Traditional Thai Massage

Introduction to Traditional Thai Massage...

Thai massage is a form of body work that has gained wide popularity in the West. Traditional Thai massage is a dynamic yet comparatively little-known form of bodywork that has benefits for anyone-young or old, active or inactive, healthy or not. Sometimes called "lazy man's yoga", it stretches the muscles, increases the joints' range of motion, and balances the flow of energy throughout the body for an invigorating and balancing experience.

The healing art of Traditional Thai Yoga Massage is an ancient and sacred system of healing; working the 'Sen' lines, which share historical roots and functional similarities with the nadis and meridians of Indian, Chinese and Japanese bodywork. Using palm, thumb, and elbow pressure, these lines are rhythmically, systematically worked, and then stretched, throughout the massage.

The massage begins with your feet, and works its way up towards the crown of your head. The massage unfolds like a continuous and effortless dance involving deep tissue release, joint mobilisations and applied hatha yoga asanas.The acupressure of these lines stimulates the flow of wind energy throughout the body and dissolves energetic and myofascial blockages which are released.

A little history...

Chivaka Thai Yoga Massage is one of the three main branches of the ancient Thai Medical system. The founder of this system is thought to have been Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha, a doctor from North India, who was the personal physician to the Magadha King Bimbisara more than 2,500 years ago. The teachings of Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha are said to have reached Thailand from India along with Buddhism in the 2nd or 3rd century BC. For centuries, Thai massage was performed by monks as one component of Thai medicine.

Thai Yoga Massage exemplifies the four divine states of mind described in Buddhist teachings. These are: loving kindness, compassion, vicarious joy and equanimity. Thai Yoga Massage is traditionally taught and practiced with the aim of embodying these states in action. For this reason the massage is sometimes referred to as 'meditation in movement'

Nuat Boran [noo-ut bo-rahn] is the name of an ancient bodywork practiced in Thailand. In the west it's variously called "Thai Massage", "Thai Yoga Massage", and "Thai Bodywork". The Thai people call it Nuat Boran. Boran means "ancient", in the sense of “classic”, not just “old”, and Nuat is often unfortunately translated as "massage". But Nuat Boran is so different from what we think of as "massage" perhaps better referred to as ‘bodywork'.

In Thailand this form of bodywork is called `Nuad Phaen Boran´ which translates to `ancient healing touch´

The Physical aspect...

Traditional Thai massage blends point pressure and stretching. Benefiting those who find themselves stiff, sore, and tired from over-exertion in work or sports, or from arthritis or other debilitating diseases. Thai massage enhances strength and flexibility, relaxes sore or tense muscles, and can help to recapture lost range of motion. By encouraging lymphatic function, this traditional massage can also detoxify the body, heighten the immune system, and prevent disease and/or injury by promoting flexibility.

Besides being therapeutic for most common complaints of muscular pain in low back, shoulders, and legs, receiving is also educational for the client. The nature of this whole 'bodywork' on a mat means you'll experience most of your joints and muscles being mobilized which makes you more aware of your ‘whole body', especially where there's tension.

It therefore can teach us about letting go; something we need to do fully to allow passive movement of our limbs. Letting go sounds easy, but most people have a natural tendency to hold, protect, resist, tense, and assist. Clients often discover that the pain they are used to lessen or doesn't happen - it's about working towards fully letting go.

The Thais interpret stiffness in muscles and joints as stagnation or blockage which leads to disease. So they have developed some very “persuasive” techniques to loosen one up, which includes stretching every part of the body and taking all joints through their full range of motion. Other techniques are also strategically employed, especially compression, cross-fiber, plucking, and pressure point and may be applied with the practitioner's hands, knuckles, elbows, knees, and feet.

People sometimes say Thai Massage is painful because of certain aggressive techniques. Indeed it can be but being mindful to a more western approach along with my particular style of work and intention means I am always adjusting the amount of pressure and movement to fit the client's condition and needs from very gentle to vigorous, as and when appropriate.

Going deeper with Traditional Thai Massage...

The attitude or spirit in which Traditional Thai massage is practiced is all important, and elevates it from being just a mechanical & technical treatment. The spiritual aspect which underlies or permeates it has developed during the centuries it was practiced in the Buddhist monasteries and temples. This aspect is also evident in the Thai cultural virtues of generosity, compassion, and respect. Giving Nuat Boran is considered an act of compassion, not just a business, or technical exercise. So before each session practitioners pause and make a gesture of respect (called wai) to teachers and client.

As with any true art, the effect of the whole is greater than its parts. Thus Nuat Boran always treats the entire body in all positions, never just the one place that may hurt, though of course adjustments are made in emphasis and the specific movements chosen to address the specific needs of the client. But the full effect comes from the whole process, the whole choreography.

Treating the whole body in four positions allows one to treat the same area several times from different angles. On the other hand, if for some reason a client is restricted and is only comfortable in one position then a whole treatment can be given in that one position. For example, a pregnant woman can be given a whole treatment in side-lying position. Likewise, all the treatments for sitting position can be given to someone sitting in a chair.

Just to add...

Thai Massage is received on a mat, on the floor.
You can remain lightly clothed as no oil is used.
A session should be a flowing, dynamic and meditative form of bodywork. This is not the painful and bruising work that many people have experienced as Traditional Thai Massage.
Thai massage is a unique all-in-one treatment being practised in four positions: supine, side-lying, prone, and sitting and that a session takes around one and half to two hours with a little extra time before to fill in your consultation form, and a little time after to come back to yourself.
The combination of stretching and meridian work and the treatment in all four positions gives the client an experience of a complete workout
Please leave 2 hours after a heavy meal, and one hour after a light snack. Be prepared to feel highly energised, or extremely relaxed, or both in succession, after your massage.
Clients, after having had a treatment treated say they feel taller, expanded, balanced, and looser - putting them in a new and different place.

Precautions:

Massage is not recommended for certain people:

Infectious skin disease, rash, or open wounds.
Immediately after surgery.
Immediately after chemotherapy or radiation, unless recommended by your doctor.
Prone to blood clots. There is a risk of blood clots being dislodged. If you have heart disease, check with your doctor before having a massage
Massage should not be done directly over bruises, inflamed skin, unhealed wounds, tumors, abdominal hernia, or areas of recent fractures.

Thank you for taking the time to read and perhaps understand a little about Traditional Thai Massage perhaps encouraging you to experience a session. Any questions, concerns or further interest please drop me a line.

Namaste

Ade