Thai Yoga Massage level 1 & 2 practitioner qualification training 
​with Katrin Heuser / Hadadi School of Thai Yoga Massage

Are you passionate about helping people who are struggling with physical and emotional imbalances?
This training is an opportunity to learn an ancient and powerful form of bodywork with countless benefits and to develop the skills to support people in their individual healing process. At the same time this course offers the chance to embark on or continue your own ongoing journey of self-healing and self-development. 

In this 120h accredited training course you will gain comprehensive Thai Yoga Massage knowledge and skills to support people with your healing touch. Become a qualified bodyworker.

Upcoming courses in Portugal

Level 1 foundation courses:
≈ 25/26 May, 15/16 June & 5/6/7 July 2024 - at Little Yoga Space >> MORE INFO ON TIMES & PRICES (on the Hadadi website)
≈ 6-14 Sep 2024 - Casa do Limoeiro (residential) ​>> MORE ON LOCATION AND PRICES (on the Hadadi website)

Level 2 practitioner courses: 
≈ 14-20 Sep 2024 - Casa do Limoeiro (residential) >> MORE INFO ON LOCATION & PRICES (on the Hadadi website)

We live in a world of disconnect

By nature, we are Beings of relation. But especially in today's Western society, there is a dominant culture of separation.

As a result we: 

• are not able to be in our full expression of life
• have fallen out of resonance with Nature and the world around us
• have lost the support of the village, around which we have evolved

This leads to enormous struggle to cope with day-to-day life and feeds into the development of disease in the body.

The power of touch in this context is so simple and yet so healing.

Our modern lifestyle has broken us

It starts with wearing shoes, walking on concrete and sitting on chairs, never mind pollution, the constantly increasing speed of life, poor nutrition... the list goes on. 

As a result we: 

• lost a whole range of movement available in our body
• lost a lot of the body's innate intelligence
• have so much toxicity in our system

This means, pain and chronic conditions find it much easier to take hold of and spread through our body. 

With Thai Massage we can restore vitality and movement in the body, improve the health of the tissues and alleviate stagnation.

There is no more safe space

It takes so much bravery to show up for life in today's times. Expectations are impossible to meet. Everything has an agenda. We are surrounded by so much suffering.

As a result we:

• are constantly on high alert
• lack the capacity to act with clarity and decisiveness
• struggle to navigate the currents of life

These are all symptoms of a highly dysregulated ​nervous system, which is the root to so many diseases. 

One of the main intentions of Thai Massage is to create an opportunity for meaningful rest and self-care.

The healing potential

An unambiguous touch has the potential of so much healing. It might invite:

• tissues to release tension
• the nervous system to settle
• movement and vitality to return to the body
• all our internal rhythms to re-harmonise
• sensory awareness to improve
• the body's innate intelligence to wake up 

And as a result, people might feel less pain in their body and more connected again, with more energy and a restored sense of well-being. 

And from this place, healing and growth can take place. ​​

Who is this training for?

There are no prerequisites as such. A lot of the people joining the training are Yoga teachers, physiotherapists, massage therapists, spiritual practitioners. However, I have had a retired police woman, an accountant, a political scientist, and a school teacher loved the training just as much. Here is what most of the participants have in common though: 

• They are on a journey of self-development
• They are in the process of healing their own deepest wounds
• They are going through some big changes (career change, moving to a different country, going through a divorce, etc)
• They are looking for more true connection that has been missing in their lives or work so far
• They enjoy helping people
• Those already working in this field, are committed to continued training to deepen their practice and broaden their skillset
• Some already have a very clear focus in their modality, like working with trauma survivors, and they are looking for more tools and techniques
• Others are realising they want to work more therapeutically within the field they are already in
• Everyone is drawn to Eastern Healing Arts

Level 1 foundation course

This level offers a deep foundation and detailed understanding of the principles of Thai Yoga Massage. By the end of this training you will be able to give a balanced 1.5h treatment. 

What will you learn in this course?

• the principle of touch, which is the essence of Thai Yoga Massage
• background and benefits of Thai Yoga Massage
• embodying the teachings of the Brahmavihara (loving kindness, compassion, empathetic joy, equanimity)
• energy line system (10 Sen)
• basic anatomy and physiology
• a selection of moves and techniques that allow you to give a safe and balanced 1.5h treatment to friends and family
• how to consider the receiver's level of flexibility and energetic state in a treatment
• the important contra-indication to be aware of
• safe body mechanics
• how to prepare the space for a treatment
• ​how to stay grounded
• a selection of moves and techniques you can integrate into other bodywork you practice or with 1-2-1 yoga students
• improve your hands-on adjustments as a yoga teacher and learn some partner work you can integrate into your classes

Level 2 practitioner training

At this level we focus on the therapeutic application and on sequencing for the client in front of us. This is for those of you who wish to become professional Thai Massage practitioners. By the end of this training you will be able to give a relevant 1.5-2h treatment.
​
What will you learn in this course?

• how to connect more deeply with the meditative qualities of this practice
• how to work with other body parts, e.g. using your feet, knees, elbows
• how to use your intuition and be more present
• revision of moves and techniques learnt in the Level 1 course
• advanced postures and dynamic techniques
• specific therapeutic application to help with back pain, knee pain, digestive issues and headaches
• more understanding of anatomy and physiology relevant to these conditions
• how to deal with other conditions with the tools you have
• creating a health questionnaire and what questions to ask the receiver before a treatment
• how to create a safe space (from promoting your work to the physical space and asking permission)
• the importance of your own self-care and ritual to stay grounded
• how to sequence a complete treatment according to the needs of the receiver

The beautiful marriage between Thai Massage and Yoga

As mentioned before, a connection to Yoga or being a Yoga teacher is 100% not a pre-requisite. And if you are into Yoga, you might find there is a beautiful and natural link between these two ancient practices. Thai Yoga Massage came to life through the vision of German buddhist monk Asokananda back in the 80's, as he wanted to unite Yoga, Vipassana Meditation and Thai Massage.

• We draw from the Yoga philosophy to help us understand the human nature and life
• We work with energy lines and centres, much like in Yoga (the Nadis and Chakras)
• We use a lot of the Yoga stretches and twists, but in a passive form for the receiver
• Thai Massage is very much a practice, only that two people come to the mat
• Many Yoga teachers who have taken the training say that it really changed the way they give manual adjustments in their Yoga classes and their ability to listen
• Thai Massage creates a lovely compliment to teaching Yoga, especially if you are into working with people on a 1-2-1 basis. Yoga teachers generally find it quite easy to create their client base for treatments

What previous participants say

I really, really love Kat's teaching and would recommend her to anyone feeling the call to Thai Yoga Massage. She creates a safe, peaceful and totally supportive environment, ideal for learning this beautiful practice. Each movement or concept is taught with precision, care and love. Kat is incredibly sensitive to the needs and gifts of each individual, and I felt my learning process was fully supported throughout Level 1 and 2. If you enjoy learning in small groups and in a peaceful but fun and friendly atmosphere, the Hadadi School is ideal. Nothing but love is found here.
​~ Claire

Feeling so grateful and blessed for having such an amazing and inspiring teacher who took us on this Thai Massage journey :) Thank you!

Truly inspiring, thank you!

Kat's approach is a balanced blend of the physical and energetic. Kat embodies her teaching; she is precise and thorough. The class is very practical and hands on- most of the time is spent either giving or receiving massage. I really appreciated the format of the class as well, as it allows time between each session to practice the new material. I felt transformed after the course, so proud to have learned this new skill that I am able to share with others.
​~ Kate

I loved every minute of the Thai Yoga Massage course. It has given me a wonderful new career in a beautiful, beneficial therapy. Kat is a fantastic teacher, patient and thorough. A truly wonderful course which I would recommend to anyone thinking about taking their work in a new direction.
​~ Amanda

What you will walk away with by the end of the training

Relevance
My biggest wish is that by the end of this training you have gained tools and skills that you can actually put to work, that are helpful in the context of what you do. I want you to be a fully equipped,  confident and safe bodyworker and also earn money from that.

Personal growth
As bodyworkers we need to also deal with our own stories, and continuously work on building our own resilience. Study, practice, sharing, connecting with community, deepening our understanding - all so important on this incredible journey.

Improving other people's lives
​Thai Yoga Massage has so many healing qualities, and you will be able to make such a difference for people who are struggling with pain, overwhelm and other conditions. And when they start to feel better, they can in turn also show up for their community again.

Some examples of what previous trainees are doing now

Many offer treatments, along with other complementary modalities, accompanying their clients through all ups and downs of life, and some even have their own practice/studio. 

One student specialised in working with children with Autism and ADHD, working in a special educational needs school and is showing some remarkable results with 1:1 Yoga and Thai Massage.

A couple of my students continued to study and take apprenticeship from various teachers, and now deliver their own training courses. 

What is Thai Yoga Massage?

Thai Yoga Massage comes from an ancient Buddhist tradition and is a unique combination of yoga, acupressure, meditation, physiotherapy and energy work. It is a holistic therapy form with the aim to restore the natural energy balance in body and mind.

Thai Massage, with its grounding and deeply relaxing qualities, is the perfect antidote to our modern lifestyle stresses. With the release of holding and blockages, not only the body can regenerate, but the mind also has a chance to quieten down. 

Thai Massage promotes general health and well-being. Working to release blockages in the body’s energy system, it can help to improve posture, lower back pain, breathing and flexibility. It helps to dissolve muscular tension and can counteract physical and mental exhaustion, stress symptoms and discomfort. The neurological response makes the organs work more efficiently, so digestion and circulation can improve, blood pressure level can normalise and headaches disappear. 

Find the Stillness. Listen. Connect.
Can you let go of any attachments, agenda, assumptions, prejudices, and just be present? 
The true Power of Thai Massage lies within the openness of your heart. 
Be aware of everything that occurs and allow your deepest instincts to respond freely. 
Then we can enter into this sacred dance together.

Qualification & certificate

Hadadi and all courses are registered with the Complimentary Medical Association, who promote ethical, responsible, professional complementary medicine to the public and the medical profession.

In addition, the trainings are accredited by Yoga Alliance Professionals, an internationally recognised organisation promoting best practices for teachers and trainers. 

On completion of the training you will receive a certificate, that so far has been recognised by insurance companies of all my students around the world. 

The complete training

The complete training to become a professional Thai Yoga Massage practitioner consists of: 

• Level 1 foundation course (46h)
• Level 2 practitioner training (34h)
• 25 documented case studies
• Final practical assessment

Different schools and teachers structure their trainings differently, and you need to find the format that resonates most with you (and there are some great trainings out there). My practitioner qualification training is probably a little more on the comprehensive side of the spectrum, as I believe that working with people in a therapeutic setting comes with a lot of responsibility. It takes time to learn this. 

​That's why I also insist on case studies, which is usually the phase in which you will learn the most. This is when you start to work on people out there in the real world, people who present all sorts of ailments and conditions and stories. You will have a lot of questions, you will most likely find yourself loose all your confidence at some point, or you might struggle to put a meaningful treatment together. And I want to make sure I support you during that time. 

This mentorship might look like this:

• You have somebody coming for a treatment presenting with a condition you don't know much about. You can ask me for advice on how to approach the session. 
• You might struggle with your own energy levels and want some tips on how to manage them better.
• You are confused about some of the feedback from the people you are practicing on and want some thoughts on that.
• You put together a website or a flyer to promote your treatments and would like some feedback from me. 
• You are not so sure what to charge for your sessions once you are qualified and would like some guidance.
• You wonder how to create a safe space and set boundaries and would like to have a chat.
• You are looking for more reading or study materials and want some recommendations.
• You might not feel confident enough to start giving treatments and want to talk that through. 

My intention is that by the end of this complete training you will have the skills but also the confidence to start supporting people in their healing process and to start working as a bodyworker. This can't be achieved quickly, nor is it easy. But I have structured this training to include two levels, case studies, mentorship and assessment to take you through the process step by step. ​

If any of the following points speak true for you, then this course is probably not the right fit for you, at least not right now:

• you are not in a position or willing to invest time in your training as a Thai Massage practitioner and are looking for a quicker solution
• you prefer oil-based massages or working at a massage table
• you are currently struggling with severe back or joint issues that prevent you from moving across the floor with relative ease
• you believe massages have to hurt in order to be effective
• you believe as bodyworkers we are there to fix people
• you are currently dealing with a deep trauma process. Whilst this training offers a lot of space for self-healing and self-development, it could be too overwhelming for you and not aid your own healing process at the moment. You should focus on your own therapy first for now.
• you are not prepared to develop a solid self-care practice

​Please note, different countries operate to different guidelines when it comes to complementary therapy, and you may also need to present an adequate anatomy and physiology qualification to obtain insurance in your country of practice. ​

Any concerns you might have

You don't have the time to complete Level 1 & 2 in the same year
That's absolutely no problem. You can do Level 1 this year, and when you are ready, pick up Level 2. I recommend of course not to leave several years between the trainings and to get in as much practice as you can in-between. 

You are very sensitive to other people's energy
​You are not alone. That probably also means that you are able to form very profound connections. And I know this can lead to overwhelm. I therefore keep the groups very small, with currently no more than 10 participants. And should the group be any bigger than that, I work with an assistant to help me hold the space for everyone. Every training starts with a community agreement that we are all there to support each other, and I will be very clear on what that looks like.

You don't actually want to give treatments professionally, but would like to join for your personal development
That is very welcome. And you might even choose to only do the Level 1 foundation course. You never know where that might lead. 

You don't have a massage futon at home
That's no problem. In the beginning you can improvise with blankets, soft carpets, duvets, Yoga mats, quilts and bed throws layered up creating a very comfortable work base. 

You want to start practicing on a friend or family member straight away, as they have quite a bit of pain in their body
I highly encourage you to do so. The more practice you can get in the better. And your friends and family will love you even more.

Do you have any questions?

Upcoming courses in Portugal

Level 1 foundation courses:
≈ 25/26 May, 15/16 June & 5/6/7 July 2024 - at Little Yoga Space >> MORE INFO ON TIMES & PRICES (on the Hadadi website)
≈ 6-14 Sep 2024 - Casa do Limoeiro (residential) ​>> MORE INFO ON LOCATION & PRICES (on the Hadadi website)

Level 2 practitioner courses: 
≈ 14-20 Sep 2024 - Casa do Limoeiro (residential) >> MORE INFO ON LOCATION & PRICES (on the Hadadi website)

More about me

My whole life, I have been interested in the body and movement. After many years of dance, my Scoliosis lead me to Pilates and finally to Yoga and Thai Massage, which then became my path in life.

For me, my work is about the never-ending exploration of the body and mind, and a way of discovering the beauty of life. As we bring the awareness to what is happening inside and where we are in the present moment, the body is encouraged to release where it is holding. Then we can embark on a journey of restoration and growth.

I hold a 500h Level 4 NVQ Yoga Teaching qualification, trained in Manual Lymph Drainage and have studied extensively in Thai Yoga Massage and Osteothai, including a Master Osteothai qualification, over the past years. Through my work as a bodyworker comes also my understanding of trauma, chronic conditions and pain, as well as the influence of working with fascia, the craniosacral system, structural support and regulation of the nervous system.

​I used to run a Yoga Festival in London and launched an online anti-stress breathing programme. Since 2015 I live in Lisbon and run Little Yoga Space, where I teach and give Osteothai treatments, and I am the director of Hadadi, offering foundation and advanced training courses in Thai Massage and trauma-informed Yoga worldwide. 

To hear me talk about some of the above...

Additional Anatomy & Physiology qualification

If you choose to also complete an Anatomy & Physiology course, I highly recommend the Gill Tree Training online course, and have therefore agreed an exclusive discount of 12.5% for you.

Click here for the full course details and to sign up!

During the check-out process, enter the following promo code: ​HADADI125