Chi Philosophy introduces Thai Yoga Massage

November 2005 I embarked on a trip to Thailand. I have long been enamored by the Thai culture,
Buddhism and the beauty of Thai Yoga Massage. So I figured that the only way to really get to
know this country would be to go there and explore it for myself. My main goal was to study Thai
Massage with someone dedicated to the discipline and to immerse myself in ‘the land of smiles’
as Thailand is affectionately called.

I stayed in Chiang Mai for the entire month of November. It quickly became very evident that
massage is not seen by the Thai’s as a luxurious indulgence for special occasions. It is a way of
life. The grand parents massage the grand children; the parents to a large extent hold the
responsibility of passing the tradition of massage down orally. This being the case it remains in
the family for generations. Additionally there isn’t anywhere you can go in Chiang Mai and not find
some one to give you a massage, they are in the market, in the shopping centers, near
restaurants. At the end of a day of shopping it is common place to see people with all their bags
surrounding them sporting a blissful look on their faces as they have a foot massage or back
massage.

Where did Thai Yoga Massage originate?

Thai Yoga Massage was bought to Thailand from India over 2500 years ago by Shivago
Komarapaj or Father Doctor as he is called by the Thai’s. Doctor Shivago is thought to be the
father of traditional medicine, he was a personal friend and physician to Buddha and provided
free treatments to Buddhist monks and nuns. The Buddhist faith requires its monks and nuns to
spend hours in meditation. Thai Massage helped them to maintain their flexibility and suppleness,
as well as allowing them to remain disciplined throughout these sessions. At that time temples
were both spiritual and medical centers and the nuns and monks were versed in the art of Thai
Massage, nutrition, counseling and herbalism, offering holistic treatments to everyone within the
community.

What is Thai Massage like?

Thai Massage is a combination of both Indian and Chinese traditional medicine. The Indian
element is seen in the use of yoga stretches. In fact the massage is often referred to as ‘the lazy
man’s yoga’ because although the recipient is passive during the whole session their body is
slowly being pulled and stretched into the different yoga postures.

Thai massage is also strongly linked to Chinese medicine as it focuses heavily on the energy
lines of the body. Accupressure (pressing movements with thumbs, fingers and palms) is used to
open these energy lines called the sen lines, and remove energetic blockages which in turn
alleviates the pain and diseases that these blockages may have caused. There are many
similarities here to the Japanese system of Shiatsu and the Chinese arts of acupressure and
acupuncture.

In the western world the movements of Thai Yoga massage can be likened to Physiotherapy or
Chiropractice. However the main difference would be that there is a lot of focus on the energy
and spiritual aspect of the art with Thai Yoga where as Physiotherapy and Chiropractice tend to
both solely look at the body from a physical and scientific view point.

What happens during a Thai Massage session?

The Thai Massage is done on a futon or mattress on the floor as this allows for greater movement
and space for stretches. The recipient is fully clothed. The pace of the massage is slow, in fact
when I was taught I was told to focus on my heart beat and then pace the massage to that
rhythm. The massage moves in a sequence starting from the legs and moving toward the head.
The body is first warmed up by palm pressing, acupressure is them applied to the energy lines to
release energetic blockages, this is followed by stretches to aid the flow of the energy through
these lines.

How is Thai Massage spiritual?

Traditionally Thai Massage was only performed by monks and nuns within the confines of the
Buddhist temples. As an art it has evolved and opened itself up to the outside world. However as
a student you are told that the only way for the art to be effective is if it is done in a meditative and
mindful way. In opening the session a prayer is recited in Pali or Sanskrit to honor the Father
Doctor and to honor the person receiving the massage.

It is understood that giving the massage is a physical application of ‘Metta’ which is the Pali word
for ‘loving kindness’. Conscious awareness is maintained thoughout the session to ensure that
movements are not mechanical and that it is geared specifically for the individual. When done in
this state it resembles a meditative dance sequence rather than just physical manipulation of the
body.

What are the benefits of Thai Massage?

Deep relaxation and quieting of mental chatter, release of tension and stress which increases the
flow of energy throughout the body. The yoga postures and stretches increase the body’s
flexibility and range of motion. Circulation and is improved ensuring greater nourishment to the
body’s vital organs. Improves neurological functions; this in turn strengthens the nervous system.
It also relieves degenerative conditions associated with illness and age.

For more information on Thai Massage visit www.chi-philosophy.com.

If you are a therapist who would like to share the benefits of your discipline, likewise if you are an
individual who would like to see certain issues covered in the up coming Chi Philosophy series
please phone 444-7675 or email: spiceislereview@spiceisle.com.