Saturday, October 24 · Norman, Oklahoma
A Day of Thai Bodywork
Thai bodywork is done on the floor on a mat, working with hands, feet, knees, elbows, and forearms along the lines the Thai tradition calls sen. It uses compression, rocking, and assisted movement to take a body through ranges of motion that are difficult to reach alone.
This day teaches the foundations of three of the four positions the work is built on. We begin with an all levels asana class, because warm bodies both give and receive this work better, and then spend four hours learning to do it.
No experience needed, in bodywork or in yoga. You do not need to be flexible.
The day
How it runs.
- 11:00
- Asana, all levels
- 12:15
- Break
- 1:00
- Thai bodywork, part one: prone
- 3:00
- Tea
- 3:15
- Thai bodywork, parts two and three: side-lying and sitting
- 5:15
- Close
- 5:30
- Sauna
What we cover
Three of the four positions.
Prone
The receiver face down. Work along the back of the legs, the hips, the back, and the shoulders. This is where most people carry a tight lower back, and it is where we spend the first two hours.
Side-lying
Opens the outer hip and the whole side of the body, and reaches places neither of the other two positions can.
Sitting
Reaches the neck and shoulders, with the receiver sitting cross-legged. It needs no mat, so you can do it for someone in a kitchen chair.
Watch
Some of what the work looks like.
You will work in pairs, giving and receiving in turn, so you learn each sequence from both sides. Receiving it is how you find out what the pressure feels like at the other end.
Come with someone, or come alone and I will pair you up.
Before you come
What to know.
Wear what you would wear to practice. Soft pants or leggings and a t-shirt with sleeves, nothing with zips or belts, nothing that digs in when you are folded up. Bring socks if your feet get cold.
Eat lightly. You will be receiving as well as giving, and a full stomach makes the twisting and abdominal work uncomfortable. The midday break is 45 minutes and it is not meant for a full lunch. There will be fruit and tea. Bring something light if you want more than that.
The practical part
- Where
- Yoga on Main, STREET_ADDRESS, downtown Norman.
- Bring
- Water, and a towel if you plan to use the sauna.
- Partners
- Come with someone or come alone. Nobody works by themselves.
- Experience
- None needed, in bodywork or in yoga.
- Cost
- $125 for the day. The sauna is free whether or not you come to the workshop.
- Room
- ROOM_CAP people. Partner work needs floor space.
Afterward
The sauna.
The sauna runs from 5:30 until SAUNA_UNTIL, at SAUNA_WHERE. It is free, whether or not you came to the workshop. SAUNA_BRING
It seats a handful of people, so it works first come. If there is a wait there is a wait, and late October in Oklahoma means bring something warm for standing outside.
Teaching
Andrew Eppler.
I was introduced to Thai bodywork by one of my early yoga teachers, David Williams, who told me to go study it. My training began in Chiang Mai at the Old Medicine Hospital, and in 2014 I completed levels one and two with Chock Petchprom at the TMC School of Thai Massage.
More about the work is on the Thai bodywork page.
Come
Register for the day.
$125. Saturday October 24, 11:00 to 5:15, at Yoga on Main in downtown Norman. The room holds ROOM_CAP people because partner work needs floor space, so it will close when it is full.
If the money is the obstacle, write to me. There is usually something we can work out.
This day is instruction in a traditional practice. It is not a certification and does not qualify anyone to practice professionally.
A Day of Thai Bodywork with Andrew Eppler. Yoga on Main, STREET_ADDRESS, Norman, Oklahoma.