

I re-discovered my thirst for knowing… learning… wanting more and getting into the depth of everything! My spiritual curiosity was at its peak but I worked the physique and needed now to go further with this opportunity to learn the Northern Thai Massage in Chiang Mai.

Embarking in yet another self discovering journey and satisfying my curiosity for everything that Thailand could offer me! So let’s continue the story….

Naha-Nawa, say What?!

After a month immersed in a Yoga world in the "Big Island" and all my dear Yogi friends started their journey back into their life. I had the chance to make time to savor more of this Thai Culture.
I thought if I took a Thai Massage course at ITM (http://www.itmthaimassage.com/) it should be a wonderful addition to my experience that I already acquired! Plus, it couldn’t be as hard as this 200hrs training, especially hearing also it’s known as the Yoga for the Lazy people! Piece of cake, right?!

Well..... what you don’t hear is how technical & precise it actually is! Silly me! I was expecting lots of massages and learning a thing or two… 

Getting massaged by Mariki :)

Surprise, surprise! I was heading yet for another challenge; this time testing not my physical endurance but my concentration and mostly my patience!
Inhaling and exhaling was my personal touch in the course… but I’ll get to that later!

ITM Level 1 May 2012

I was very thankful that I had Michelle Lam’s anatomy class during my Yoga Teacher training. I had already a good knowledge about the human body, but the art of Northern Thai Massage uses your own body weight and specific movement to perform the massage- looks so tai chi-like but believe me it harder than it seems!

It all about moving in coordination with alignments of what you need to stretch by also getting your own light stretch while giving the massage. When you know what you’re doing it is very effortless but when you’re learning it’s pretty much awkward!

Same Same but Different

Saved by the bell? 

Classic none sense expression around these parts and heard it EVERY-SINGLE-DAY in class! Of yes testing my patience indeed! 

Ok, so let me brief you about the wonderful world of Thai Massages; there’s two kind found here in Thailand; the Northern style and Bangkok style.
Both work on energy lines, no oils and only with pressure points & stretching.

Here is the difference: the Northern Thai Massage compare to the Bangkok style is all about stretching and making the energy flow.
Bangkok style is perhaps more common but concentrates more on the pressure, which could be harder on some body (like mine).  

What an amazing feeling you get when you get massaged with the right amount of pressure and stretching the muscles to the right extend... such a beautiful art! I also heard about the healing power of touch; with my hands being always warm I knew it could be a plus! I added breath control in synchronization with my stretching; that was such a great mix! Inhale to energize your body and long exhale while you release your body to the flow and let go of your stress. Sounds nice?

Ending Happy 

Thai Massage Level II 

Thai Massage Level I

ITM students 

Even tough it was a great and strategic addition in my pursuit of quenching my thirst for knowledge of how and why… It was quite challenging for my concentration!

This is your brain on crayola

I loved the experience thanks to my fellow classmates that were a great support on those slow days in class and best help in the coloring of the book. 

Oh yes! This was the most painful of all tasks in the course; the darn coloring! We colored for hours the day before each semester; so much we felt some cells of our brains burning!

I had a blast even though I was complaining a lot… Now that I look back I wish I could just take in more; everything that ITM could offer.

I will remember their amazing Friday breakfast with their delicious sticky rice with mango!

The feet washing ritual.

The freezing air conditioning and the herbs sniffing addicted teachers! Ok ok, jokes asides; all the staff were great, some more particular than other but overall everyone made it such a precious experience for me.

ITM stretches in the Park (5points!)

I got to say one of the most hilarious moments was our warm-ups sessions before the class. Some old record playing in the background synchronized with really funny dance-like movement!


The best part was when you had to perform in a public park, which counted for 5points. I guess it was testing our commitment?

I’ve met some amazing friends while studying at ITM; people from different parts of the world and felt like long lost sisters & brothers. I am so happy that our roads crossed and hope they will meet again! While writing this piece I remember their smiles and laugh… it warms up my heart.

Coming Next…. Chiang Mai & Border Xing!