Thai Yoga Massage is an ancient practice that migrated to Thailand about 2500 years ago. The Buddha’s personal physician is credited with developing this unique type of massage. Over the years, as this form of massage has been brought to other counties, there are features of other healing techniques that have been included in treatments.
Thai yoga massage incorporates a wide range of eastern healing techniques. It has components that include yoga, meditation, Ayurveda and traditional eastern medicine. Assisted yoga asanas are used with acupressure, deep tissue massage, energy work and other techniques.
Thai yoga massage lasts about two hours per session. You should wear comfortable clothes for the session. It begins lying on your mat, but you won’t stay there. Unlike the typical massage techniques that require you to lie on your back; you will be moving in Thai yoga massage.
The massage therapist uses massage and moves the individual into supine, side lying, seated asanas and inversions. The therapist moves you into and out of the poses, while using massage, meditation and other techniques to create the full effect.
In Thai yoga massage, the therapist massages energy lines in the body, while the patient brings air into the body. The massage techniques are used to move the air that is brought into the body down through the energy lines to bring the air to all areas of the body.
In Thailand, this form of massage is part of Traditional Thai Medicine. It is used to treat several medical conditions and offers a wide range of physical and mental benefits. This form of massage is said to detoxify the body, strengthens the joints, and improves arthritis, lower back pain, joint problems and degenerative diseases.
The physical benefits of this form of massage are only part of the picture. The mental and emotional benefits include improving concentration, enhancing creativity, calming the mind and improving emotional balance.
When trying Thai yoga massage, you want to find a highly trained and experienced therapist. If you are using this type of massage for health and healing, look for a therapist with extensive experience treating people with the same health condition or problem. Your yoga teacher or friends may be able to give you a recommendation.