Thai Massage

Thai Yoga Massage is an ancient healing technique based on the Buddhist principles of compassion and loving kindness. It combines acupressure, reflexology, leaning pressure and applied yoga stretches, in addition to using medicinal herbs in the form of poultices, salves, compresses and vapours.

The founder of Thai massage is known to have been an Ayurvedic doctor (originally from Northern India) called Jivaka, Kumar Bhaccha, who was a physician and friend of the Buddha, and personal physician to the king. It is believed that he bought this healing art form to Thailand 2,500 years ago. It was here that it was mixed with indigenous massage and Chinese massage.

Thai massage was originally a spiritual practice, being taught and practised in temples, which were health centres where common people could go for spiritual, physical and emotional healing. The massage developed in different forms across the country, over the centuries. There were various styles, owing to the changing traditions within families and temples, and to the fact that knowledge was passed down orally from generation to generation or from teacher to student.

The two styles that are now taught in Thailand and throughout the world are based on the Northern and Southern Styles. The Northern style is more dynamic and uses stretching, palming and thumbing techniques, whereas the Southern style uses a plucking technique that stimulates the nerves running along the energy lines.

Coming originally from a yoga philosophy, Thai massage focuses primarily on the Prana (life force energy) in the body by working on invisible energy lines, called the Ten Sen. The Ten Sen constitute part of the Prana Nadis, which is a network of energy lines running through the body that supplies the body with vital energy taken from the food we eat, the air we breathe and the water we drink. Obstruction in any line prevents the flow of this energy and leads to mental, physical and spiritual imbalances, which manifest in the form of disease, aches and pains and discomfort.

Thai massage is given through the clothes on a comfortable mat on the floor and lasts for approximately 2 hours. The whole body is treated, starting at the tips of the toes, ending with a relaxing and thorough face and head massage.

The feet, elbows, palms, thumbs and knees are all used to apply pressure to the body. The sequences of stretching and pressure work are given in a smooth, unhurried and harmonious way with one move dissolving into the next; this generates a feeling of deep relaxation within the body.

The practitioner needs to keep mentally focused for the duration of the treatment and so uses awareness of their own breath to keep relaxed, focused and calm throughout the treatment. The strength and energy of the massage comes from the abdomen area (Hara/Swadhistana chakra) and the movement of the practitioner's body throughout has a huge effect on how good the massage is.

Written by Natasha de Grunwald
London Institute of Thai Yoga Massage
www.learntomassage.co.uk
info@learntomassage.co.uk
t: 0208 891 4556 / 07885 85 85 79
PO Box 285, Twickenham, Middlesex, TW1 9AF

If you would like to train in Thai massage we run courses regularly throughout the year in South London/Surrey area. All the classes are kept small to be able to provide maximum individual attention to the students. We are recognised by CMA (complimentary medical association) and ITTA (International Thai Therapists Association). Our courses are certified.