Let’s talk Thai massage

“Is Thai massage that thing where they twist you into a pretzel? I’ve heard it’s painful! I’m not flexible so it’s not really my thing.”

I’ve heard comments like this from multiple people, and it makes me so sad! Thai massage may be one of my favorite styles of bodywork I’ve ever received…or given. And guess what? You absolutely, positively do not have to be a yogi to enjoy it! (That being said, it is also 100% fine if you are.)

Thai Massage (Nuat Boran in Thai), often referred to as Thai Yoga Massage, is a traditional technique incorporating Ayurvedic, acupressure, and yoga principles. It is performed clothed, typically on a mat on the floor but also applicable to table work. The client is moved passively through a series of stretches and focus is given to range of motion of various joints throughout the body, compression work of soft tissues (with the therapist’s palms, thumbs, knees, or feet), and energy work along Sen lines (similar to meridians in Chinese medicine). Stretches are specific to each client’s body and flexibility. Similarly to a yoga class, or any style of massage, no two people are alike and therefore what stretches, and how deeply they are performed, is specific to each person.

My background is in dance, and Thai Massage is the form of bodywork that probably comes the closest to a movement practice. Movement for both the practitioner and the client are at its core. The “feel good, just worked out, stretched and limber, and flood of endorphins” you get from a good yoga or dance class can be experienced with Thai massage as well!