Traditional Thai Massage by Christine Townley Sussex Thai Massage School Brighton
Traditional Thai Massage is often referred to as Thai Massage, Thai Bodywork, Thai Yoga Massage or applied yoga for lazy people. A Thai Massage session has more ingredients than a yoga workout. It has a blend and fusion of exquisite asian techniques including thumb pressure similar to Chinese acupressure which works along energy lines similar to meridians or nadis. By thumb pressing along these sen lines, as they are known in Thailand, it aims to release blockages creating a free flow of energy and prana throughout the body. Another important part of Thai Massage is the Buddhist and spiritual influence. Students are encouraged to recite a short prayer silently in pali (the Buddhist language) before commencing the massage to focus and quieten their mind. Thai massage reflects the Four divine states of mind of Buddhist teaching. These are loving kindness, compassion, vicarious joy and equanimity. A Thai Massage given with metta meaning loving kindness is essential rather than given in a mechanical or forceful way. A lovely description of Thai Massage is "The physical application of loving kindness". Buddhist monks traditionally performed Thai Massage in temples as a means of invigorating the mind, body and spirit. This unique ancient healing tradition originated in India and dates back to 2500 years ago.
Yoga
Many yoga postures may be included in a Thai Massage treatment. Forward bends, backward bends, cobra, spinal twists, locust positions shoulder stand and the plough. The dynamics of Thai Massage are very similar to Ashtanga Yoga - the Vinyasa linking and flow from one asana to another. The use of bodyweight, correct body mechanics and rhythm is essential for performing a good Thai Massage. It is like a yoga dance and a meditative experience for both the client and practitioner. The practitioner also benefiting from their muscles being stretched and strengthened. With the close relationship of Yoga more yoga teachers are enjoying learning the art of Thai Massage and experiencing the benefits for themselves. Clients are able to go deeper into a posture when assisted by a Thai Massage practitioner enhancing their flexibility and encouraging deep relaxation in each pose. Ashtanga yoga can greatly improve the flow and rhythm of a Thai Massage Practitioner. Iyenger yoga can also help to feel the degree of stretching necessary so that a practitioner can feel how far to take a client into a posture and ensure the stretching is within the client's limits and comfort boundaries. The pressure and stretching is measured and matched to the client's physical ability and needs. A practitioner will learn to feel how far to take a client into a stretch. This is indeed an art, working slowly with mindfulness, watching facial reactions will help the practitioner to feel the point of resistance and maximum stretch for the limbs. Watching the movement and transition from one posture to another is important for the student to learn the art. With practice it will flow creating a lovely dynamic rhythmic sequence with the minimum amount of effort. Sussex Thai Massage School has produced the Thai Massage Course on DVD to show the movement from one transition to the next with easy to follow voice over instructions.
Benefits
Thai Massage has many benefits and is suitable for people of all ages irrespective of their level of flexibility. Sports people, Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi Teachers, physiotherapists, health practitioners and those with no previous experience all love the benefits of giving and receiving Thai Massage. With the meditative qualities it works very deep on an emotional level and with the yoga stretches it also has a profound effect on a physical level.
It is very good for back pain, sciatica, shoulder and neck pain. There is an emphasis on stretching the legs into various yoga positions to alleviate the lower back. By stretching and loosening the hamstrings and opening the hips this greatly enhances the flexibility of the back. There are many upper body stretches to open the chest and improve the flexibility of the shoulders and neck. The numerous slow stretching movements free the tension held within the body. They increase flexibility, relax and elongate tense muscles, mobilise and open joints, thus energising and nourishing the client by allowing the prana to flow more freely around the whole body. Thai massage relieves aches, pain and stiffness, stimulates and improves the range and freedom of movement and co-ordination. The stretching movements affect the entire body by releasing both deep and superficial tension and re-educating the client into a better alignment and improved posture. The result is an opening of the body, which leaves one feeling both relaxed and energised at the same time.
Thai Massage soothes the nervous system, and has a positive and calming effect on the mind inducing deep relaxation with the meditative qualities. The circulation of blood and lymph is improved. Internal organs and the immune system are stimulated. It aims to balances all the systems of the body. This transformative therapy produces a powerful feeling of well being, restoring inner balance and equilibrium.
Thai Massage session
It is a very thorough treatment of the whole body lasting for 1 ½ or 2 hours the latter being more thorough and being able to address more specific problems. There are a range of techniques suitable and appropriate for each client and practitioners choose techniques to suit their client's varying needs and abilities. Students learning Thai Massage learn over 3 hours of techniques and will tailor a Thai Massage treatment for their client depending on size, flexibility and needs. It is a very intuitive massage.
The massage is carried out clothed on a futon mattress.
The client will lie on their back (supine) position and, before commencing, the practitioner recites a short prayer in Buddhist language silently to focus their mind and energy. The mantra thanks Jivaka Khuma Bhacca, the founder of Thai Massage and friend of the Buddha and wishes their client good health. Relaxation techniques of palm walking are then applied to the feet and legs, allowing both practitioner and client to become acquainted with each others energies and to establish a rhythm which creates a key foundation to the massage. This rhythm is very important for soothing the client's nervous system. Various thumb presses similar to Reflexology are used on the feet to ground and balance the client's energy before commencing to work on the energy lines of the legs. Palming techniques are then followed by slow moving thumb pressure to release blocked energy along the sen lines. A series of slow powerful stretching movements are performed on one leg to stretch the hamstrings, to create mobility in the hips, elongate the muscles and improve circulation throughout the body. This is repeated on the other leg. The practitioner then uses more stretches on both legs together. Palm pressure, gentle rhythmic rocking and soothing massage techniques are used for relaxation in between the dynamic yogic postures throughout the massage. A relaxing abdominal massage is then carried out massaging the stomach and internal organs. The practitioner then works the energy lines of the arms, moving on to the chest, with maybe some shoulder stretches in this position. A soothing face massage may be performed in supine or at the end in the sitting position. The client will then turn onto their side and the practitioner may further open the shoulder and pelvic area with some more stretching movements. This is repeated on the other side. Techniques will then be performed with the client lying on their stomach (prone), various leg stretches and palming and thumbing the energy lines of the back. The client is then placed into sitting position which focuses mainly on the spine, shoulders and posture. Each movement is carried out in a continuous movement and flow.
Thai Massage Course on DVD
This double DVD is invaluable for the qualified practitioner and for those learning Thai Yoga Massage.
The DVD demonstrates a comprehensive step by step complete Traditional Thai Massage. It has easy to follow voice over instructions and is beautifully presented and professionally filmed. You will see smooth carefully controlled flowing, dynamic movements using bodyweight with balance.
Content: Introduction, Benefits, History including Temples and Buddhas of Thailand, Contra-indications, Techniques. The Session - Feet, Sen Energy Lines, Single Legs, Double Legs, Abdomen & Chest, Arms & Hands, Shoulders, Neck & Face, Side Position, Back Position, Sitting Position
Running Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
Courses 2009 in Brighton
Introductory Course on 15 March or 7 November
Practitioner Course 24,25,26 April, 5,6,7 June, 3,4,5 July 25,26,27 February 2010
Courses are open to everyone whether a completed beginner, qualified practitioner or Yoga teacher. Class sizes are small at Sussex Thai Massage School to enable students to receive individual attention from the tutor. The content is mainly practical with traditional techniques and students will be giving and receiving Thai Massage. Christine teaches in a passionate and sympathetic style with a sensitive approach to students learning. Emphasis is placed on the students body movements, rhythmic flow, effective use of bodyweight, safe practice and client's reactions and comfort.
