The Traditional Thai Massage) is a massage technique known in Thailand as the Nuad Phaen Boran (Thai: นวด แผน โบราณ), which means "ancient healing touch". In Western Europe, she calls herself Thai yoga massage. The Thai massage consists of passive stretched positions taken from yoga and stretching movements, joint mobilizations and pressure point massages. Ten selected energy lines (Thai: สิบ เส้น - sip sen), which, according to Ayurvedic teachings, traverse the body as an energetic net, are processed via gentle stretching and with the rhythmic pressure of the palm, thumb, knees, elbows and feet. The Thai massage takes place clothed on a floor mat.
History and origin
The yoga elements (fish, plow, bridge, pliers, etc.) of the Thai massage and the terminology refer to an Indian origin. The authorship of the Thai massage is attributed to the North Indian doctor Jīvaka-Komārabhacca (other spelling: Jivakar Kumar Bhaccha). Even today, he is revered in Thailand as the "father of medicine" and mentioned in a devotion (Thai: Wai Khru - ไหว้ครู) at the beginning of Thai massage ("Om Namo Jivago .."). Jīvaka-Komārabhacca was a contemporary of Buddha and in the 5th century BC. Lived in India. In the Pali canon, the ancient scriptures of Buddhism of the southern school of Tertavada, he is called the personal physician of the Indian Magadha king Bimbisara. King Bimbisara was connected to the Buddha and visited him repeatedly. Jīvaka-Komārabhacca was also in contact with the Buddha and took care of him and his monastic community. The Thai massage must have been handed down in Southeast Asia in a circle of monks who moved from India to Myanmar - presumably for many centuries, first orally in Buddhist temples. Since the knowledge of this massage art probably left the Indian continent with Buddhism, it is not practiced in India today. The techniques used there are known as Indian Yoga Massage or Ayurvedic Massage. It is conceivable that Siam already had some forms of massage that mingled with the new teaching, and it is also possible that over the centuries Chinese trade in Chinese medicine has influenced the method. Traditional Thai massage is also linked to Buddhism in its current practice. It is used with metta (a term commonly used in southern Buddhism for loving kindness). The masters are usually deeply religious people who perform the massage in a state of mindfulness, equanimity, compassion and sympathetic joy.
Operation
The foundation of the Thai massage is the Ayurvedic system of the 72,000 energy lines (nadis), of which ten (sip sen - สิบ เส้น) are processed in Thai massage. About these energy lines, on which the so-called marble points (energy points) lie (known in Japan Shiatsu as Acupressurpunkte), man is supplied with Prana (life energy) according to Aryurvedic teaching. Prana can be supplied to the body via breathing. In the stretching positions of Thai massage, the muscles consume oxygen and the human being is stimulated to breathe more deeply. Intensive pressure massages also cause increased breathing. A deep breath promotes relaxation and regeneration (increased prana). In the teachings of Thai massage, the pressure on certain marble points and energy lines corresponds to the alleviation of, among other things, the following physical ailments:
- a headache
- Tension - muscle tension
- Joint stiffness - beginning osteoarthritis
- After sports injuries for regeneration
- Relief of menopausal symptoms
- Children ADHD
- difficulty concentrating
- nausea
- constipation
- diarrhea
- tinnitus
- sleep disorders
- Shock - fears
- Cough - Asthma
- knee pain
- hip pain
- back pain
- dizziness
from a scientific point of view
Masseur performing a traditional Thai massage
- Pressure point massages stimulate the blood circulation.
- In stretching, the muscles can relax.
- Yoga positions affect the musculoskeletal system and affect posture.
- Twists, flexions and extensions of the spine can be intensified by pulling and have an effect on the physical flexibility.
- Positions in which the legs are raised promote blood circulation and lymph flow.
- The rotation of the joints contributes to the production of synovial fluid and thus to physical suppleness.
- In deep relaxation, the parasympathetic nervous system is activated so that the internal organs are increasingly supplied with blood and the metabolism is stimulated.
- Mindful touch can trigger physical well-being, and lifting techniques can lead to a feeling of security.
Distribution
In Thailand, Thai massage is a natural part of everyday life. It is practiced in the family environment or by local masters for health care.
- For regeneration, it is used in hospitals.
- In mostly modified form, it is offered in the tourism industry.
Since the 1990s, the traditional Thai massage or Thai yoga massage is also taught and spread in the West. Asokananda (Harald Brust, 1955-2005) was one of the first Europeans to introduce Thai massage beyond the borders of Thailand and train internationally. In Germany Thai massage is practiced in yoga centers, spas, spa hotels and private practices.
