An ancestral art at the service of body and mind
Inscribed in 2019 by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, nuad thai, traditional Thai massage, is an integral part of the art, science and culture of healing in Thailand. Its benefits are innumerable and this ancestral technique has proven itself for millennia by freeing body and mind from all tension.
THE ORIGINS OF THAI MASSAGE
A tasty alliance between shiatsu, yoga and Âyurveda, Thai massage has its origins in India. According to legend, it was developed by Chiwaka Komaraphat, disciple and personal physician of Buddha, more than 2,500 years ago. Perfected in Thailand, in the heart of the Wat Pho Buddhist temple (temple of the reclining Buddha), one of the largest and oldest in Bangkok, the technique was then transmitted and spread over time.
At the instigation of King Rama III (1787-1851), statues of hermits practicing self-massage, the rishi dat ton, were placed in the temple. One can also find illustrations on stones, representing the sen (energy lines) intended at the time for the teaching of technique. Since 1962, the temple has been home to one of the most renowned schools of massage and traditional medicine in the country.
First by oral tradition, this massage technique has become more and more widespread in Thai peasant society. Each village had masseur-healers, whom the inhabitants consulted whenever they had muscular pains or other ailments from working in the fields. Later, this teaching was transcribed more formally, in writing, to pass through the ages and become an integral part of Thai culture and its therapeutic practices.
THE PRINCIPLES OF TRADITIONAL THAI MASSAGE
As a non-medical treatment and manual therapy, the Thai message is practiced on the whole body by focusing on different points of the energy lines, the "sen". Its practice is inspired by the Ayurvedic philosophy which considers that all life forms are animated by life force energies, called "prana". According to Indian tradition, prana circulates in the body through the nadi, a set of 72,000 energy channels. When the flow of this energy is impeded, an imbalance occurs and "knots" form, leading to health problems or muscle blockages. If the problem persists or if the blockage is close to the internal organs, it can restrict the supply of nutrients and the elimination of toxins. This affects the normal functioning of the organs.
Thai massage then consists of a body manipulation in which the therapist helps to rebalance the energies, structure and body in order to treat ailments attributed to a poor circulation of energy flows along the sen.
HOW DOES A THAI MASSAGE WORK?
Thai massage is very complete and works the body as a whole. It begins with the feet and continues with the legs, arms, trunk and skull. It takes place mainly on the ground on a futon. The session begins in a lying position and ends in a sitting position. It generally lasts one hour, but can also be declined in a 90-minute or two-hour session, depending on the extent of the pain...and your desire for well-being, of course!
In practice, the therapist applies deep pressure and light touches to deeply relax and tone the muscles. Guided stretches are performed with the fluidity and dynamism of a dance. To open blocked pathways, practitioners perform a series of manipulations using their thumbs, hands, elbows, knees and feet.
Therapists also use their body weight to alternate long stretches and more or less deep pressure. These manipulations are sometimes combined with warm herbal compresses to reduce inflammation. Indeed, herbs are often used in traditional Thai medicine. The ingenious combination of stretching, massage and the use of herbal pouches and other natural ingredients promote circulation and the elimination of toxins.
No particular flexibility is necessary to enjoy the benefits of Thai massage. For your well-being, the therapist controls and adapts his gestures to your body and according to your needs. Great importance is also given to breathing in order to promote blood and lymphatic circulation. It is recommended to drink plenty of water in the hours following the session.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THAI MASSAGE?
Nowadays, our body and mind are under increasing strain: stress, long days and poor posture have a negative impact on our balance. Muscle pain and tension, anxiety, fatigue or insomnia can result. Thai massage can therefore help you to restore balance and bring you more serenity in your daily life. Indeed, there are many benefits of Thai massage! Thanks to the therapist's various manipulations, this massage proves to be very effective in relieving muscle tension, unblocking the cervical vertebrae and stimulating blood and lymphatic circulation.
In addition, it improves the flexibility and suppleness of your body, allowing for better mobility of your joints, more amplitude in your movements and ultimately better posture. This ancestral technique also combats stress and other anxiety-related disorders by rebalancing the energy circulating in your body. In short, it releases blocking points and alleviates pain while improving the balance of body and mind.
It is not uncommon to feel fatigue or some aches and pains after a Thai massage session, it is quite normal. But, very quickly, they fade and you will feel the benefits: relaxed muscles, better range of motion and a serene mind will be there!
THAI MASSAGE IN THE LAND OF THE SENSES
At Terre des Sens, several possibilities are offered to you in order to make you enjoy the benefits of Thai massage: traditional Thai massage (without oil), relaxing massage with aromatic oils or sports massage. Your journey begins as soon as you arrive at the centre...You are immediately transported to a true haven of peace, a peaceful space where the treatments provided by our qualified and experienced therapists will help you find a better harmony of body and mind. You will then be invited to don a comfortable massage outfit.
Then, according to your choice, all you have to do is lie down on a futon or a massage table and let the magic of this ancestral art unfold its relaxing effects! The session will end gently and you will have the opportunity to prolong this moment of well-being with a hot or refreshing drink, lulled by the soothing sounds of our relaxation area.
Traditional massage
Given in the purest tradition, this massage takes place mainly on the ground, without oil, on a futon in order to preserve all the amplitude of the practitioner's gestures. It can also be given on a massage table, if this is more comfortable for you.
Relaxing massage with aromatic oils
Thai massage with aromatic oils is a relaxing combination, combining the properties of aromatic oils with the effectiveness of traditional massage. It also involves working on blocking points and energy lines. You will be able to enjoy it either on the floor on a futon, or on a massage table.
Both types of massage are also available in the more targeted massage , where our therapists focus on your back or cervical vertebrae. This allows us to work directly on the areas where you feel the most pain, to relieve you of all those tensions that can get in the way of your daily routine.
In addition, you can also enjoy of a Thai duo massageIn a private cabin, to share a pure moment of relaxation with your partner.
Sports massage
The Thai sports massage is an energetic and energizing massage above all. It is intended to relieve muscle pain, obtain a better resistance of the joints, reduce cramps and tears of muscles and ligaments of sportsmen and women. It allows both to prepare their body for the effort, but also to recover after training or a sporting competition.
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