Thai Yoga Massage: An Ancient Modality
Thai Yoga massage, also referred to as Thai massage, is a modality that is at least 1,000 years old. It’s wild to think that I get to practice (and receive!) this incredibly old modality! How many things are we still doing today that someone 1,000 years ago did! I love Thai not only because it’s incredibly ancient AND it’s held up into our modern times but also because it brings together aspects of acupressure, yoga and massage to help bring balance to the body. I like to call it the lazy (wo)man’s yoga because you get to lay there while someone else stretches your muscles! Don’t you love it when someone else does all the work for you ;D Thai yoga massage is quite different from regular western massage not only in it’s goals, but it’s application. It is normally performed on the floor on a comfy mat, usually with clothes on. It requires a lot of strength on the therapist’s part as they lift your legs, arms and stretch your back in several different postures. It makes for an utterly relaxing experience that is incredibly unique.
Thailand is at the crossroads of many cultures and we see this influence in Thai Yoga massage. It was directly influenced by yoga and Ayurveda as we see in the use of energy lines in both modalities. In Thai massage these energy lines are called Sen lines and there are 72,000 of these lines running through the body. During a session we only use 10 main Sen lines. Some of the cousins to Thai massage are Tui Na from China and Shiatsu from Japan. These modalities share a common theme-they are based on energy flow and energy balance as the basis for healing and building health. In Ayurveda this energy is called prana and in China it is Qi. Blockages in the energy lines are released through pressure and stretching and this allows the energy to flow more freely creating harmony that makes you feel relaxed, happy and frees the body from pain.
Who should get a Thai yoga massage? Do you feel stiff? Do you have pain in your joints or muscles? Are you feeling sluggish? These are reasons one might book a Thai yoga massage. If you don’t like to stretch and want someone to do it for you, this is another great reason! I find this modality is especially beneficial for those who are highly active including skiers, bikers, snowboarders, snowshoers and ice climbers to name a few! It’s also very helpful to those on the other side of the movement spectrum whom I like to all desk drivers. When we sit all day, our muscles shorten so Thai Yoga is incredibly good for those who aren’t getting enough activity. Have you tried it yet? If so, let me know what you thought of it! How did it help you? How was it different from regular massage? If you haven’t, then message me for a session! I also teach Thai yoga massage to couples and at massage schools and LOVE getting the chance to empower people to embody and take care of themselves!