Howard Evans has been teaching since 1994. He set up and taught courses in Morley College and the University of Westminster in London. He also teaches independently in London, Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca.

The aim of these courses is not simply to teach massage techniques but to nurture a quality of touch, attention and relationship that is all too often missing in physical therapists.

Traditional Thai medicine is based on the concept of an energy system comprising 72,000 'sen' lines through which, it is said, energy is transformed and distributed in the human body. In Thailand much of the theory of this system has been lost. All that remains is a series of simple diagrams outlining the ten major sen lines used in Traditional Thai Massage.

This course in Thai Massage interprets the sen lines from a myofascial perspective. The approach brings a clarity and simplicity to the work. The therapist can relax into the practice and encourage ever deeper levels of relaxation in the client.

Thai Massage is practiced on the floor. There is no need for oil so the receiver can remain lightly clothed. This makes it one of the most versatile and portable massage techniques available. Many of the techniques can also be incorporated into couch based massage routines.

Thai Massage is taught during sixty hours of class time. In addition students are expected to practice between classes so that the massage becomes an embodied knowledge - which can flow intuitively. The course teaches a complete one and a half hour massage routine as well as variations for working with pregnancy and shorter routines more suited to clinical or spa practice.

This course is suited to experienced masseurs and bodyworkers who want to extend their repertoire as well as to complete beginners exploring massage with a view to work or simply for pleasure. The course has also proved invaluable to yoga practitioners and teachers.

The course includes work on practitioner posture, breathing, rhythm, self-awareness, attention and concentration. The aim is to develop a style of massage as beneficial to the giver as to the receiver.

Traditional Thai Healing Massage exemplifies the four divine states of the mind described in Buddhist teachings. These are: loving kindness, compassion, vicarious joy and equanimity. This Thai Massage course is taught and practiced with the aim of embodying these states in action. For this reason the massage is often referred to as “meditation in movement”.

In 1983 John Upledger published “Craniosacral Therapy” and established the work as a discrete therapeutic system distinct from the Osteopathic world from which it emerged.

By 1996 Upledger’s book was into its 14th edition and the Upledger Institute had already trained 25,000 craniosacral therapists. Since then interest both from the general public and from therapists has continued to grow enormously – as has confusion and controversy as to exactly what craniosacral therapy is and who should be deemed fit to practice it.

Many of the techniques taught as craniosacral therapy are Osteopathic. As such, I believe they should remain in the hands of Osteopaths who undertake substantial training in anatomy, physiology, pathology and diagnosis.

There are, however, many aspects of craniosacral work that can be safely incorporated to great effect into the repertoires of practicing masseurs and bodyworkers.

These classes do not constitute craniosacral therapy training.

Each class focuses on a particular craniosacral concept and teaches techniques within that theme. The techniques are taught in such a way that therapists can seamlessly introduce them into their existing practice.

Although craniosacral work offers techniques aplenty, the key to the work lies in the constant deepening of the practitioner’s relationship and perceptual skills. Without this deepening process the techniques are just techniques. With this deepening process the work begins to sing.

These classes are designed to give therapists the knowledge and skills necessary to explore ever deeper levels of this extraordinary approach to bodywork.

For more information please apply directly to Howard Evans