Thai Five Element Theory & Elemental Touch
Instructor: Marisa Incelli
8 CE credits
NCBTMB Approved
9:00am to 6:00pm
In Traditional Thai medicine we utilize a system of Five Element Theory as a framework for the individualized creation of treatments both physical and esoteric. Those elements are earth, water, fire, wind and ether. Earth is our experience of solidity, water our experience of fluidity, fire our experience of transformation and heat, wind our experience of movement, and ether our experience of non resistance or spaciousness, unobstructedness.
When these elements are looked at through the lens of their individual qualities we use that specific touch which is most uniquely appropriate for the balancing of those elements. It is the individuation of these elemental disturbances in the body and mind and their qualities that assist in the creation of treatments.
This course will teach how this framework or lens is applied to the practical application of massage techniques and lifestyle advice for individual self care for clients. Both theoretical background and specific correlating massage applications to balance each element will be presented at a beginner’s level. Exercises to create better comprehension of each element and it’s specific qualities will be presented in an interactive manner. Simple introductory applications appropriate for a beginner level introduction to elemental touch. In addition, this lens can also be applied to a better comprehension of relationship dynamics within the workplace and beyond, making this course useful not only as a treatment guideline but also as a tool for the individual bodyworker to utilize for self reflection and proprioceptive awareness.
Learning Outcomes
Ability to explain five element theory to another student as a lens for viewing body and mind
Ability to give detailed examples of each element in and out of balance within body and mind
Identify anatomical systems correlated to each element and how they are noticed as in or out of balance
Apply learned knowledge of elemental imbalances to appropriate elemental touch applications
Ability to incorporate this system and elemental touch into current massage therapies as enhancements