Located between China and India, Thailand was influenced by these two great cultures. It is very likely that Chinese medical philosophy and India’s yoga tradition influenced their practice of massage.
My training was in traditional Thai massage at Wat Po, the famous Thai massage school in Bangkok, following which I then became apprentice to a Thai massage master in northern Thailand.
Traditional Thai Yoga Massage – A leading example of excellence in holistic bodywork
In the West, massage tends to focus on physical structures, such as muscle, tissues and joints. Its approach, while often beneficial, is primarily mechanical, with each problem being addressed separately. Thai Yoga Massage on the other hand treats the body as a whole. Structural posture, energy flow throughout the body, as well as energy lines and points, are all treated together.
What’s involved and who benefits
No oils are used in Thai massage. Therefore, you can wear loose clothing while you lie on a comfortable mat. It is a relaxing experience that can take either one or two hours. It is ideal for many conditions – and just as suitable for men, women or children. It is gentle enough for the elderly, but is still highly effective for sports enthusiasts, students of Yoga, martial artists – and will come as a welcome alternative to people who have tried other forms of massage.
- Gentle rhythmic pressure relaxes the nervous system and allows the muscles to soften
- Special stretches interspersed within the massage improve flexibility
- Muscles and the connective tissue, surrounding the muscle fibres gain greater resting length
- This reduces muscle soreness
- It also increases the range and motion of joints
- Nerves, tissues and organs are also strengthened. So, too, is the circulation of energy around the body
A wise choice for those who prefer a more natural approach to remaining well
Thai Yoga massage treats the whole body. This is particularly important because the body always gives a true reflection of inner states of mind and emotion. So, while Thai Yoga massage will deal effectively with sports injuries it is able to significantly improve spinal and postural related problems. This holistic approach to bodywork creates a feeling of well being as a greater overall state of balance is achieved.