“Thai massage is a well-respected and proven healing art that’s quickly gaining popularity in the West because of its meditative approach and its application of yoga’s well-established benefits” - Kam Thye Chow Founder of one of the first North American schools of Thai massage.
Thai bodywork is one of the ancient healing arts of traditional Thai medicine, along with herbal medicine and spiritual meditation. It incorporates t’ai chi moves, rhythmic motion, palming and thumbing along energy lines (sen lines), gentle stretching and the conscious use of breath. A practitioner will use his or her hands, feet, arms and legs to guide the recipient into various yoga postures, while remaining focused on their own body-center. This combination of movements and focused awareness creates a slow, flowing “dance” around the recipient’s body. Though traditionally practiced on the floor Thai massage can be seamlessly incorporated into table work.
Thai massage has been described as assisted Hatha yoga. During a session, the practitioner pays careful attention to the recipient’s level of flexibility and breath as they gently move the individual into different poses. Each pose is designed to open up the body and allow energy to flow freely along the sen lines. This “opening” increases joint mobility and flexibility, improves circulation, tonifies organs, and relieves muscular and emotional tension.
The stretching in Thai massage helps to lengthen muscles and make them more flexible, supple and less prone to injury, while joints benefit from a greater range of motion. Stretching also increases capillary density, thereby helping to address icshemia and promoting the release of lactic acid. This is particularly important in our culture which tends to emphasize more aggressive muscle movements resulting in the production of large quantities of lactic acid in the muscle fibers. In addition, studies have shown that stretching can raise the temperature of a tendon, which can have a protective effect via increased skeletal muscle tensile strength. The stretching in Thai bodywork also releases endorphins, further promoting a relaxation response.
By working the body physically and energetically, Thai massage produces a highly therapeutic effect which helps relieve common conditions such as low back pain, arthritis, headaches, digestive difficulties, menstrual and menopausal problems and stress-related conditions, as well as providing an overall sense of relaxation which helps people to deal better with emotional issues.
Though very dynamic, Thai massage is deeply relaxing, enabling the body and mind to rebalance naturally. As with any yoga practice, blood and lymph circulation are increased and internal organs are stimulated, all helping to strengthen the immune system, rebalance the endocrine system and clear toxins from the body. In addition, the variety of stretching and joint isolation exercises helps to increase joint mobility and flexibility. Since the technique respects each person’s body type and level of flexibility, Thai massage is ideal for many individuals.
Synchronizing Movement and Breath
Conscious use of breath has been proven to reduce both physical and emotional tension. In Thai bodywork, practitioners learn how to make clients more aware of how they use their breath and of areas of tension where the breath is impeded. As well, practitioners themselves are trained in how to use their own breath to facilitate transitions between postures, work with different body types, and to calm and synchronize their breath with the client’s for deeper concentration and awareness.
Thai bodywork’s emphasis on body awareness has also helped practitioners avoid many of the injuries common to bodyworkers today. Since the massage focuses on both the practitioner’s and client’s body, it allows for a session that places comfort and safety first. The importance of self-care is emphasized and integrated with the notion of creating a smooth, flowing session incorporating natural transitions that avoid straining either the practitioner’s or the client’s body. These transitions, based on the practice of t’ai chi, are essential to what Chow refers to as the “dance” of Thai massage – the flowing movement and regular breath, the sense of moving from one’s center and using one’s weight vs. strength to avoid joint pain or injury. In this way, Thai bodywork respects the body’s natural rhythms – both external and internal.
Great article. I thought it was worth mentioning one of the benefits I have had from working with you is that the support of the table and your guidance has helped me push past flexibility barriers that in my own practice caused me to tense up and get really uncomfortable. With Thai Bodywork I glide past that point because I don’t need to support my whole body and I can just let it relax.
Great Stuff! I had some acute muscle spasms in my back related to the heavy lifting that is part of my work. With your help and teaching, Eric, I have learned the value and importance of Thai massage. Our continued work keeps me flexible and able to do my job.