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His own words:
"I graduated from the University of Virginia in
1996 as an anthropologist with a focus on Asia, and traveled to this
part of the world shortly afterward. I soon fell in love with
Thailand's unique culture and rich history, and what started as a
short trip turned into a lengthy stay. I lived and studied there
from 1997 to 2001, researching Thai medical traditions, learning
formally and informally about Thai culture, and exploring an
interest in Buddhism through extended stays at Thai meditation
centers and monasteries.
I received training as a practitioner of massage and herbal medicine
in Chiang Mai, Thailand's vibrant center of traditional medicine. I
apprenticed with individual healers such as Lek Chaiya and Mama Nit,
and completed a basic course, internship, and teacher certification
at the renowned Shivagakomarpaj Traditional Medicine Hospital's
school of Thai medicine. With the blessing of my teacher, I founded
Tao Mountain upon my return to the U.S. in 2002 as a branch of the
Shivagakomarpaj lineage. When I started teaching, I wanted to
provide for my students an experience as close as possible to the
one I had during the time I spent living and studying in Asia.
Throughout this time abroad, I was conducting research into the
history, philosophy, and practice of Thai medicine from both an
academic and an practitioner's standpoint. I moved back to the U.S.
primarily to pursue graduate studies, and for the past several years
my academic research has remained focused on Asian medicine. Since
my return, I received my Master's Degree from the University of
Virginia. I wrote my Master's Thesis on the cultural history of Thai
medicine, particularly focusing on the interplay between Ayur-vedic
and folk medicine in Thailand. (You can read this thesis in the
Members Area.)
Now, I am researching Asian medicine in the History of Medicine
Department at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. I am currently
working on a Ph.D., with a concentration on the connections between
religion and medicine in South and East Asia. I am also interested
in the integration of traditional Asian medicine in the modern
hospital setting".
"Director Tao Mountain Association of Traditional Thai Massage and
Herbal Medicine"
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Publications
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A Thai Herbal. Forres, Scotland:
Findhorn Press, 2003.
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The Encyclopedia of Thai Massage.
Forres, Scotland: Findhorn Press, 2004.
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The Spiritual Healing of
Traditional Thailand. Forres, Scotland:
Findhorn Press, 2006.
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Thai Massage Workbook: Basic and
Advanced Course. Findhorn Press, 2007.
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Traditional Thai Medicine:
Buddhism, Animism, Ayurveda. Prescott:
Hohm Press, 2007.
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Michael Buck
Michael Buck holds a prominent profile
in the massage arts and is a recognized inspiration among his colleagues
and students. He has been licensed and in full time practice since 1984.
In 1985, Michael graduated from the Swedish Institute in New York City
while at the same time attending the Ohashi Institute where he graduated
from the advance program in 1986.
 He received his license in New York in
1986. In June of 1987, Michael graduated from the Anma Institute in San
Francisco, California. In June of 1997, Michael was awarded a level
three instructor status from the International Thai Therapist
Association (ITTA).
He has been teaching Ayurvedic-Thai Bodywork courses
internationally since 1996. He has initiated over 5000 students in 7
countries into Traditional Thai medical massage. In 21 years of practice
totaling an estimated 35 thousand hours, he has documented over 12
thousand treatments.
Each year, Michael travels and studies
in Thailand. He holds certificates from the prestigious Institute of
Thai Massage (ITM) in Chiang Mai and concluded an intensive study of
traditional thai herbal massage with the legendary teacher "Mama" Lek
Chaya. His experience also includes two years as medical massage
instructor at the Ocean Massage Institute (OMI) and at the Garden State
Holistic Center where he taught Vedic Massage and Oriental Diagnosis (5
element theory).
 Presently Michael serves as an elective instructor at
several schools and yoga centers through out the United States and
Europe. His credits also include founder/director of Touch Dynamics
Massage Guild, member of ABMP, former member of ITTA, and
founder/director of The Vedic Conservatory.
In 1976, Michael received formal
initiation into the Vaisnava monastic order and was ordained by the
celebrated sanskrit scholar A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
Serving under his tutelage for four years, Michael executed "Sanat Varnashrama
Dharma" (living and study vows) and was instrumental in
opening several Vedic yoga and meditation ashrams (full time live-in
centers) nationally. His spiritual sentiments and devotion remains
unchanged.
Michael's classes are routinely
infused with the teachings of the illustrious and auspicious Vedic
culture. Traditional ayurvedic ceremonial rituals such as Puja (sacred
invocations for family/social progress), Tratak (centering meditation
opening the "third eye" for physical and emotional stability),
Pranayama
(conscious breathing disciplines producing inspired insight), and mantra
(vocalizing sound resonances for mental clarity and self-empowerment)
are typically experienced in his Thai Yoga Bodywork courses.
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Instructional DVDs by
Michael Buck
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SANDY
FRIEDLAND, LMT
 Her approach is spiritual,
holistic and eclectic with a specific focus on energetic flow,
vibratory frequency and dynamic balancing. She "plays" holographically at a table...on the floor...in the water...using
sound, light, oil, color, crystals, essences, balls, magnets,
rollers, intention, movement, verbalization, visualization...
Her work and teaching explores the mystery of the body and
reflects a background in Anthropology, Philosophy, Psychology
and the wisdom of Cranial Sacral Therapy, Connective Tissue
Unwinding, Polarity, Reflexology, Shiatsu, Trager and Oriental
Medicine.
Bodywork teacher at Educating Hands School of Massage and
creator of the new water modality, MDMA, Multi-Dimensional
Movement Arts®. She wrote and performed in a Knowledgeware DVD
production, "How to Give a Massage".
 IRIS
BURMAN, LMT
Iris Burman is a Licensed
Massage Therapist and
co-founder and director of
Educating Hands School of
Massage in Miami, Florida.
Her passion in life is to
support the personal growth
of herself and others.
BodyWork has provided a
fertile ground in which to
do this through her own
practice and the sharing of
knowledge and skills with
her students. She has been a
BodyWork practitioner for
over 29 years, having
specialty certifications in
Neuromuscular Therapy,
Trager® Psycho-Physical
Integration, Sports Massage,
and advanced Swedish
Techniques. Iris's
background includes Gestalt
Therapy and Psychology. She
has, over the years, taught
every element of the
Education Hands School
program. Currently, Iris
concentrates on curriculum
development and teaching
Massage and Business. She
and Sandy developed the
concepts of TouchAbilities®
and is the co-author of
TouchAbilities®: Essential
Connections.
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Janice Vitavec
