Abstract
Thai massage is a method of treatment that combines elements from Ayurveda, Yoga and traditional Chinese Medicine. The essential part of Thai massage is stretching as used in Yoga and the application of pressure to energy points.
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Thai massage developed 2500 year ago in India. It combines elements from Ayurveda, Yoga and traditional Chinese medicine.
It is said, that the origins of Thai massage came to Thailand together with Buddhism. The temples and monasteries of Thailand are considered as the cradle of Thai massage in the form as we know it today. In Thailand Thai massage is an essential part of culture and traditional medicine until today and is applied to persons of various ages with success.
Thai massage is a far east method of treatment that is practiced throughout Thailand and was handed down for centuries through an unbroken chain of masters from one generation to the next generation. In the original texts it is called Nuad Thai Paen Boran.
In modern Thailand traditional Thai massage is a complex theoretical science as well as a practical art which is practiced everywhere in Thai society. On the one hand Thai massage is a medical discipline, and is part of a four-year traditional medical university degree program. On th other hand Thai massage is practiced in many cities an villages in Thailand by therapists less formally trained. They acquired their knowledge through oral tradition and don't have such a broad theoretical background as it is taught at the universities.
Historically speaking Thai massage is based in Ayurvedic teachings as well as on Yoga teachings. But nevertheless influences from the Chinese meridian system can be found as well. Thai massage is integrated in a far reaching system of treatment in which breathing exercises and herbal medicine are applied.
Thai massage is often compared to a dance in which the active movement of the massager and the passive movement of the person that is getting the massage flow together in harmony. Expressed a little more prosaically Thai massage is often called „Yoga for the lazy“, because the the person getting the massage doesn't have to do the widening- , stretching-, and twisting exercises by himself. He is rather carefully brought into the Yoga positions by the massager. The interaction of gentle movement, deep stretching and rhythmical breathing is the secret of Thai massage.
The stretching, based on the influence of Yoga, is one essential part of Thai massage. The second part is targeted pressing of energy points and reflex zones of the body, which stimulates the inner organs, glands and nerves, improving their function.
© 2005 Thailin Thai Massage Berlin
