Treatment description and therapist thoughts
This is by far my favourite treatment, whilst it may not a “relaxing” treatment during the session you will feel totally relaxed afterwards. People often comment that they feel as though they have no bones afterwards.
Do you have tightness in your joints? Do you work out a lot and have found you are losing flexibility? Thai massage is a wonderfully energising and balancing whole body treatment which works on pressure points and through assisted yoga stretching. It helps to increase mobility and flexibility in restricted areas and overall is a relaxing treatment. This treatment is truly holistic and so can only ever be a full body massage, it works best as a longer treatment allowing time to work into all areas of tension, so 90 min or 2- or 3-hour treatments are generally recommended where possible.
Thai yoga massage is a fully clothed treatment and is done on the floor. There is no oil involved, as it is a passive and active stretching session done over the clothes.
You will need to wear suitable clothing for your treatment, loose comfortable clothing which allows you to move, and stretch is ideal. Please note that jeans and skirts are NOT suitable for treatment.
Benefits
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Reduced muscle tension
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Pain reduction
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Improved circulation
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Improved posture
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Injury prevention
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Greater flexibility and range of motion
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Reduction of stress hormones
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Improved energy
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Have more confidence
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Improved self-awareness
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Greater ability to manage daily stress
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Improved sleep and relaxation
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Improved Skin tone
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Improved recovery of soft tissue injuries
Therapists
Natalie Wilkinson, Rachel Morris and Alex Chronis
Contra-indications
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Spinal issues (bulging, degraded or dislocated discs)
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Currently undergoing cancer treatment
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Fever
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Recent injuries or sprains
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Recent surgery
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Pregnancy
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High Blood Pressure
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Hernia
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Gout/Rheumatism
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Under the influence of painkillers or alcohol
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Diabetes
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Osteoporosis/Arthritis/Steroids
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Varicose Veins
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Heart disease/cerebral strokes/ high cholesterol
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Cerebral complications (haemorrhages or strokes)
Title | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
Monday | ✔ | ||
Tuesday | ✔ | ✔ | |
Wednesday | ✔ | ||
Thursday | ✔ | ✔ | |
Friday | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Saturday | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Sunday |
Therapy | 60 mins | 90 mins | 120 mins | 180 mins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Therapy | £48 | £68 | £96 | £130 |
Whilst Thai massage can be done in 60 mins, our recommendation is 90 mins minimum. Weekend availability is only available one weekend a month with Natalie.
History
Thai massage is linked very closely with Thai medicine which has a very long history. Unfortunately, there are very few written texts on either subject prior to the 1800s, this is due in part to the tropical climate of the area and the perishable nature of materials used to record this information and the destruction from invading armies.
Thai massage has had many influences over the years from India, China, and traditional Thai practices. Thai massage is something which is passed down orally through families and generations and is a very widespread practice. Many parents teach their children to do Thai massage so that they can better look after their parents as they get older.
Thai massage has had many influences. Two of these are Buddhism and Ayurveda this is in part due to the very beginning of the practise. Thai massage was believed to have started by the traditional Thai healer Dr Shivago Komarpaj (the father doctor). He was the founding father of Indian therapeutic Ayurveda massage and became one of the most sought-after physicians in Northern India, he was physician to kings and noblemen, and it was during his time acting as doctor for Buddha that the development of Thai massage came about. He started to incorporate the Buddhist ideas on ethics, compassion and attention to breath and sensation to his background in Ayurvedic medicine and traditional Thai medicine. Yoga practise was also incorporated into the practise. Yoga is an energy based physical and spiritual practice originating in India, a similar practice also formed in Thailand and was incorporated into Thai massage. Whilst the practice in Thailand did not include Chakras, it does share many similarities in their energy or SEN lines. Many of the Yoga stretches make up much of the Thai bodywork aspect of the Thai massage treatment.
Predating the evolution of Buddhism is Indigenous Thai medicine, one of the earliest sources of technical information for this type of medicine is in the temple Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm Rajwaramahaviharn, commonly known as Wat Po. In this temple there were 60 diagrams etched into marble that show the complex energy lines and points, which links very closely with acupressure therapy. This form of medicine has been handed down from teacher to student and now forms the basis of the Thai herbal medicine aspect of Thai massage.
With all these influences Thai massage has evolved and will continue to evolve as a whole body (Holos – Holistic) therapy, working with not only the physical body work but also the metaphysical SEN lines and points. Each therapist will work on the different aspects of the Thai massage to different degrees and will eventually develop their own style of Thai massage.
