It has been practiced for over years, is based on the Ayurvedic principles of balancing one's energy flow. In both Eastern and Western Integrative healing systems, maintaining equilibrium in the body key to good health.
Thai Massage is based on Sen, energy lines that run throughout the body, similar to the blood vessels carrying blood throughout the body. When the Sen become blocked, the energy stagnates and the body loses its balance, allowing disease. In Thai massage, stretching, Sen work, Tok Sen, Bamboo, herbal compresses and acupressure are used to open energy channels, allowing the body to rebalance itself and heal.
Applying pressure points along the energy lines, combined with gentle rocking, compression, and elongation of the muscles with yoga-like stretches, serves to relax muscles and open joints, thus allowing energy to flow. In general, You will hear about two mainstream styles of traditional Thai massage in Thailand.
The Southern style is taught, along other styles, in State Schools and is mostly focused on adopting very polite postures, using precise acupressure pressure along the energy lines. Strict etiquette must be observed. The distance between practitioner and recipient must be no closer than the stretched arm. No stretching positions are applied and minimal body contact is maintained.
The Northern style is said to be taught mainly around Chiang Mai and has more stretching techniques and a slow and relaxing rhythm. Its main qualities come from the fact that it relies on cultivating a meditative state, nursing the ability to be present without Judgment, with the patient. Different parts of the body the forearms, elbows, knees and feet are used to give the full body massage.
