Thai Massage

Traditional Thai Massage

Traditional Thai Massage or 'Medicinal Massage' is the form used within the Health Care System of Thailand and can relieve more than 50 minor ailments through Pressure Points and Energy Lines. This form of Natural Healing is safe and without the harmful side effects of chemicals. The seasoned practitioner can relieve symptoms of muscle sprains and pains, tennis elbow, stiff neck, muscle cramps, muscle fatigue and stiffness, as well as nervous tension. In addition, Thai Massage may help in preventing muscle atrophy in patients who are unable to exercise.

Beginning more than 2500 years ago, Thai Massage has been handed down from generation to generation from the elderly to the young who were interested. Wat Po became the predominate school for Traditional Thai Medicine in 1836. There today, the most highly skilled Traditional Thai Massage Therapists are trained and evaluated by a Government Board before certification.

Traditional Thai Yoga Massage

Beginning more than 2500 years ago by Buddha's physician, Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha, Thai Yoga Massage is both an energizing and relaxing form of Traditional Thai Medicine as being practiced in Bangkok's Wat Po. Using a combination of yoga-like stretches, acupressure and muscle compression, this traditional form of healing is said to be like performing yoga without the work. The Practitioner will use a combination of hands, feet, knees and legs to move you through various stretches performed on a mat. Some of the benefits include:

• Relaxation
• Increased circulation
• Increased flexibility
• Focusing the mind and body
• Improved range of motion
• Reduction of stress
• Increased energy

Traditional Thai Foot Massage

Thai Foot Massage involves the clearing of the body's energy lines through massage and acupressure of the soles of the feet as well as the lower legs (knees down to feet). The Buddhist monks passed down this rich traditional healing technique through the generations where it is still taught to this day in Wat Po, the Center of Traditional Thai Healing Arts. Your feet carry you all day and should be properly taken care of. Thai foot massages are one of the best forms to achieve this well-being. The lotion and oils are imported from the Temple in Thailand and impart a sense of well-being to the client. Some of the benefits include:

• Stimulating the organs
• Increased general feeling of well-being
• Improving overall appearance of the foot
• Reduction of stress
• Focusing the mind and body

A Traditional Thai Foot Massage typically begins with your feet being soaked in a bath of Thai herbs to help soften them before the manipulation begins. A lotion is then applied to the feet, which is comprised of a traditional mixture of herbs from Thailand and imparts a fragrant aroma in the air and a warming sensation to the feet. The practitioner begins by giving the foot an overall massage and then applies pressure to various points in the foot to stimulate the corresponding organs (similar to reflexology). Sessions typically last one hour and additional sessions may be required.

What you can expect for Traditional Thai Massage and Yoga Massage

Traditional Thai Massage is performed fully clothed lying on a mat or in the sitting position. With this in mind, you need to arrive with comfortable clothing that allows for a full range of motion. Yoga clothing is perfect. You will be required to fill out a short questionnaire concerning your current physical health. The practitioner will perform a quick assessment and decide which pressure points and/or yoga poses will be performed to best meet your needs. These sessions typically last 60 minutes but can vary in length between 30-90 minutes. For Thai Yoga Massage, depending on the amount of yoga poses performed, sessions may last up to 1-1/2 hours (for full amount of poses). Multiple sessions may be required to help relieve your symptoms.

Precautions

Although Thai Massage is safe, it may not be recommended for everyone. Conditions that may preclude you from a session include:

• Blood clots or predisposition to blood clots
• Infections or skin diseases
• Tumors, wounds, hernias or recent fractures
• Fevers or general illness
• Cancer

Additional precautions for Foot Massage include: pregnancy, menstruation, history of heart attack.

Additional tips

• Arrive early to complete the required forms and have a chance to relax.
• Don't eat a heavy meal before arrival
• Make sure you give your complete medical history and recent changes
• Let the practitioner know if you feel discomfort at any time
• Wear clothing that allows freedom of movement

Traditional Thai Yoga

In this one hour Introductory Thai Yoga class you will learn the basics of meditation, stretching and perform up to 18 postures to improve balance, focus and clear the mind, relieve pain and stiffness and become more flexible.

Thai Yoga & Stretching Classes

Tuesdays 9-10am and Thursdays 4-5pm
Classes begin the week of July 26th and run for 8 weeks. Drop in's are welcome!