What is Thai Massage?

By Annette Scott


The ancient healing art of Traditional Thai Massage traces back over 2,500 years to Indian Ayurvedic medicine and yoga. This ancient therapy is a beautiful fusion of the Indian Ayurvedic tradition coupled with martial arts and yoga to create a shared healing between practitioner and participant.  It is beneficial for the young, old, active or inactive. This interactive therapy combines passive yoga style stretching as well as enhancing the movement of energy through the body by applying pressure to specific energy lines known as Sen. Treating the acupressure points within those lines helps eliminate various disorders and diseases of the body.

How is it done?

Thai massage is performed on a mat on the floor, with the client remaining fully clothed. Utilizing gravity, the practitioner uses their body to achieve maximum weight and leverage.  Passive stretching combined with rhythmic compressions are used to increase flexibility while relieving tension in the muscles. Pressure is applied with the hands, thumbs, forearms and feet.  Thai massage not only calms the mind and nervous system, it balances the body’s energy.