Traditional Thai massage is an ancient form of bodywork. It is a healing art that has its roots in Indian Ayuveda, acupuncture, yoga and Japanese shiatsu. With its rare combination of compression, stretching, manipulation and breathing, either giving or receiving a Thai massage will leave you deeply relaxed and energized. Training and practicing Thai massage is a demanding undertaking both academically and physically, but the rewards are great.
History
According to the Lotus Palm School of Thai Yoga Massage, the origins of Thai massage can be traced to India, China and Tibet with the spread of Buddhism 2,500 years ago. Massage and other healing arts where taught by monks in the temples and monasteries throughout Thailand. Written and oral traditions of this healing art kept the practice alive and flourishing until 1776 when Burma invaded Thailand and destroyed most of the temples. The remaining texts were gathered by King Rama III, and inscribed in stone. These stone plaques are still intact and are located in Wat Po, a Buddhist temple in Bangkok.
Basic Concepts of Thai Massage
The focus of Thai massage is to open up the flow of energy in the body and to restore balance. The energy, or sen lines as they are called in Thailand, are similar to Chinese acupuncture meridians. Through the techniques of stretching, pressure point therapy and soft tissue manipulation, these energy lines are opened up. Thai massage is often called Thai yoga massage, because the client is positioned in many of the traditional yoga postures or asanas. The combination of manual techniques and use of yoga postures creates a powerful tool for deep relaxation and rejuvenation.
Training
When you learn Thai massage, you will discover the flow of sen lines in the body. Having knowledge of where the energy flows and what part of the body it effects helps you channel energy to the specific part of the body you want to help. The pressure points used will allow you to interact with these energy lines in a precise manner. Thai massage is done on a mat on the floor, which allows you to move the client easily into the proper positions and also gives you the opportunity to use your own body weight to heighten the stretching and pressure point therapy. A quality Thai massage usually goes through a set of techniques and manipulations and lasts one to two hours.
Benefits of Thai Massage
The benefits of Thai massage are numerous. Often you can feel a deep relaxation and increase energy after one massage. By reducing muscle tension, an increase in blood circulation and a wider range of motion can be achieved. According to the Thai Institute of Healing Arts, Thai massage can ease headaches, back pain and stress. When you have deep relaxation and increase energy flow, you can often see improvement in body posture and alignment, a strengthening of internal organs as well as a means to facilitate the removal of toxins. Along with a good diet, and a positive outlook on life, Thai massage can help create a lasting feeling of well-being.
Precautions
Thai massage is not for everyone, or for every condition. A few rules to follow will allow for a positive outcome with your massage. Tell your therapist of any medical condition you have. Don't eat a heavy meal beforehand. It's not a good idea to have a massage soon after surgery, if pregnant, if you are prone to blood clots, if you have any wounds or recent fractures. If you feel discomfort or feel the massage is too rigorous, let your therapist know. They can modify the massage to more suit your needs.
Thai Massage Schools
Several schools in the United States offer Thai massage. Often schools or one of the teachers will offer a weekend workshop to give you a chance to learn more about this form of massage. A directory for massage schools can be found at Natural Healers. The best way to train for Thai massage is to go to Thailand where many good schools are available. The Old Medicine School and the International Training School are in the northern city of Chiang Mai, and the massage school at the Temple Wat Po is in Bangkok. Most classes are taught in English.
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