History of Thai Massage
This is a very condensed history of Thai Traditional Medicine and Thai Massage but I thought I would tell it as I knew some of you would be interested. Learning about the Thai people and culture has been and continues to be, a wonderful journey. The Thais are a friendly and enduring people and their country is one of spectacular wonders and beauty. Being primarily a Buddhist nation the Thai way of life and methods of healing are intertwined with Buddhism and the sense of spirituality, as well as individual well-being. The majority of the Thais follow Theravada Buddhism. There is much to be learned or said about the foundations of Thai "Traditional Medicine" but to keep my explanation short, I will not venture to deeply.
Thai Traditional Medicine with it's early influences of Chinese and Indian cultures is a combination of herbs, nutrition and massage. It teaches that medicine is a way to bring the body and life force into harmony by balancing the four elements (earth, water, air, and fire) which they believe to be the essence of life.
Thai Massage also has the same origins with a combination of Thai, Chinese and Indian elements which over the centuries the Thai people have perfected. Though the main philosophy of both the Thai and Chinese have strong familiar appearances in the energy lines, the applications are somewhat different. Thai massage applies life energy to the Sen Sib pathways and the healing is based on free flow of the life energy pathways to achieve the balance of the life force (Prana) by applying pressure on the therapeutic points and the massage lines for releasing blockages to the "wind" that cause certain illnesses. And there are similar principles between the Ayurvedic channels ( from the Indian culture) and the Sen Sib pathways and exits. Thai Massage applies the theory of Ayurvedic energy together with the life force and the elements of life. The ancient Thai teachers further applied the life force theory to the practical part of Thai Massage by setting out the massage lines according to the Sen Sib which has remained at the heart of Thai massage to this day. The Thais basic meaning or understanding of Sen Sib is that it represents the energy paths through which Prana (life force) flows and gives life to our body and mind. It acts as the medium for the life force to the body cells so that they can receive energy filled nourishment enabling them to function properly.
Today in Thailand there are two main types of Thai massage, "Northern style" which is also known as "Royal Thai Massage". And "Southern style" which is also known as "Folk Thai Massage". I studied in Chiang Mai which is in the northern part of Thailand at two different schools and learned both styles. In past years, Royal Thai was more commonly taught in the northern regions and the Southern style was taught in the southern parts of Thailand with Wat Pho being the most popular places to learn it. However that has changed and now both areas are popular for learning the art.
The main differences between the two are that the Northern or Royal style (also called "Nuad Rajchasumnak" ) which in Thai means "Royal Massage". The only accepted ways of application are primarily with the thumbs but hands and palms are used also. The practitioner must maintain an arm's length away from the recipient's body throughout the session with the exception for some positions that require movement and necessitate being closer to the recipient's body to assist in some stretching positions. This style is a more formal form of massage.
The Southern or Folk style also called "Nuad Chaloeysak" which in Thai means "not in the system-free to perform" is just that, it is a free style type of massage with no black and white rules. The practitioner uses hands, fingers, elbows, forearms, knees and feet to administer pressure along the Sen Sib lines. There are countless stretching positions thus necessitating closer body contact. Both styles of Thai massage may be completed in the traditional Thai style, on a mat on the floor, or on a massage table which is a purely western addition. When it is completed on a massage table it is called "Table Thai Massage" or "Thai Table Massage" but it is not the traditional way and you will generally not see it administered in such a way in Thailand outside of a spa that has been influenced by western spas.
Southern Style is Favored here in America and in other parts of the world for it's versatility. There are actually many names for this style of massage today and it seems the trend of creating new names for it will likely continue as similarly seen in the yoga world with all the different additional names and styles it has experienced in the past few years. For my own practice I only practice the Southern style and I use "Thai massage" or "Thai bodywork" or "Thai Yoga" when talking to others about it.
Whichever type you decide to do will be a wonderful experience as both styles have their own advantages and each place as well as each practitioner will add to the experience. And just in case you were wondering.....Thai massage is always completed with the recipient wearing loose or stretchy fitting clothing.
This was a very condensed history lesson on Thai Massage and is far from complete but I hope this has helped to introduce you to Thai massage and that you will someday you experience this wonderful art and ancient form of bodywork.
Khob-Kun-Ka (thank you) for taking the time to read and learn about Thai Massage.
Sincerely,
Selina A. Poliquin LMT, THAI, CPC
Thai Traditional Medicine with it's early influences of Chinese and Indian cultures is a combination of herbs, nutrition and massage. It teaches that medicine is a way to bring the body and life force into harmony by balancing the four elements (earth, water, air, and fire) which they believe to be the essence of life.
Thai Massage also has the same origins with a combination of Thai, Chinese and Indian elements which over the centuries the Thai people have perfected. Though the main philosophy of both the Thai and Chinese have strong familiar appearances in the energy lines, the applications are somewhat different. Thai massage applies life energy to the Sen Sib pathways and the healing is based on free flow of the life energy pathways to achieve the balance of the life force (Prana) by applying pressure on the therapeutic points and the massage lines for releasing blockages to the "wind" that cause certain illnesses. And there are similar principles between the Ayurvedic channels ( from the Indian culture) and the Sen Sib pathways and exits. Thai Massage applies the theory of Ayurvedic energy together with the life force and the elements of life. The ancient Thai teachers further applied the life force theory to the practical part of Thai Massage by setting out the massage lines according to the Sen Sib which has remained at the heart of Thai massage to this day. The Thais basic meaning or understanding of Sen Sib is that it represents the energy paths through which Prana (life force) flows and gives life to our body and mind. It acts as the medium for the life force to the body cells so that they can receive energy filled nourishment enabling them to function properly.
Today in Thailand there are two main types of Thai massage, "Northern style" which is also known as "Royal Thai Massage". And "Southern style" which is also known as "Folk Thai Massage". I studied in Chiang Mai which is in the northern part of Thailand at two different schools and learned both styles. In past years, Royal Thai was more commonly taught in the northern regions and the Southern style was taught in the southern parts of Thailand with Wat Pho being the most popular places to learn it. However that has changed and now both areas are popular for learning the art.
The main differences between the two are that the Northern or Royal style (also called "Nuad Rajchasumnak" ) which in Thai means "Royal Massage". The only accepted ways of application are primarily with the thumbs but hands and palms are used also. The practitioner must maintain an arm's length away from the recipient's body throughout the session with the exception for some positions that require movement and necessitate being closer to the recipient's body to assist in some stretching positions. This style is a more formal form of massage.
The Southern or Folk style also called "Nuad Chaloeysak" which in Thai means "not in the system-free to perform" is just that, it is a free style type of massage with no black and white rules. The practitioner uses hands, fingers, elbows, forearms, knees and feet to administer pressure along the Sen Sib lines. There are countless stretching positions thus necessitating closer body contact. Both styles of Thai massage may be completed in the traditional Thai style, on a mat on the floor, or on a massage table which is a purely western addition. When it is completed on a massage table it is called "Table Thai Massage" or "Thai Table Massage" but it is not the traditional way and you will generally not see it administered in such a way in Thailand outside of a spa that has been influenced by western spas.
Southern Style is Favored here in America and in other parts of the world for it's versatility. There are actually many names for this style of massage today and it seems the trend of creating new names for it will likely continue as similarly seen in the yoga world with all the different additional names and styles it has experienced in the past few years. For my own practice I only practice the Southern style and I use "Thai massage" or "Thai bodywork" or "Thai Yoga" when talking to others about it.
Whichever type you decide to do will be a wonderful experience as both styles have their own advantages and each place as well as each practitioner will add to the experience. And just in case you were wondering.....Thai massage is always completed with the recipient wearing loose or stretchy fitting clothing.
This was a very condensed history lesson on Thai Massage and is far from complete but I hope this has helped to introduce you to Thai massage and that you will someday you experience this wonderful art and ancient form of bodywork.
Khob-Kun-Ka (thank you) for taking the time to read and learn about Thai Massage.
Sincerely,
Selina A. Poliquin LMT, THAI, CPC
