18 Benefits of Thai Yoga Massage
By Nora Benian, 889 Yoga Teacher + Thai Yoga Massage Therapist
Thai yoga massage, is a 2,500 year old Ayurvedic based body science developed and popularized by Buddha’s doctor, Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha.
An important element of Eastern medicine is the concept of life force or energy. In Yogic terms, it is referred to as Prana, in Chinese it is called Chi, and in Thai it is called Loom. All are referring to the basic principle of life force energy, which flows along specific channels. Along these channels, called “Sen lines,” also known as “Prana Nadis” in Yoga, are specific energy points, that when blocked, stagnates the flow of energy in one area of the body.
These blockages, caused by stress, tension, poor posture and injury can create dis-ease. Typically, there will be pain or tension in some areas of the body (often causing toxic build up) before certain symptoms of an ailment will occur. It is to our advantage to work on physical imbalances before they develop into more serious diseases and before the toxic build up has caused damage to our internal organs.
Traditional Thai yoga massage provides benefit by stimulating pressure points to open the body’s energy pathways, allowing healing energy to flow freely and allowing the body to heal itself. Thai yoga massage works in a similar way to practicing yoga poses. As participants hold a pose, blood slows to targeted areas. When the yogi releases the pose, fresh circulation rushes back into the area. Traditional Thai massage is a deep, full-body treatment, starting at the feet and progressing up to the head applying pressure on the “sen lines”. It is the combination of yoga stretching, calmness of meditation, with acupressure, and reflexology that makes it such an amazing healing art. Thai method uses mainly point pressure and muscle stretching. Some of the innumerable physical, mental, psychological benefits are:
Physical Benefits
• Help detoxification of the body and boost immune system
• Increase blood circulation, lower blood pressure and breathing
• Good for muscle relaxation, increase flexibility in your muscles, increase mobility
• Improves posture, balance, corrects body alignments and dissolves energy blockages
• Improves athletic performance
• Help arthritis and back pain
• Help tone the body, strengthen joints and fight diseases, including chronic joint problems
• Prevents illnesses and alleviates degenerative diseases
• Slows the aging process
• Immune booster
Mental Benefits
• Improves emotional balance
• Helps concentration and creativity/ Mind and body concentration
• Clears and calms your mind
• Helps you gain mental clarity
Psychological effects
• Reduce and relieve stress and anxiety
• Helps boost energy and stamina
• Develops self-awareness
• Improves overall health and vitality
The benefits of traditional Thai massage include those of other types of massage, such as improved circulation, release of muscle tension, increased mobility and flexibility, as well as stress relief. However, traditional Thai massage goes further; its more specialized techniques will help promote a balance of all the body’s systems, body, mind, and spirit to create the complete sense of well being. Expect to leave feeling relaxed, restored, and rejuvenated.
Thai Yoga massage is also very helpful in relieving the following ailments:
Arteriosclerosis, arthritis, asthma, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic fatigue, diabetes, digestive disorders, fibromyalgia, headaches, heart conditions, high blood pressure, inflammation, insomnia, migraines, neck pain, numbness, injuries, partial paralysis, sciatica, shoulder soreness, sinus pressure, sprains, stiffness, strains of muscles and tendons, stress, TMJ, whiplash pain.
It can also improve:
Pain management, balance mind, body, and spirit, boost immunity, decrease depression and anxiety, enhance relaxation, help with digestion, help with lymphatic circulation, improve blood circulation, improve neurological function, improve range of motion, increase energy and flexibility, prevent PMS, promote inner peace and calmness, provide rejuvenation, reduce stress and releases tension, stimulate circulation,strengthen the internal organs and increase the flow of the Life force through you.
Join me for a series of special workshops and learn how to give yourself a Thai Yoga Massage. Saturday May 2, 9 and 16, 2:30 – 4:30pm. This workshop includes a tool kit to take home and practice your newly found bliss.
Nora teaches Restorative Yoga at 889 on Wednesdays at 8:30pm and Sundays at 5:45pm.
Thai traditional massage, provides relief to a multitude of specific health concerns. This Therapeutic massage is part of an integrative care approach to many medical conditions