Real thai massage

Getting a traditional Thai massage is a must-do for travellers to Bangkok, whether at standalone parlours or 5-star hotel spas. This form of pampering has been around for over 2, years, drawing significant influence from India's ancient Ayurvedic traditions of medical practice. Ayurvedic medicine, also a holistic form of healing, plays an integral role in the practice of both Hinduism and Theravada Buddhism. Thai massages focus on circulation and pressure points, promoting internal health and muscular flexibility. Treatment often begins with the feet and gradually moves upwards towards the head. Rhythmic compressions, rolling of limbs, and gentle rocking patterns are typical Thai massage methods, which are believed to help relax and realign energies in the body.

This ancient therapy is old, and we mean dating back some 2, years. Its origin is said to have come from India, during the time of the Buddha. The physician to the Buddha, Shivago Komarpaj, is said to have created the Thai massage. As Buddhism slowly started to make its way to Thailand, the massage technique came with it.

At a glance, traditional Thai massage looks like yoga done to the customer complemented by acupressure. The proximity of Thailand to China and the arrival of Buddhism from India meant that some aspects of Thai culture were borrowed from Chinese and Indian practices. As to the Indian influence on traditional Thai massage, hatha yoga may be the most visible. This is because hatha yoga is mostly about finding mental balance in preparation for meditation by releasing tensions and traumas that the body has accumulated over time.

Thai massage is always close to the top of the to-do lists for many visiting Thailand — right up there with temples, Pad Thai and elephant rides. Unlike Western massage styles, the Thai massage focuses on pressure points. Treatment often begins with the feet and gradually moves upwards towards the head. Rhythmic compressions and manoeuvres are employed to relax and realign energies in the body. Varying amounts of pressure are applied to energy lines along the body in accordance with the Ayurvedic principles of balancing one's energy.