TRADITIONAL THAI MASSAGE
What is a Traditional Thai Massage?
Traditional Thai massage is like a combnation of acupressure, yoga, and zen shiatsu. It consists of rhythmic and slow compressions and stretches along the body’s energy lines, or sen as it is known as in Thailand. There are over 70,000 sen in the body, and Traditional Thai Massage concentrates on apllication of pressure along the 10 most important of these sen. The therapist use their hand palms, thumbs, elbows, and feet in an effort to manipulate the release of tension from within the body. Therapists also manouver the body into yoga-like positions and gently rock and stretch the body to open the joints and facilitate limbering.The massage work involved stimulates the lymph nodes to boost the immune system, eliminate toxins, clear blockages, transport nutrients to cells and increases the bodies metabolism.
The history of Traditional Thai massage:
Thai massage reportedly began over 2,500 years ago along with the introduction of Buddhism. Dr. Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha, known as Shivago Komarpaj in Thailand is the legendary historical creator of Thai medicine. He was from the north of India and waschief of the original community and close group of associates that gathered around Buddha. The teachings of massages and medicene were brought to Thailand with the migration of monks there around the second century B.C.E. In Thailand it developed within the context of Buddhist monasteries and temples, where Thai people went to find relief from all kinds of suffering and ailments.
The written history of Thai massage was lost during when Burmese beseiged the old royal capital of Ayuthaya in 1767 and the the only surviving records are now inscribed in stone can be found at the famous temple of Pra Chetuphon in Bangkok, more polularily known as Wat Pho, the temple of the reclining Buddha. At Wat Pho Thai massage school the teachers still to this day begin their classes with the practice of waikru, a rendition of prayers and recitals dedicated to Shivago Komarpaj, the father of Thai massage and the Goddess of Healing, and teachers of the tradition through the history of its development.
What are the benefits of a Traditional Thai Massage?
There are numerous benefits of Thai massage of which the most predominant being the maintenance of good health and the ability to treat a wide spectrum of health concerns. Traditional Thai massage is famous for its ability to clear the sen (energy pathways).
The following are some of the benefits of Traditional Thai Massage.
- stimulates internal organs for self healing
- increases flexibility and range of movement in your muscles and joints
- eliminates muscle spasms and muscle pain
- allows for a therapeutict release of deep, emotional distress
- improves your postural alignment
- calms the nervous system and promotes a deep sense of calm increases your energy level
- stimulates blood circulation, detoxification and lymph drainage
- relieves painful joints, fatigue, swollen limbs, and headaches
What does Thai massage feel like?
Traditional Thai massage is more of a rigorous massage than more usual forms of massage.
It is often referred to as Thai yoga massage, because of the way in which the therapist uses their limbs to move you into a pattern of yoga-like stretches. It is similar to doing yoga workout without you having to do any of the hard work yourself.
People describe Thai massage as both relaxing and energising.
What should I expect during my Traditional Thai Massage treatment?
At Mai Thai Massage the massage is carried out on a traditional padded massage table.
We don’ t apply an oil so you can remain fully dressed in loose clothing or wear one the soft and comfortable massage garments that we provide here.
A Traditional Thai Massage can be from one to two hours long but we recommend a two hour treatment in order to avail of the great volume of work and manouvers involved in carrying out a thorough massage of his particular type
Additional information:
- Please avoid eating a heavy meal before the massage
- If it’s your first time at our massage centre, arrive at least 5 minutes early so you can have a few minutes to rest and relax before starting the massage.
- If you happen to feel discomfort at any time, maket your massage therapist aware of it