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Introduction

Traditional Thai Massage Manual
Natural Therapy for flexibility, relaxation and energy balance

Introduction

        Traditional Thai massage has been practiced in more or less its present form for at least 1,000 years. It is a member of the whole family of Oriental bodywork, which is based on the intrinsic energy flow and energy balance theory of health and healing. Other members of this family include Tui Na Chinese massage and manipulation, Ayurvedic Indian massage and Shiatsu Japanese massage. Tui Na and Ayurvedic massage both date back over 4,000 years and it is and these systems that Thai massage has its roots. The Indian Yogic influence is very obvious to both the observer and recipient of this unique form of massage. Less so, is the extremely disciplined manner in which the energy channels known as Sen are treated. In this respect, Thai bodywork more closely resembles Tui Na, the theory and practice of which of already documented some 2,300 years age. The first ever recorded Western commentary regarding Thai medicine was made in 1690 by Simon de la Loubѐre, a French diplomat, who observed; ‘When any person is sick at Siam he begins with causing his whole body to be moulded by one who is skilful herein, who gets upon the body of the sick person and tramples him under his feet.’

The role of Thai massage

        Who needs traditional Thai massage and manipulation? You do, if your body is crying out; ‘Touch me’, ‘Stretch me’, ‘Squeeze me’, ‘Hold me’, ‘Listen to me’, ‘Comfort me’ or ‘Heal me’. Such body cries often go unheard. This article will help you to discover how Thai bodywork can be the answer to your body’s pleas and it could be the first important step that leads you to seek its unique benefits.

Traditional Thai Massage

        Modern lifestyles are often dominated by the desire to achieve independence and fulfillment through the use of machinery and new technology. We aim to make our lives easy and convenient and, with ever more leisure time, hope that we will be healthy, youthful and pain-free enough to enjoy life. There is a distinct trend towards self over-indulgence and this, unfortunately, goes hand in hand with increasing deprivation in areas such as regular exercise and interaction with others on a caring and compassionate level. This article is written in the firm belief that Thai bodywork involves just such an interaction, enabling you to share with another person in a mutual ‘un-Thai-ing’ of physical and emotional knots. Interaction through physical contact has been fundamental to most Eastern cultures for thousands of years, yet the practice still remains quite foreign to most Westerners.

        At this point, it must be emphasized that traditional Thai massage is not the same thing as the media-sensationalized activities that take place in massage parlours throughout the tourist centers of Thailand. It is not about sexual gratification but about wholeness, balance, health and happiness. Thai massage means togetherness at a physical level which is quite outside the sexual but, for all of us, this is one of the vital components of a happy, balanced life that is so often lacking in this modern world.

        The origins of traditional Thai massage like the origins of the Thai people themselves, the history of traditional Thai massage is obscure, thailand was at the crossroads of the ancient migration routes which saw many waves of different civilezations and cultures passing through. The combination of Thailand’s close proximity to China and its position on one of the main trade routes from India has resulted in many interesting cultural and religious influences, particularly Buddhistm, being brought to bear on the early inhabitants of this area.

        Folk tradition creadits Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha, also known as Shiuago Komparaj, with being the founder of Thai massage. A friend and physician to the Buddha some 2,500 years ago, he is still revered as the ‘Father of Thai medicine’. None of the information regarding massage procedures was written down and it was passed on from generation ot generaton by word of mouth. Medical texts that included detailed descriptions of Thai massage, as it was then practised, were eventually recorded in the Pali language on palm leaves. These were venerated as religious texts and held in safe keeping in the old capital city of Ayutthia (Ayutthaya). During in the eightennth century Ayutthia was overrun by Burmese invaders and many of the precious texts were destroyed. In 1832 King Rama III had all the surviving texts carved in stone as descriptive epigraphs at Wat Pho, the largest temple in Bangkok.

Wat Pho temple

        ‘Wats’ are temples or monasteries. Besides being focal points for the practice of Buddhism, the Wats have always provided for the health needs of the people. The Wat Pho is the most famous of them. It dates back to the sixteenth century and houses the famous reclining Buddha, which is 46 meters (150 feet) long and 15 meters (49 feet) high, together with the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand. There are sixty carved epigraphs that describe the Sen channels and embody all the information from the Pali texts that still survived during the reign of King Rama III. Outside the temple are a collection of stone satues that show various of the classical Thai massage techniques.

Wat Pho, the temple is considered  the first public university of Thailand,

 teaching students in the fields of religion,  science and literature through 

murals and sculptures.  The temple is home to one of the earliest

 Thai massage schools.

        Wat Pho is the national center for the teaching and preservation of traditional Thai medicine. Most Thais are Buddhists and even today they are devoted to Buddha’s teachings compassion. Monks are still supported by gifts of food from the people and making regular offering at the temples is regarded as virtous. The monarchy is based on Buddhist teachings and has enourmous popular support. The present king, Phumibol Adulyadej, is the ninth monarchy in direct succession.

        With its origins firmly rooted in Buddhist philosophy, it is not surprising that, for much of its history, traditional Thai massage has been regarded as a religious rite. Until quite recently Thai massage was only officially practised by monks which, of course, precluded women as potential recipients. Various forms of folk massage were, and still are, practised within families where family members massaged on another.

The Sen lines

        In Thai medical theory the body’s vital life energy flows along channels called Sen. This energy powers all the physical, mental and emotional processes which will only function normally when energy supply matches demand. The Chinese call this energy ‘Qi’ and the Indians call it ‘Prana’. Any imbalance or blockage in the distribution of this energy can cause pain and disease. When the system is working well and energy distribution is balanced, you feel happy, relaxed, energetic and free from stiffness and pain.

        Thai massage focuses on the main Sen channels. The careful application of pressure along these channels helps to release any energy blockages and stagnation. Pressing and stretching muscles makes them more receptive to this flow.

What Thai bodywork can do for you

        Yoga is generally accepted as being an effective way of remaining healthy and flexible. However, receiving Thai bodywork is the ultimate lazy and simple way of obtaining all the benefits of yoga and more – without having to do it yourself. And when it is your turn to give your partner a massage, you will also feel the benefits of being the giver.

        This article will guide you towards mastering a comprehensive range of Thai massage and manipulation techniques, and presents you with a flowing sequence that can be used to maintain the body in a youthful condition. The techniques can also be used as a healing treatment for chronic pain.

        Stiffness and loss of flexibility are regarded as the inevitable result of the ageing process in the Western world. How you feel – physically, mentally and emotionally – is more important than your mere physical age. Thai bodywork is unique in its ability ot preserve youthfulness.

The secret of Thai bodywork

        What is the secret of Thai bodywork? The answer is that it enables you to press your muscles and to balance energy levels. This is what affects flexibility and equalizes the effects of muscles on both sides of the body. The amount of movement a muscle can produce at a joint is determined by the difference between its length when relaxed and when fully contracted. When muscles are tense, they become shorter, even when you are not conscoulsly contracting them. This can happen trhough overworking them, by not using them enough or it could be due to emotional temsion. Whatever the cause may be, the end result is progressively more restricted movement and the onset of stiffness, aches and pains which are all characteristic of the ageing process.

        Muscles that shorten and become tense can create uneven forces on the spine – that all – important container of the spinal cord. This, in turn, creates the back pain, neck pain and headaches that can so easily become a regular feature of daily life. With its unique abiblity to stretch all the most imprtant muscles in the body systematically, Thai manipulations enable you to achieve effects which are unlike those of any other bodywork.

        Thai bodywork should not be regarded as a mere physical experience. Indeed, if that is all it turns out to be, then it has largely failed to achieve its real potential. The giving and receiving of Thai bodywork is an ideal way of providing for the subtle, yet powerful interchange of intrinsic energy between two individuals. It is always a two-way process, and achievement depents on the caring and compassionate way in which it is given. Even in this day and age, Thai bodywork is a vital necessity for everyday life because it underpins health and well-being. It is the perfect vehicle for two people to come together with a view to attaining this mutual balancing of energy and life-force. Thai bodywork embodies all the harmony and rhythm often lacking in our lives.

Thai bodywork in practice

        The many techniques used in Thai bodywork are all designed to facilitate and stimulate the flow of intrinsic energies and to release blockages that would otherwise preclude the attainment of balance that is essential for maintaining a healthy, pain-free body. In this context, ‘healthy’ and ‘pain-free’ refer not only to the purely physical but also to the mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of one’s being.

        In this article you will find over 150 different techniques that can be used in a massage. Feet, palms, thumbs, elbows and knees are all used to apply deep pressure along the Sen. Other, quite different techniques, are used to apply twists and stretches, and these resemble a kind of applied yoga. At all times the pace is measured and unhurried. When moving from one technique to the next, the movement should be rhythmical, flowing, harmonious and smooth.

        Thai bodywork starts in the supine position – lying on the back – and then each side is worked. This is followed by the prone position – lying face downwards – and the sequence finishes in the sitting position. This routine always begins with the feet, which are subjected to a variety of presses, stretches and flexion that would even surpise a reflexologist! The legs are systematically positioned through a range of postures that present the energy channels to their best advantage.

        However, it is for its manipulations that Thai bodywork is renowned. These are designed to stretch every accesible muscle just a little more than it would normally be stretched under the action of strongly contracting antagonistic muscles. In the precess, all the principal joints are likewise moved just a little more than when they are operating under their own muscle power.

Touch me, stretch me

        Tuoch is one of the greatest medicines. It soothes, releases and comforts. Our wholeness is nourished by frequent and regular does of this all-pervading medicine.

        In this context, wholeness includes spiritual and emotional aspects as well as the more easily observed physical ones. When looked at with a knowledge of Western medicine, it is easly to see how massage and mnipulation can stimulate the flow of blood and lymph (tissu fluid), warm the tissues, improve flexibility and ease pain, all of which are essentially physical.

        Such is the power of touch that it also reaches far into the hidden recesses of our being. It has been shown that touch can result in the release of chemical substances within the nervous system called endorphins, which counteract pain and produce a poweful feeling of well-being.

        Thai bodywork involves different forms of touch – pressing, stretching and twisting – which have been honed to perfection over the ages. Those who receive Thai bodywork regularly will experience feelings of relaxation, peace of mind, happiness, flexibility and youthfulness.

Heal me

        The word ‘heal’ suggests ill health or disease, but its meaning in the context in which it is used here requires a much wider definition of health than is commonly recognized. Health is not just physical well-being or general lack of disease; it is a statement regarding the balance that exists between all those factors which contribute to our sense of ‘wholeness’, both internal and external. Whilst it would be difficult to give any accurate, all-embracing definition of what constitutes health, it is characterized by feelings of vitality, flexibility, freedom from pain, contentment and a sense of wholeness.

        The healthy person has, above all else, a balance in his or her life. One of the adverse spin-offs from life in the fast lane is a disturbance of his balance and when this happens, one has to have time and space in which to restore that elusive equilibrium. Sharing Thai bodywork with a partner or receiving it from a qualified practitioner is certainly one of the most effective means of doing this.

Stay young, stay healthy

        Pain is the biggest single obstacle to happiness and pain of any kind, at any level, is a reflection of imbalance. This results from too much of some things and not enough of others. The body will experience pain if, for example, it has too much rich food or too much violent exercise. But pains of no less a magnitude will be experienced if insufficient food is eaten and no exercise is taken. Pain will also be experienced when the desires of the mind remain unfulfilled but equally intense pain will be felt when desire is so restricted that there is no driving force for any progress.

These are two of the descriptive epigraphs that were etched in stone by order of King Rama III. The complete series can be seen at Wat Pho and represents all the surviving ancient texts on Thai traditional massage.

        The quest for health should be regarded as the search for balance in every facet of our lives. Rest and relaxation are wonderful ways of calming the mind and body to help this balancing process which we commonly call ‘healing’ and there are many things that we can do in our daily lives which can help to make it happen. Receiving Thai bodywork is one of them. Simultaneously, Thai bodywork can give a sublimely rhythmical workout that perfectly balances the body’s need for movement and stretching, whilst it also provides a relaxed state in which excessive worry and desire seem to evaporate away.

‘The Four Divine States of Consciousness’

        According to earlier mentioning, traditional Thai massage was originally practised in Buddhist temples because of its religious significance. It was regarded as one of the many ways of working towards the ‘Four Divine States of Consciousness’ and for Buddhists these are a necessary prerequisite for complete happiness. The qualities embodied in these states are:     

•  METTA: The desire to make others happy and the ability to show loving kindness
•  KARUNA: Compassion for all who suffer and a desire to ease their sufferings
•  MUDITA: Rejoicing with those who have good fortune and never feeling envy
•  UPEKKHA: Regarding one’s fellows without prejudice or preference.

        Form the Buddhist viewpoint, the giver of massage should be motivated only by the desire to bestow loving kindness with total concern for the recipient’s physical and emotional pains and feelings. Massage given with these motives foremost is a healing experience for the giver as well as the receiver, and intrinsic life energy will flow between the two.

Thai bodywork treatment

        In order to give and to receive Thai bodywork, you will need a partner – your spouse, friend or perhaps a member of your family. It is most important that you should avoid working with anyone who is much heavier than yourself, particularly when carrying out exercises that may involve heavy lifting or standing on your partner. Thai bodywork is, above all else, an intimate and warm experience and it should be carried out in an environment which promotes these features. A warm, well-ventilated room with diffused or subdued lighting is most conducive to the meditative state of the giver and the relaxation of the receiver. It is important that there should be no disturbances or excessive noise, although some people may prefer to have gentle background music played throughout the massage. As the bodywork is carried out on the floor, a soft but supportive may or blanket should be used, together with a thin pillow to support the receiver’s head. Adequate space should be provided to enable the giver to move comfortably around the receiver.

        Thai massage is applied to the clothed body but it is usual for the receiver to be barefoot. It is helpful if clothing takes the form of a thin, natural-fiber track suit or similar type of loose garment, and this is ideal wear for the giver who is also barefoot.

        Before giving a massage to someone for the first time it is most important that you check their medical history and discuss any present health problems with them before commencing. Immediately before any physical contact is made, you should take a moment to clear your mind of all extraneous thoughts so as to be totally centered on your partner’s needs and to be able to attend to them in a calm and empathetic state. A few slow, deep breaths with controlled exhalation will help this relaxing process.

        Before starting a massage, a Thai practitioner says a prayer to the Father of Medicine asking for guidance and help in relieving the physical and emotional pain in the patient. You too can say a prayer if you wish.

        Throughout the massage your partner should breathe normally except when receiving the ‘Cobras’ and Lifting Spinal Twist. Breathing in deeply before the lifts commence and breathing out as the lifts take place encourages energy flow to the internal organs. As with all forms of  massage, pace, rhythm and pressure must be carefully controlled and, above all else, there must be a sense of continuous flow, not only form technique to technique but also of energies within the partnership between giver and receiver. In this article wherever possible the first word used in the headings for the exercises refers to the action of the giver or, where appropriate, the body part used by the giver.

The duration of a massage

        A Thai massage can take from two to two-and-a-half hours to complete but this does not preclude the possibility of effective massage when there is less time. It is much better to restrict massage to those regions of the body that can be adequately treated in the time available than to speed up and attempt to do a whole body massage in a much shorter time. If you are new to bodywork do not attempt the more advanced manipulations until you are able to do the basic routine smoothly and effectively.

Beware of over-stretching

Over-stretching can cause injury. After just a short experience of giving massage it soon becomes very apparent that every individual has a different pain threshold, sensitivity and overall flexibility. When applied to some people, deep pressure produces little more than a mild sensation, whereas for others mild pressure can – at times – be quite excruciating. Flexibility and tolerance of stretching show the same variability. It is most important that one learns to recognize quickly to what degree pressure and stretching can be used. Pressing can cause pain if applied too vigorously. Always start with light pressure and increase very slowly. Use visual clues from your partner to guide you as to the maximum pressure to use.

        It is always important to get verbal confirmation from your partner that the stretches are not excessive. Age is no indication of suppleness and pain threshold. Some very young people can be stiff whereas others in their seventies who have cared for their bodies can demonstrate a remarkable flexibility.

Caring for yourself

        Good balance and posture are of vital significance for the giver of Thai bodywork as muscular strain can easily be sustained if unnatural and stressful positions are adopted. Learning in with the full body weight is a far more effective way of applying pressure and performing some of the extensive stretching movements than trying to achieve these with only the muscular power of the arms and shoulders. The giver should feel as comfortable as the receiver since any discomfort will interrupt concentration and destroy the harmony of movement that is so characteristic of good Thai bodywork.

Rhythm and movement: a pure synthesis

        The word ‘flowing’ and ‘rhythmic’ exactly describes the essence of Thai bodywork with its sequence of unhurried presses, stretches and twists. For the beginner, the vast number, variety and the subtlety of techniques used many be somewhat bewildering. At all times, the position and movements of the giver in relation to the receiver are every bit as important as the way in which the techniques are applied. Nuances of tempo and pressure seem endless and one technique dissolves into another with total smoothness and harmony. Form seems as important as movement. The symmetries and shapes developed and sustained are as dramatic as the way in which they evaporate away. There is never a suggestion of haste, and to the receiver time seems almost to stand still.

        Thai bodywork is a fusion of techniques, each of them with its own specific. Some techniques apply pressure to the Sen channels while others produce the wonderful twists and stretches that often resemble applied yoga. Pressing is the means of stimulating movement of energy in the Sen channels and manipulations stretch muscles. Feet, palms, thumbs, elbows and knees are the tools of the Thai therapist. The unhurried pace and smooth flow that characterize this form of bodywork detracts from the very deep pressure and powerful stretches that are used. Thai bodywork is like a beautifully choreographed duet: the basic theme is repeated over and over again, but with subtle variations for each body part that is treated.

CONTRA-INDICATIONS TO THAI MASSAGE

A few words of caution must be stated. All those incredible shapes and flowing movements that constitute the manipulative side of Thai massage can be potentially damaging to both giver and receiver. To give a massage of this kind, at even a very modest level, requires great skill, strength and poise which can only be acquired with correct training. Even a fit young person can be hurt when subjected to stretches and twists that are incorrectly applied or simply overdone. In addition, there are the usual contra-indications to the use of Thai massage which are essentially those that would apply to any form of massotherapy;

WHEN NOT TO USE THAI BODYWORK

·        Do not massage anyone with a serious heart condition, high blood pressure or cancer.

·        Thai massage is unsuitable for those who suffered from brittle bones (osteoporosis).

·        Never massage anyone who has an artificial joint, such as hip or knee replacement.

·        Those suffering from skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis or shingles should not receive massage on the affected areas.

·        Many of the exercises in this article are unsuitable for pregnant women and Thai massage is not recommended during pregnancy.

·        Varicose veins should not be deeply massaged.

·        If the receiver has any condition that raises doubts in the mind of the giver as to the suitability of this type of massage it is always best to err on the side of caution and to refer this person to his or her doctor, who may be able to determine whether massage is contra-indicated.