Our goal is to prepare and graduate highly trained practitioners in Traditional Thai massage who are qualified and well-prepared to gain immediate employment in the field of massage.

(phōthi-Panya)

The Bodhi tree is a long-lived, deep-rooted, large solid tree that gives peaceful shade found in every temples in Thailand.

Panya” means practical skills.

Bodhi Panya” represents a tree of solid foundation in the practical skills intraditional Thai massage.


The goals of everyone at Bodhi Panya Institute are to:

  • To make BPI is the best Thai massage school outside of Thailand

  • To provide a San Francisco Bay Area, CA school where students can study for careers in Traditional Thai Massage

  • To training students to obtain practical skills of East and West massage/bodywork modalities

  • To change the perception of Asian massage by raising the industry standard

Our VISION

Our goal is to prepare and graduate highly trained practitioners in traditional Thai massage who are qualified and well-prepared to gain immediate employment in the field of massage.


Our HISTORY & Mission

Bodhi Panya Institute offers authentic, high-quality training in Traditional Thai Massage—as practiced in Thailand—in a program that is deeply rooted in Traditional Thai massage of centuries past. Our mission is to provide quality training and affordable education enabling students to perform Thai massage sequences that run 60, 90 and 120 minutes long.

  • Students will be able to comprehend and verbally articulate the contents of traditional Thai massage, e.g. Sen lines, yoga stretches, breath support, use of aromatherapy, use of topical, herbal lotions and creams, as well as hot herbal packs and their applications, among other things.

  • Students will learn how to choose which therapeutic oils to apply for certain health issues, such as stress, sore muscles, among many others. This also applies to aromatherapy oils that are heated and fill the air surrounding a client with therapeutic healing properties.

  • Students will learn self-care that helps protect them against injury while on the job, such as body mechanics that help to alleviate lower back strain, or repetitive stress issues in the hands.

  • Students will gain knowledge in pathology to aid them in identifying health and hygiene problems, massage contraindications and how to address problems with the various massage therapies they are learning.

  • Students will learn business practices and proper client-therapist ethics that will help them thrive as employees or business owners should they choose those routes post-graduation.

Admission to the Bodhi Panya Institute requires a high school diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.) and an interest in learning traditional Thai Massage. Our goal is to prepare and graduate highly trained practitioners in Traditional Thai massage who are qualified and well-prepared for a career in the field of massage.

Bodhi Panya Institute is a privately owned institution approved to operate by the California Bureau of Private Post-Secondary Education, Department of Consumer Affairs and and is an approved school by the California Massage Therapy Council. 


Student Objectives

Preparing Students for Successful CMT Futures: Bodhi Panya Institute has created a well-rounded program that directs students along a path to success as practitioners of traditional Thai Massage. You will be prepared to teach, work for a massage business or run your own business. Our business and ethics class takes you through the necessary steps and removes the mystery of it all: marketing, billing, insurance, etc. Included in this class is the path to taking and passing any required exam for certification agencies.

  • Certification: All of our programs guide students to acquire certification as a Certified Massage Therapist (CAMTC), as well as to sit for the required exams and be awarded certifications by the Thai Healing Alliance, National Certification Board and others.

  • Employment: Bodhi Panya Institute does not offer a job placement service but does keep track of employment opportunities by networking with businesses and professional organizations in the Sn Francisco Bay Area.

    Students should be sure to sign-up on our email list in order to receive regular eBlasts about jobs and internships. The Director of Student Affairs handles this.

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