Soul of Thai massage
The History of Thai Massage
Dr. Jivaka Kumara Phaccha is the legendary founder of Traditional Thai Massage. He not only inspired the art of massage, but he also contributed the “Original Knowledge” about healing herbs and minerals.
These days, one can still find Idian Ayurvedic medicine in Thailand including herbal treatment, massage and steam baths. It is believed that Dr. Jivaka was doctor from northern India. He is known to have loved at the same time as the Buddha, and he was the personal physician to King Phimpisarn over 2,500 years ago. He is honored as the “Father of Traditional Thai Medicine” because Thai massage has roots in ancient India. His teaching on herbal medicine and massage arrived in Thailand along with Buddhist teaching by the first Buddhist monks and Brahmins around the 2nd 0r 3rd century bc. Before starting a massage the masseur always offers a prayer to honor and remember him.
“Nuad Thai” Traditional Thai Massage
What is known as Traditional Thai Massage is a formal healing art with roots in Theravada Buddhism, Thailand’s national region. The philosophy of Traditional Thai Massage originated as a spiritual practice derived from the teachings of Buddha, and in the early day was only taught and practiced in temples. Even today, the most important massage school in Thailand is at “Wat Po” or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. Only recently have commercial massage schools begun operations.
Thai massage is based on the concept of invisible energy lines running along the body. This is linked to ancient Indian yoga philosophy, which state that we receive life energy, or prana, via a network of 72,000 energy lines that interconnect along our bodies. Thai massage focuses on ten key lines , known as sip sen (ten lines) in Thai.
The energy along these lines powers all our physical, mental and emotional processes, so when there is an energy imbalance, the body’s harmony is disrupted, causing pain and disease. Massaging along these energy lines can break energy blockages ,stimulate the flow of prana and restore general well-being.
Thai method uses pressure, muscle stretching and compression ,practiced in gentle, rhythmic, rocking movements. The masseur uses not just the hands, but also the feet, knees and elbows. The massage is usually performed on a mattress on the floor.
Reference
Nuad Thai “Traditional Thai massage”. Maneewan Chia and Max Chia. 2005
Thai spa book the natural Asian way to health and beauty.Chami Jotisalikorn. 2002.