Embracing its Oriental roots and bringing one of the most treasured therapies to the western world, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Miami has launched a Thai Massage Academy for massage therapists and individuals interested in exploring this unique ancient art form. Introductory and advanced courses are accredited with The Florida Board of Massage Therapy. 

“Our unique spa academy provides a comprehensive journey aimed at teaching touching, stretching and rolling techniques designed to evoke relaxation and detoxification of the body,” said Ronel Corbin, spa director. “This is an exciting program as it is available for every individual to experience the art of touch.”
The 16-hour Introductory Certification course provides a basic foundation of Thai massage where students will learn body mechanics, the quality of touch and how to incorporate movement and position into a healing practice. The 80-hour Advanced Practitioner Certification course covers concepts to perform Thai massage to the whole body with more than 100 techniques taught from the northern-style tradition of ancient Thai massage. It also provides students with certified training that would enable them to practice Thai massage to the high standards of Mandarin Oriental spas.

All classes are conducted in The Spa’s intimate and tranquil Chi Studio, a perfect learning environment. Thai specialist and in-house spa trainer, Jongrak Intatha instructs all massage classes.

Fees and course descriptions are as follows:
Introductory Certification
? 16 hours (3 days)
? Fridays: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
? Fee: $400

Advanced Practitioner Certification
? 80 hours (13 days)
? Offered two times a day - 10 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. or 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
? Fee: $1500 (Thai massage workbooks are included)

Room packages are also available at Mandarin Oriental, Miami, the city’s only AAA Five Diamond hotel. 
A rare offering at spas outside of Asia, Thai massage works with the energy body of man, applying pressure to energy points. Contrary to the popular Swedish massage of the west, which focuses on the physical body with the kneading of muscles, traditional Thai massage incorporates stretching applications that can be linked to Yoga.

Believed to be more than 2000 years old, Thai massage was developed as a therapeutic method of healing the sick and injured. Some benefits of Thai massage include increased mobility, blood circulation, muscle relaxation, mind and body concentration and detoxification of the body. 
For more information or to enroll in The Spa’s Thai Massage Academy, please contact The Spa directly on +1 (305) 913 8332 or visit Mandarin Oriental, Miami’s web site at www.mandarinoriental.com/miami.

The Spa ideally complements the luxurious facilities at Mandarin Oriental, Miami. Contemporary in design and with a prominent waterfront location, the 329-room hotel includes two high-energy restaurants, a dynamic Lobby Lounge, M-Bar - a martini bar and champagne bar, extensive meeting and business facilities and Miami’s most spacious rooms and suites, offering dramatic views of the bay and ocean.

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Miami has been designed to reflect the exceptional levels of attention to detail and the standards of service that is intrinsic to Mandarin Oriental worldwide, drawing on its renowned experience with its sister spas such as The Oriental Spa in Bangkok and The Spa at Mandarin Oriental in London.

Mandarin Oriental is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world’s most prestigious hotels and resorts. In total, the Group operates 18 luxury hotels in key business and leisure destinations, with three additional hotels under development, including New York (opening late 2003), Washington D.C. (opening 2004) and Tokyo (opening 2006). Mandarin Oriental now operates some 7,000 rooms in eleven countries with nine hotels in Asia, six in The Americas and three in Europe.

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