Nine Steps to Work with Negative
Thoughts

by Dr. Anthony James DM(P), ND, MD(AM) ©2012

The SomaVeda™ System offers in depth understanding of Human Evolutionary Psychology.

As a human species, we are wrought with negative emotions, behaviors and physical states as evidenced in the war-torn world of relationships, ravaged lands and misguided communities we live in today. So what do we do? Because negative thinking is a natural part of the “Human Biological Stress Adaptive Transformational Machine’s” way of being, we must make dedicated and conscious efforts to not be helpless in front of it. We need a plan. Otherwise, we constantly allow negative thoughts to run wild in our heads, like leaves in a dark wind blown this way and that.

The key word above is “allow” our negative thoughts to run wild. This is both a pro and a con. The bad news is that we give space to the continuous liturgy of negative thoughts. Because of their consistency and constancy we believe them to be inevitable and true. This is a misconception. The good news is that because we “allow” them to remain and become the causative factors for depression, fear, anger, and anxiety, we can also “UN-allow” them or replace and substitute other kinds of thinking for them.

So what’s the plan? Here are nine basic principles to follow on a regular basis to work with negative thinking:

1) Ask your self, “Self, do you want to be happy or sad?”

As conscious beings we want to understand that thoughts come from the mind. The mind is an organ just like any other organ. It generates thoughts mechanically and constantly just like the other organs (read Candace Pert’s, PhD., “The Molecules of Emotions”). Most thinking is unconscious and mechanical and can be considered white noise. Thoughts come and go without effort, direction and are usually unrelated to circumstances of life or our actual being. For example, they might be a result of communication from the lining of the stomach stating whether it’s full, empty or a bit too acidic.

When we “give in” to negative thoughts and mindsets, we make a choice to do so. When we notice we are thinking negatively and do not make efforts to control, overcome or detach from them, we choose to submit to them and to the attitudes that reflect their dominance. When we don’t make efforts or make feeble and inconsistent attempts to control or direct them, we set ourselves up to be victims of them. The longer we hold onto, wallow in, and allow the thoughts to continue, the less control we have over their effects until no outside agency or person can help us. Outside help might prove a short intermission, but we always come back to the patterns and habits we practice most.

If we actually want to be happy, we must make efforts every day to choose to good thoughts and to develop good thought habits. Think good thoughts on purpose even when you don’t feel like it. Think good thoughts especially when you don’t feel like it.

The positive elevating emotional experience is on the other side of the generation of a more positive thought life. We cannot wait to work on our thoughts contingent on feeling positive or motivated to do so. That may come later. Observe your thoughts as they arise, literally from the beginning. When you see the negative thoughts remember to ask yourself, “do I want to be happy or sad? Do I want to be angry or depressed? Do I want to be fearful or anxious?” If the answer is no, then right then is the time to let go or to begin the conscious effort of substitution of the positive for the negative. Once you let them take over, there is a negative self-reinforcing momentum of thought, which can take place, where every similar negative thought you have ever had in your life reinforces and justifies it. You can be in charge of your thoughts. Ask your self again, “do you want to be happy or sad?”

2) Don’t justify negative thoughts

We love negative thinking patterns and the individual negative thoughts themselves. We nurture them and hold them dearly as we come to realize either consciously or unconsciously that they define us and give us our character and personality. They create space around us. To a great extent, they define the manifestation of our public persona and personality. They are such constant companions that we rely on them to act as buffers between our inner selves and the outer world so we don’t have to busy ourselves with the whole “paying attention” part of life. Our inner negative thoughts are reflexive and give us reaction in real time to almost everything that happens. The problem is that the reactions and reflexes are skewed, twisted and negative! We are the source of our own self-fulfilling negative karma. Our negative thoughts contribute to all of the other negativities within us and generate together negative emotional states and negative behaviors, which in their own way support further negative consequences to the karma we generate for our selves and for others.

Instead of justifying and defending negative and especially repetitive negative thoughts we must see the thought loops we are tangled up in and start to see the negative thoughts for what they are, unreal and not supportive of living a life with intention and of well-being. We need to consider the power of not acknowledging negativity and allow the thoughts to move on and let go of them. They are not valuable.  In fact they may be perfect impediments to having new and more positive thinking.

3) Let go of attachment to thoughts

See thoughts on the screen of your mind like clouds crossing the sky. They come and go and constantly shift and change. Sometimes they appear to be more real than others. Some are closer and some are further away, but they are always transient. Your true mind is not the clouds. It is the tableau in the background; the clear blue sky we sometimes see peeking between the clouds. This is one of the teachings of meditation in Vipassana, Samatha, and Tratak. Find the still quiet place where there is no thought, yet there is fullness of being. Learn and practice meditation. There are so many types and schools both traditional and modern. If they teach you the art of controlling the mind and finding the between, transition and empty places, that’s a good thing. Those inner spaces by definition are not negative.

4) Spend time with positive people

In the Calssical Indian Ayurveda text, the Charaka Samhita, there is a reference that states in order to balance Kapha Dosha; you need to spend time in the company of agreeable men and women. The primary negative characterization or fault of imbalance in Kapha (Prakruti/Humour or Body Type in Ayurveda) is called the defilement of “ignorance.” Sometimes the very best way to break a descent into ignorant, negative and or disagreeable states is to physically get up and move to a more positive place, in the company of more positive people. Simply trying to work through our issues mentally does not work because we are trying to use the part of us causing the problem to fix it! You cannot use a broken or faulty tool to fix the problem the broken faulty tool caused. You have to introduce another element. Call it “distraction therapy”. Since most thoughts are impermanent, sometimes even what seem to be the most negative ones will go away if you can change your focus for a few minutes. Often having fun or simply placing your self in the middle of people enjoying life and sharing joy can do this. Joy is powerful medicine.

5) Spend less time with negative people

Negative thinking is not only self-reflective and looping, but can also be reflective of a common mind-set of the people you’re with. Others help to reinforce the negative mental loops. If you’re in the company of people constantly expressing negative thoughts, words and deeds, peer pressure alone will persuade you to copy and mimic the group’s (or person’s) negativity. Run for the hills! Get out of there if you want a happy thought life. By this I literally mean change your physical location. For example, Jimmy Buffet sings, “changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes”. I read it to mean changes in latitudes can support changes in attitudes. When you find your self with someone constantly expressing negativity, ask your self “Why am I here with this person?” Ask your self, “what can I do right now to change the track of conversation or the direction on to a more positive one?” There is no elevation based on climbing on top of the faults of others. We cannot make ourselves better by making others bad. You are not a helpless victim of other people’s negative thoughts. Simply move away from them.

6) Don’t waste time not working on your self

What are you doing? My mother used to say, “an idle mind is the devil’s workshop”. She was right! Nature ‘abhors’ a vacuum. If you don’t work on your self every day by doing something to elevate and bring realization to your life, then your ego (false personality or unconscious mechanical expression of unresolved negative emotion and thought patterns) will drive you. If you can define a person as a “Human Biological Stress-Adaptive Transformational Machine”, then consider that mal-adaptation to internal and external stress is how we became the poster children of negativity and expression of negative emotions.

You might also consider that you can organize positive stress to become the origination of new and future ways of being within your self, which are entirely different than those you experience today. How much of your typical day do you spend collecting ammo for inner negativity? Ask your self, “What do I watch? What do I read? Who do I listen to everyday?” If you were to determine a percentage of your average daily negative input to positive from external sources what would that percentage be? 100% to 0%? 90/10? 80/20? Rightfully use your mind for a moment. If you are a stress-adaptive organism (organized system), then what stresses are you consciously adapting too? Is it any wonder you feel helpless in front of your negative thoughts?

7) Think positive thoughts on purpose

“If you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with.” If you can’t think a single positive thought, then think someone else’s. Genius, right? This is one of the values of having a small library of uplifting, inspiring, positive books, sacred literature, poems, mantra and songs, art, and sculpture. If you’re stuck in a negative thought loop, then reset the programming with some Mantra medicine. Memorize mantras, poems, and wise sayings. Create a repertoire of positive archetypal thoughts and sentiments to draw on when in need.

Being locked into a train of negative thinking is the “valley of death” and leads to despair. The “Lord’s Prayer” and the Metta Sutra are both antidotes for negative thoughts. Repeat either or both as often as necessary. “What if I have to do this all the time to stay positive,” you might ask. So be it! Some sacred traditions say one of the tools or techniques of enlightenment is to pray without ceasing. As long as the fire of negativity smolders, then keep pouring on the water. When the negative thoughts move on and release you from their repetitive burdens, continue your self-work and efforts. How about working on negative emotions?

8) Don’t think anything you would not say in front of people

Whenever you see a train of repetitive thoughts about a specific person or group, ask your self, would you share those thoughts or actually say them face to face with that person? Then ask your self, would the consequence of saying those thoughts/words be positive or negative? If the answer is negative, then check those thoughts. If you hear yourself actually expressing those negative thoughts in words, then check you behavior. At the least find the control to the mouth and close the lips until your able to make progress with the thoughts. Simply expressing negative thoughts or as we like to say “venting” is creating karma. People tend to respond to our negative expressions and that can cause damage. The Tibetans are famous for saying that karma results from all three: thought, action and deed. To restore equilibrium and reduce harmful causation or like my old Vipassana teacher, venerable Aachan Chaa used to say, “thinking right is a precursor to being right”.

9) Move into the heart space

The mind organ quantifies, calculates, weighs and measures, recognizes patterns, compares and contrasts, critiques pros and cons and imagines. The heart is a different organ and has a different center of influence. The heart is concerned with connection, transformation, movement and emotional realizations. It is the seat of our conscience, our emotional realizations of truth and the feelings of connection that stem from them. When the heart sees from essence, it realizes the true nature of things, situations and of others in a less critical way. The heart knows that we all struggle, we are all finding our way, and we all want and need love. When we look at others and the situations of life from the perspective of the heart, we bond with them and experience more of a sense of oneness and common experience with less or no judgment and criticism. The mind of the heart is empathetic and compassionate. When we see our own lives and those of others through empathy, negativity barriers and boundaries dissolve

SomaVeda™ Thai Yoga and Thai Massage incorporates elements of mindfulness, gentle rocking, deep stretching and rhythmic compression and focus to create a singular healing experience.

The SomaVeda™ Integrated Traditional Therapies life and livelihood is about securing the necessities of Love, Compassion, Joy and Equanimity for ourselves and all mankind. It is a way of working that’s as good for the person doing it as for those receiving. This work does not cause you harm and makes you stronger and healthier the longer you do it. This is unlike other forms of “healing” which may cause repetitive stress and occupational disability the longer you do them.  You can be completely yourself in every way while you do this work. SomaVeda™ is a genuine spiritually based healing system preparing practitioners for real life clinical practice.

If your interested in learning more about Ayurveda Yoga Therapy based Science and Healing while developing a Thai Yoga practice visit us today!

Next available Start Dates: January, March, June and September of 2012 Click Here for Schedule!

Email or call the office directly  (706) 358-8646

We have Scholarship! To learn how you can receive this training with a tuition scholarship or at greatly reduced tuition Click Here!

Accreditations and Professional Recognitions:


ITTA is an Accredited Educational Institute with the PMA (Pastoral Medical Association)
ITTA is a recognized Provider School of Naturopathic Education with the ANCB (American Naturopathic Certification Board)
ITTA is an NCBTMB Approved Provider for Massage and Massage Therapy Continuing Education.
For a complete list of  ITTA/ Thai Yoga Center Accreditations, Recognitions and Afiliations Please Click Here!

Visit us on the web at ThaiYogaCenter.Com

While visiting our website sign up for our Newsletter to receive 2 free E-books and Mp3! Click Here to Sign Up!

ITTA, Inc. / The Thai Yoga Center
4715 Bruton Rd. Plant City, Florida 33565
(706) 358-8646

Love Yoga?  Looking for a new ethical career path?  Consider SomaVeda™ Thai Yoga Therapy, Ayurveda and Natural Medicine!

ITTA/ The Thai Yoga Center and The SomaVeda™ Institute for Natural Medicine are hosting amazing professional certification programs and courses to help prepare you for a successful career in holistic therapies based on Ayurveda, Thai Yoga, Yoga Therapy and Natural Medicine. Our programs are authentic, original, traditional, medically supervised and spiritually based. Practicing what we call “The Practical Expression of Loving Kindness” is good for your life, your family and friends and the planet as well. The only tools you need are your hands and heart!

Earn a Doctorate in Natural Medicine specializing in Ayurveda/ Thai Yoga/ Yoga Therapy and or Doctor of Naturopathy Diploma and Degree. We have course and diploma paths to fit your lifestyle, schedule and budget.

Basically, What is SomaVeda™?

SomaVeda is a system of sustainable, vitalistic therapeutics that integrates the art and science of both ancient and modern worldwide traditions of healing founded by Aachan, Dr. Anthony James DM(P), ND, MD(AM), DPHC(h.c.), SMOKH the first western master teacher of Traditional Thai Yoga Therapy and Thai Massage outside of Thailand. SomaVeda incorporates principles of Thai Ayurveda, Yoga, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naturopathy as well as Biblical/ Spiritual principles of Natural Medicine. SomaVeda offers a process engaging healing and life with elegance and fines, sophistication and flow. The aim of SomaVeda™ is to heal, educate and serve. We emphasize prevention and right living to reduce or eliminate the necessity for medicine and therapy and provide state of the art natural therapeutic programs when necessary.

SomaVeda™ offers several amazing certification and program paths for you to choose from:  

Entry Level:

1) The SomaVeda™ Certified Thai Yoga Practitioner Program (CTP1,2 ,3 ) (Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced). All new students start in the CTP1 program #1. All CTP’s offer CE hours, National Certification and are PMA Accredited. All of our teachers are experience and certified with the highest teacher training standards in SomaVeda and Thai Yoga Therapy. We are the oldest, original Thai Yoga and Thai Massage based program in North America and we have set the highest standards in the industry for over 30 years. Our founder Aachan, Dr. Anthony James DM(P), ND, MD(AM), DPHC(h.c.) actually wrote and published the very first book in the English language on Thai Massage in 1983 (Nuat Thai, Traditional Thai Medical Massage: Meta Journal Press) CTP1 Graduates now eligible for PMA Fast Track Commission. You do NOT need a Massage or Massage Therapy License to practice SomaVeda Thai Yoga and or Ayurveda legally in the US.  Our “Commission” is valid in all 50 states and offers the student or basic practitioner the widest scope of practice.
 Click Here for CTP Details!

What do we learn in a CTP?

A CTP is an average 27 day, 200 hour residential intensive training and certification program. Beginner students receive exhaustive in-class instruction and daily practice in SomaVeda Thai Yoga System. The CTP1 is divided up into 5 modules plus an amazing array of breakout and support classes. All five level’s of the SomaVeda Basic Practitioner program are included. Fundamentals of Thai Yoga: Level One, Ayurvedic Thai Yoga: Level Two, Nuad Boran, Northern Style Thai Yoga: Level Three, Lines Wheels, Points, Energy Anatomy of Thai Massage: Level Four, Clinical Application and Development of Specific programs for Clients based on Vedic Assessments and Guidelines: Level Five

As if that’s not enough! During the CtP students receive additional instruction in up to 11 additional SomaVeda treatment methods and basics such as Vedic principles of nutrition, SomaVeda approaches to Cancer, Diabetes, Heart Disease, and Stress as well as Occupational and Chronic conditions such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Migraines, Back Pain, Soft Tissue Disorders. We also explore in detail Vedic and Natural Medicine approaches to emotional and mental illness using safe, non-invasive and non-coercive approaches.

Expert  Level:

2) The SomaVeda Certified Teacher Training Program (TCP): Bring the most profound and diverse system of spiritually based healing to your community. Opportunities for our graduate SomaVeda teachers are growing world wide. Bring your practice mastery to it’s highest level, help introduce the world to a practical Yoga Therapy and Vedic Medical System as well as make a right livelihood all at the same time. All SomaVeda Certified Teachers complete a rigorous 1200 hour program under the personal supervision and guided expertise of our Master Level Doctors and Teaching Staff.

Click Here for TCP Details!

Expert Level Eligible for Medical Licensing:

3) The SomaVeda™ Holistic Health Provider Ayurveda / Practitioner of Natural Medicine Ayurveda Diploma Course (HHPA, PNMA): A 2595 clock hour intensive, clinical focused education in Ayurveda, Thai Yoga, Natural Medicine. Learn how to develop a fully functioning clinical office offering natural and medical services from Thai Yoga to Nutritional counseling. Learn effective methodologies for treating chronic and acute diseases and the science behind them in a medically supervised environment and school. Our courses are US and Internationally recognized and are accredited. Graduates with the HHPA/ PNMA Diploma qualify for allied medical licensing. Click Here for HHPA/ PNMA Details!

Doctoral Level, Eligible for Medical Licensing:

4) The SomaVeda™ Doctor of Natural Medicine (Ayurveda), ND/ DNM:   Diploma Program offers a sophisticated education in Ayurveda based Natural Medicine. This diploma program is PMA accredited and graduates are eligible for appropriate Medical Licensing. Click Here for DNMA/ ND Degree Details!

5) Coming Soon! Doctor of Oriental Medicine (DOM): Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology

ITTA International Training Opportunities

1) Thailand Training Programs from 30 hours to over 500!  ThailandStudyTours.Com Travel, Tour and Training in Thailand!

2) Kerala, India Training Programs from one to 3 months! IndiaStudyTours.Com Intensive Ayurveda, Pancha Karma and Classical Indian Pharmacopea, Ayurvedic Cooking and Hatha Yoga.

3) Nevis West, Indies: Courses and Clinical Internships in of the worlds largest Medical Centers entirely devoted to Natural and Alternative Medical Practices! (Advanced graduates Only)

4) Quito, Ecuador! Courses and Clinical Internships at our new sister Holistic Medical Center and Clinic (Advanced graduates Only)

Where do you begin?

All new students begin in the CTP program.

It’s only 200 hours and gives you a solid working foundation and competency to begin your practice the day after graduation! If your serious minded about becoming a SomaVeda™ Thai Yoga Teacher, Hatha Yoga Teacher, Licensed Practitioner of Natural Medicine Ayurveda and or a Licensed Doctor of Natural Medicine Ayurveda,  we can help you choose the best program for your needs and life.

ThaiYogaCenter.Com

SomaVeda™ Thai Yoga and Thai Massage incorporates elements of mindfulness, gentle rocking, deep stretching and rhythmic compression and focus to create a singular healing experience.

The SomaVeda™ Integrated Traditional Therapies life and livelihood is about securing the necessities of Love, Compassion, Joy and Equanimity for ourselves and all mankind. It is a way of working that’s as good for the person doing it as for those receiving. This work does not cause you harm and makes you stronger and healthier the longer you do it. This is unlike other forms of “healing” which may cause repetitive stress and occupational disability the longer you do them.  You can be completely yourself in every way while you do this work. SomaVeda™ is a genuine spiritually based healing system preparing practitioners for real life clinical practice.

If your interested in learning more about Ayurveda Yoga Therapy based Science and Healing while developing a Thai Yoga practice visit us today!

Next available Start Dates: March, April (Thailand Only), June, September, November (Thailand Only) of 2012:  Click Here for Schedule!

Email or call the office directly  (706) 358-8646

We have Scholarship! To learn how you can receive this training with a tuition scholarship or at greatly reduced tuition Click Here!

Thai Yoga Center/ ITTA Accreditation’s and Professional Recognitions:


ITTA is an Accredited Educational Institute with the PMA (Pastoral Medical Association)
ITTA is a recognized Provider School of Naturopathic Education with the ANCB (American Naturopathic Certification Board)
ITTA is an NCBTMB Approved Provider for Massage and Massage Therapy Continuing Education.
We practice transparency! All of our school and staff approvals, recognitions, licenses and accreditation’s are available and verifiable. For a complete list of  ITTA/ Thai Yoga Center / Teaching Staff Accreditation’s, Recognitions and Affiliations Please Click Here!

Visit us on the web at ThaiYogaCenter.Com

Visit us on FaceBook at Learn Thai Yoga

While visiting our website sign up for our Newsletter to receive 2 free E-books and Mp3! Click Here to Sign Up!

ITTA, Inc. / The Thai Yoga Center
4715 Bruton Rd. Plant City, Florida 33565
(706) 358-8646

In a Season of War, Work to Cease the War Within

by Dr. Anthony B. James DPM, ND, MD(AM), SMOKH

Director of Education at The Thai Yoga Center and The SomaVeda™ Institute of Natural Healing. We live in a polluted world, full of disease, sickness and death.  War is the ultimate environmental pollution. The effects are insidious, immediate, catastrophic, acute and have become long lasting and chronic. War is both a symptom of complete inner imbalance and a cause of long term negative emotional issues that span generations.

It’s not enough to work and live for general health and wellness. Our medicine has to address the primary diseases that concern us, our clients and our patients. By delving inside, we can find solutions to the external problems that so often take over our health and our lives.

The ultimate origins of our inclinations towards mass murder and war are both ignorance of our own mechanical nature and our lack of effort and practice to bring knowledge, character and balance to our selves and our environment. We simply do not work on ourselves in any long term, practical and meaningful way.  As a result, we are not in harmony with either ourselves, each other, or our environment.

War and political machinations of coercion, power and violence on a global scale are no different than the subtle yet catastrophic violence we see in the home or sometimes in our own heads.  On the large scale, war is justified because of its grandeur and patriotism. Within ourselves, we justify our own lack of consciousness and love and then extrapolate and eventually dictate what amounts to harm to others. On an increasing scale, when everyone of us does this, it amounts to an entire world that is involved in conflict and conflagration.

What then do we do?

A SomaVeda principle to apply when dealing with any acute or chronic condition is called “Proximal and Distal”. Proximal means to work as close to the issue as possible or directly on it without making it worse. Proximal is palliative and addresses the immediate chronic condition. Distal means to find the original underlying causes and correct them, thus removing both the genesis of the issue and the propagation of possibility for recurrence of the issue in the future. In other words, “it’s about curing before occurring”.

We can translate this principle to our own lives. Start working on yourself today. Make a commitment to learn how your inner workings. Make a commitment to begin working on the expression of your own inner issues and “demons”. Be forgiving to yourself and to those around you. Drop offenses like hot cakes and forgive quickly as if your life depended on it because it does and it will. Release and hold no negative accounts against any person and practice a healing art or discipline of some kind; no matter if just for your self or for one other person.

When you intentionally express love, care and consideration over time something has the possibility of changing for the better. In a moment of genuine expression of compassion you are contributing less to the chaos of the world and instead creating peace. Chaos on the inside equals chaos on the outside. Peace on the inside equals peace on the outside. The chaos of the world relates to what the Thai’s say: Murnkan, mai murnkan = “Same, same but different”. The way to save the world begins by learning how to love yourself. Step one towards learning how to love your self is to obtain and maintain a self!

In this season of peace and giving, let’s work hard on ourselves for the benefit of humanity.

The political sentiments of the following video have no affiliation with the Thai Yoga Center.

The American War-Machine, A Lesson in Blowback, and The Greatest Speech Ever Written.

The SomaVeda™ System offers Ayurveda and Yoga Therapy based training programs from 200 hours to over 5000 hours. If your considering a career in Ayurveda, Yoga Therapy and or Natural Medicine consider our PMA Accredited programs. SV advanced students and graduates may qualify for Medical Licensing in every state.

For info and live courses with Aachan James at the Thai Yoga Center, visit ThaiYogaCenter.Com

Dr. Anthony B. James DNM(P), ND, MD(AM), DPHC(h.c.), SMOKH

Director of Education at The Thai Yoga Center and The SomaVeda™ Institute of Natural Healing

Therapeutic value and practical applications of SomaVeda Thai Yoga: Dak Kha / Ardhis Supta Virasana (Bent Inward Knee position)

In Thai Yoga Therapy, the Dak Kha asana (facilitated Ardhis Supta Virasana) isolates and bring energy, attention, consciousness, breath and pressure to the knee and thigh and hip unilaterally, one side at a time. It restores the alignment of physical and energetic structures of the hips, pelvis, knee, low back, and abdomen. It restores and brings balancing energy to Chakra, Sen Lines, Meridians, Lom and Wind Gates. Like all Thai Yoga postures, Dak Kha facilitates further integration of mind, body and spirit. Because of the way this particular posture can capture the client’s attention, it is considered a “Spirit calling” asana or one that “Calls the spirit home”.

Be very cautious and careful when positioning the knee.  Positioning is critical in not exacerbating preexisting knee injuries.

As a therapist, it is necessary to always assume that client has a preexisting knee injury and proceed with both confidence and caution. In general, clients consistently put their therapists on a need-to-know basis for their medical history including traumas, injury and any previous surgeries. One of the reasons is because they do not think the information is pertinent to any of their given complaints or it is repressed as they have forgotten about it.  As is common to so many past injuries and trauma, the memory is tied to certain positions, postures and even particular points on the body. It is not accessible until pressure or attention is brought to bear on that angle, position, posture, body part, line, point, tissue etc.

Preexisting injuries should always be a consideration for therapists to keep in mind whether the are disclosed or not.

The Slow Slow Way is The Best!

As a therapist and doctor myself, I assume clients have issues or undisclosed injuries or histories of trauma in the following places until proven otherwise: knee, posterior leg and hamstring, trapezius and/or shoulder joints, chest, breast, torso, pelvis, adductors and groin muscles.  When I bring the client into thai yoga postures, I use a multistep and supported methodology to do so based on the previous assumption. My Grand Master Teacher Phaa Khruu Samaii always used to say  “Thả mạn cĥā cĥā pĕn wiṭhī thī dī thīsud” “The slow, slow way is the best.”  Being methodical, precise, slow and sensitive in delivery of therapeutic postures will ensure that we do not make undisclosed preexisting injuries worse. With this in mind, be careful not to proceed with apprehension. Clients can have keen senses and when they sense that the therapist is nervous or overly cautious they will tense up even more, which might do the exact thing you were trying to avoid: exacerbation of injury or strain. As a therapist, it is just as important to be strong and confident of every position you take your client into.  Once I determine the body can safely sustain the movement, I no longer baby-sit, I go right to it. I take the client right into the postural angles and pressures that would be appropriate for a healthy person.

Safety factors for executing Dak Kha include:

• The heel on the targeted side has to remain as close as possible to the glutes on the same side. Make a mental note of how close you can safely position the heel and then keep it that close throughout the entire range of motion for Dak Kha.

• Raise up and bring your thigh firmly against the knee and then gradually drop down into a sitting position taking the knee with you when testing their range of motion. This insures that the client’s knee is also being supported underneath all the way through the downward range of motion.

• As you take the knee towards the floor, do not allow it to cross over the opposite leg. Instead, move the leg slightly away from the center line.

Now do the four-step procedure:

1.  Test for range of motion by lowering their knee until you feel strong resistance

2.  Palm press the upper outer leg line with the outside hand, fingers facing down away from the groin (Sen Ittha or Sen Pinghala)

3.  Hit or use percussion on the line

4.  Stretch the leg as far as is comfortable or within the reasonable tolerance of the client and release cleanly

To release cleanly means to bring the knee straight up at the same time as you pull the foot up and under the knee. This way there is no twist or torque on the medial knee as you move from this posture to the next.

Facilitation of the breath is vital as you move through this posture. Not only does it facilitate the free flow of the prana, by emphasizing the breath we also engage the pelvis, abdomen and ribcage extending the effects of the posture and engaging more of the whole person.

Therapeutic Benefits:

This position lengthens and therapeutically benefits the following structures both hard and soft tissue: knee, hip and pelvis and specifically the quadriceps rectus femoris, vastus lateralis externus, vastus intermedius (internalis), vastus medialus (internus), sartorius, tensor faciae latae, biceps femoris, semitendonosis, semimembranous, vastii, tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, gemelli, obturator internus (rotation of femur), gracilis, psoas and pectinous because of the extension of the hip as well as the previously mentioned Sen Lines and the first, second and third chakras. It is an excellent position from which to work the anterior leg Lom or Marma. Additional benefits include: low back alignment, reduction of low back and sciatic nerve pain, and reduction of referred groin pain from trigger points on the front back or side of the leg.

Accessible from this asana are several Reflex Center points (Lom):

Indicator or alarm point for Uterine Center (VIB37- Feng Shih (GB31) in females indicating lymphatic congestion of the uterus. In men a contraction or tightening indicates lymphatic congestion in the prostrate.

{Courtesy p. 85, Palpation Procedural Manual: Prof. Dr. Charles McWilliams ™2006-2011}

Indicator or alarm point for Colitus or Spastic Constipation: Anterior VIB24 (AhShi Point). In fact the entire length of the anterior thigh can be reflexed for digestive and assimilative issues from cecum to colon.

{Courtesy p. 88, Palpation Procedural Manual: Prof. Dr. Charles McWilliams ™2006-2011}

Indicator or alarm point for Atonic Constipation: Anterior VIA14- Chu-liao (GB29) (AhShi Point). Additional indications are lower limb numbness or pain, to reduce fever, diseases of the hip joint and periarticular soft tissues, leg pain, orchitus, nephritus, cystitis and appendicitis.

{Courtesy p. 92, Palpation Procedural Manual: Prof. Dr. Charles McWilliams ™2006-2011}

Indicator or alarm point for Sciatic Neuritis (VIB20- AhShi Point). Additional indications are Lower limb paralysis, post polio symptoms and low back, neck and knee pain.

{Courtesy p. 128, Palpation Procedural Manual: Prof. Dr. Charles McWilliams ™2006-2011}

This position is a primary meridian stretch and release for the stomach and gall bladder.

Always include Therapeutic Puja or Prayer

In order  to create a spiritual space in which to heal and  frame of mind to maximize the contact and experience we are sharing with the client, we incorporate Puja (Therapeutic Prayer) before and after we  do a hand reflexology session.

SomaVeda™ Integrated Traditional Therapies are a spiritual, energetic and competency based therapeutic healing system or Spiritual Medicine (See: What is SomaVeda™?). In the SomaVeda™ system there are over 1000 different therapeutic postures used commonly. SomaVeda™ is a complete holistic system on Natural Medicine.

For info and live courses with Aachan James at the Thai Yoga Center, visit ThaiYogaCenter.Com

by Dr. Anthony B. James DNM(P), ND, MD(AM), SMOKH

Director of Education at The Thai Yoga Center and The SomaVeda™ Institute of Natural Healing

Assistant Editor: Lydia Smith

SomaVeda Reishi Hand Yoga and Chi Gung

This is an introductory course on the basics of SomaVeda Reishi Hand Yoga and Chi Gung presented by Aachan, Dr. James during a live class at The Thai Yoga Center in Plant City, Florida.

SomaVeda Reishi is a simple and sophisticated self-yoga practice that has many benefits. The practice begins with either the Wai Khruu (paying respect) or with Chi Gung warm-ups. This particular sequence begins with basic Chi Gung energy gathering and balancing exercises or movements that support the flow of energy in all of the meridians and respective organs. The same movements also bring energy, attention, consciousness, breath and pressure to the Chakras and the major Lom or Wind Gates located in all of the major joints of the body. These movements counter the effects of aging and loss of vitality. They loosen the entire shoulder girdle passing benefits down the arms to the elbows and wrist and finger joints. This sequence is therapeutic for repetitive stress issues and syndromes of the hands, wrist and shoulders such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tennis Elbow and Frozen Shoulder to name a few.

This basic Hand Yoga Vinyasa can be done comfortably in ten or fifteen minutes as a solo practice. It’s a great adjunct to any Hatha Yoga practice or as a warm up for other practices or conditioning including before a healing session.

1) Kidney Pump: The kidney pump is perhaps the most ancient of Chi development exercises and has been practiced in similar form for thousands of years.

Stand a little wider than hip width apart with slightly bent knees. Begin by swinging the arms from side to side allowing them to impact the sides and mid-back of the body over the kidneys. This is stimulating to the kidneys and begins to emphasize the breath. Drop down into your stance and allow yourself to be grounded while freely swing the arms twenty or more times to both sides. Be sure to keep your eyes open.

2) Macrocosmic breath and Arm Swing: The macrocosmic orbit is the energy circuit that connects heaven and earth into our bodies. Make big arm circles in your bent knee stance. Exhale as your arms move down and forward making the largest circle you can without straining and then inhale as you raise your arms up the back side reaching up as high as you can extending the fingers throughout the full circular motion. Go slow enough that you can do a four-count breath with each exhale and inhale. Do ten big circles in each direction. Keep your hands shoulder width apart or wider in front and try to bring them closer together in the back. When you reverse direction also reverse the breath. Breathe in as you raise your arms to the front and exhale as you drop them in the back.

 3) Garuda Arm Swing: Garuda was Rama’s friend and steed in the myth Ramayana and was a great winged creature, very common in Thai symbology. Garuda is a protector and generally depicted with his great wings out stretched. This motion is a vigorous and powerful Kriya generating breath power (Wei Chi) while opening the microcosmic orbit channel, which travels through the heart out to the fingertips.

Start with the arms crossed left over right and swing out and away keeping the height of the arms up at least at shoulder height (higher is better). Swing out, keeping the hands open and fingers extended. When you reach the end of the motion and feel the springing tension in the arms and shoulders then bring the arms back together, however this time bring them into position right arm over left. Repeat with a big breath, inhale as you swing out and exhale vigorously as the arms come back together. Repeat at least ten times. Keep your intensity modest until your arms and shoulders warm up properly.

Assume the Chi Stance with the heels out and the toes in. The knees bent inward till they lock to provide a stable base for the hand yoga sequence.

4) Reishi Hand Positions 1- 4

A) Inward Wrist Lock (Flexion/Lateral Rotation)

B) Elbow Squeeze (Adduction of Shoulder and Wrist Flexion)

C) Outward Wrist Lock (Shoulder Adduction, Forearm Pronation, Wrist Flexion and Medial Rotation)

D) Tan Sau/ Palm Up Fold Down (Shoulder Adduction and Wrist Extension)

 5) Extended Finger Circles 5 times each way

 6) Closed finger/Fist Circles 5 times each way

 7) Tight Fist/Exploding Fingers: Alternate a tight fist for five count and then extend the fingers outward as if they were exploding, as hard as you can for five count. Alternate between the two motions at least five times. It is very important here to do both the squeeze and the extension as hard as you can.

 8) Loose finger Shake or Flap

 9) Clap three times. Keep your hand and fingers loose and not rigid. When you clap make it pop!

 10) Tadasana and Energy Ball: Assume Tadasana or Mountain pose with the arms parallel to the floor, the hands relaxed, and the fingers extended. The hands are approximately shoulder width apart or slightly closer. Keep them at least six inches apart as you flex and discern or find the borders of a ball of energy between your hands.

Close your eyes breath naturally and gently flex your hands back and forth looking for a feeling of pressure or springiness. Once you identify this feeling of something solid between your hands visualize it as clearly as you can for five breaths.

11) Drop your arms slowly and allow your fingers to point downwards and project into the floor. Visualize the Golden Thread of energy and light coming down from heaven into the crown of your head and passing through your body to the center of the earth. Feel how the energy from your body flowing through your hands and fingers extends into the earth. Bring awareness to how grounded you are as you sink into your stance. Take five breaths in this standing meditative posture.

Take a minute to do a general survey before you begin moving to note any body sensations, thoughts or feelings before transitioning into your next practice or ending the session.

SomaVeda Reishi Hand Yoga is easy to do and a suitable adjunct practice for your daily wellness routine or program.

SomaVeda™ Integrated Traditional Therapies are a spiritual, energetic and competency based therapeutic healing system or Spiritual Medicine (See: What is SomaVeda™?). In the SomaVeda™ system there are over 1000 different therapeutic postures used commonly. SomaVeda™ is a complete holistic system on Natural Medicine.

For info and live courses with Aachan James at the Thai Yoga Center, visit ThaiYogaCenter.Com

Grand Opening of SMOKH’s Primary Care Clinic and teaching Facility for the Poor and Needy  in Loma Linda Ecuador October 13th, 2011.

&

Dr. J Receives Honors and Degree at Loma Linda.

ITTA Inc./ Thai Yoga Center (Plant City, Fl. USA) and Dr. Anthony B. James DNM(P), ND, MD(AM), SMOKH in cooperation and support with the Sovereign Medical Order of the Knights of Hope (SMOKH), and PanAmerican School of Natural Medicine (Nevis, West Indies) are pleased to announce the Grand Opening of the Loma Linda Primary Care Clinic and Teaching Facility.

The Loma Linda facility was organized under the SMOKH Rural Health – Clinic Recovery Program for Primary Care [Frugal Plant and Mineral Medicines for the Common People] Project. Click Here for Specific Details.

A 3 day seminary followed attended by medical doctors and students of Instituto Misael Acosta Solis, members of COLEGIO DE MEDICOS NATUROPATAS Y ALTERNATIVOS DEL ECUADOR, the Escuela Superior Politecnica del Chimborazo ESPOCH [School of Medicine], and Cooperativa de Naturopatia PODER DE VIDA.

We are pleased to inform our Spiritual Protector, H.E. Monseñor Basilius of the Ordem de Sao Tiago Apóstolo of Brasil
[http://www.cristaosorientais.no.comunidades.net/], Christened the opening.

Dr. J with H.E. Monseñor Basilius

Loma Linda Primary Care Center is located in Santo Domingo De Las Tsachila, Ecuador. Loma Linda is unique in that the full medical and clinical services are spiritually based natural medicine! The natural medicine treatments and services are accompanied by sophisticated and complete clinical medical assessments and lab services.

The seminary also included a field trip to the Tsachila de Los Colorados village, where participants learned of their customs and uses of herbs. A firm bond and affiliation was established.

The group of dedicated individuals brought together by Honorable, Doctor Charles McWilliams, SMOKH to create this amazing opportunity to bring Natural Medicine and Primary Health Care to Santo Domingo, Ecuador and the Tsachila Native/ Tribal people is commendable and should be an example of what a small dedicated group can do to improve the health and life of rural and under privileged people around the world.

Click Here for Photo Gallery of Loma Linda Primary Care Center’s Grand Opening!

Dr. Anthony B. James DNM(P), ND, MD(AM), SMOKH Receives Degree and Honors at Loma Linda!

In recognition for his life work bringing spiritually based healing systems of  Ayurveda, Thai Yoga, Thai Massage and Natural Medicine to the world. In recognition of his contribution to the founding of the Loma Linda Primary Care Center and Medical Training Facility for spiritually based Natural Medicine. Dr. James is the first Ayurveda and Thai Yoga Aachan and Master teacher to be so honored.

1) Received the “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.

2) Received the “Fraternidad y Derechos Humanos” from the Order Honorifica De La Santa Cruz Del Oriente  presented by Mons. Mar Basilius Adao Pereira, Grand Master.

3) 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.

SomaVeda Thai Yoga Introduced to Ecuador!

By invitation Dr. J will be presenting the art and sciences of Ayurveda and SomaVeda Thai Yoga Therapy to the following Medical Centers as visiting faculty and Professor of Natural Medicine in Ecuador in 2012.

1) COLEGIO DE MEDICOS NATUROPATAS Y ALTERNATIVOS DEL ECUADOR, the Escuela Superior Politecnica del Chimborazo ESPOCH [School of Medicine], and Cooperativa de Naturopatia PODER DE VIDA. ESPOCH is the largest State Accredited Medical School in Ecuador with over 20,000 students enrolled. US based students will be eligible to participate in the incredible program.

2)  Instituto Misael Acosta Solis, members of COLEGIO DE MEDICOS NATUROPATAS Y ALTERNATIVOS DEL ECUADOR

Dr. J will now be visiting Medical Professor bringing SomaVeda™ Thai Yoga Therapy and Natural Medicine by invitation to Loma Linda

SomaVeda™ Integrated Traditional Therapies are a spiritual, energetic and competency based therapeutic healing system or Spiritual Medicine (See: What is SomaVeda™?). In the SomaVeda™ system there are over 1000 different therapeutic postures used commonly. SomaVeda™ is a complete holistic system on Natural Medicine.

For info and live courses with Aachan James at the Thai Yoga Center, visit ThaiYogaCenter.Com

SomaVeda Thai Yoga Ardis Salabhasana Half Locust for Low Back and Abdominal

by Dr. Anthony B. James DNM(P), ND, MD(AM), SMOKH

Director of Education at The Thai Yoga Center and The SomaVeda™ Institute of Natural Healing

In SomaVeda’s prone position, the facilitated Ardis Salabhasana or Half Locust Lift is a great release for both the low back and abdomen. By release we mean the posture balances the energetic, pranic, physical, mental and emotional aspects of the person.

Yoga Nadi affected are primarily the sen lines Kalathari, Sumana, as well as Sen Ittha and Pinghala depending on which side in emphasized. One interesting note is that because of this sen line emphasis we can expect the facilitated Locust lift to beneficially affect the respiratory and digestive process. In classical Thai Yoga, indications are based on the path of the line of Prana or vital life force. Any physical, mental or emotional concern that could be located on or near a sen line (Yoga Prana Nadi) would indicate that line was out of balance.

The unilateral emphasis of doing each side independently supports the traditional assessment model of having sessions focused primarily on one side of the body. This traditional assessment states that all disorders were first described as male or female or right or left side imbalances. This is similar to the idea in Traditional Chinese Medicine of defining illnesses as yin or yang and then applying a balancing strategy or protocol.

Part 1 Demo

This Yoga Therapy asana directly addresses proper alignment of the pelvis and sacrum with the low back vertebrae of L4 and L5. It elongates the psoas-diaphramatic-complex of the anterior leg and torso from the knee to the sternum. The Psoas-Diaphramatic Complex is the synergistic musculature running from the knee to the rib cage including the quadriceps, rectus abdominus, the psoas (illiacus/ illiopsoas) , quadratus lumboram and the diaphram. We include in the complex all the little supportive and synergistic stuctures such as the inner and deep adductors which are also included in function of the complex.  The facilitated asana is both unilateral and asymmetrical and helps bring corrective energy to improper alignments of the entire pelvic grid in the front, back, and side.

The beauty part in the Half Locust lift is that it is very difficult to target these structures to self release on your own. The reason being typical as a difference between the practice of Hatha Yoga and Isolated stretching being that in order to lift the left on your own you first have to contract the spinal and para spinal muscles of the back.  You also contract the legs and supporting abdominal structures creating antagonistic muscle tension required for the lifting of the leg. This is specifically antagonistic to the process of releasing the anterior lines and structures!

One of the great values in Yoga Therapy is that there is little or no antagonistic muscle tension created in the doing or facilitating of the therapeutic asana themselves!

This position brings emphasis to the soft tissue areas of the low back and the Bladder Meridian. Half locust by definition is a backbend. Like all supported backbends, it facilitates the release of the anterior para-spinal muscles. Spasm in the anterior para-spinal muscles can refer trigger point pain directly into the low back (either side) in the sacral/gluteal area, which can create a classic sciatic pain pattern. It can also refer pain higher up in the mid and upper back. Supported Locust brings oxygen to ischemic muscles, which reduces spasm and the resultant referral pain. Reducing spasm in and of itself will allow greater range of motion.

It is very important that the therapist use proper body mechanics and postural alignment to avoid strain injuries especially when working with larger, heavier clients. Lifting mechanics need to be stressed more in American and western clients as the average person is overweight and so many are clinically obese. Don’t sacrifice your back to lift a client beyond your ability to maintain proper body mechanics. If you can’t lift properly then skip this technique and move on!

Part 2 Demo

This technique is performed by SomaVeda Thai Yoga Aachan, Dr. James at the Thai Yoga Center in Plant City, FL.

SomaVeda™ Integrated Traditional Therapies are a spiritual, energetic and competency based therapeutic healing system or Spiritual Medicine (See: What is SomaVeda™?). In the SomaVeda™ system there are over 1000 different therapeutic postures used commonly. SomaVeda™ is a complete holistic system on Natural Medicine.

The SomaVeda™ System offers Ayurveda and Yoga Therapy based training programs from 200 hours to over 5000 hours. If your considering a career in Ayurveda, Yoga Therapy and or Natural Medicine consider our PMA Accredited programs. SV advanced students and graduates may qualify for Medical Licensing in every state.

For info and live courses with Aachan James at the Thai Yoga Center, visit ThaiYogaCenter.Com

Love Yoga and Spiritually based Natural Healing?  Consider SomaVeda™ Thai Yoga Therapy, Ayurveda and Natural Medicine!

ITTA/ The Thai Yoga Center and The SomaVeda™ Institute for Natural Medicine are hosting amazing professional certification programs and courses to help prepare you for a successful career in holistic therapies based on Ayurveda, Thai Yoga and Natural Medicine.

Earn a Doctorate in Natural Medicine specializing in Ayurveda/ Thai Yoga/ Yoga Therapy and or Doctor of Naturopathy Diploma and Degree. We have course and diploma paths to fit your lifestyle, schedule and budget.

We have several amazing program paths for you to choose from:  

Entry Level:

1) The SomaVeda™ Certified Thai Yoga Practitioner Program (CTP1,2 ,3 ) (Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced). All new students start in the CTP1 program1. We are the oldest, original Thai Yoga and Thai Massage based program in North America and we have set the highest standards in the industry for over 30 years.
 Click Here for CTP Details!

Expert  Level:

2) The SomaVeda Certified Teacher Training Program (TCP): Bring the most profound and diverse system of spiritually based healing to your community. Opportunities for our graduate SomaVeda teachers are growing world wide. Bring your practice mastery to it’s highest level, help introduce the world to a practical Yoga Therapy and Vedic Medical System as well as make a right livelihood all at the same time.
Click Here for TCP Details!

Expert Level Eligible for Medical Licensing:

3) The SomaVeda™ Holistic Health Provider Ayurveda / Practitioner of Natural Medicine Ayurveda Diploma Course (HHPA, PNMA): A 2595 clock hour intensive, clinical focused education in Ayurveda, Thai Yoga, Natural Medicine. Learn how to develop a fully functioning clinical office offering natural and medical services from Thai Yoga to Nutritional counseling. Learn effective methodologies for treating chronic and acute diseases and the science behind them in a medically supervised environment and school. Our courses are US and Internationally recognized and are accredited. Graduates with the HHPA/ PNMA Diploma qualify for allied medical licensing. Click Here for HHPA/ PNMA Details!

Doctoral Level, Eligible for Medical Licensing:

4) The SomaVeda™ Doctor of Natural Medicine (Ayurveda), ND/ DNM:   Diploma Program offers a sophisticated education in Ayurveda based Natural Medicine. This diploma program is PMA accredited and graduates are eligible for appropriate Medical Licensing. Click Here for DNMA/ ND Degree Details!

5) Coming Soon! Doctor of Oriental Medicine (DOM): Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology

ITTA International Training Opportunities

1) Thailand Training Programs from 30 hours to over 500!  ThailandStudyTours.Com Travel, Tour and Training in Thailand!

2) Kerala, India Training Programs from one to 3 months! IndiaStudyTours.Com Intensive Ayurveda, Pancha Karma and Classical Indian Pharmacopea, Ayurvedic Cooking and Hatha Yoga.

3) Nevis West, Indies: Courses and Clinical Internships in of the worlds largest Medical Centers entirely devoted to Natural and Alternative Medical Practices!

4) Coming Soon! Quito, Ecuador! Courses and Clinical Internships at our new sister Holistic Medical Center and Clinic

 

Where do you begin?

All new students begin in the CTP program.

It’s only 200 hours and gives you a solid working foundation and competency to begin your practice the day after graduation! If your serious minded about becoming a SomaVeda™ Thai Yoga Teacher, Hatha Yoga Teacher, Licensed Practitioner of Natural Medicine Ayurveda and or a Licensed Doctor of Natural Medicine Ayurveda,  we can help you choose the best program for your needs and life.

ThaiYogaCenter.Com

SomaVeda™ Thai Yoga and Thai Massage incorporates elements of mindfulness, gentle rocking, deep stretching and rhythmic compression and focus to create a singular healing experience.

The SomaVeda™ Integrated Traditional Therapies life and livelihood is about securing the necessities of Love, Compassion, Joy and Equanimity for ourselves and all mankind. It is a way of working that’s as good for the person doing it as for those receiving. This work does not cause you harm and makes you stronger and healthier the longer you do it. This is unlike other forms of “healing” which may cause repetitive stress and occupational disability the longer you do them.  You can be completely yourself in every way while you do this work. SomaVeda™ is a genuine spiritually based healing system preparing practitioners for real life clinical practice.

If your interested in learning more about Ayurveda Yoga Therapy based Science and Healing while developing a Thai Yoga practice visit us today!

Next available Start Dates: January, March, June and September of 2012 Click Here for Schedule!

Email or call the office directly  (706) 358-8646

We have Scholarship! To learn how you can receive this training with a tuition scholarship or at greatly reduced tuition Click Here!

Accreditations and Professional Recognitions:


ITTA is an Accredited Educational Institute with the PMA (Pastoral Medical Association)
ITTA is a recognized Provider School of Naturopathic Education with the ANCB (American Naturopathic Certification Board)
ITTA is an NCBTMB Approved Provider for Massage and Massage Therapy Continuing Education.
For a complete list of  ITTA/ Thai Yoga Center Accreditations, Recognitions and Afiliations Please Click Here!

Visit us on the web at ThaiYogaCenter.Com

While visiting our website sign up for our Newsletter to receive 2 free E-books and Mp3! Click Here to Sign Up!

ITTA, Inc. / The Thai Yoga Center
4715 Bruton Rd. Plant City, Florida 33565
(706) 358-8646

A Thai Yoga Hand Reflexology VinyasaDr. Anthony B. James DNM(P), ND, MD(AM), SMOKH

Director of Education at The Thai Yoga Center and The SomaVeda™ Institute of Natural Healing

A Thai Yoga Hand Reflexology Vinyasa

This beautiful little Hand Yoga Therapy flow is easily incorporated into any healing session. Ayurveda, Yoga Therapy and Traditional Chinese Medicine as well as other traditional spiritual and energetic based systems have long held the value of working or bringing energy, attention, consciousness, breath and pressure to the hands and feet. Hands and Feet are considered Reflex Zones.

Thai Yoga Reflexology may also be considered a traditional form of acupressure and the techniques are very similar. Doing a general Yoga Therapy Reflexology treatment to the hand is nurturing and relaxing. As all the reflex zones and points are treated there is a balancing of both Nadi and meridians, Marma and Lom (Sen Kalathari), and Chakra energies. There is especially emphasis of the 4th Chakra and the microcosmic orbit, heart, lung, pericardium and large instestine meridians.

Take the relationship of the hands to Fourth Chakra for example. In Ayurvedic Chakra theory, the hands are the “Organs of Expression” for the Fourth (Anahata) Chakra.  We also see a cross over with the Fifth Chakra as well in the hands. The Fifth (Vishudda) Chakra represents the “Communication and Expression of Being”. Ask your self how important the hands are in communicating and expressing exactly who you are in the world? Is it any wonder that disorders such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome are so debilitating?

Aside from the ability to work issue if your hands are in distress then it is as if your tongue is tied!  We recommend and do this Thai Yoga Hand Flow or Vinyassa with or as part of any treatment for a hand specific disorder.

Psychologically, considering the connect (connect is not a noun…you need a noun here like connection) to the heart and its related issues, we also work on the hands in sessions because they relate (are linked) to heart issues and unresolved emotional blockages in that area.

From a physiological point of view, we address issues of alignment of the bones and connective tissue, and constrictions and restriction on the venous blood flow from the heart to the lungs. The techniques used in this treatment traction and decompress the joints and ligaments, increase directly circulation of blood, lymphatic and interstitial fluids, and increase oxygen to reduce spasm, trigger points and any concurrent referral pain from them. Aggregates of waste and body byproducts such as lactic and uric acid salts, which have settled out of solution and accumulated in the interstitial pockets between the tissues and structures of the hand are broken up and dissolved back into solution where they can be handled and removed from the body. These are the “Crunchies” you will feel grinding under your thumbs as you do this breakout routine.

Twelve Steps in SomaVeda Level Two Hand Flow or Vinyasa

1) Gently Pull the Arm and Luft or bounce to release tension in arm and shoulder.
2) Reinforced Thumb Circles on the Wrist Lom or Joint.
3) Klai Sen or Snake Thumb on two lines.
4) Shake Hands with point Hoku (Li4)
5) Twist or “scrunch” each of the fingers.
6) Cross Thumbs on 5 lines on the Palm of the Hand.
7) Stretch the Fingers from Base to finger tip
9) Circle and Pull the Finger joints (Not necessary to make them pop!)
10) Break Bread Technique 3 times
11) Bicycle Technique: Slow, fasy then slow again.
12) Shake Vigorously and Drop

Not only is there a nurturing and relaxing aspect to Yoga Therapy for the Hand, this sequence can be beneficial for a wide range of symptoms from stress and headaches to constipation and low back pain.

In order  to create a spiritual space in which to heal and  frame of mind to maximize the contact and experience we are sharing with the client, we incorporate Puja (Therapeutic Prayer) before and after we  do a hand reflexology session.

SomaVeda™ Integrated Traditional Therapies are a spiritual, energetic and competency based therapeutic healing system or Spiritual Medicine (See: What is SomaVeda™?). In the SomaVeda™ system there are over 1000 different therapeutic postures used commonly. SomaVeda™ is a complete holistic system on Natural Medicine.

For info and live courses with Aachan James at the Thai Yoga Center, visit ThaiYogaCenter.Com

Traditional Thai Yoga, Thai Massage, Ayurveda and Yoga Therapy by definition are spiritually based healing arts.

To be effective in promoting our spiritual healing practices and our ministries of healing, we must be able to claim the principles and precedents which validate our right to practice. To claim the higher ground including specific legal protections we must be clear about our understandings for the basis of what we claim to do!

You’re a practitioner of healing arts and sciences such as Thai Yoga and Thai Massage, Ayurveda, TCM, Acupuncture, Reiki, Naturopathy and Herbology, Aroma Therapy, EFT/ BET, etc. You may claim a “Spiritual”, “Energetic”, or “Natural” basis for your work, distinguishing it from the secular conventional medicine. But do you know why your spiritual medicine or healing work is considered so? There is more to this equation that that we just feel that our work is spiritual!

We say SomaVeda™ Integrated Traditional Therapies (which includes our Thai Yoga and healing is a spiritually based system, but do you know why we say that?

Do you really know what “Spiritual” means?

What if you had to prove that your healing work is spiritually based? Could you do it? What if being spiritually based was the only legal umbrella under which your practice could operate. If this was challenged could you defend your practice in court?

Spiritually based healing and medicine is NOT alternative! This course will clearly show you that spiritual, energetic and natural medicines have from ancient history throughout every known civilization been the only legitimate and successful medicine. It will show you how the mechanistic, Descartian, reductionist, western “scientific” medicine may not be as rational and complete as you have been led to believe.

All traditional healing methods such as those based on Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine and various native traditions are by definition Vitalistic Therapies.

You may already be practicing Vitalistic Therapeutics. Find out how and why.

FREE Vitalism Course! (Click Here)

This course is FREE for the next two days only. PanAmerican is offering this amazing course as a gift of service. After the 15th of this month it will still be available for a small cost. If interested, at least take the offer and register so you can complete the course at your leisure.

Please pass this offer on to everyone and anyone you know who is interested in practicing spiritual, energetic, vibrational or natural medicine legally.

If you have any questions regarding this course feel free to communicate with us here at ITTA or directly with our sister school PanAmerican.

Be well.

In Service,

Dr. Anthony B. James DNM(P), ND, MD(AM), SMOKH
Director of Education ITTA/ Thai Yoga Center
Adjunct Professor PanAmerican School of Natural Medicine