About Thai Massage

Traditional Thai massage is the manual medicine branch of 2500 years of traditional Thai medicine. It combines elements of yoga, shiatsu and acupressure, working with the energy pathways of the body and the therapy points thought to be located along these lines.

The specific application of the techniques of Thai massage is considered to be a form of meditative practice, with benefit to the recipient as well as the practitioner. The practitioner endeavours to work in a state of mindfulness, concentrated and present in each breath, each moment. Every movement, every procedure, every breath, every posture is an opportunity for the practitioner and recipient to achieve clear intent and mindfulness.

Working towards and potentially in this state of heightened awareness opens the perception and intuition of the practitioner. This allows for an acute sensitivity to subtle shifts of energy and change in the client's body and mind. This can lead to a deeply profound therapeutic effect.

Stretching and extending the range of motion of the client's body are an important part of Thai massage. The stretching often takes the form of assisted Yoga. Once the client has relaxed deeply, the practitioner, with a heightened sensitivity, stretches the client to his or her comfortable limit.

A vital aspect of the theory underlying Thai Medicine is the importance placed on the abdominal region. According to Thai Medicine, all the major energy pathways of the body have their origin in the abdominal region in the vicinity of the navel. Therefore, the abdominal massage is a crucial component of the healing benefit of this medicine.

Thai Medicine History

The traditional medicine of Thailand is a distinct and comprehensive system of healing that has developed and evolved over the past centuries. Thai medicine traces its origins back to an historical figure, revered to this day as the 'Father Doctor', who lived in India at the same time as the historical Buddha, in approximately the 5th century B.c. Thai medicine is comprised of four branches:

• Nuad Bo'Ram (Thai Massage).
• Herbal remedies.
• Nutritional remedies.
• Spiritual practices of Therevada Buddhism and village mysticism.

The system of Nuad Bo' Ram, commonly referred to as Thai massage, is an ancient form of hands on healing body work that has historically been practised by Buddhist monks in the monastic communities known as Wats. The Thai word Nuad refers to touch with the purpose of imparting healing. The word Bo'Rarn is derived from Sanskrit and refers to something that is ancient and revered.

Historically, the traditional medical knowledge was transmitted orally from teacher to student in the same manner as the religious texts (sutras) of Buddhism were transmitted. The medical texts were considered to be of the utmost importance and received a similar reverence to that accorded to the religious texts.

In Buddhist philosophy, the concept of Metta (loving kindness) is highly esteemed. The practice of massage and healing work is understood to be a practical application of Metta. Thai massage demonstrates the Four Divine States of Mind discussed in Buddhism.

These Four States of Mind are:

• Loving Kindness.
• Compassion.
• Vicarious joy, and
• Mental Equanimity.

In Thai Theravada Buddhist tradition, significant emphasis is placed on the practical application of spiritual philosophy - that higher ideals should be brought into everyday life and activities and decisions.

The Technique

Thai massage differs dramatically from massage techniques as developed and practised in the Western world:

• Thai massage is a core component of a traditional medical system. It emphasizes pressing, compression, and stretching techniques rather than the rubbing techniques of effleurage and petrissage of Western style massage.
• Thai massage practitioners make use of their feet, knees, elbows, and forearms as well as their hands in their practice. The client remains fully clothed in comfortable, loose fitting clothing during the treatment session. No oils or other lubricants are utilised in treatment.
• The treatment session takes place on a padded rug or cotton futon that is placed on the floor or on a low platform.
• Thai massage is practised very, very slowly. A typical session can last well over two hours. There is an imperative condition that the practitioner seeks to work in a meditative and concentrated state of mind, unencumbered by thought and fantasy. He should be able to transmit this quality of mind to the recipient through his touch.
• Although it is the physical body of the recipient that is being primarily addressed, the focus and intent of the treatment is primarily on the recipient's 'energy body' and mind.
• The essential purpose of the practice of Thai massage is to bring balance and harmony to the body, mind, and spirit of the recipient and through this return to balance and harmony provide a deeply healing effect.