The first three steps in Yoga are exterior tasks. The steps one and two, Yama and Niyama, help to put the Yogi into harmony with other humans. The third step, Asana, keeps the body healthy. These postures and their healthful effect are also part of Thai massage.
The steps four and five, Pranayama and Pratyahara, are called inner tasks. They have the function to learn to breath and thereby to control the mind.
The last three steps, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi lead the Yogi to the innermost spheres of the mind. Regardless of the phase, in which the Yogi might be, through his contentment and pleasing balance he will have positive influence on his environment.
Thai massage was also influenced by the two- to three thousand years old traditional Chinese medicine. The comprehensive system of Chinese medicine includes treatment methods like acupuncture, breath practices, movement, healthy nutrition, meditation and meridian massage.
A basic concept of traditional Chinese medicine is the understanding of energy. According to the Chinese medicine, energy is flowing through certain lines, the so-called meridians. This energy is constantly floating in a circle, which is ruled by the two opposite powers of Yin, meaning the emptiness or weakness, and the Yang, which is the abundance or energy.
