From Thailand to Thunder Bay

A lifetime of learning, teaching and sharing Thai traditions

People sometimes ask Puiy where she learned Thai Massage.

The simple answer is Thailand, but the real answer is quite a bit longer than that.

Puiy grew up in rural Thailand, where traditional ways of caring for the body were familiar from an early age. Her father was involved in Thai boxing, and massage, movement and traditional healing were things she was exposed to long before she ever thought about making them part of her work.

As she got older, that interest became more serious.

Training at Wat Pho

One of the most important parts of Puiy’s training was at Wat Pho in Bangkok.

Wat Pho is well known for its connection to Traditional Thai Massage and Thai medicine, and studying there gave Puiy a strong foundation in the traditional techniques that are still a big part of the way she works today.

She later continued her training in Chiang Mai, including at the Old Hospital, where she was exposed to a somewhat different style and approach.

That became a pattern for Puiy.

She never really stopped learning.

Over the years she has continued to train with different teachers, including Ajahn Jack, studied Thai Warrior Massage, completed more advanced Thai Massage training, and learned from Bob Haddad as well.

Each teacher and school added something different.

Learning to Teach

At some point, Puiy’s training moved beyond learning techniques for her own treatments.

She trained at the instructor level and began teaching other people.

Teaching is something she takes seriously. It is not enough to know where to put your hands or how to perform a stretch. You need to understand what you are doing well enough to explain it, demonstrate it properly and recognize when it needs to be changed for the person in front of you.

That teaching experience is still part of Thai Healing Center today.

Puiy has trained Michelle and continues to share what she has learned with others who are serious about understanding Traditional Thai Massage properly.

There Is More Than One Way to Do Thai Massage

One thing people do not always realize is that Traditional Thai Massage is not one fixed routine.

Different teachers and different parts of Thailand have their own influences and approaches.

That is one of the advantages of Puiy having studied in several places and with different teachers.

A treatment does not have to look exactly the same every time.

One person may benefit from more stretching and movement. Someone else may need slower work or more attention to a particular area. Experience is what helps a practitioner decide which techniques make sense at that moment.

That is also why Puiy has continued to train even after many years of practising Thai Massage.

There is always something more to learn.

Bringing a Little of Thailand to Thunder Bay

When Puiy came to Thunder Bay, she wanted to share more than just a style of massage.

Thai Healing Center has gradually become a place where she can share some of the traditions she grew up with and continued to study in Thailand.

Traditional Thai Massage is obviously a large part of that, but it also includes Rue Si Datton, Thai herbal practices, Thai dance and other parts of Thai culture.

Puiy still returns to Thailand for additional training because she believes the learning should continue.

That is important to us.

A certificate can tell you that someone completed a course. It cannot replace years of practice, good teachers, continued learning and an understanding of the traditions behind what you are doing.

That is really what Thai Healing Center is built around.

Experience. Training. Tradition.

Thai Healing Center
Traditional Thai Massage in Thunder Bay