pichets studio

Pichet's studio that he works out of is quite interesting. Piles and piles of incense and candles are off to the side along side many Buddhas and photos of important Thai monks meditating. Lots of clutter throughout the space with papers and other stuff scattered throughout. Large space however with lots of mats and cushions lying around. No more than 10 people in class right now as it is the slow season. I would imagine during the busy season of Nov through March it may get upwards of 30 people, which would be too much.

It is requested that each student at the beginning of each wk bring in four offerings for the Buddhas and other important figures key in Thai Buddhism and Thai massage. These consist of incense, candles, lotus flowers, and fruit. The stacks of incense look like piles of bottle rockets that could blow up at any moment. I'm not sure why he doesn't light the incense up and please the Buddhas and other celestial beings. Looks almost like yrs worth of incense stocked up.



The classes are quite laidback and informal, reflecting Thai culture. If one is coming looking for a structured class with a syllabus and lesson plans they are going to be disappointed. There are plenty of other thai massage schools in the Chiang Mai area which do offer that type of western style teaching however. However watching Pichet demonstrate thai massage in his style it is highly apparent that he is a genius in the field. He makes some of the most complicated looking stretches and moves look so simple and easy. His main area of emphasis is teaching students to feel the body, get out of your head and stopping thinking so much, which causes headaches. When we are up in our heads trying to think and analyze what we are doing, the energy flow in our bodies and hands gets disrupted and is reflected in the massage. Pressure becomes uneven and the person being worked on can typically feel and sense this. The key is to slow down and feel the persons body you are working on, observing areas of tightness and constriction and how they are reflected in other segments of the body.



Problems in the legs in the legs are reflected in the hips and lower back, which then affect the upper thoracic and neck region. It is a very holistic approach and respects the fact that the whole body is completely interconnected. Everybody has a unique body and needs to be approached that way. Most schools in the area teach structured routines with not much emphasis on feeling and sensing subtle nuances in each persons body. In a way Pichets style is similar to the teachings of Rolfing back in the states, with the idea of various segments of the body and how they are all interconnected and effect each other. It is amazing watching Pichet at work, as he is able to transition the person he is working on as well as himself so smoothy and effortlessly. He is always using his knees, elbows, and feet in the stretches and massage in creative ways. Interesting watching his massage peoples necks with one of his feet, while the other holds the shoulder stretching the region.



Another aspect of the laidback approach in class is the carefree way Pichet lights of cigarettes and smokes whenever he wants. Thailand in general is not quite as concerned with political correctness to the degree the west is. Not as many rules and laws governing this sort of thing, although I do see smoking and non smoking areas in many of the bars. Not really that bothersome though, as the bld is build with lots of openings and space for fresh air to move through. Got some noisy birds flying into the classroom and hanging out in some baskets up high, chirping away. They are fun to listen to although they get a bit annoying after awhile.

Pichet says I work like a buffalo when I am doing massage. I am using too much effort and muscle as opposed to relaxing and allowing my body to do the work. Take many yrs to master the finer and subtler arts of thai massage. His approach is much different than how I was being taught down in the islands. My teacher down employed alot of thumbwork during the massage. Apparently there are 2 different styles of Thai massage, northern and southern styles. Northern is more laid back with more yoga type stretching incorporated. Southern style is more point work working on the Sen and energy lines of the body. I myself enjoy learning more of the stretches employed in Thai massage. The southern style is a bit similar to trigger point massage in the states which I am already familiar with. More taxing on the body and fingers. Was able to get one wk in with Pichet and hope to get one more in when I get back to Thailand in Sept. after visiting India.