I teach Thai massage and related bodywork and went to take a class with a teacher at Chuck's school. While I was there I was rather nervous at first as Thai massage can be nearly religious and having never met Chuck, I admit my initial apprehension. Over time I relaxed, Chuck even noted my seeming tension after some discussion of Thai massage politics in the US and we settled into a nice conversation about how we both just don't really care to get overly involved in the politics but want to focus on good bodywork and education. The classes I took at the facility were wonderful and it being spring in Chicago the weather was great. The room had ample breeze with windows open, high wooden ceilings and the decor was relaxed but professional. I'd go study here again in a heartbeat. Thanks for making my short stay so nice Chuck. Appreciate you and your work in the heartland. read more

A few weeks back I had the pleasure of taking a basic Clinical Thai Bodywork course with Chuck and Jennifer. The course was excellent, and really whet my appetite for what is possible through the blending of Thai Bodywork and Clinical Massage Techniques. However, what really blew my mind was how I felt after receiving 60 seconds of bodywork from Chuck (I was being used as a demo). He was demonstrating a spray and stretch technique on my right neck and shoulder. This area of my body had bothered me for as long as I can remember...flared up into headaches on a frequent basis (daily at it's worse, every other week at its best). It also would bother me to the point that I'd toss and turn frequently at night, which made it hard to get a good nights sleep. I am a massage therapist, and have sought out lots of help for myself. I have done much self-massage and seen many other practitioners. But I can honestly say that nothing has been as effective as that 60 seconds from Chuck. I emerged on the other side of it with the muscle feeling softer and more pliable, multiple trigger points released, increased range of motion, improved posture, the list goes on and on. In the days after, not only did I not have any headaches, but there was no sign of a headache brewing. There was no tension!! I could sleep through the night! Really can't recommend Chuck and this type of work enough! I look forward to going back for a full session!! read more

I purchased a course from CTB over a month ago. It was the one with the muscle liberator tool, and I was quite excited as it seems as though they take referral patterns to a whole new level. You get access to the course immediately, but unless you pay in full right away, you have to wait 30 days for the liberator tool to be sent out. We'll, I'm going on day 45 and still not even a word as to a tracking number. I emailed, and they did respond decently promptly, however they just told me it's "in queue" and to wait. I'm disappointed because I have BEEN waiting, and I don't understand why it wasn't queued being as they had 30 days to set that up. The kicker is that you only have 30 days to get a full refund, so, you better be ready to commit if you're going to pay in installments rather than in full, or else your 30 day "trial" is definitely out the window from the get-go. Very, very disappointed in this. read more

on a quiet side street in Evanston does a warm studio live. it breathes, it shines light, and allows you some space to just be. sometimes for myself it gets really easy getting lost in all things crazy, losing focus on the important things in this thing called life and your body has a cool way of letting you know that you are being stupid and hurtful at the moment. good thing places like tboE exist. the people here are chillacious with good tools to help you find your way back back to a place of less less hurt less chaos less less just breathe. stop whatcha doin and breathe again. I even had some personal issues with scheduling my life to be here and they were very accommodating. kudos once there I was attended to like a boss my neck now moves in ways I never knew without pain or swearing coming out of my mouth. good times. they work on your body with your comfy clothes on. read the FAQ's on the website if you have never had the chance to be worked on like pretzel dough. peace yo read more

I went to Thai bodywork to get a Thai massage. I have had over 150 Thai massages in Thailand, And I have had massage training in Thailand So I know what a a good Thai massage is, and what to expect from a basic Thai massage. I went there hoping to get a basic Thai massage. The masseuse gave my legs a very quick light rub down to start with,which was very very lame. And then he went to my sore shoulder and starting massage my under arm. First basic rule you learn in Thai massage, 'Do not massage in the armpit area'. So he proceeded to give me a painful 40 min arm pit massage. Even after I told him it hurt and would feel better if he massaged the shoulder. All the pictures of the Thai massage techniques in the website. None were given to me. They have no clue and no business, teaching or giving a Thai massage. I am not a massage snob or a professional masseuse but this was the worst in my life. All he did was try to impress me with his knowledge of the muscles names of the human body. I do not give a sh*t what the muscles are called. Massage my body that is what I am paying you to do. They act like they are physical therapists and doctors. They are not interested in giving you a good massage so that you might feel better. Or that you might leave feeling better. I kindly told them that the massage was good, but the sad truth was it was terrible. My advise is, go back to massage school and start over. Some where you missed the whole concept of a massage. And stop calling your self a Thai massage school, you are clueless and need to get training at a real Thai massage school. Try Wat Pho Massage School in Bangkok Thailand. On a scale of 1 to 10, I give the massage a - 1. One positive note, the place is a nice studio. read more

A hidden gem of Chicago. Beautiful, sunlit Thai massage studio in South Evanston. I have taken classes as well as have received sessions/treatments. Chuck Duff is a top-notch instructor and has developed a unique, yet authentic, approach to Thai massage that integrates myofascial/trigger point theory with traditional Thai philosophy. He also teaches a HandsFree course which is phenomenal.....life-changing if you are a bodyworker. Last week Jennifer, one of Thai Bodywork's practitioners, discovered trigger points that I never knew I had---and released them! She also reconnected me to my breath and gave me some wonderful self-care tips to continue at home. Highly recommended by moi! read more

This was the most efficient bodywork I've ever experienced. My son was six months old and hysterical unless carried everywhere. But he wasn't happy in a carrier, just in arms so I spent most of the day with him scooped up in my right arm. That arm was getting so messed up (knots, twitching, spasms, terrible numbness and weakness and even started to affect the use of my hand). I went in for an hour and a half session and Chuck pretty much only worked on my arm. By the end it was significantly better. The craziest part is that it never got that bad again, EVEN THOUGH I KEPT CARRYING MY KID ALL THE TIME after that! This wasn't a lie-back-and-enjoy-a-day-at-the-spa kind of massage (though I'm sure you could get that here if that's what you wanted); this was get-right-in-there-and-fix-the root-of-the-problem bodywork. Went back a year later for some lower back issues and again, one session (and some recommendations for exercises, posture awareness, self-treatment at home, etc.) was all it took to have significant relief within a week. Truly amazing stuff. Highly recommended! read more

I had been getting Thai bodywork and Trigger-point treatments at TBW for a chronic shoulder pain which I'm happy to say has been responding well to the treatment. Their new clinic is a huge space upstairs at 537 Custer in Evanston. It has treatment rooms, a big teaching space, offices and a wonderful energy field that makes you forget you're in Evanston. It somehow blends the feeling of a modern healing center with the age-old traditions of Thai Bodywork and Yoga. I recommend it highly. -- Doug Frohman Chicago, IL read more

The best in Thai Bodywork and Bodyworks practicioners around. Best Staff, and best experts.If you find yourself sleeping on the idea of attending, STOP IT and just GO!. worth your time and worth you career and investment. This school has a very special place in my heart. read more

It's so much more than just moving you through range of motion, they figure out what's causing your pain or lack of ease in movement, and they figure out how to fix it. They truly understand all the muscle groups and understand how the discomfort you feel in one part of your body may actually be caused by an imbalance somewhere else. I heartily recommend them. This is a modality you're not going to find anywhere else. It does not hurt. read more

The Thai Bodywork School of Thai Massage is one of the best schools in the country. I am truly grateful for the amazing techniques I learned with Chuck, Jennifer, visiting teacher and students. read more

Difficult to deal with. To make an appointment, they want you to enter your credit card information on their website. My security software told me not to. I called for an appointment. Took two days to call me back. I made an appointment for Saturday. When I arrived, they said the appointment was for the following Saturday. I asked to cancel and refund my credit card. They said the person who made the appointment had to cancel. Two days later I got an email saying the appointment was canceled but I had a "credit." I had to contact the bank to get the credit card refunded. read more

Krista is a miracle worker. I went to Evanston Thai bodywork with a shoulder problem that had bothered me for months.. It was so bad I couldn't lift a gallon of milk. I couldn't sleep because the pain was so bad, and I could barely reach back to put on my coat. It was either try this or get an MRI and possibly surgery. I didn't want to go that route, because I knew it would be a long recovery period. I met Krista and, after one session I had some relief, but was still not 100%. Actually, I was very surprised that she could even work on me, and not cause more pain, but she did. It took four sessions and I had full range of motion and pain free. The session is a lot of trigger point work which is done with various body parts of the practitioner. I found that to be really interesting. I will say this after the session you feel relief, but the trigger points that are worked on are sore for a day or so. Then it is this amazing feel of being normal in that area again. I highly recommend Krista, and am grateful that the technique worked so well for me. read more

excellent thai massage by edita!! she was so kind and knowledgeable and just did an incredible job.. i will definitely be back to see her again! read more