Riverdave is also a student of Traditonal Thai Massage, having received his training and certification at the Lotus Palm School in Montreal, Canada. In this unique traditional healing practice that evolved in the temples of Thailand, the recipient is guided through a series of assisted yoga postures, with applied acupressure and stretches, that are designed to relieve stress and balance the body energetically. This is performed on a floor mat and both recipient and practitioner are dressed in comfortable, loose fitting clothing. No previous yoga experience is required of the recipient.  If you are interested in experiencing a session, please call Riverdave at 919-471-3310.   See http://www.lotuspalm.com/about.asp

Responses From Friends in the Area ...

Dave - Thanks for a wonderful experience with Thai massage yesterday.  I want to give you a report of the personal things I noticed during and after the experience. During the session, I felt very relaxed, very peaceful.  I chose to keep my eyes closed for almost the entire time which resulted in increased awareness of what was happening to my body but also resulted in an out-of-body experience.  Also I felt that you took me to the limit of what was comfortable and safe but never took me beyond that point.  Your hands, arms, and feet seemed very strong but, at no time, did I feel in danger.

After the session I felt relaxed and energized at the same time.  I felt as if blocked energy was flowing.  Upon arriving home, I made two phone calls to a family in Montana with whom I am working on a story.  I had been hesitating making these important calls because it never seemed the right time.  Last night, I got in touch with both people that I needed advice from.  They were enthusiastic and helpful, propelling my writing project closer to completion.

I am feeling that same energy today in terms of engaging things that I have been putting off.  But I can feel "the system" wearing me down.  I refuse to lose this energy, and I will persevere! I awoke this morning to more freedom of movement and to no soreness in joints or muscles.  The freedom of movement I expected but the no soreness surprised me.  I think this is a testament to the skill with which you executed my session. Thanks for all of this.  I think you are on to something very healthful, mentally and physically.  Thanks for including me.

Joseph - November 2007

Dave - I just got back from an aerobics class and found that I had the best energy I have had in a long time while working out - and I attribute it to your Thai massage.  I remember the points where I felt tightness in my muscles and just decided I should try to relax with it and that this was needed to release whatever was knotting me.  Fantastic.   I really feel grateful to you.
 
Martha - December 2007

Dave - Yesterday, directly after the Thai massage, I wasn't sure how I felt. I felt good, but confused. I felt drained, but not the least bit sore.  Almost as if I wanted to cry. Everything seemed to be pulling out of my body.  As the day went on, I felt lighter and lighter.  By the time I went to bed, my body felt the lightest I can remember it.  Even this morning I feel amazing.  Anyway, this probably makes no sense, but I wanted to let you know what a special thing this was for me.  Truly amazing.  I really feel as if you helped me heal yesterday. You really have a gift.  Thanks so much for sharing it with me.  I hope I can continue to learn, experience and share in your talent.

Michael - February 2008

Dave - The Thai massage is still with me, I think about it often.  It opened up channels of peace and happy thought.  Thanks again.

Melanie - July 2008 


A Comparison of Traditional and Modern Medicine

adapted by Dave Owen from Massage Therapy, Principles and Practices by Susan Salvo

T - The body is a garden whose landscape embodies the primal elements of nature
      (earth, fire, air and water) that are connected to all of life.
M - The body is a machine with working parts that are removable, repairable          
      interchangeable and, in some cases, unnecessary.

T - The human body is a microcosm reflecting all of the natural world.
M - Humans are autonomous in nature.

T - A holistic view is taken, addressing the body, mind and spirit as a whole.
M - A reductionist view is taken, separating and reducing matter.

T - Health is based on integrity, adaptability and continuity.
M - Health is regarded as the absence of disease.

T - A functional model is used, viewing the body, mind and spirit as interacting        
     systems.
M - A structural model is used, seeking answers from the body structures such as
     cells and tissues.

T - The approach is based on the awareness, assessment and treatment of subtle
     energies of the body, dreams and animistic forces.
M - The approach has little or no regard for subtle energies of the body, dreams
     and animistic influences.

T - The approach focuses on prevention and sustained health maintenance.
M - The approach focuses on eradicating disease.

T - Health is cultivated by a partnership between practitioner and client to improve
     ecological conditions.
M - Outlook is a war on disease with physician as general, disease as enemy, and
     patient as occupied territory.

T - Goal is enhancement of the body’s self-healing capacity.
M - Goal is to eradicate symptoms and maximize performance.

T - This is a medicine by and for the people, to be learned and taught and practiced
     by all.
M - This approach is more specialized, technologically based, impractical and even
     illegal for the average person to practice.

T - Practitioners train the people to care for themselves and the patient shares
     responsibility for their condition.
M - Training is centered around a specific body system with intricate knowledge of
     the anatomy and physiology of that system. The physician is the authority and
     takes responsibility for the patient’s condition.

T - There is a major emphasis on diet, exercise and rest.
M - There is a minor emphasis on diet, exercise and rest.

T - Herbal medicines are used that have little or no side effects and dosages based
     on trial and error over millennia
M - Synthesized chemical drugs are used with many side effects and dosages based
     on short term statistics.

T - Therapeutic touch is often used.
M - Physical therapy with machines is often used.