Thai Massage School Shivagakomarpaj
The Thai Massage School is a division of the Old Medicine Hospital (OMH), in Chiang Mai, which was founded in 1962. More than 20,000 students received training in Thai traditional medicine from this school, of them more than half were international students. Thai Massage School averages over 1000 students per year, from every corner of the globe. Old Medicine Hospital is one of the oldest and most respected institution's in Thailand.
Thai Massage School Shivagakomarpaj offers several traditional massage courses of instruction. The mission of 0ur teachers is to preserve the knowledge as it was originally passed on from the master centuries ago.
Our students learn the history, benefits, concepts, and healing techniques, as related to traditional thai massage. Also included in this training is Thai herb and herbal compress. Students learn the importance of an ethical relationship with our clients in todays wellness environment. Students leave with a real life clinical experience in addition to the academic benefits of classroom instruction.
What is lineage?
Most traditional Thai healers trace their lineage back to the "Father Doctor" Jivaka Komarabhacca, the Buddha's personal physician. In addition, one's direct lineage from teachers is considered an important indication of authenticity and a mark of high quality. The Shivagakomarpaj Lineage is one of the most respected and widespread lineages of Thai massage in the world today.
About the "Old Medicine Hospital"
The Old Medicine Hospital is located in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Chiang Mai is a center for the study and practice of traditional medicine of all types. There are perhaps more Thai massage clinics per square kilometer in Chiang Mai than anywhere else in the country. Among these, Old Medicine Hospital is the longest standing and most prestigious. It has long been one of the most respected traditional medicine centers in Thailand. Old Medicine Hospital was the first in Chiang Mai to open its doors to Western visitors seeking knowledge in Traditional Thai Medicine and Massage.
About Ajahn ("Master") Sintorn Chaichakan
We honor Ajahn Sintorn Chaichakan as the founder of our tradition of Thai massage, and as our primary teacher. (Ajahn is an honorific title given to respected teachers, and is usually translated as "Master"). Ajahn Sintorn was the founder of the Old Medicine Hospital and of the Shivagakomarpaj Lineage. He first studied traditional Thai medicine at Wat Pho in the late 1950s. Upon completing the degree in 1958, he stayed on as a teacher for four more years. Before that time, Wat Pho did not teach Thai massage, and at the personal request of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), Ajahn Sintorn was instrumental in starting the massage program to complement the herbal training Wat Pho had offered for many years.
In 1962, he returned to Chiang Mai and began to practice medicine at small dispensary on the grounds of several city temples. At the time, the government of Thailand was only interested in supporting Western medicine. Thai traditions were kept alive by their association with Buddhist institutions. Living in the north of Thailand, Ajahn Sintorn adapted his practice of massage and herbal medicine to incorporate aspects of northern culture. One important change he made to the Wat Pho massage routine was to slow it down, he says to suit the "laid-back style" of Chiang Mai natives. He focused on local herbal knowledge, incorporating treatments that were not part of the Wat Pho tradition into his pharmacopoeia.
In 1973, Ajahn Sintorn purchased land just outside of Chiang Mai center where he established the OMH and Thai Massage School. With only a small grant from the government to start up, the institution was quite small at that time, with only 10 in-patient beds.
From these humble beginnings, the institution's traditional medicine hospital grew to the current size. In the 1990s, the program graduated an average of 60-70 Thai students per year in traditional medicine, and the Western students of Thai massage numbered well into the hundreds. Today, the Old Medicine Hospital is part of both national and regional efforts to standardize and regulate the massage industry, to improve safety and authenticity of traditional healthcare in the years to come.
Ajahn Sintorn remained the director of the Old Medicine Hospital facility until his passing away on Oct 19, 2005. His son, Ajahn Wasan is the current director.
Thai Massage School Shivagakomarpaj is the oldest Thai massage school in Chiang Mai, delivering high quality health and wellness education with a practice and a focus on humanity. We take a holistic and intergrated approach to ensure that our graduates are prepared to work in clinic, hospitals, health clubs, spas, resorts, sport therapy clinics, or start their own private business.
Northern Style Thai Massage
An ancient system of bodywork originating in Chiang Mai: Combining practitioner assisted Yoga stretching exercises, trigger point therapy and deep tissue energy work , Thai Yoga Massage is performed with recipient wearing loose clothing and no oil is required for this treatment. This modality enhances the free and natural movements of the body, releases meridian energy, promotes blood circulation, lymphatic flow, thereby increasing flexibility and range of motion.
Aroma Oil Massage
Experience the benefits of massage and individually chosen OMH essential oil that helps strengthen the nervous system; promote good health and emotional well-being. A combination of firm and gentle rhythmically flowing massage movements is applied to relax the mind, soothe the muscles and relieve anxiety.
Foot Massage
Pamper your feet and legs with a deeply relaxing massage using herbal massage balm and applied pressure to the reflex points on the sole of the feet which correspond to the body's organs and systems. Emphasis’s of these points releases energy lockages throughout the body, re-establishing the body's natural energy flow and healing mechanisms.
Herbal Steam
A relaxing body cleanse with the use of herbal infused steam which is absorbed through your respiration and the pores of our skin. A popular Thai remedy to detoxify and promote general well-being.
Thai Massage School Shivagakomarpaj offers several traditional massage courses of instruction. The mission of 0ur teachers is to preserve the knowledge as it was originally passed on from the master centuries ago.
Our students learn the history, benefits, concepts, and healing techniques, as related to traditional thai massage. Also included in this training is Thai herb and herbal compress. Students learn the importance of an ethical relationship with our clients in todays wellness environment. Students leave with a real life clinical experience in addition to the academic benefits of classroom instruction.
What is lineage?
Most traditional Thai healers trace their lineage back to the "Father Doctor" Jivaka Komarabhacca, the Buddha's personal physician. In addition, one's direct lineage from teachers is considered an important indication of authenticity and a mark of high quality. The Shivagakomarpaj Lineage is one of the most respected and widespread lineages of Thai massage in the world today.
About the "Old Medicine Hospital"
The Old Medicine Hospital is located in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Chiang Mai is a center for the study and practice of traditional medicine of all types. There are perhaps more Thai massage clinics per square kilometer in Chiang Mai than anywhere else in the country. Among these, Old Medicine Hospital is the longest standing and most prestigious. It has long been one of the most respected traditional medicine centers in Thailand. Old Medicine Hospital was the first in Chiang Mai to open its doors to Western visitors seeking knowledge in Traditional Thai Medicine and Massage.
About Ajahn ("Master") Sintorn Chaichakan
We honor Ajahn Sintorn Chaichakan as the founder of our tradition of Thai massage, and as our primary teacher. (Ajahn is an honorific title given to respected teachers, and is usually translated as "Master"). Ajahn Sintorn was the founder of the Old Medicine Hospital and of the Shivagakomarpaj Lineage. He first studied traditional Thai medicine at Wat Pho in the late 1950s. Upon completing the degree in 1958, he stayed on as a teacher for four more years. Before that time, Wat Pho did not teach Thai massage, and at the personal request of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), Ajahn Sintorn was instrumental in starting the massage program to complement the herbal training Wat Pho had offered for many years.
In 1962, he returned to Chiang Mai and began to practice medicine at small dispensary on the grounds of several city temples. At the time, the government of Thailand was only interested in supporting Western medicine. Thai traditions were kept alive by their association with Buddhist institutions. Living in the north of Thailand, Ajahn Sintorn adapted his practice of massage and herbal medicine to incorporate aspects of northern culture. One important change he made to the Wat Pho massage routine was to slow it down, he says to suit the "laid-back style" of Chiang Mai natives. He focused on local herbal knowledge, incorporating treatments that were not part of the Wat Pho tradition into his pharmacopoeia.
In 1973, Ajahn Sintorn purchased land just outside of Chiang Mai center where he established the OMH and Thai Massage School. With only a small grant from the government to start up, the institution was quite small at that time, with only 10 in-patient beds.
From these humble beginnings, the institution's traditional medicine hospital grew to the current size. In the 1990s, the program graduated an average of 60-70 Thai students per year in traditional medicine, and the Western students of Thai massage numbered well into the hundreds. Today, the Old Medicine Hospital is part of both national and regional efforts to standardize and regulate the massage industry, to improve safety and authenticity of traditional healthcare in the years to come.
Ajahn Sintorn remained the director of the Old Medicine Hospital facility until his passing away on Oct 19, 2005. His son, Ajahn Wasan is the current director.
Thai Massage School Shivagakomarpaj is the oldest Thai massage school in Chiang Mai, delivering high quality health and wellness education with a practice and a focus on humanity. We take a holistic and intergrated approach to ensure that our graduates are prepared to work in clinic, hospitals, health clubs, spas, resorts, sport therapy clinics, or start their own private business.
Northern Style Thai Massage
An ancient system of bodywork originating in Chiang Mai: Combining practitioner assisted Yoga stretching exercises, trigger point therapy and deep tissue energy work , Thai Yoga Massage is performed with recipient wearing loose clothing and no oil is required for this treatment. This modality enhances the free and natural movements of the body, releases meridian energy, promotes blood circulation, lymphatic flow, thereby increasing flexibility and range of motion.
Aroma Oil Massage
Experience the benefits of massage and individually chosen OMH essential oil that helps strengthen the nervous system; promote good health and emotional well-being. A combination of firm and gentle rhythmically flowing massage movements is applied to relax the mind, soothe the muscles and relieve anxiety.
Foot Massage
Pamper your feet and legs with a deeply relaxing massage using herbal massage balm and applied pressure to the reflex points on the sole of the feet which correspond to the body's organs and systems. Emphasis’s of these points releases energy lockages throughout the body, re-establishing the body's natural energy flow and healing mechanisms.
Herbal Steam
A relaxing body cleanse with the use of herbal infused steam which is absorbed through your respiration and the pores of our skin. A popular Thai remedy to detoxify and promote general well-being.