Thai Yoga Massage
&
Somatic Practices

Releasing bodyminds through movement & touch

Thai BodyWork

Thai Yoga Massage combines assisted stretches, acupressure, and stimulating energy lines (Sen lines) which radiate through the body, to enhance well-being and increase mobility. Focusing on balancing the energy body with palming and thumbing techniques, the steady rhythmic movements allow the mind and body to slow down and become centred.

During the treatment I will support you to find connection between movement and breath and develop good bodily alignment. You’ll be twisted and stretched as I use my feet, hands, and elbows to work the body in all dimensions, relieving stress, muscular and fascial tension, improving circulation and increasing energy levels.

Unlike other massage forms, Thai yoga bodywork is performed fully clothed (yoga or sports clothing is perfect) and takes place on a futon rather than a massage table. Always mindful and in approach, each treatment is uniquely individual and can be very gentle and mediative, or dynamic and strong.

Thai Massage therapeutic benefits include, relieving conditions such as: shoulder and neck tension - joint pain, back pain, sciatica, hip problems - sports injuries - menstruation problems, insomnia, headache and other stress related conditions.
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Client voices

 Vida has an amazing touch. Her sense of timing and amount of pressure were perfect. My body feels open and energized. This was the best massage I've had in a very long time! 

Lynn: Thai massage, USA

 A very relaxing experience - I felt 100% safe with the whole process 

Naomi: Thai massage

 A very thorough massage delivered by a skilled practitioner which targeted my areas of concern combined with a full body workout. I felt both relaxed and invigorated in equal measures at the end of the massage 

Doug: Thai Massage Client

 After the massage I felt like I was floating and a weight had been removed. I can't describe the positive impact Thai yoga sessions with Vida give me - exceptional. 

Vicki: Thai Yoga

 Vida is an excellent therapist. She is in tune with my general wellbeing and regularly checks out how I'm feeling. I find the massage relaxing, energising and it has increased my flexibility. 

Coral: Thai Yoga client

 Relaxing and very positive. Stretched out some stiffness and generally feel much better. Should do it every post golf day! 

Tim: Thai massage

 I have benefited so much from your supportive presence and I can’t begin to tell you how much CAP has helped me personally and academically. .. Thank you again for this wonderful work which I will be continuing to explore. 

Lecturer: Creative Articulations Process Participant

 Just to say how helpful I found the CAP sessions facilitated by you ... I remain surprised/amazed by the images which came from that session. 

Creative Articulations Process Participant
  

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Somatics & Creativity

I offer somatically informed creative workshops, mentoring and research (inter)nationally.

The term Somatics, was first coined in 1970 by educator Thomas Hanna to describe a number of techniques that share an interest in the combination of movement, relaxation and reflective awareness

I emphasise a sensory approach, providing opportunities to attend to the experience of motion, enhancing bodymind connectivity.  Exploring improvationally, I combine Skinner Releasing Techniques, somatically informed yoga and Thai yoga massage, Focusing and Contact.

These practices also inform my co-devised Creative Articulations Process (CAP), as developed with my longstanding collaborator Prof Jane Bacon. CAP offers a 'tool-kit' for embodied practitioners, informing and deepening their awareness in/of creative processes.

Workshops are devised in relation to specific themes or purposes to suit the needs of individuals/groups and the context in which we are working. I emphasis the intersection of the personal, critical and kinaesthetic to enhance participants movement and articulation practice whilst fostering artistic sensibility and creative unfoldment.
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Treatments & Practices

I practice Thai Bodywork & Yoga by arrangement in an around the village of Draycott, Derbyshire. Other Workshops, Trainings & Mentoring are established locally & (inter)nationally, ad hoc/by request.

Thai Yoga Massage

Thai Yoga Massage

Thai yoga massage includes a combination of acupressure, gentle stretching and applied yoga, which together create a unique, therapeutic and deeply relaxing massage. Each massage is tailored individuals needs while inviting you into an experience of attentive therapeutic touch. Before your first session I will ask you to complete a short medical information form to help assess your needs and any contraindications. At the closing of a session I might suggest an exercise to take home if relevant e.g. a stretch or a simple breath technique. Please come dressed in gym/yoga clothing. (1hr 15mins, £55.00 / 1hr 45mins, £70.00)

Assisted Yoga + Massage

Assisted Yoga + Massage

Combined yoga and massage session one-to-one or in small groups. These sessions awaken and deepen yoga practice by using hands-on techniques as you move through yoga poses. Sessions can be designed to suitable all levels of experience. (1hr 15mins, £55.00 / 1hr 45mins, £70.00)

Pregnacy Thai Yoga Massage

Pregnacy Thai Yoga Massage

Pregnancy Thai Yoga Massage is effective at relieving the lower back of all those aches and pains associated with the weight of carrying the little one(s). It also helps to relieve sciatica, leg tension and improve circulation - reducing swelling. Thai bodywork for pregnancy takes place mainly in side position, using bolsters and blankets, so that the mother and the bump are fully supported. At the end of the massage mother and baby are likely to feel calm and revitalised. Suitable from the 2nd trimester onward and with a medical practitioners advice. Please come dressed in comfortable gym/yoga clothing.(1hr 15 mins, £55)

Creative Articulations Process: Grounding Practice and Mentoring

Creative Articulations Process: Grounding Practice and Mentoring

The Creative Articulation Process (CAP) supports people interested in deepening their awareness of creative embodied processes. Inviting you into journeys of discovery within a containing framework, CAP is somatic and improvisational in approach, developing your skills in attending, tracking and writing. With Jane Bacon I offer online & in-person workshops, including a monthly GROUNDING PRACTICE series, in which you are guided through a one hour CAP score. Contact me to discuss workshops or individual mentoring.

Learn More
BreathBone

BreathBone

A series of short 5-10 mins audio recordings that bring you into deeper body-mind awareness. The recordings are grouped into themes and designed to be followed each day over a week. BreathBone takes c.10 mins per day and is free to access anytime online at 'learn more' link below.

Learn More
Workshops & Mentoring

Workshops & Mentoring

I facilitate workshops in Somatics, Improvisation, Thai yoga bodywork and the Creative Articulation Process. All trainings are designed in relation to the specifics needs and interests of the participants. Arranged ad hoc and by invitation locally, (inter)nationally and online. Contact me to discuss options.

Gift Vouchers

Gift Vouchers

Thai Yoga Massage or Assisted Yoga sessions. These are little gifts of kindness! (1hr 15mins £55.00 / 1hr 45mins £70.00)

About

I live in the East Midlands, UK, and have worked as movement practitioner and educator for 35 years. I first trained in contemporary dance and then focused on somatic practices - including releasing techniques, improvisation and yoga. Somatic's informs all that I do and is the basis of my long term commitment to the importance of interoceptive and proprioceptive awareness as the basis of creativity and well-being. Alongside my practice, I hold a substantive role in Higher Education as a Professor of Dance. In this role I support students to deepen their creative and embodied enquiries and seek to model embodied leadership.  

My first experience of Thai Yoga Massage (nuad phaen boran in Thai language) was on my travels in China and Taiwan. I immediately recognised the physical benefits and the potential of the work for emotional release. I have completed trainings with master practitioners Kira Balaskas and Bob Haddad of the Thai Healing Alliance International and CPD with Shama Kern.

I take a mindful approach to movement, and my Thai Yoga practice is deeply informed by a holistic and enquiring attitude. Supporting others through bodywork has taught me the tremendous value and need to consistently care for our bodyminds.

I hold a PhD in dance and I am a member of the British Register of Complimentary Practitioners and Yoga Alliance. As a movement artist, researcher and educator, I have written/created works such as: BreathBone, Oxford Handbook of Improvisation in Dance and the Creative Articulations Process.

I look forward to working with you and introducing you to the ancient practice of Thai Yoga Massage and Somatics.

Vida Midgelow

F.A.Q

Thai Yoga Massage - unlike swedish masage - doesnt use oils and is performed fully clothed. Please wear comfortable clothing as you would wear to the gym.
This depends on why you are attending a session. For your general well-being, and to commit to healthy bodymind maintance, once a month might be fine. If you are wanting treatment for a particular issue more often might be better - at least initially.
No. Thai massage is for everyone. Whatever your age, flexibility or size I will work with you to address your bodymind needs, gently opening your intraceptive and proprioceptive awareness, whilst easing you into relaxation and slowly increasing your range of motion.
It is always advisable to seek the advice of your doctor/midwife and I would ask that you do so before attending a session. But both yoga and Thai massage can be adapted to the demands of your growing 'bump' and many find it highly beneficial.  

Contact

  • Draycott, Derby, UK

I practice Thai Massage and Assisted Yoga in an around the village of Draycott and love working from The Elephant Rooms, Health and Wellbeing Centre, Draycott, Derbyshire. Other workshops and mentoring take place locally, (inter)nationally and online by arrangement.