Step Into the Art of Thai Massage
Founded in 2014 (formerly Thai-Issan Massage Academy), Thai Esan Muscular Arts (T.E.M.A.) is Hawai‘i’s premier Thai massage school.
Our mission is to preserve, teach, and advance Thai massage and bodywork as both an art and a profession. Whether you want to deepen your personal practice, explore continuing education, or prepare for a career in massage therapy, T.E.M.A. is where your journey begins.
Learners receive exceptional hands-on instruction rooted in Thai bodywork, while also being introduced to complementary traditions such as Lomi Lomi, Swedish, and Shiatsu. With this foundation, participants can apply their skills in wellness, spa, or therapeutic settings, or carry Thai massage forward as a lifelong practice.
For those who choose to pursue professional licensure, we also offer a State of Hawai‘i–approved 570-hour Massage Therapy Licensing Program. This track combines guided visual study with in-person, instructor-led training to prepare you for both the exam and real-world practice.
T.E.M.A. is more than a school, it is Hawai‘i’s home for Thai massage education, practice, and growth.
The Cultural Power of Thai Bodywork Worldwide
Across the globe, stretching has moved from the sidelines of fitness into the heart of wellness. From professional athletes to everyday seekers of relief, people are discovering that stretching isn’t just prep for movement, it’s a path to mobility, recovery, and long-term vitality.
Studios dedicated entirely to assisted stretching are opening worldwide, and leading fitness and healthcare brands are integrating stretching into their services. In spas, gyms, clinics, and rehab settings, it’s now embraced as an essential pillar of modern self-care.
Thai massage has always embodied this wisdom. With its unique blend of stretching, rhythmic pressure, and movement, Thai bodywork is now influencing how the wellness industry approaches recovery, performance, and holistic healing.
At T.E.M.A., students don’t just learn Thai massage techniques, they gain the cultural understanding and practical insight to apply them in today’s expanding global wellness landscape, with skill, respect, and adaptability.
Explore Thai Bodywork: For Healers, Learners, and Those Seeking More
You don’t need a license to be drawn to the healing practice.
Our workshops and continuing education classes welcome licensed massage therapists, yoga teachers, movement coaches, caregivers, and anyone curious about the power of Thai bodywork.
Whether you’re here to earn CE credits, deepen your practice, or simply explore something new, you’ll experience hands-on learning rooted in Thai tradition. You’ll stretch, move, laugh, and connect, while gaining techniques that nourish others and yourself. Come as you are. Leave with real skills, deeper understanding, and a certificate of completion from Hawai‘i’s premier Thai massage school.
Licensing + Real-World Readiness
To become a licensed massage therapist in Hawai‘i, students must complete a 570-hour state-approved program and pass the Hawai‘i board exam. At T.E.M.A., we go further.
Our curriculum is designed not only to help you pass the exam, but to equip you with the clinical skills, cultural depth, and real-world confidence to succeed as a professional massage therapist.
Through a blend of hands-on practice, visual learning, and instructor mentorship, you’ll work with real clients, build therapeutic intuition, and train in diverse bodywork modalities.
What You’ll Learn
Phase I: Foundations of Massage Therapy (50 hours)
Build a strong understanding of the human body and the principles of therapeutic touch.
Includes: Anatomy, physiology, hygiene, ethics, client communication, and professional setup.
Phase II: Advanced Techniques & Client Connection (100 hours)
Strengthen your body mechanics and learn to deliver full-body sessions with care and skill.
Modalities include: Swedish, Lomi Lomi, Shiatsu, Reflexology, Prenatal, Hot Stone, and Advanced Thai Massage (Level I).
Phase III: Clinical Practice & Applied Techniques (420 hours)
Work directly with clients in a supervised clinical setting.
Includes: Intake and documentation, case feedback, and hands-on therapeutic bodywork focused on measurable results.
Total Program Hours: 570
Graduate With More Than a License
Licensure is just the beginning. At T.E.M.A., you’ll receive personal guidance, small-class mentorship, and a consistent training rhythm designed to build your confidence, purpose, and professionalism, so you’re truly ready to serve and succeed.
From Esan Roots to Distinctive Excellence
Jenn Songsorn, Advanced Instructor and LMT, was born and raised in a rural village in Esan, Thailand, where farming, holistic remedies, cultural ceremonies, and family bonding were all woven into a simple way of life.
Her path into massage therapy began not in a classroom, but in crisis: when her brother faced the loss of his arm after a traumatic accident, Jenn refused to accept the prognosis. With deep care and tireless dedication, she used traditional massage to restore circulation and ultimately save his arm.
What began as an act of love became a lifelong calling.
That experience not only shaped her purpose, it became the foundation of Thai Esan Muscular Arts (T.E.M.A.), a school rooted in healing, resilience, and cultural tradition. Today, T.E.M.A. honors the legacy of Thai bodywork while helping students of all levels learn how to approach massage as both an art and service.
Meet our Guidance Team
Marcela
Marcela
Marcela
— Licensed Therapist & Student Mentor
Marcela brings compassionate, attentive care to her role as a mentor, helping students build confidence while ensuring each client feels supported.
Robert
Marcela
Marcela
— Licensed Therapist & Student Mentor
Robert combines skill and patience in his guidance, teaching students how to apply techniques with precision and care.
THAI ESAN MUSCULAR ARTS, T.E.M.A
