The History And Healing Benefits Of Traditional Thai Yoga Massage

Caressa Mathews practices Thai Yoga Massage.

Traditional Thai Yoga Massage is a therapeutic technique of bodywork that was developed over 2,500 years ago by Jivaka Komarabhacca, a friend and physician to the Buddha and renowned as a healer in Buddhist tradition. When Buddhist monks and nuns migrated from India to Sri Lanka, Laos, Cambodia, Burma, and Thailand, they brought the knowledge of Thai Massage and medicine with them.

Traditional Thai medicine is a natural, holistic approach to health and well-being, developed over thousands of years, which includes proper nutrition, physical exercise, the use of medicinal herbs and therapeutic massage. Traditional Thai medicine is concerned with curing diseases and ailments, and maintaining health and well-being. The medical knowledge developed by Thai people through many generations has come to be known as the ancient wisdom of Thailand.

Diagrams inscribed on the walls at the temple of Wat Po in Bangkok illustrate one of the fundamental principles of traditional Thai medicine: that energy flows through the body along ten major channels, or sen lines. If an obstruction occurs in any of these channels it is believed that pain or disease results. In this sense, traditional Thai medicine is similar to many other ancient healing systems, which believe that illnesses are caused by an imbalance or obstruction within the individual, or by an imbalance between an individual and their environment.  Ancient Thais treated a number of ailments by using massage to restore the flow of energy throughout the body.
It is profound to experience this healing art of Thai Yoga Massage. It's a unique and powerful system, consisting of a deep, full-body treatment, combining rhythmic massage, applied pressure to the sen lines, stretching of the joints and muscles, gentle twisting, energy work and meditation.

Thai Yoga Massage stimulates and balances the flow of healing energy within the body, opening the areas which are blocked bringing the receiver deeper into balance and harmony for health, happiness and wellness of being. This system creates a powerful release of stress and tension, and an increase in vitality as it deepens the connection between mind, body and spirit in both the giver and receiver.

A Thai Yoga Massage session differs from a Swedish massage in that it is conducted on a thick cushion on the floor, and the client remains fully clothed in loose pants and a comfortable shirt, allowing for ease of movement and flexibility. A session lasts between one and two hours and consists of dynamic and fluid combinations of techniques that move, stretch and twist the client while they are positioned on their back, front, side, and sitting cross-legged on the floor. Every massage is tailored to your specific needs and can help alleviate many kinds of aches and pains including problems with back, shoulders, neck, hips, legs, headaches, and much more.

Thai Yoga Massage is one of the best therapeutic massage/bodywork treatment available for chronic pain and sports injuries. It is an outstanding way to help promote total relaxation and stress reduction. Together, these actions result in a comprehensive full body treatment that relieves muscular tension, improves circulation, boosts the immune system and balances the body energetically. Thai Yoga massage increases flexibility, releasing both deep and superficial tension, enhances the body’s natural energy flow, and promotes inner peace with a quiet mind. Initially affecting the physical body, it can then gradually reach the more subtle life forces - the emotions, thoughts, and senses. It is common for recipients to go into a Yoga Nidra state where time and space disappear and the healing takes place on a deeper level. Most clients report that following a session, they feel taller, more graceful, and more integrated, and they experience an exquisite sense of lightness in their body.

More information about Traditional Thai Yoga Massage can be found at 7sensesyogaandmassage.com.