People often want to know which therapies I offer when they find out that I am a complementary therapist and whenever I mention Thai massage, most are rather less familiar with what it is than therapies like reflexology or Swedish massage. Some think it is massage done by Thai ladies or maybe a form of massage done on the thigh! So I thought I would shed a little light on Thai massage today.
Thai massage is a body therapy that has largely been practiced in Thailand for thousands of years. It has its origins in India and also has Chinese influences. It is conducted fully clothed on a futon and the therapist works on the body along energy lines called sen lines. Sen lines are subtle pathways that carry energy around the body. You could say they are the Thai equivalent of meridians and there are said to be 72000 of them though only ten major lines are worked in Thai massage. During the treatment, the therapist will use their thumbs, elbows, knees and feet to apply pressure along these lines in a rhythmic rocking manner which can be very relaxing. These movements are combined with stretches and twists and you may be moved into various yoga positions, hence, it is sometimes called passive yoga or Thai yoga massage.
A full body treatment can last up to two and a half hours, however, most clients tend to prefer between an hour and 90minutes. It is ideal for those wishing to gently improve their flexibility and helps with recovery from muscle soreness. So, in a way, it works on both the physical level and an energetic level. The energetic balance is brought about by the clearing of the sen lines so that subtle energy may travel along them easily. You do not have to believe in sen lines and energy though to enjoy a Thai massage treatment. I like to describe it as a beautiful relaxing dance between the practitioner and the client which puts both into a meditative state. Pure bliss.....but then, I'm probably biased! Anyway, don't take my word for it. Why not try out a treatment sometime?
To introduce clients to Thai massage, I usually offer tasters in Bristol which last 20-30 minutes per session. If you happen to be interested or have questions, please get in touch......my contact details are on my website www.obsidianpyramid.co.uk
Olu
Sunday, 4 April 2010
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