It is known as Thai Yoga Massage, Traditional Thai Massage or “Yoga for the Lazy”. This refers to a massage healing art that is more than 2500 years old and is based on Ayurvedic healing methods, yogic asana, pressure points and stretching elements.
Despite its name, the Thai Yoga Massage originated in India and was developed by the contemporary Buddha Jivaka Komarabhacca in northern India in the 5th century BC. Later, the healing art of monks was brought to Thailand. Even today, the doctor Jivaka Komarabhaccha is revered as the father of medicine and honoured before every Thai massage through a small prayer.
The Thai Yoga Massage is based on the Ayurvedic system of energy lines, the so-called Nadis, whose energy points (the marma points) are activated by accupressur, so that the energy can flow freely again and tensions disappear.
The pressing techniques during the massage are combined with passive yoga postures, pranayama, reiki, meditation and rhytmic massage techniques using hands, feet, elbows, knees and pressure with the body weight.
The so-called “Giver” rotates, stretches and massages the “receiver” once from head to toe, whereby the receiver is completely passive. The Giver, on the other hand, puts full body effort and goes into yoga poses himself and uses the breath to perform certain techniques.
A complete Thai massage lasts 1 1/2 to 2 hours and consists of about 70 individual treatment techniques.
After the treatment, the recipient feels not only more energized, but also more relaxed and pain-free.
I myself was introduced to the art of Thai yoga massage by my teacher Ram in a private Thai massage course in Dharamshala and was amazed at the complexity of the massage. The Giver needs a clear consciousness during the massage and selflessly shares his energy with the receiver. He himself enters certain yoga poses and uses his breath during the massage.
Thai Yoga Massage is a flow. Not only a flow of the energy through the energy lines of the body of the receiver, while the energy points are activated, but also a flow in the movement of the massage techniques. Contact with the receiver is never lost while the Giver works in an even flow through the entire body of the receiver.
I look forward to practicing and consolidating my newly learned skills to volunteer recipients soon.
If you are interested in an education in Thai yoga massage, I highly recommend Ram as a teacher. He himself received the Thai Yoga Massage 12 years ago from his Nepalese teacher and has received additional training in Thailand. His yoga background and his knowledge of Ayurveda and meditation make him an authentic teacher. For many years he has been giving Thai yoga massage classes all over the world.
More about Ram, his yoga center and trainings can be found here.
