Thai massage is believed to have been developed by Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha, physician to Buddha, more than 2,500 years ago in India. It made its way to Thailand, where the Ayurvedic techniques and principles gradually became influenced by traditional Chinese medicine. For centuries, monks performed Thai massage as one component of Thai medicine.

The best thing about Thai massage is that, like yoga you get flexibility, inner organ massage, and oxygenation of the blood and quieting of the mind. Through deep muscle stretching, joint release and emphasis on the breath, Thai massage offers many of the same benefits as yoga.

It's amazing how much more we are able to move when another person is providing assistance and encouraging us to relax. It is an interactive form of bodywork, quite unlike any other Western or Eastern forms. While it does include work by the practitioner kneading muscles, what makes it particularly helpful is its unique stretching. You remain passive while the practitioner does the movements to you.

What does Thai massage feel like?

Thai massage is more energizing and rigorous than more classic forms of massage.

Thai massage is also called Thai yoga massage, because the therapist uses his or her hands, knees, legs, and feet to move you into a series of yoga-like stretches. Muscle compression, joint mobilization, and acupressure along energy lines are also used during treatment.

Thai massage opens your body and clearing areas that are blocked with stagnated energy, bringing the person deeper into balance and harmony. This system of massage creates a powerful release of stress and tension.

Thai massage is performed on the floor on a mat. The client is fully clothed in comfortable clothing allowing free movement.

The Benefits of Thai Yoga Massage

• Helps detoxify the body and boost the immune system
• Improves blood circulation and helps lower blood pressure
• Good for muscle relaxation, increased flexibility and mobility
• Improves breathing
• Improves posture and balance, corrects body mis-alignments and dissolves energy blockages
• Improves athletic performance
• Help arthritis and back pain
• Helps tone the body, strengthen joints and fight diseases, including chronic joint problems
• Helps prevent illnesses and alleviate degenerative diseases
• Helps to slow the aging process
• Improves your outlook towards life; builds an emotional balance
• Helps with concentration and creativity
• Clears and calms your mind
• Helps reduce stress and anxiety
• Helps people boost their inner energy levels

Holistic massage uses a mixture of Eastern and Western techniques, tailored to suit the client's needs.  Its emphasis is to treat the client psychologically, spiritually as well as physically.

Holistic massage also incorporates sports, remedial massage and deep tissue work (also known as Neuromuscular Massage).  Deep tissue work aids in the release of physical and emotional trauma and is great for overworked muscles from exercise, physical exertion, relieving cramp, as well as releasing the stresses of modern life. 

Anyone can benefit from Holistic Massage.  It can help a variety of ailments including:

• Strained / sprained ligaments
• Muscle pain /swelling
• Muscle tension / soreness / stiffness     
• Formation of scar tissue
• Muscle spasm
• Reduced mobility & flexibility
• Poor posture
• Digestive problems
• Cellulite
• High blood pressure
• Impaired immune system
• Tension headaches
• Eyestrain
• PMT
• Stress, anxiety & depression