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The ITTA was formed in 1992 specifically to meet the needs and concerns of Students, Practitioners, Teachers and Schools of Traditional Thai Medical Yogic Massage, Thai Massage and Thai Style therapeutic massage and body work. (See: "Thai Massage" is slang for systems of Thai Yoga therapies.) It is the first and largest, non-profit,international membership organization with the exclusive purpose promoting the traditional Thai way of healing. We would be proud to have your support and to acknowledge you as a legitimate member of the ITTA community. Join us in celebrating and sharing this unique and valuable legacy of healing, preserved and passed on to us through the lineage of the Rishi Grand Master Shivagokomarpai. That means we are traditionally based and all of our programs are rigorus in their respect of the established traditions given to us by our teachers.
ITTA the recognized leader in developing professional standards for the therapeutic practice of Traditional Thai Style Body work.
The association was founded by Aachan Anthony B. James,LMT, ND MDAM, Master Instructor and the first recognized authentic Thai Yoga and Thai Massage teacher in the United States and the Founder of SomaVeda™, Traditional Thai Medical Massage.
We are the first national association to establish standardized requirements for the practice of our arts, with approximately ten levels of membership including Affiliate, Student, Novice Thai Practitioner, Basic Thai Practitioner, Certified Thai Practitioner, Certified Advanced Thai Practitioner, Certified Thai Therapists, Certified Master Thai Practitioner, Certified Thai Facilitator, Certified Thai Instructor, Certified Thai Instructor: Advanced, Certified Master Thai Instructor, Thai Yoga/ Massage School or Program and International Thai Yoga/ Massage School. We sponsor and approve more than fifty trainings a year in in 32 states of the US and represent members from eleven countries. We also host and sponsor immersion training in Thailand at our affiliate schools in Bangkok, Chiangrai, Koh Samuii and Chaing Mai.
ITTA is committed to promoting ethical practices and legitimate standards of training; protecting the rights of practitioners; education and public awareness; and communicating the valuable and dynamic therapies we represent in the best possible way for the benefit of ourselves, our families, our nation and our world. Our work is described with many names: SomaVeda™, Nuad Boran, Nuat Phaen Boran Thai, Thai Yoga, Thai Yoga Massage, Ayurvedic Thai, Thai Traditional Massage, Royal Thai, Thai Bodywork, Thai Nuat, Thai Shiatsu, Thai Reiki, Buddhai Sawan no Usui Reiki, Thai Yoga Body work, Nerve Touch Massage, Anantasuk, etc. Whatever the name, we support the professional providers of education based on the traditional art form. We support the massage and massage therapy schools which are adding Thai Massage componants to their curriculums.
This work presents body solutions to common problems and challenges, which are essentially based on the melding of Ayurvedic, Yoga and Traditional Chinese Medicine principles. There are elements of all these and more. This is one of the great techniques of massage and perfectly suitable for massage therapists' training. The various yoga positions, postures, asana and attitudes create endless possiblities for addressing an individuals specific health needs. This is true alternative medicine, true natural health and healing, ancient healing that brings us light and life today. Thailand history tells us that the roots go back thousands of years to the early Buddhist period; when Buddhists monks and nuns with the assistance of famous Indian doctors refined what we today would call complementary, alternative medicine. Of course, throughout Asian history from India to Vietnam, it was not an alternative. it was simply good medicine. Medicine important for womens' and mens' health. There are traditional remedies for thousands of common conditions from lower back pain, leg pain, shoulder pain, stomach pain and problems, headaches and muscle pain, for example. Obviously chronic pain management is not new! The whole gamut of myofascial and myofascial pain syndromes is explored with energy, integrity and compassion.
The actual healing touch of Thai Yoga and Massage, regardless of style, has qualities and science found in Yoga, acupuncture ( acupuncture points and meridians), reflexology ( reflexology of the feet and the hands), acupressure and Shiatsu, meditation and prayer, science of Chakra or Chakras ( the energetic and spiritual vortices which transform and manifest the various consciousness within us), aroma therapy and use of plants and herbs such as herbal medicine, in therapy. As the Thai therapist facilitates the client through the various series of yoga poses and yoga postures they balance the chakras, facilitate the flow of Prana and Chi in the energy lines (the Sen or prana Nadi and meridians), they mobilize the tissue and release restriction while increasing range and ease of motion and mobility of the joints. Circulation is enhanced and toxins are removed . More than this, Thai Massage is considered a form of Spiritual Healing. The foundational concepts of "Promiiwihan Sii" or "Four Dive States of Mind" emphasize love, compassion, joy and equinimity as being most important for healing the whole person. Good science, good body work, good massage, good spirit and heart... how can we go wrong? For more information about "What Is Thai Massage" Click Here.
If you are looking to experience this wonderul work first hand, this is the place to find a qualified practitioner. Maybe your interest is in becoming a Licensed Massage Therapist or Certified Thai Style Practitioner; we have many qualified programs to help you on your path. If you are already professional in another discipline such as Yoga Instructor, Swedish Massage Therapist, Shiatsu Practitioner, Chiropracter or Naturopath, consider adding Thai Massage as an adjunct to your established practice.
ITTA is a recognized professional association member of the Association of Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP). Which enables our Certified Practitioners to further enhance their practice with the protection and security of the industry's best Professional Liability Insurance program. (Contact ABMP directly at 303.674.8478 for brochure and application.) Active ITTA members will receive a special discount! Click here for a list of our Membership Benefits.
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Thank you, OM NAMO SHIVAGO
Anthony B. James LMT, ND, MDAM
President, Director of Education
(706) 641-0756
PO Box 367, Talbotton GA 31827
E-Mail itta@core.com
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