More than any other manual therapy, Thai bodywork tunes you in to your body and focuses your mind.
Therapeutic Thai bodywork
Laughter is the best medicine. A session with my teacher Ajahn Pichest Boonthume.
Therapeutic Thai bodywork offers an exceptionally rich framework for holistic treatment of body, mind, and spirit through manual therapy. It feels great to receive and you feel great afterwards. It's a unique feeling that many people find addictive.
There are many forms of Thai bodywork. My style is heavily influenced by my primary teacher in Chiang Mai, who developed his approach over three decades of practice and observation. It consists mainly of deep compression, stretching and awareness of breath.. I incorporate other approaches and tools as needed, including acupressure, tapping or striking, shaking or "shuffling," vibration with a wooden mallet (tok sen), direct manipulation of nerves and tendons (jap sen), breathwork, herbal compresses, use of oils and balms, and scraping (haaek). Just as important is the intention of the therapist, which should embody the concept of metta or good-will to all beings as well as karuna (compassion) and upekha (equanimity).
My training is Thai massage comes mainly through study with teachers in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I continue to return as often as possible to continue studying.
Sessions are done on a mat on the floor. You will wear light, comfortable clothing that allows the body to be moved. Oil is generally not used, except for localized use of balm. There is no set routine - every session is tailored to what is needed and appropriate for you, adapting pacing, techniques, and pressure. Individual sessions draw on whatever techniques and approaches are needed.
There are many forms of Thai bodywork. My style is heavily influenced by my primary teacher in Chiang Mai, who developed his approach over three decades of practice and observation. It consists mainly of deep compression, stretching and awareness of breath.. I incorporate other approaches and tools as needed, including acupressure, tapping or striking, shaking or "shuffling," vibration with a wooden mallet (tok sen), direct manipulation of nerves and tendons (jap sen), breathwork, herbal compresses, use of oils and balms, and scraping (haaek). Just as important is the intention of the therapist, which should embody the concept of metta or good-will to all beings as well as karuna (compassion) and upekha (equanimity).
My training is Thai massage comes mainly through study with teachers in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I continue to return as often as possible to continue studying.
Sessions are done on a mat on the floor. You will wear light, comfortable clothing that allows the body to be moved. Oil is generally not used, except for localized use of balm. There is no set routine - every session is tailored to what is needed and appropriate for you, adapting pacing, techniques, and pressure. Individual sessions draw on whatever techniques and approaches are needed.
Making herbal compresses to be used in Thai massage.
Benefits of Thai Bodywork
|
The general goals of Thai bodywork are to create a sense of well-being and calm in body and mind, facilitate the flow of lom or wind, and create balance of tension and the elements in the body. Specific results may include:
|
|
Tok sen - a very traditional, distinctive therapy from Northern Thailand which uses vibrations to work connective tissue, nerves, and bone. It is a very relaxing modality suited for those who cannot receive deep pressure or who have deep issues that cannot be reached through massage
.
Sessions combine different approaches depending on your needs. The following approaches may be used:
General balancing sessions: General sessions are appropriate for those with no specific complaints who feel overall tension or imbalance in their systems. For cases of high sensitivity, more severe imbalance or depletion, herbal compresses may be used. Sessions last 90-120 minutes.
Deep-tissue structural Thai sessions: This is slow and deep work to address severe or chronic tension patterns. These sessions are good for almost everyone but particularly good for those with more strong muscles and/or dense connective tissues. This work may be done as a whole-body session or address a specific area of imbalance. Sessions last 90-120 minutes.
Therapeutic sessions: These sessions are appropriate where there is a specific area of pain or unbalance. Work is focused on the area of imbalance and may include deep tissue structural work, jap sen (nerve work), and other modalities as needed. Cool or hot balm may be used as needed. Sessions last 60-120 minutes as needed.
Tok sen session: Tok sen is a very traditional Northern Thai therapy which uses vibrations to effect the energy lines. The vibration is supplied by tapping a wooden peg along the key lines.. This work is very deep (because vibrations travel into the body) but also low-pressure and non-invasive. It is especially appropriate for those who either cannot take deep pressure or much movement (because of age, skin condition, or strength of bones and underlying tissues) or those who have not responded fully to pressure treatment. Sesame oil may be used as needed. Sessions last 75-90 minutes.
Thai abdominal massage session: Thai abdominal massage works on the belly, organs, and thorax to achieve general balance. Sesame oil is used for this massage; session typically lasts 1 hour.
|
Facial massage: A massage session in Thailand often ends with a facial massage, which makes sense since most of the energetic lines end in the face and cranium. Separate facial/cranial sessions are offered both for those who want to release tension stored in the jaw and face and have a rejuvenated look or who need specialized therapeutic work (e.g. for headaches, jaw issues, etc). Sessions last 75 minutes.
|
Thai facial massage from a legend of Thai massage, Mama Nit Chaimongkol. I was lucky enough to meet Mama Nit in the last year and a half of her life. She was a wonderful therapist who loved teaching.
|
