Traditional Thai Massage

In traditional Thai massage, the massage therapist uses his or her hands, knees, legs, and feet to move you into a series of yoga-like stretches. This massage has even been referred to as the "lazy man's yoga." Techniques also include muscle compression, joint mobilization, and acupressure.

The basis of this massage is energetic, not physical. The purpose of Thai techniques is to clear blockages in the energy lines called sen (similair to the Chinese concept of meridians) and specific points of energy called nadis.

The massage is given on a padded mat on the floor with you wearing clothing in which you can move easily. No oil is also used and sessions can last from one to three hours.

The benefits of Thai yoga massage are that it reduces stress, improves circulation, increases energy and flexibility, improves range of motion, and centers the mind and body.

This massage (also known as Nuad Bo'Rarn or naud phaen boran) is one of the oldest forms of manual medicine, dating back around 2500 years in Thailand, though the roots are believed to have come from India with the Buddhist doctor Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha. The massage developed in two styles: Northern Style, taught at the Massage Hospital of the Foundation of Shivago Komarpaj in Chang Mai, and Southern Style, taught at Wat Pho in Bangkok.

According to the Art of Traditional Thai Massage, "Massage was always considered to be a spiritual practice closely connected with the teachings of the Buddha... The giving of massage was understood to be a physical application of Metta, the Pali (and Thai) word used in Theraveda Buddhism to denote 'loving kindness'...A truly good masseur performs his art in a meditative mood...Only a spiritually aware masseur is able to treat different people according to their different needs."

Learn more at The History & Culture of Thai Massage.



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