By Kristin Nuttall
What is Thai massage? Within Thai
Traditional Medicine (TTM) there exists the practice
of assisted yoga-inspired stretching, combined
with acupressure along the Sib Sen system of energy
lines. Yet some Westerners have taken it upon themselves
to create fusion blends such as Thai-Yoga or
“Thai” table or chair massage. How is it possible
to preserve and maintain the original practice of a
sacred art that is sometimes stripped of its identity?
At the crossroads between India and China, Thailand
collected great wisdom through the ages. Over
two thousand years ago, Buddhist philosophy and
healing practices began to appear in Southeast Asia.
Based to some degree on knowledge transmitted by
Indian Ayruvedic doctors, and traditional Thai Medicine
began to evolve.
In Thailand, ancient wisdom of health and wellness
has survived for centuries as a powerful method
to sustain the people. Their concept of the body is
not limited to the physical plane, but also includes
a model for etheric energy. TTM encompasses the
four elements (Earth, Water, Fire and Wind) that are
associated with the energetic and physical bodies.
Supported by the spirituality of Theravada Buddhism,
treatment has developed in many forms,ranging from
spiritual counseling and nutrition, to herbal remedies
and iridology. Various ailments are also addressed through therapeutic massage.
Sen line therapy is applied using point pressure
and yoga-based stretching. Also for self-renewal
is Ruesri Dut Ton; traditional Thai self-stretching
exercises, much like a blend of gentle Yoga
& Qi Gong. These methods keep the winds of the
body blowing free and unblocked. In Thai they say
“Bpert pratu lom”, meaning to open the wind gate.
A Thai woman in traditional ceremonial dress.
Photo by Kristin Nuttall, RTT, Sacredasia
