How
Does it Work?
The theoretical
foundation of Thai Yoga massage is based on the belief that there is a life
force that circulates around pathways in the body. Indian Yoga philosophy calls
this life force 'Prana'. It is said to be absorbed with the air that we breathe
and the food that we eat. In Thai Yoga massage, these pathways make up an
energy system. This system is said to be made up of 72,000 invisible energy
lines. If there is a blockage in any line, preventing free flow of Prana, it
can lead to aches, pains and disease on a physical, emotional and spiritual
level.Thai Yoga massage concentrates on ten important lines called the 'Ten
Sen'. A thorough Thai massage treatment covers all ten lines. These ten main
energy lines are sufficient to conduct practical treatment for the whole body
and its internal organs. This will ensure that blocked energy is released,
restoring health, harmony and balance. When Prana flows freely, our general
wellbeing is greatly improved.
Neck-Elbow. The
therapist uses her elbow to apply
pressure to the
shoulder area while stretching the neck
Thai massage differs
from Swedish massage, which is the most widespread technique of massage in the
West. The kneading of muscles, which dominates in Swedish massage, is absent
from Thai massage – energy points are pressed or general pressure is used instead.
There is a lot of stretching involved and many exercises might well be
described as applied Yoga.
Physiotherapy and
Chiropractic in the West are closer to Thai massage than is Swedish massage,
but these techniques ignore manipulating acupressure points and the energy flow
of the body and, unlike Thai massage, their theoretical foundations are based on
the anatomical structure of the body.
Benefits:-
There are many
benefits in receiving a Thai massage. It usually takes four or five days for
the balancing of the energy systems of the body to be complete. This means that
people often continue to experience the beneficial effects for some time after
the massage and not just during the treatment. Some people feel immediately
energized as the new energy flows into the body. Other people can feel very
tired straight after the treatment as the negative and old energy leaves the
body. Whatever the first reaction, after a few days the energy will be
re-balanced and with it a sense of harmony and well being will be experienced.
Other benefits
include greater flexibility in the joints, enhanced blood circulation, better
alignment of the body, improved posture and better functioning of the internal
organs. Thai Yoga massage usually leaves the recipient with an invaluable
feeling of relaxation and tranquility.
Thai Yoga massage is
an excellent way to keep the body in tune; receiving regular treatments can be
as beneficial for people with no particular problems as it is for people
suffering from common ailments or even with more serious conditions.
Thai Yoga massage is
an excellent way to keep the body in tune; receiving regular treatments can be
as beneficial for people with no particular problems as it is for people
suffering from common ailments or even with more serious conditions.
The Yoga positions
and stretching makes Thai Yoga massage ideal for sports people, Yoga
practitioners and dancers, whilst the energy line workout is especially
beneficial during pregnancy and after giving birth. Due to some of the
stretches used, some people have the impression that they must be very flexible
to receive Thai massage. This is definitely not the case; Thai Yoga massage is
beneficial for people of all ages and flexibility. The session is designed to
suit the needs of the recipient. There are such a wide variety of techniques
and stretches and no-one is taken beyond his or her own personal limit. If
someone is less flexible or unwell, more emphasis would be placed on working
the energy lines with acupressure rather than stretching the body.
