Thai massage–what is it?

Traditional Thai massage follows a series of postures. Here are a few examples with photos and descriptions so you can understand what to expect.

1. Row the boat—

The client is sitting up cross legged on the mat or on a pillow if that is more comfortable. The client’s arms are extended behind them and holding onto my wrists. I have my feet placed on the client’s back and pull gently back. This is a great stretch for the chest and shoulder muscles as well as allowing for some back extension and releasing tension between the shoulder blades

2. Back Stretch (Twist Spine)—

With the client lying on their back I take their bent leg across their body to the mat in a gentle stretch. The chest, back and side of the leg gain length as I slightly twist the body into the posture.

3. Half Locust—

The client is lying on their side as I grasp their top leg and arm and place my foot on their low back. As I lean back lightly the hip and chest are opened up.

4. Knee to Chest—With the client lying on their back I am in a half kneeling position beside them with the client’s foot at my hip. I lean forward gently to stretch the hip extensors of the bent leg and open up through their groin and low back. The other hand is placed on the client’s straight leg on the ground to stabilize and increase the hip opening benefits.

Background

Thai massage was developed several hundred years ago in India and Thailand. Originally the Buddha was working with Dr. Jivaka Kumarbhaccha in India and a blend of yoga and ayervedic healing was born. Thai massage blends additional Chinese medicine components as well, basically integrating the best of all of the Asian healing therapies. The Buddhist monks practiced the therapy and brought it over to Thailand and from there its popularity spread. There are traditional Thai massage postures inscribed in a temple in Thailand called the Wat Pho, but most of the teachings have been passed through generations by hands on practice. It was seen as a way to prevent injuries and help rehabilitate those with pain and tension accumulated from their everyday life. It was also termed “the lazy person's yoga” in that the practitioner did all the work while the client was able to relax into the stretches. No yoga experience is necessary, this is perfect for everyone!

Thai massage differs from regular massage therapy in that it is done on a big mat on the floor while fully clothed, therefore resembling yoga. There are a series of stretches combined with gentle pressure point work using the practitioner’s palms, thumbs, fingers, elbows, knees and forearms. You will feel the toxins and by products from muscle contraction flush through as the whole body is worked from feet to head. There are four basic positions the client will be led into: sitting up, lying on their back, lying on their stomach and lying on their side. This allows the muscles to be worked on all planes rather than just two dimensionally, thereby increasing full joint range of motion.

Benefits

Aside from the relaxation effects, Thai massage has many other therapeutic benefits. These include; releasing points of muscle tension or “knots”, increasing flexibility, improving posture and alignment, increasing circulation, rejuvenating the nervous system, preventing injury and assisting with injury rehabilitation, increasing energy through detoxification, improving digestive processes, decreasing recovery between exercise bouts, and increasing overall feeling of well-being and full body connection. Thai massage therapy is effective for everyone from high caliber athletes to the least active. Each massage treatment can be catered to your needs and focused on what best fits with your lifestyle and health condition. Common ailments such as headache, back ache, insomnia, indigestion, stress and muscle soreness are alleviated. Everyone can benefit from Thai massage session and the effects can be long lasting.