Thai Massage or Nuad Thai นวดไทย is a healing art practised in Thailand for thousands of years. It is a dry massage - it does not use oil or lotion on the body, it is performed on a mat on the floor through the clothes. Unlike other massages there is no rubbing on the muscles. Instead the therapist applies a combination of gentle passive stretches, compression, applied yoga, acupressure on therapeutic points, movement and rocking, using their thumbs, hands, forearms, elbows, legs, feet and body weight to perform this beautiful art of healing, restauration and relaxation.

There are two main general styles of Thai Yoga massage practised in Thailand – Northern and Southern. The latter tends to be shorter – about an hour, and includes less stretches. The Northern style, which I practise, lasts usually two to two and a half hours, includes yoga based stretches and an extensive coverage of the energy lines of the legs.

Thai Yoga massage is based on the belief in a life force that circulates in the body. In Chinese medicine it is Qi. In Indian and Buddhist philosophy this life force is called prana. The prana runs through energy pathways creating an energy-line system composed of 72 000 invisible energy lines which supports the energy body of the person. If there is a blockage in any of the lines, this prevents the free flow of energy, which in turn can lead to aches, pain and disease on a physical, emotional and spiritual level.

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History

 

Traditional Thai Yoga Massage is believed to have originated when Buddha was alive by the Indian physician of Maghada king Bimbisara, Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha, his existence it’s written of in the Pali Canon. In Thailand he is regarded as the father of medicine and people honour him in prayers as the founder and source of the healing practice they perform to this day. The exact origin of the massage is obscure as much of the written evidence was destroyed by the Burmese invasions although there are few remnants on the walls of a temple in Bangkok. The healing art of massaging was passed on by word of mouth , individual children being selected and then received training over many years before becoming the village healer. Thai massage is also influenced by yoga philosophy and Ayurveda – the science of life. Traditionally Thai people depended on the Thai massage, herbal medicines and shamanic practices for their wellbeing and health. With the arrival of modern medicine they gradually turned their back on these traditions. Fortunately they recognised the importance of keeping knowledge and traditions alive and in the last couple of years Traditional Thai massage has gained UNESCO heritage status.