Michael Sitzer
Michael has been exploring and sharing exceptional bodywork for over two decades... Starting his professional career in 1999 with a ten year immersion at the Kripalu Yoga Center in Lenox, MA, he became a senior therapist in their Healing Arts department as well as a core faculty member of their School of Massage. He is professionally trained in Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Clinical Massage, Kripalu Bodywork, Traditional Thai Massage, Breema Bodywork, Positional Release Therapy and Yoga Therapy. His signature session is in ‘Thai Yoga Bodywork,’ which blends all these modalities into a creative and therapeutic healing art. He has literally given thousands of treatments and continues to offer massage sessions part time, while devoting more time to teaching and being with his family.
Michael began his studies of Thai Massage in 1998 with an intensive offered by Ananda Apfelbaum at the Omega Institute. He then journeyed to Thailand to meet her teacher, master Pichest Boonthume. Michael has returned to Thailand over ten times to further his practice and to lead several 'Thai Massage Study Abroad Adventure Tours'. Michael has also worked closely with Kam Thye Chow for over 20 years.
After leaving Kripalu in 2010, Michael relocated to Asheville to teach ‘Clinical Massage’ at AB Tech College and began offering continuing education courses. Michael has developed a complete Thai Yoga Bodywork Certification Training as well as other CE courses which can be taken live or online via his Thai Yoga Bodywork Academy. Michael has taught his workshops at the prestigious Kripalu Yoga Center, as well as at various centers across the country and internationally. He is an approved continuing education (CE) provider, accredited by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB # 451645-11). He also holds a N.C. massage license (#10273). Michael is the only Asheville based Thai therapist recognized by the THAI Alliance as a 'Registered Thai Therapist' with over 200 hours of 'Traditional Thai Massage' training. (RTT #4631-23).
Michael is well known and respected for his heart centered approach to his treatments, his workshops and his life. Michael's passion for therapeutic touch and inspirational teaching motivates him to continue to share this work around the world...