Paintings

Traditional Thai

What is Nuad Thai/Thai Massage/Yoga Thai Massage?

Nuad Thai (Thai massage): To create the fundamental effect of pressure that is needed for Thai bodywork, force is applied by the therapist. "Soft tissue massage" and "manipulation" describe the two aspects of Thai bodywork. In soft tissue massage, pressure is used directly for the desired effect. For the manipulative techniques, pressure is used to achieve stretching and twisting. Traditional Thai bodywork is remarkable for the number of different positions in which the receiver's body is presented to the Nuad Thai therapist: who also has to adopt a corresponding variety of body positions.

This form of bodywork is usually performed on the floor, and the client wears comfortable clothes that allow for movement. No oils are used in Thai massage. It is known in Thailand as "nuat phaen boran", literally, the ancient-manner massage.

The massage recipient changes into loose, comfortable clothes and lies on a mat or firm mattress on the floor. It can be done solo or in a couple's format. The receiver is put into many yoga like positions during the course of the massage.

The massage practitioner leans on the recipient's body using hands and usually straight forearms locked at the elbow to apply firm rhythmic pressure. The massage generally follows the Sen lines on the body — somewhat analogous to meridians or Channel (Chinese medicine) and Indian nadis. Legs and feet of the giver can be used to fixate the body or limbs of the recipient. In other positions, hands fixate the body, while the feet do the massaging action.

A full Thai massage session typically lasts two hours or more, and includes rhythmic pressing and stretching of the entire body; this may include pulling fingers, toes, ears, cracking the knuckles, walking on the recipient's back, and arching the recipient's into cobra position. There is a standard procedure and rhythm to this massage.

History behind.

The founder of Thai massage and medicine is said to have been Shivago Komarpaj (Jīvaka Komarabhācca), who is said in the Pāli Buddhist Canon to have been the Buddha's physician over 2500 years ago. In fact, the history of Thai massage is more complex than this legend of a single founder would suggest.

Thai massage, like Traditional Thai Medicine more generally, is a combination of influences from Indian, Chinese, Southeast Asian cultural spheres and traditions of medicine. The art as it is practiced today is likely to be the product of a 19th century synthesis of various healing traditions from all over the kingdom. Even today, there is considerable variation from region to region across Thailand, and no single routine or theoretical framework that is universally accepted among healers.

Rudy Peters,

Spa Smart, Marketing / Development

Montreal – Toronto – Ottawa – Calgary – Vancouver

info@spa-smart.com

www.spa-smart.com

About the Author

Rudy Peters,

Spa Smart, Marketing / Development

Montreal – Toronto – Ottawa – Calgary – Vancouver

info@spa-smart.com

www.spa-smart.com

what do traditional thai people eat food with? ie chopsticks, knife fork etc etc?

Hundred of years ago we ate with hands. However, the chopsticks were introduced in 17th century from the Chinese merchants and we have adopted the folk and spoon from the West around 19th century.

Nowadays, you still can find people eat with their hands in the suburban areas i.e. North and North Eastern villages.

Traditional Thai Music

Tags: massage, recipes, thai, thai-massage, traditional, traditional thai clothing, traditional thai dress, traditional thai food, traditional thai massage, traditional thai music

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