The healing art of Thai Traditional Massage (also known as Nuad Pen Boran) began to evolve more than 3,000 years ago in present-day Thailand. It is an ancient healing system combining acupressure, energy balancing techniques, Indian ayurvedic principles and assisted yoga postures.
Traditions in Thailand were passed down orally among the common people but the court kept ancient reference texts on the subject of Nuad Pen Boran. Today more than 60 such pigraphs, showing treatment points and energy lines, are on public display at the famous Wat Pho temple complex in Bangkok.
The basis of traditional Thai healing is rooted in the belief that all forms of life are sustained by a vital force (lom) that is carried along invisible energy pathways (sen) running through our bodies. This energy force is extracted from air, water and food, and it is believed that disease and dysfunction come about when energy becomes blocked along these pathways. Accordingly, the intent of Thai massage is to free this trapped energy, stimulate the natural flow of life force, and maintain a general balance of well-being.
Through assisted yoga, the body is able to be moved in ways that are difficult to attain through normal exercise and individual practice. Relaxed , deep breathing helps to bring about proper balance and a peaceful state of mind. The practice of Thai massage is also a spiritual discipline since it incorporated the Buddhist principles of mindfulness (breath awareness) and loving kindness (focused compassion).
The benefits of all these techniques, when shared by practitioner and client, help to bring the treatment session to a focused and profound level. The massage session is often an exciting and powerful mind/body experience, bringing both the recipient and the practitioner to greater states of physical and mental well-being.
~ Amanwadi Thai Massage