Thailand Study Abroad Adventure - Jan. 26-Feb.06, 2025 -(30 CE's)

Thailand Study Abroad Adventure 2025:

Come join Michael, Meredith & Erin on a restorative retreat in the magical Kingdom of Thailand. Our tour will take place in and around Old Chiang Mai, in Northern Thailand. About half the tour is exploring the richness of Thailand's culture and beauty and the other half of the tour is learning new Thai Massage techniques and theory. Michael will offer his '12 CE hour 'Next Level Thai Yoga Bodywork' course. We will also be studying with a few other master Thai massage teachers including Flora Bisagono (Osteo-Thai), Aon Boonthume (Traditional Thai Masasge) and Om (Herbal Compress). Please note that this tour is more of a 'study abroad' trip than a 'vacation.' We expect all participants to behave ethically, exhibit respect for Thai culture as well as to take full responsibility for their own experience.

Please watch this 3 minute overview filmed on location in 2018:

https://youtu.be/TtrGhTdPATU

We will divide the trip up into two parts:

Part 1: Eco Resort: We will arrange to pick you up from Chiang Mai Airport and take you to the Eco Resort in Northern Thailand. This resort has an olympic size swimming pool (so be sure to bring a few pairs of bathing suits). They also have a program room that we will use for daily yoga practice, integration circles and some special night time activities. The first week we will be studying at The Sunshine school with a well renowned Italian Thai therapist and teacher, Flora Bisogono, learning Dynamic Thai techniques. In this three day course, we will be focusing on restoring mobility in the major joints of the body. We will then spend two days learning Michael’s ‘Next Level Thai Massage’ course. This 12 CE hour course is approved by NCBTMB and will focus on more advanced techniques and 'hands free' options. For these 5 days, We will have three hours of class time in the morning and afternoon. There will be lots of opportunities to both enhance and hone your Thai Massage skills with our one on one guidance from Michael and his team. Additional offerings include a trip to a private hot springs, a guided exploration of an underground temple cave, a monk led immersion into Thai Buddhism and Wat Phra Doi Saket (one of the most stunning Buddhist temples in all of Thailand). There will also be lots of massage receiving opportunities, as well as optional nightly excursions to restaurants, markets & music. Meredith (who speaks Thai fluently) will also be offering an introduction to Thai language and culture class as well as song circles.

Part 2: Old Chiang Mai: In this second week of the trip, we will have more independence, more options and more time to explore various aspects of Thailand. We will stay in a sweet family run guest house called The Libra House. It is located in my favorite part of the 'old city' of Chiang Mai, walking distance to local markets, great health conscious restaurants, fresh juice bars, temples, yoga studios and some talented Thai massage therapists.

Additional offerings on the second week include a day of Thai Herbal Compress study and treatment, visiting an Elephant Sanctuary, visiting a Hilltribe village, trekking to a stunning waterfall and a jungle trek to a gorgeous hot springs resort. We will also spend a half day at an organic farm where we will experience a delicious Thai cooking course and meal.

Whats Included:

• 12 nights of lodging (6 at the Eco Resort and 6 at the Libra Guest House).
• Complimentary breakfast and Thai coffee every day.
• 12 CE hours with Michael –'Next Level Thai' Training
• 3 days of Dynamic Thai with Flora at the Sunshine School. = 18 CE's
• 2 days of Traditional Thai Massage study with Pichest's son, Aon Boonthume.
• 1 day training in Thai Herbal Compress Massage with Om.
• 1 day training in Traditional Thai Tok Sen Massage with Leela.
• Excursions to the Night Bizarre and 'Sunday old town walking market'
• Daily Yoga with Erin.
• Daily Pool access at both Eco resort and Libra House.
• A visit to a stunning Hot Springs Resort in the jungle.
• A visit to an Elephant Sanctuary and optional jungle trek.
• Lunch at a Hilltribe Village with a visit to a Hilltribe school for children.
• A Waterfall expedition. (swimming optional but encouraged).
• A Traditional Thai Cooking Class and local food market tour.
• A Temple Cave Adventure.
• A Guided Temple Tour of Wat Phra Doi Saket.
• A phenomenal private performance with a professional and traditional Thai dance troupe.
• Thai language & culture classes with Meredith.
• Sacred Ceremony & Song Circles with Meredith.
• Transport to/from the Airport.
• Michael, Erin & Meredith as your personal instructors, guides and translators.
• 30 NCBTMB approved CE credits

What's Not Included:

• Transport to/from Thailand
• Lunch and Dinner in Chiang Mai, (breakfast is included)
• All the great $10 massages you could want
• All market purchases (Thai Pants, Jewelry, Gifts, etc)

Investment, Registration and Other Important Notes:

Investment = $1995.

*** If you are interested in joining this trip, please email me directly (michaelsitzer@gmail.com) to request an application. Once accepted, you will need to go to the 'purchase a ticket' section of this page and choose the '1st Payment' option.

• Registration begins with a partially refundable deposit of $700.

• An additional partially refundable deposit of $650 must be put down by September 1, 2023.

• The remaining balance of $645 must be paid in full by November 1, 2024.

• The above payments are all 50% refundable. If you should choose not to go, you can get a 50% refund of all deposits made to date. The other 50% will be held as a credit towards any class or tour with me for a full year.

• You can either purchase a ticket here or to save on Eventbrite fees, you can alternately send funds via Venmo (Michael Sitzer-1) or mail a check for $700, to: Michael Sitzer, 14 Lookout Rd, Asheville, NC 28804 (email Michael if you are mailing a check)

• There is only space for 14 participants on this trip.

• Everything we do on the trip is optional, you can always go explore where you are being called. The price is the same regardless of your choices.

• Once accepted, you will be invited to join a new Facebook page exclusively for the retreat participants. Here, all concerns can be discussed and all details worked out.

I am also available by phone and/or email throughout the year to address any questions, concerns or to help you plan your travel.

• We will use the Facebook page to arrange flights and itineraries so we can travel in groups.

• Accommodations are either shared rooms with two double beds. You can upgrade to your own private room for an additional $100. All rooms have free wifi, a private hot shower and a/c.

• Liability waivers will be required. Travel and Health Insurance is highly encouraged.

Hope to see you in Thailand!

With Love & Metta,

Michael, Meredith & Erin