Nestled between two rivers, the land where the Circus takes place offers everything you can dream of in the month of February.
Natural pools of fresh water, tropical flowers and fruits, sunshine and bamboo shade, butterflies in an enchanted botanical garden, lit at night by the moon and shooting stars, the Circus is the perfect retreat, where the magic of massage makes itself known.
Over the years, we have built a tiny village with the help of our Hill Tribe neighbours, using only traditional building materials and know-how including a Lao herbal steam sauna and a beautiful central wooden Sala where we practice and play.
Since 2008, hundreds of students have come from all over the world to study the in-depth Thai Massage instruction we offer and transform their practice. With time, “The Circus” has become not only a renown course for learning Thai massage, but also a place for self-transformation and realisation. Our teaching program will explore different styles and traditions, and with the guidance of a team of experienced teachers, the artist within you will emerge.
Together as a tribe, what we really create is Connection.
Arno LHermitte
Registration is now open for the 2024 Thai Massage Circus
You are invited to join the annual Thai Massage gathering in Northern Laos
WHEN
From January 28 to February 23, 2024. Traveling day and gathering January 28. Morning closing circle on February 23rd..
WHERE
Circus is located 1km before the famous Kuang Si waterfalL in Luang Prabang province in northern Laos. It takes about 50 minutes to reach the circus village from Luang Prabang.
FOR WHOM
Anybody who has some previous experience in Thaï maSsage and feel like joining along and intense immersion and training.
HOW LONG
Four weeks-6h 30 Thaï massage class per day. Optional morning daily meditation and yoga. Wednesday after noon and Saturdays are Lazy days
WITH WHO
Several highly experienced international teachers.
HOW MANY
Every year for the past decade, the Circus gathers a big family with a maximum of 40 students.
HOW MUCH
2600€. Cost includes: course fee, acommodation, 3 meals a day, circus manual. The circus provides: sleeping mats, blankets pillows and tents. Bring your own sheets. The price is identical if you decide to stay in the big teck houses , hut or a tent. First registered, first served ! Depositi is 600€.
The Circus Village is located close to Luang Prabang
at the kuang sii waterfall.
Immerse your spirit in a one month Thai massage experience. Take part in morning meditation and daily yoga. Enjoy cold rivers, warm fire, herbal steam sauna, delicious vegetarian meals, and countless moments of joy…
TRAINING PROGRAM
Major Thai massage principles :
· Several highly experienced Thai and international Thai Massage masters and Yoga teachers.
Anatomy :
· Palpatory anatomy workshop
· Applied anatomy to Thaï massage practice
Biomechanics :
· Types and classification of joints in the body
· Axes and movements of the major joints of the body.
· Spine particularities
Clinical approach :
· Indications and limits of Thaï massage practice
· Case studies in small groups
Therapeutics points
· Contribution from Thaï massagepoints therapy, Shiatsu and Traditionnal Chinese Medecine (TCM)
Thaï massage classical routine : a blessing or a curse ?
· Basic technics improvement and interest of the routine
· Free your hands and develop your own Thaï massage
Thai massage and pregnancy :
· Benefits and contraindication during pregnancy
· Specifics ailments (sciatica, circulatory problems, etc).
What can we learn from osteopathy ?
· Concept of general free osteopatic treatment
· Internal organs routine
· Cracking or not cracking?
Thai flying circus pratice and acro yoga work shops
TRAINING PROGRAM
From January 28th to February 23rd (Jan 28th and Feb 23rd are arriving and departure dates)
The cost for this course is 2600€ for everybody, there is no adding cost during the Circus. Space is limited so you may register early to ensure your spot… The previous years the Circus was filled up months in advance. Please submit a deposit of 600€ at registration.
If you cancel 60 days before the course, you will be refunded your deposit (less administrative fee of 100€)
If you cancel between 0 and 60 days prior to the Circus, there will be no refund of your deposit
06:15 am – Bell wake up !
06:30 am to 07:00 am – Meditation
07:15 am to 08:15 am – Yoga class
08:30 am to 10:00 am – Breakfast & free time
10:00 am to 01:00 pm – T.M class
01:00 pm to 03:00 pm – Lunch & rest
03:00 pm to 06:30 pm – T.M class
06:30 pm to 07:30 pm – Dinner
07:30 pm to 10:00 pm – Free time to rest or optional evening activities on the land : herbal sauna (twice a week) , kirtans (chanting), fire circle, contact dance, acro-yoga… The teaching platform is always open for late practice and sharing.
After 10 pm, we respect NOBLE SILENCE until the end of meditation the next morning.
The course includes 1 day and a half to rest every week :
Wednesday afternoon and Saturday are off.
Free transportations are provided for everyone on these days to go and back from Luang Prabang.
Our big “Tuk-Tuk” (truck) :
- leave at 1.30 pm and are back at 7 pm every Wednesday
- leave at 10 am and are back at 7.30 pm every Saturday
All accomodations are at the same price, you choose upon registration. (“First registered, first served”!)
The circus camp offers 4 types of accomodations :
- individual tent
- individual happy bamboo hutt (no electricity or water)
- double river bamboo bungalows for couples or friends (electricity but no water)
- shared traditional teak Lao houses (large rooms with 3 beds, electricity, bathroom, hot shower and toilet)
All accomodations include pillow, blankets and sleeping mats.
- a torch (important)
- a yoga mat
- swimming stuff
- your own sheet if you like it comfy
- organic soap and shampoo to preserve the circus land and nature
The weather is usually dry and sunny during this season. But it gets quite chilly at night and in the early morning.
Our kitchen team is doing the miracle of serving three healthy meals a day in the jungle, based on good natural and local products. When booking please inform us if you follow a particular diet or if you have allergies. Circus kitchen is vegetarian, creative and delicious… We serve eggs (separately) a few times a week.
Upon arrival you will get a one month visa, which costs about 30$ (usd) or the equivalent in Thai Baths. You will be asked one passport photo that can be taken in the airport. You can extend easily and immediatly your visa in Luang Prabang at the Tourist Immigration Office, from a few days up to two months. Price is 2$ (usd) per day of extension.
IMPORTANT : if you overstay in Lao without a visa extension, the Immigration Office will charge 10$ per extra day upon departure.
There are now many ATM in Luang Prabang, guesthouses with wifi, local markets, minimarts… you can also change all kind of foreign currencies.
Kuang Sii village is only a ten minutes walk from the Circus camp, with spectacular waterfalls, small restaurants, groceries, tuk-tuks…
The circus organises laundry service twice a week with our lao team.
We have electricity on the land for charging electronic devices.
We have NO INTERNET connection (wifi), and we don’t want it. We do have telephone network coverage on the land but we encourage everyone to enjoy the immersion in nature and respect the retreat space by using their phones mindfully, or not at all.
TEAM
With the guidance of highly experienced masage therapists and yoga teachers
we hope to deepen our practice by not only sharing different techniques and styles,
but by also learning how to explore and touch the body and be fulLy present when we give
- SERVE
- TRUST
- SURRENDER
- BE ONE
- SHARE
- BE YOURSELF
