Thailand Study Abroad Adventure -Jan. 30 - Feb. 11 -(30 CE's)

Thailand Study Abroad Adventure 2027:

Come join Michael & Meredith 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 (Dynamic Thai), Aon Boonthume (Traditional Thai Massage), Leela Boonthume (Tok Sen) and Ohm (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 arrange to pick you up from Chiang Mai Airport and take you to 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. We will arrive just in time to participate in one of the best outdoor markets in all the world…The legendary ‘Sunday Walking Market.’

The first week we will be at the famous 'Sunshine School', studying with well renowned Italian Thai teacher, Flor Bisogno, who will be offering us a 3 day 'Dynamic Thai' course. This style is is inspired by the work of the Thai master Ajahn Chaiyut. The treatment is based on creating a flowing dance using bodyweight and leverage instead of force. This course is approved by NCBTMB for 18 hours of CE credit.

Next, we will be going deeped with Michael’s ‘Next Level Thai Massage’ course. This class highlights more advanced techniques and more hands free options. Lots of focus on using the feet and bodyweight to efforltessly compress and stretch your client. Michael will also share more about the history of this lineage and offer a greater understanding of where we are in this practice and what we are offering. For these four days, we will have three hours of class time in the morning and afternoon.

Additional offerings on week one include: 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). A unique Traditional Thai dance performance prepared exclusively for us. We will also spend a half day at an organic farm where we will experience a delicious Thai cooking course and meal.

Week 2 begins our study of more Traditional Thai Healing Arts taught by local Thai masters...Beginning with a day of Thai Herbal Compress study. We will also experience the Traditional Thai Whai Khru ceremony (blessing from the teacher and the lineage) before studying with Aon and Leela Boonthume. Aon is the son of my first Thai teacher, master Pischest (who has left this realm). Aon and his wife, Leela, continue Pischest's tradition of teaching beyond the method, focusing more on feeling, meditation and intuition. Leela will share with us the ancient practice of Tok Sen (using wooden tools to activate the energy lines).

This second week culminates with an excursion to our hosts' original hilltribe village, where we will get to meet her family's two dear elephants. We will also visit their local Hilltribe school and interact with the children. Other highlights include trekking to a stunning waterfall and a jungle hike to a gorgeous hot springs resort.

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.

This tour is packed so we like to emphasize 'Self Care'...Everything is optional so you can partake in what you like and also do your own thing anytime. Thailand is full of opportunities to both be amazed externally and also to go within and nourish the soul. Hopefully we all find that balance!

Whats Included:

• 12 nights of lodging at the Libra Guest House.
• Complimentary home made breakfast and Hilltribe Thai coffee every day.
• 1 day of 'Next Level Thai' Training with Michael at Sunshine School = 12 CE's
• 3 days of 'Dynamic Thai' with Flora at the Sunshine School. = 18 CE's
• 1 day of Traditional Thai Massage study with Aon Boonthume.
• 1 day of Traditional Thai Massage study with Leela Boonthume.
• 1 day training in Thai Herbal Compress Massage with Om.
• Excursions to the Night Market and 'Sunday old town market'
• Daily Pool access.
• A Hot Springs Soak.
• Hilltribe Excusion with Elephants, Hot Springs, and Jungle trek.
• Lunch at a Hilltribe Village with a visit to a Hilltribe school for children.
• Waterfall expedition. (swimming optional but encouraged).
• Traditional Thai Cooking Class and Chef guided local food market tour.
• Temple Cave Exploration and Guided Meditation.
• Monk Guided Temple Tour of Wat Phra Doi Saket.
• Thai language & culture classes with Meredith.
• Sacred Ceremony & Song Circles with Meredith.
• Airport pick up and drop off.
• Michael & 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 always included and some other meals)
• All the great $10 massages you could want
• All market purchases (Thai Pants, Jewelry, Gifts, etc)

Investment, Registration and Other Important Notes:

Investment = $2150 (private room) or $2000 (shared room)

(All rooms have a private shower, toilet as well as a fan, heat and A/C)

*** 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 $700 must be put down by September 1, 2026.

• The remaining balance of $750(private room) or $600 (shared room) must be paid in full by November 1, 2026.

• 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 Zelle (828-774-2662) or mail a check to: Michael Sitzer, 14 Lookout Rd, Asheville, NC 28804 (email Michael first).

• 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.

All rooms have wifi, a private hot shower, fan 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

Meredith (Mae) became a foreign exchange student in Chiang Mai, Thailand late August of 2001. Born a preacher’s daughter, she immediately found necessity in becoming a full-time student of Yoga and Buddhism as well. After spending that year learning to speak Thai, sitting with elders in the jungle, studying at a Buddhist University with monks, as well as experiencing many magical encounters with fellow seekers from all over the world, her destiny to become a full time mystic seemed inevitable. Upon graduating from Berea College with a double major in Communication and Asian Studies she went on to complete 1000HRS YTT in various Iyengar-based lineages, and over the last two decades has lived and traveled in both Thailand and India extensively, sitting at the feet of many teachers in multiple lineages. Her main focus as an educator of the last 7 years has been working to bridge the gap from pop culture versions of Buddhism and Yoga into practical pro-women, pro-body, pro-healthy sexuality, anti-oppression teaching influenced by the best parts of Thai Buddhism and Tantra. Aphieme’s favorite part of leading tours in Thailand are the spontaneous teaching moments that unfold at the most random times, helping people notice the layers of ancient culture buried under modern times, and singing songs that act as a balm and medicine for our hearts and minds.