SomaVeda™ Integrated Traditional Therapies
Chief Instructor and Founder (Minister, Doctor, Diplomat)

Aachan, James, DM(P), ND, MD(AM), DPHC(hc) 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 Thai Massage 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).

In addition to the Buddhai Sawan Institute, Aachan James studied under the former grandmaster Aacharn Sintorn Chaichagun at the Shivagakomarpaj Traditional Medicine Hospital in Chiang Mai Thailand from 1988 to 1995. He maintained a working relationship with his mentor in the Northern style, 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 to fairly represent the various traditional systems of Thai Yoga and Thai Massage currently being practiced primarily in the US. In 2006, he was granted Aachan and Master Instructor status through the Anantasuk system (Apprenticed under Phaa Khruu Anantasuk, Aachan Nantipa Anantasuk) The Anantasuk school is under the Wiangklangkangwan Industrial College of Hua Hin and recognized by both the UTTS and Wat Po Association. He specializes in Thai medical theory, Asian history, and Theravada Buddhism.

Current Projects

Therpeutae Minister • Therpeutae Ministry • Nevis, West Indies

Received the recognition and title “Monsignor, Chaplain of Holiness” from the Order Honorifica De La Santa Cruz Del Oriente presented by Mons. Mar Basilius Adao Pereira, Grand Master Brasil. • Loma Linda, Santo Domingo, Ecuador • October 2011
Awardee • “Fraternidad y Derechos Humanos” from the Order Honorifica De La Santa Cruz Del Oriente presented by Mons. Mar Basilius Adao Pereira, Grand Master Brasil.• Loma Linda, Santo Domingo, Ecuador • October 2011

Awardee • “Doctor of Pastoral Humanitarian Care, Honoris Causa” from Pontifice Instituto de Ciencias Humanas y Religiosas (Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas, Ecuador) School Presidente: Dr. Aloao Pereira de Siba. • Loma Linda, Santo Domingo, Ecuador • October 2011

Dr. J holds Diplomatic Office and Post: Honorable Knight Cultural Attache: ORDEN MEDICA SAGRADA DE CABALLEROS DE ESPERANZA, Sacred Medical Order of the Knights of Hope (SMOKH).

Dr. Anthony B. James hold credentials as a Board Certified, Licensed Doctor of Pastoral Medicine, DM(P) issued by the PMA (Pastoral Medical Association) License # L4032147 (Full Permit).

Dr. James is a Regulatory Board Member of the PMA for Ayurveic Medicine and Yoga Therapy.

Aachan James is Founder of the famous The Thai Yoga Center and The National Center for SomaVeda Integrated Traditional Therapies: Thai Yoga and Thai Massage, host to the NTYEBCB Thai Yoga and Thai Massage National Board Examinations. The Thai Yoga Center is a NCBTMB Approved Provider for Massage Therapy Continuing Education. Aachan James is currently volunteering and offering his instructional time free of charge as a public service. This past year (09) he donated over 60 full tuition scholarships to deserving students with plans to offer free training to an additional 100 professional students in the coming year (2010). For details on the free tuition Thai Yoga Certification Program go to: http://www.ThaiYogaCenter.Com/pages/ctp/free_ctp.html

Since September of 2008, Aachan J has taught the full SomaVeda, 200 hour, Certified Thai Yoga Practitioner program as a gift of service and for no compensation nine times!

Aachan James (2005- 2008) consulted on developing new standardized, bi-lingual, Thai Yoga and Thai Massage programs under direction and patronage of Mr. Aram Amaradit, Member Parliament of Surin Province, Chairman of the Committee on Public Health, President: The Union of Thai Traditional Medicine Society, Ministry on Public Health, Thailand. Dr. James has been granted UTTS life time recognition and Teachers credentials #520121896

In the past, Aachan J, helped develop 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.

Study with Aachan, Dr. James

http://www.ThaiYogaCenter.Com

Courses developed by Aachan James are intended to take the principles of basic Ayurveda/ Thai Yoga / Thai Massage to a whole new level and understanding in the context of both traditional and modern medical ideas and techniques. With a degrees in Natural Medicine (DM(P)) (PMA), Western Medicine (MD(AM)), specializing Indian Ayurveda and Alternative Medicine and Naturopath (N.D.) (ANMA, PMA) as well as a Doctorate in Pastoral Humanitarian Care (DPHC. h.c), Aachan James is uniquely qualified to bridge the gap between Thai and western health concepts.

Aachan, Dr. J is a Fellow of The International Alternative Medicine (FIAMA, 1999).

Aachan, Dr. James is a reverend and Ordained/ Licensed Clergy who holds the title of "Revmo. Mons." (Monsignor) "Chaplain of Holiness" bestowed by the Catholic Orthodox Soberana Orden De Santiago Apostol and "Fraternidad y Derrechos Humanos" (Priest) in the Orden Honorifica De La Santa Cruz Del Oriente. These titles are issued by the Brasilian Order registered in Cuidad de Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas, Ecuador by Mons. Basilius Addao Pereira.As a Clergy and pastoral counselor Dr. J brings this healing insight into every class and session.

Dr. J currently holds a medical license (PMA #L4032147) and as an healer of conscience practices spiritually based healing, offering services to communicants in a Private Health Membership Association. The major contribution that Aachan 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 and primarily south asian 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 Aachan 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 four year training program of a "Maw Nuad" or traditional Thai physician. In our classes, you will learn how a SomaVeda ThaiYoga therapist assess 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.

The Thai Yoga program also focuess on Thai Yoga Vedic 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 Aachan 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, Commerce (Export Promotions) and Social Services and the Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra as well as 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.

To see Aachan, Dr. James performing a basic Thai Massage form, click here.

To train with Aachan, Dr. James in Thailand, click here!

To view the approvals, recognitions and accreditations obtained for SomaVeda™ Traditional Thai Medical Massage to date, click here.

To view Aachan, Dr. James's current teaching schedule, click here.

For Information and Clerical Medical Medicine and Health Services Offered by Dr. James and Staff at the SomaVeda Institute of Natural Healing's Natural Wellness Solutions Clinic Click Here!