Want to know the principles behind Thai yoga massage? Want to know where you can learn Thai yoga massage or receive treatment first hand? Our guide to Thai yoga massage gives you the facts & information you want to know.
Thai yoga and massage is part of the family of bodywork exercises. Yoga is based on energy flow and balance, in theory giving health and the benefit of healing. The other part of the family includes massage, and is a combination of Ayurvedic, which is Indian, and Shiatsu, which is Japanese, as well as many others.
Dating back as far as four hundred years ago Tui Na and Ayurvedic, were where the Thai yoga massage started, Indian yogic influence is obvious, the energy channels known as Sen and Indian Ayurvedic medicine.
Ayurvedic mixed with herbal medicine saunas and steam baths combined with massage therapy is still found in Thailand today. Jivaka Kumar Bhacca was a friend as well as a physician to the last Buddha around two thousand five hundred years ago. In addition, he is referred to as the father of Thai massage as well as Thai medicines. He also practised techniques of Kumar around the same time as the birth of Buddhism.
In the hands of a skilled therapist, Thai yoga massage is a rhythmical massage that balances the body, the need to move and stretch the body as well as relaxing the mind.
Thai Yoga Massage Techniques
The pressing and the gentle rocking motion with yoga stretches, relieves stiffness and restores the flexibility and assists in balancing the bodies’energy lines; this can only be done by a skilled therapist.
The therapist uses their body weight for a deeper workout that can not be done with yoga alone, the workout consists of deep and then gentle massage, which helps the blood flow remain constant and this will release the tension.
Deep and long stretches open the flow of energy allowing the therapist to work on all the muscles to your body, this is a usual procedure combining the two techniques together giving you both relaxation and suppleness.
Reflexology is another member of the family; this applies pressure to the soles of the feet,
As pressure is applied to certain parts of the foot, unlike Thai yoga massage that uses the hands, reflexology is performed with a wooden stick and cream or oils.
It is said, that sensory nerves to internal organs are spread through the entire body and can be found in the soles of the feet, so in effect massaging the feet stimulates our internal organs, and combined with Thai yoga massage the body should regain balance and remain in line.
