SomaVeda™ Integrated Traditional Therapies
Chief Instructor and Founder
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Aacharn Anthony B. James, LMT, ND, MDAM
SomaVeda™ Integrated Traditional Therapies
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Aacharn, Dr. James was given the Instructor / Teacher and lineage holder of the Buddhai Sawan tradition by Grand Master Phaa Khruu Samaii Mesamarn, Nongkam, Thailand in 1984. Grand Master Samaii was the 36th generation Grand Master of the Buddhai Sawan School originally founded in Ayudthaya and a consultant to H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the current King of Thailand. Grand Master Samaii was honored by King Bhumibol several times during his life time for service to the royal family and the kingdom. Grand Master twice in his life received awards personally from King Bhumibol, the final award received only three years before Grand Master Samaii's passing. Aacharn James authored the very first book ever published in the English language in 1981. First used as a manuscript in class for the first three years, it was formally published in 1984 after he was given teacher certification and recognition. It was used exclusively to teach privately in class until 1984 when it was released to the public and distributed world wide, beginning a tidal wave of interest which continues to the present day. This first influential book, and still one of the most often sourced and quoted books on Thai Massage, is titled "Nuat Thai, Traditional Thai Medical Massage" and is available at BeardedMedia.Com ("Nuat Thai, Traditional Thai Medical Massage", Meta Journal Press 1984: ISBN 1-886338-03-5). Aachan James studied, taught and apprenticed under the former grandmaster Aacharn Sintorn Chaichagun at the Shivagakomarpaj Traditional Medicine Hospital in Chiang Mai Thailand from 1982 to 1995. He maintained a working relationship and adjunct faculty status with Grand Master Sintorn and "The Old Medicine Hospital" until Grand Master Sintorn's passing in 2005. Aacharn James formally founded The International Thai Therapists Association in 1992 as an authorized representative and as a branch of both the Buddhai Sawan and Buntautuk Shivago lineages. In 2006, he was granted Aacharn and Master Instructor status through the Anantasuk system, recognized by the Wat Po Association. He specializes in Thai medical theory, Asian history, and Theravada Buddhism. Current Projects Aacharn James is currently developing a standardized, bi-lingual, Thai Yoga and Thai Massage program under direction and patronage of Mr. Khwankeo Vajradaya, Chairman Rajaprajanugroh Foundation, Chairman Distance Learning Foundation Thailand and Grand Chamberlain to H.M. King Bhumibol. Aachan James is Founder of the famous SomaVeda™ Institute, a 18 acre residential training facility in Talbotton, Georgia, home to The Thai Yoga Center and The National Center For Thai Yoga and Massage and host to the NTYMBCB Thai Yoga and Thai Massage National Board Examinations. Aacharn James is the Co-Owner and Chief Instructor / Program Director of The Institute of Thai Yoga and Massage in Pang Lan (ITYM), a Royal Thai Ministry of Education and Ministry of Traditional Medicine Accredited Traditional Thai Medical Yoga and Massage School in Chiangmai Thailand (2007 to date). This residential and full-time training program in cooperation with the Thai village of Pang Lan offers both Thai and non-Thai students a long-term intensive certification. ITYM offers fully accredited full-time residential training programs in a variety of Thai Yoga courses, with new enrollments and courses beginning every month. The curriculum is Thai Ministry of Education approved under the Wat Po, SomaVeda, and Anantasuk Nuad Boran systems. Study with Dr. James Courses developed by Dr. James are intended to take the principles of basic Thai Yoga / Thai Massage to a whole new level and understanding in the context of both traditional and modern medical ideas and techniques. As a Western MD specializing in Alternative Medicine and Naturopath (ANMA), Dr. James is uniquely qualified to bridge the gap between Thai and western health concepts. The major contribution that Dr. James brings is the clinical and applications understanding to every class and every program while at the same time emphasizing always the spiritual roots and perspectives that have endured in these Thai traditions for thousands of years. If you want to know why the work is done the way it is, if you want to know what are the origins and development of the flows and vinyaysa, if you want to understand the Ayurvedic theory behind the movements and the emphasis on the Sen or energy lines, then classes designed and taught by Dr. James are what you are looking for. If you are looking for a teacher who is an authentic representative and lineage holder in several different, major ancient schools of the Thai traditions and one who can pass the "Masters" blessing and lineage to you, then you are in the right place. Thai Yoga/Thai Massage is an ancient healing modality and part of the 4-year training program of a traditional Thai physician. In our classes, you will learn how a Thai therapist diagnoses and treats disorders by working on the sen. You will also learn restorative postures for specific disorders and improve your understanding of body mechanics and postural alignment to allow you to get more out of your practice of Thai Yoga/Thai Massage. In this class, we will take an in-depth look at sen lines and acupressure, as well as the customization of therapeutic massage routines for specific disorders. This class will also focus on Thai medical philosophy, its evolution out of Buddhist ideas, and its application in modern Thailand by folk and Ayurvedic doctors. Thai medicine is rooted in Ayurvedic tradition, but is not interchangeable with Indian medicine. It is also quite separate from Chinese medicine. This course will explore Thai medicine for the indigenous cultural heritage it is, and will open up for participants a whole new vista onto the Thai tradition. Many so called teachers and instructors talk about their credentials and background, but when asked for proof they go quite silent. That's because the actual number of "non-Thai" practitioners and instructors who have been given the traditional titles, blessings and authorizations to pass on the ancient work from the major traditional schools...you can count on one hand! These ceremonies are never done in private and are well documented. When Dr. James received his recognitions for more than 20 years of teaching and promotions for the Thai healing arts there were more than 3000 persons in attendance and representatives from every major school and institution were present as well as all major related branches of Thai government such as Department of Health, Education, Labor and Social Services and the Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra and the Governor General of TAT. In 2002, Dr. James was the first and only western Instructor of Traditional Thai Medicine and Massage to receive this honor. Please click here to view slides of this momentous event. For more information on Aachan, Dr. James's experience, certifications, training and honors, click here. To see Dr. James performing a basic Thai Massage form, click here. To train with Aachan James in Thailand, click here! To view the approvals, recognitions and accreditations Dr. James has obtained for SomaVeda™ Traditional Thai Medical Massage to date, click here. To view Dr. James's current teaching schedule, click here. |
Anthony James honored as Khruu or Teacher with Grand Master Phaa Khruu Samaii Mesaman (Buddhai Sawan Institute, Nongkam, Thailand, 1984)
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SomaVeda™ Integrated Traditional Therapies • What is Thai Yoga, Thai Massage and ITTA?
Study in Thailand • Study in India • Books and Products
Updated 07/06/2007
Dr. James Awarded “Friend Of Thailand”
Dr. James receives formal recognition as "Aacharn", Master Instructor for Traditional Thai Medicine and Traditional Thai Massage from Wat Po Association for Traditional Thai Medicine, Anantasuk School for Traditional Thai Medicine and Wangklaikangwon Industrial Community & Educational College 
