As we begin a new chapter with Lotus Palm, we must first recognize and thank the people who got us here in the first place. I would like to express my heartfelt admiration and appreciation for Kam Thye. It is an honor to continue and evolve the Lotus Palm legacy that he created.
A new chapter with Lotus Palm also means we have an opportunity to explore new developments and consider new courses to offer our students. I am truly excited that we have this opportunity to apply our creative energies.
My vision is to work with you to help spread the philosophy of Thai Yoga and the integration of body, mind and spirit. Through this calling, like in all aspects of my life, my mother's spirit continues to guide me. She taught me everything, especially the importance of inner strength, hard work and compassion. These will be the guiding principles of the Lotus Palm moving forward.
Together we will help others to bring the body, mind and spirit into balance and harmony. We will bring each other, and our students, loving kindness and a compassionate touch.
Sukha Wong owner of Lotus Palm
Dear all,
Sixteen years ago I arrived in Montreal and created Lotus Palm. It has been a rewarding, satisfying and at the same time challenging experience. We've managed to gain an international reputation as the foremost school of Thai Yoga Massage. This in many ways is attributed to my teachers, students and friends who contributed in this making. As the saying goes, timing is everything and it is time for me to pass over leadership so that I can move on to continue my journey. It feels like I have gone full circle. I took off on a tangent 16 years ago and now I'm reconnecting back to my life where I began, in a simple way. That's where I'm most happy. So I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for this incredible Lotus Palm journey.
I couldn't be happier that Sukha Wong, my most senior teacher is taking over ownership and leadership of Lotus Palm. Talk about a perfect fit. To find a person who has good organizational qualities as well as embracing the spirit of Metta are few and far between. One of the qualities that touches me most is her deep connection with her mother who taught her everything about kindness, survival and how to face challenges with dignity. She's quite the woman. Single handedly her mother brought them up with little knowledge of English or the western culture. With this life experience I have no doubt that Sukha will carry Lotus Palm to a greater level beyond our imagination. I wish her the best and I will continue to support her and follow her leadership as a teacher and consultant for Lotus Palm.
For those who do not know, I just went through an operation for my third cancer. I'm recovering very well and I look forward to a new life creating for the art of Thai Yoga massage.
Have a good practice all,
Metta
Kam Thye
Humble beginnings
A large smile comes over Kam Thye Chow, as he reminisces on the humble beginning of the Lotus Palm School, which he founded in 1995. The school has come a long way since its first home in the guest house behind Kam Thye's residence.
Today, the Lotus Palm School is housed in a 2200 square-foot space in Montreal's hip Plateau/Mile-End district. Classes begin almost every week both in Montreal and on the road, and the curriculum has expanded to specialty courses such as Ayurveda, prenatal massage, and advanced postures. Student travel to Montreal from all over the world to learn one of these inspiring programs.
With its small staff of six, a dozen Thai massage therapists available 7 days per week, and teachers across the continent, Lotus Palm is now the foremost Thai Yoga Massage school in North America, offering courses, massage services and items for sale in the new Lotus Shop.
About Kam Thye Chow
Founder of the Lotus Palm Centre
Native of Malaysia, Kam Thye was raised in the tradition of Asian arts and healing customs. He has been practicing Tai Chi Chuan and Chinese massage since the age of 13 and has studied Kung Fu and Chi Gong for more than 20 years. He has taught martial arts and Thai Yoga Massage in North America, Asia and Europe. In 1995, Kam Thye Chow founded the Lotus Palm School in Montreal (Canada) - the first school dedicated to promoting and teaching the art of Thai Yoga Massage.
He acknowledges that when he first arrived in North America over a decade ago, very few people had ever heard of Thai Yoga Massage. He would feel blessed when a handful of eager students would come to share in these wonderful techniques. With dedication, love, and lots of hard work, doors began to open as the massage form and Kam Thye's easy to learn techniques captivated more and more people. Indeed, what makes Kam Thye's teaching method unique is his success in making the complex seem simple.
His concise, compassionate, and safe approach to Thai Yoga Massage is specifically designed to integrate Eastern knowledge of the mind, body and spirit with the Western understanding of the body. Inner Traditions published his book, Thai Yoga Massage, in the spring of 2002, which comes with an instructional DVD. The book has since been translated into seven languages, and its consequent success hailed a second work in Thai Yoga Therapy for Your Body Type: An Ayurvedic Tradition. Both these publications, as well as those written by Kam Thye's mentor, Asokananda, can be found in the Lotus Shop.
Kam Thye is also a renowned artist, whose Thai massage illustrations and diagrams appear in world-wide publications. He has designed every logo that appears on Lotus Palm's clothing but arguably his greatest accomplishment is the Lotus Palm Thai Massage Mat - the only mat designed specifically for Thai Yoga Massage.
Now a proud Canadian, Kam Thye makes every effort to support his community and always features local and Canadian-made products in the Lotus Shop. He has dedicated his life's work to Thai Yoga Massage, and it brings him great pleasure to introduce all interested to this art.
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