Thai Yoga Massage
Thai yoga massage is a type of massage style that involves stretching, palming and application of therapeutic points and can be a deep massage. This form of massage is usually performed on a mat on the floor. The client wears comfortable clothes that allow for movement and no oils are used, apart from possibly a little on the face. Thai yoga massage is also known as "nuat phaen boran" in Thailand, literally, the ancient-manner massage.
Tristan giving massage in northern Thailand.
History of Thai Yoga Massage
The founder of Thai massage and medicine is said to have been Shivago Komarpaj, who is said in the Pali Buddhist Canon to have been the Buddha's physician over 2500 years ago. However, the history of Thai massage is possibly more complex than this legend of a single founder would suggest. Thai massage, like Traditional Thai Medicine more generally, is a combination of influences from Indian, Chinese, Southeast Asian cultural spheres and traditions of medicine. The art as it is practiced today is likely to be the product of a 19th century synthesis of various healing traditions from all over the kingdom. Even today, there is considerable variation from region to region across Thailand, and no single routine or theoretical framework that is universally accepted among healers. Intuition and loving kindness play a large part in the process of this healing art.
The founder of Thai massage and medicine is said to have been Shivago Komarpaj, who is said in the Pali Buddhist Canon to have been the Buddha's physician over 2500 years ago. However, the history of Thai massage is possibly more complex than this legend of a single founder would suggest. Thai massage, like Traditional Thai Medicine more generally, is a combination of influences from Indian, Chinese, Southeast Asian cultural spheres and traditions of medicine. The art as it is practiced today is likely to be the product of a 19th century synthesis of various healing traditions from all over the kingdom. Even today, there is considerable variation from region to region across Thailand, and no single routine or theoretical framework that is universally accepted among healers. Intuition and loving kindness play a large part in the process of this healing art.
Shivago Komarpaj