Thai yoga bodywork and massage, or sometimes called "Thai yoga" or "lazy persons yoga", focuses on improving and balancing the flow of energy throughout the body and combines dynamic-assisted stretching influenced by yoga with physical pressure applied along energy lines influenced by Chinese acupuncture and Ayurveda. (In Thai massage, these energy pathways are known as sens.) 

 

Unlike typical Western-style massages, Thai massage is different from lying on a massage table while a practitioner (perhaps using lotion or oil) kneads your muscles and attends to certain pressure points.

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During a Thai yoga session, the recipient will lie on a futon like mat on the floor while a practitioner uses compression, stretching, pulling, and rocking techniques to relieve tension, release stress, promote relaxation, increase clarity, and improve flexibility and circulation. Practitioners may use their hands, thumbs, elbows, forearms, and, yes sometimes, even they're (very clean!) feet during a session.

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To support balancing the body’s energies, the basic principle of Thai massage is to start from the extremities of the body (laterally), work towards the core of the body (medially), and then back to the extremities. This ensures the flow of energy though the sens and also improves blood circulation throughout the body.

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You will be asked to wear comfortable clothing with low profile seems and no zippers. Pants should be long, no shorts please! If you are still unsure, opt for something with a looser fit to better accommodate the techniques applied. Always inform your practitioner of any injuries before a session.

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Thai yoga bodywork and massage is typically done on silence, but if anything becomes uncomfortable during a session always let your practitioner know. 

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Thai yoga bodywork and massage is an ancient practice with many benefits that are supported by modern science. It may reduce the severity of your headaches, decrease lower-back and joint pain, increase your flexibility, calm your anxieties, and energize your mind and body. If you have an underlying health condition, be sure to find out from your doctor if this form of massage is safe for you.