FAQs

• This is the most common question asked!
• The therapies are quite similar in many ways yet each one is unique
• The short answer is that it often comes down to individual preferences of what a person enjoys most!
• Shiatsu is more Zen, you’ll get into the zone
• Thai massage features more dynamic movements. You’ll be in a different zone, with more movement (passive) and rhythm than the Zen of Shiatsu
• Shiatsu is more focussed and specific acupoints can be tailored to your specific symptoms
• Thai Massage is a more general treatment, it is still tailored to your needs but less acupoints, more all over stretching.
• It could be that Thai attracts you because it is a longer session, very dynamic, and maybe you have an interest in the stretches for improving flexibility.
• Or it could be that Shiatsu attracts you because it is more Zen in style, calm, yet still with aspects that are dynamic, and just 45 mins long.
• And of course there are specific treatments for abdomen, feet, pregnancy and post natal and you might want to consider this when you book.

• Depending on the problem it takes between one to four weekly or fortnightly sessions to see a noticeable improvement in well-being.
• Home-care/lifestyle tips are offered to help with self management in between sessions, and ongoing self care.
• Once the symptoms are resolved many people continue with a fortnightly or monthly session as a preventive measure, or part of lifestyle management.

• All courses are suitable for complete beginners unless otherwise specified, so come along and give it a try!
• Some of our courses are accredited with FHT as Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for professional therapists but you can still attend if you’re a beginner.
• Don’t worry about keeping up – many qualified massage therapists are completely new to this unique way of working in the traditional Eastern style so beginners and professionals tend to keep up on a par with each other.

• Some professionals are adding specific brand new skill sets covered in a particular course. These include hot compress, abdominal techniques, etc.
• It works because just like a total beginner many therapists are trying a new type of therapy. They need to learn the foundations of these unique techniques . e.g working on a futon rather than on a massage table is a new skill for many therapists.

For some of the Thai Massage courses students will be learning the massage techniques at floor level, not a massage table. So this means you’re moving around on your knees sometimes, and sometimes standing, sometimes kneeling up or down.

You should be agile enough to be able to kneel, and fit enough to move around crawling on the floor, and strong enough to lift approx 10 kilos as a starting point.

We begin the training day with a gentle yoga style warm up which helps get your body prepared.

Full course cost:

£1950/£1850 early bird

The cost of the full Diploma can be paid all at once, or it can be broken down and you pay each part as you go along

Cost Breakdown:

Four x 2 day practical weekend training modules £250 each or £225 early bird (6 weeks before each module)

Practical tutorial with senior tutor (included – takes place during one of your 4 modules)

One x 3 hour online practical group study session £50

Online theory study £750 – Thai Theory, plus Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology, Health and Safety

Practical Assessment £100

Case study assessment £50

Full certification on successful graduation (included with case study assessment fee)

The TYM Dip course (as we affectionately call it for short), is suitable for total beginners and professional therapists alike.

It is popular with Yoga or fitness teachers looking to add a skill

It is popular with professionals who have trained in Western style of massage or beauty therapy and are curious to branch out.

Also travellers, parents, carers – essentially anyone re-entering the workplace after a few years otherwise occupied

People who want to take their career in a completely new direction. They are transitioning from nursing, office work, sport, or service industries. Endless examples are possible!

It is a great choice for people returning to their careers after illness or burnout. They prioritise self-care and holism in their life and career and this course brings that. They need the self-led agency this career choice offers. This allows them to tailor their work-life balance to suit their lifestyle and needs.

Yes! The course is suitable for complete beginners and you will learn everything you need to know on the course.

Students will be learning the massage techniques at floor level, not a massage table. So this means you’re moving around on your knees, and sometimes standing, sometimes kneeling up or down and lungeing.

To begin with you should be agile enough to be able to kneel, and fit enough to move around crawling on the floor, and strong enough to carry a full shopping bag in each hand for 50 metres, as a starting point to build on. If this isn’t possible for you, please check in before booking, to discuss.

Most people find they gradually improve strength and flexibility skills as they go along.

We begin the training day with a gentle yoga style warm up and a short sitting or standing meditation.

The warm ups really help to build flexibility, and your strength will grow as you practise the techniques and your strength and flexibility will gradually build up as the course progresses

Yes! You can pay for all the aspects of the course individually as you go along.

Take a look at the first question above called “What is the pricing structure of the TYM Dip“

If in doubt please email info@stmts.co.uk

Unfortunately not. This is for a few reasons:

• Insurance companies and professional bodies such as FHT would want to see your full certification.
  • This is because Thai Yoga Massage happens on a mat at floor level. It involves physical manipulations which you will not have learned in your prior training.
  • These manipulations bring a higher risk of injury than table based therapies.
• The Thai Massage theory is required. You need to complete this to fully understand the context. It helps to grasp the contraindications, which are different to massage, and more comprehensive than Yoga teacher training.

If you just want to learn a few skills, consider shorter courses. Obviously, you’re not allowed to advertise as a Thai Therapist after a short course. But, you can weave the techniques that you learn into your existing therapy treatments.

Obviously, you’re not allowed to advertise as a Thai Therapist after a short course. But, you can weave the techniques that you learn into your existing therapy treatments, if your clients wish.

The module option is available for someone who might not be available for the full course initially. They might want to pick it up later. This can include someone who is pregnant or has other plans coming up. e.g. if they plan to move location they could resume at another training centre.

It is also useful for those who are not certain about committing to the full course. They are curious about learning the skills for personal development reasons. These skills can be used on healthy friends and family who are physically active and without illness or injury.

If you can provide a copy of your certificate of prior training then you wouldn’t have to do this aspect again

Unfortunately not, sorry! However, you would have access to the course if you wish to enroll as a refresher.

Practical training:

This could be as little as three months, or as much as 18 months. It depends on the scheduled dates of the four modules you choose. When all four modules have been completed you can take your final practical assessment. After that you have 30 case studies to submit within one year. If for any reason you don’t submit the case studies within one year of the final practical assessment, you will be asked to take the practical assessment again, to be sure that your technique remains accurate.

Online theory:

You can do this as soon as you like. Depending on your learning style please allow a total of:

• 30-60 hours for level 3 Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology, and Health and Safety for Massage Therapy (AP&P). NB – Most students who have previously trained in massage therapy will already have done this and do not need to repeat it.
• up to 30 hours of reading and study for Thai Theory and contextual studies