Thai Massage, Thai Yoga Massage, and Thai Yoga Therapy are names commonly used in the West to refer to a traditional massage modality that is native to Thailand. It is known in the country of its origin as nuat phaen boran (“traditional style massage”) or nuat thai (“Thai massage”). Based on a combination of influences from India, China, and indigenous Thai traditions, this art form has been handed down through the generations mostly via oral tradition, and is practiced today across Thailand in various forms. Thai Massage has now become extremely popular in the West, and has been among the fastest growing massage modalities in America over the past decade.
--David Roylance, Executive Director of the Thai Institute of Healing Arts
WHAT IS THAI MASSAGE?
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Thai Massage is actually a combination of acupressure, assisted yoga and Indian Ayurvedic principles. It is very different than most traditional massage styles and the experience is more rigorous and energizing. Thai Massage is performed on a padded mat placed on the floor or a traditional massage table. There is a great deal of movement involved in this type of massage. You’ll need to be wearing comfortable clothing that allows free movement as you are assisted through a series of poses and stretches. No oils or lotions used in this type of massage. An onlooker might describe Thai Massage as looking like a dance where the therapist leads and assists their client through various movements and stretches. During your session time, you’ll be moved through a range of yoga like positions. You’ll also experience acupressure joint mobilization and muscle compression which add to the effectiveness of this amazing technique. Expect your Thai Massage therapist to use their hands, feet, knees and legs while they work with you. Some of the benefits of Thai Massage are stress reduction and improved circulation and flexibility. Similar to yoga, an effective Thai Massage session will help you feel more centered, relaxed and calm.
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Pictured: Bridge Pose Variation
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Pictured: Trapezius & Neck Stretch
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THAI MASSAGE FOR ATHLETESAthletes are prone to fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and injury during their training. That is why many athletes work with specialized sports massage therapists. Sports massage combines assisted stretches and various massage techniques to treat sports injuries and improve an athlete’s range of motion. Practitioners will often use assisted stretching to target a specific area of the body or a particular muscle group. Thai Massage, on the other hand, gradually stretches the whole body, allowing the person to relax. The dynamic stretches that Thai Massage practitioners use may offer deeper, more restorative stretches than some assisted stretching techniques of sports massage. Relaxation combined with the energizing and invigorating effects of Thai Massage help people feel mentally and physically restored. Thai Massage also improves circulation, which brings more oxygen to muscles and other tissues. This may prevent injuries and improve the athlete’s ability to recover after intense training.
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HOW OFTEN SHOULD I GET A THAI MASSAGE?After a Thai Massage, you may feel very relaxed. However, keep in mind that your muscles have been worked, stretched, and prodded. After a Thai Massage, be sure to rest and drink plenty of water. There are no guidelines for how often you should get a Thai Massage, however, we advise our clients to come in a minimum of once a month to keep their bodies and minds operating optimally for their lifestyle. Incorporating daily maintenance routines that involve stretching and relaxation techniques can extend both the mental and physical benefits of your Thai Massage session. This will help you remain flexible for a long time after your massage. Also, listen to your body. If you're experiencing lasting pain or discomfort in one area of your body, you should see your healthcare provider, as this could indicate an underlying health condition. If you want to focus on a specific area of your body, you can choose to work with a massage therapist to schedule regular sessions until you are satisfied with the results. At that point, you should consider spacing out your appointments to every 2-3 weeks and focusing on maintaining the results.
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Pictured: Hip Flexion & Quad Stretch
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WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A THAI MASSAGE
Pictured: Fish Pose
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A good way of visualizing Thai Massage is by imagining that someone is arranging your body into different yoga poses. For a Thai Massage, the client usually lies on the floor or on the table while the therapist slowly works your body through various stretches. The therapist may use their hands, knees, legs, or feet to help manipulate your body into different positions. This should not cause pain or discomfort, but you should alert your massage therapist if you do experience either of these things.
While it’s not necessary to prepare for a Thai Massage in advance, consider the following advice:
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SIDE EFFECTS & RISKS
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While Thai Massage has many health benefits, the technique also has limits. Due to its impact on the circulatory system, people with the following health conditions should consult their healthcare provider before seeking a Thai massage:
Trained massage therapists can adjust the intensity and pressure to suit their clients. However, you should avoid Thai Massage while recovering from an injury. Even at the lowest intensity, Thai massage can sometimes cause further injury to the body. People who have cancer, are pregnant, or are recovering from surgery should not undergo a Thai Massage. The physical intensity of this massage technique could lead to health complications or worsen preexisting injuries. |
Pictured: King Cobra Pose
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BKK Beauty’s thai-yoga massage therapy program
Level 1: Beginner
Who’s It For: People new to Thai Massage & people who are constantly stiff/tense and want to improve flexibility, range of motion, and balance.
What You’ll Experience: Beginner-level Thai-Yoga stretches designed to relieve tension and loosen and elongate tight muscles and acupressure techniques to find trigger points and relieve muscle knots.
What You’ll Experience: Beginner-level Thai-Yoga stretches designed to relieve tension and loosen and elongate tight muscles and acupressure techniques to find trigger points and relieve muscle knots.
level 2: intermediate
Who’s It For: People who have done Thai Massage or Yoga in the past, people who have average flexibility but want to increase it, and people who want a more active form of massage therapy.
What You’ll Experience: Classic Thai-Yoga stretches and introduction to Barefoot Thai Massage (a.k.a. Back Walking).
What You’ll Experience: Classic Thai-Yoga stretches and introduction to Barefoot Thai Massage (a.k.a. Back Walking).
Level 3: advanced
Who’s It For: People who have taken many Thai Massage or Yoga sessions, people with a high level of flexibility and athleticism such as dancers and athletes, or people who have completed Beginner and Intermediate levels and are looking for a challenge.
What You’ll Experience: Challenging variations of classic Thai-Yoga stretches and advanced barefoot massage techniques.
What You’ll Experience: Challenging variations of classic Thai-Yoga stretches and advanced barefoot massage techniques.
program details
- All of our Thai-Yoga Massage sessions are 60-minutes in duration and cost $70/person. The price is the same for all levels.
- Clients are free to go up or down in levels at any time, however, we recommend that new clients who have never experienced a Thai Massage start at Beginner level.
- Please communicate with your therapist if at any point during the session you experience pain or discomfort. Our goal is not to hurt you and you risk major injury by trying to “tough it out”.
- Don’t like a stretch? No problem! Our sessions are completely customizable and we encourage you to talk to your therapist to curate an experience that meets your mind and body needs.
- Please be sure to dress appropriately for your Thai-Yoga Massage session. We recommend gym clothes or anything that’s comfortable and won’t restrict movement on the table. If your therapist feels you aren’t prepared for your session, we reserve the right to suggest another massage modality.
- Save $ on our program with our Massage Series Discount Cards! Save up to 15% when you purchase your sessions in bulk. For more info, call the front desk at 682-603-6167.