My Story

Hi, I’m Chloe, a New York City and Hudson Valley Based Thai bodywork Practitioner.

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I believe facilitating relaxation and release can lead to deep healing.

Back in 2017 I was a stressed out New Yorker trying to “make it” as an actress and all around Renaissance woman. I moved about the world in a state of low grade anxiety and frenetic energy. Although I practiced yoga regularly I often felt a sense of uneasiness in my body and relied on caffeine to get me through the day. I did not yet realize the importance of somatic therapeutic work.

One day, a friend gifted me a Thai bodywork session that changed the course of my life. During that first experience I went through a kind of catharsis: I landed back in my vessel in a profound way: I felt safe, at home, clarified, and at ease. 

After this first Thai session I knew I wanted to learn more about this unique and ancient technique. So, I promptly booked myself a flight to Thailand to study at the renowned Sunshine Network school in the remote Lahu Village. I studied under Andrea Baglioni in 2018 and 2019, and began training with Diana Seiler, LMT in the Hudson Valley in 2019.

 

During my first weeks of training, I learned not only the physical technique of the choreographed sequence, but also deep meditation practices, Qi Gong, Tai chi, and the history and theory of Traditional Thai massage. I realized that the path of the bodyworker is so much deeper and richer than mastering just anatomical precision- the practitioner must hold space for the recipient to feel safe to fully let go. The practitioner must hone their extra sensory perception, intuition, and mindful focus in order to create a sincere experience for the receiver. I understand that giving over permission to move and manipulate one's body can feel extremely vulnerable.

When we feel at home in our bodies, we can make healthier choices.

The body is an amazing mechanism and there is always more to learn and explore, not separate from the mind. We’re often unconscious to how much stress and anxiety we hold in our bodies. The mind has clever coping mechanisms in place to distract us from our visceral sensations. We tend to push emotions down into the corners of our beings until something spills over and we reach a breaking point. Calming, compassionate physical touch allows blocked energy to release and transmute, allowing the body to safely let go of what’s not necessary. Real human contact expresses kindness and comfort way beyond words.

I think of this practice as an active meditation for both the recipient and the practitioner. My commitment is to bring the utmost devotional care to every session. I look forward to sharing this practice with you.

 
 

I learned the art of traditional thai bodywork in thailand at the Sunshine Network school.

 

The Sunshine Network was founded by Asokananda, and promotes the traditional teaching and training of Thai yoga massage, Yoga, Keralite foot massage, Thai Chi, and Vipassana meditation. Classes are given in the Lahu village in Thailand, where the school is primarily based, and many other locations around the world.

The Sunshine Network provides facilities for spiritual practice, combining the teaching and practice of Thai massage, Yoga, Tai Chi Chuan and meditation.

 

Asokananda dedicated most of his life to the practice and teaching of Thai massage. Asokananda, a native German, was arguably the leading Western teacher of Traditional Thai Yoga Massage. He researched and taught Thai massage, yoga and Vipassana meditation for more than 15 years. He personally trained and authorized some of the most established teachers of Thai massage in the West, and was temporarily ordained as a Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka.

The Sunshine Network is devoted to Asokananda’s dedication to Thai massage, and hopes to carry his spirit and memory through all the students and teachers that learn from them.

Ready to feel embodied?