Traditional Thai Massage

One Saturday morning, I enjoyed my first experience of Thai Yoga Massage on a taster session. It was in the sunny town of Wellingborough, and as well as completely relaxing me, it left me feeling that I wanted to know more, much more.

In order to find out, I wanted to return to the country renowned for being the 'Land of Smiles'; to immerse myself in the sounds, smells and sights of this vibrant place.

So last year, I took myself off to the Northern Thai city of Chiang Mai, and spent three weeks learning the practice of applying a Traditional Thai Massage or Nuad Bo-rarn as it is called in it's homeland.

Our days began by giving thanks to and asking for the guidance of the revered founder of Nuad Bo-rarn (Dr. Zhivaga) followed by a yoga session especially developed to aid and prepare for giving a Thai Massage. Over two weeks, all of the moves in order to develop a four hour full body massage were taught and practised.

A Thai massage, which is rather passive, is given over loose, comfortable clothing, whilst the receiver is laid on a mat on the floor. It involves pressing over muscles with the palms of the hand, the ball of the thumb, feet, knees and elbows. During a Thai massage, the client is bent, stretched and squeezed into a variety of poses, which, in some cases, are reminiscent of some commonly known yoga asanas, such as cobra and lotus. Within some of the movements, pressure points are manipulated.

A massage incorporates movements given whilst the receiver is laid on the back, then on each side, on the front and finally in a seated position. Through various moves, the person who is in receipt of the massage will be worked from the top of the head right down to the toes.

With over 130 different postures, some of which require a repeat on both sides of the body, it is unsurprising that the full massage can take up to four hours. However, even in Thailand, it usually limited to an hour and a half or two hours.

The benefits of Traditional Thai Massage are far reaching. Apart from providing deep relaxation, it has all the benefits of increasing circulation and lymphatic drainage. It is a good way to become and remain more supple, improving muscle tone and mobility. A Thai massage can release points of tension in the body and therefore release stresses, as well as promoting inner peace and a quiet mind.

Angela George

Newsletter Spring 2008
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