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OTHER NATURAL PATHS
Riverdave is also a student of our planet's natural healing traditions, in recent years having focused on Traditional Thai Massage. He received his training and certification
for this art at the Lotus Palm School in Montreal, Quebec with further
study at the Bodhi Tree Learning Center in Richmond, Virginia.
In this
unique healing practice that evolved from both the Shamanic and
Buddhist healing traditions of the Mekong River Valley, the recipient is guided
through a series of assisted stretches with applied acupressure. This
is 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. Riverdave offers this
practice as a service to the local community at no charge. If you are
interested in experiencing a session, please see the contact page for
an email address and a phone number.
Responses From Friends in the Area ...
Riverdave - 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
Riverdave - 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
Riverdave - 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
Riverdave - The massage was wonderful! i went into an altered
state there at the end and had a wonderful image of my mom. thanks!
Jodi - February 2008
Riverdave - 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
Riverdave - With a deep bow of gratitude, I send you thanks for the
relaxing yet muscularly challenging massage. I'm so glad I didn't miss
it! You possess a wonderful gift of healing on land and water. May you
continue to bring peace and joy to others.
Peggy - August 2008
Riverdave - My husband really enjoyed the massage and felt it was
most beneficial. He commented that it worked on and stretched muscles
which he hardly ever uses and how good that was!!!
Bridget - August 2009
Riverdave - Thank you for assisting in my realization of wholeness.
Nancy - May 2010
Comparison of Traditional and Modern Medicines
adapted by Riverdave 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 only peripheral interest in 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.
Photo: Riverdave and Riojosie demonstrating one of dozens of Thai Massage techniques
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