Thailand offers exotic people and culture... wonderful fresh foods... traditional hill tribe villages... monastic retreats... beautiful sunsets on palm-tree lined beaches... and most importantly the birthplace of an ancient healing body therapy.

We are going to outline the basics on what is involved with Thai Massage and what you can expect to learn from the teachers at Natural Wing Health Spa & Resort.

We are going to give you a 15 minute overview of 5 essential areas of massage to spark your interest in learning one of the most incredible, ancient forms of massage and body relaxation.

Combine your travels with learning traditional Thai massage! There are several areas of massage when talking about Thai Massage, head, foot, body massage, oil, herbal, facial, honey and body scrubs, as well as others that have been developed by many of the practitioners at the Natural Wing . These are all derivatives of the foundation of ‘Thai massage’.

Before we begin...Here’s what you need to know. Thai massage is like yoga combined with acupressure. It uses a wide variety of stretching movements and pressure points to produce a uniquely relaxing yet energizing and highly effective therapeutic treatment.

Sessions are performed on a floor mat with the client comfortably dressed. It is an ancient holistic therapy, which strives to promote wellness and vitality by helping the body return to a state of balance, harmony, flexibility, and health.

Natural Wing is dedicated to providing a high level of instruction and application of this ancient healing art form, in the hope that this healing medicine may encircle the world, bringing health, wholeness, and happiness to their clients, the general public, and YOU, the new practitioners of Thai Massage.

Thai Massage is an interactive manipulation of the body using passive stretching and gentle pressure along energy lines. These movements help to adjust the skeletal structure, increase flexibility, relieving muscular and joint tension, stimulating internal organs, and balancing the body’s energy systems. The effect is uniquely relaxing as well as energizing.

Receiving a massage is a bit like doing yoga without putting forth any effort while also getting acupressure treatments! Sessions typically last two hours, however the new student will need much more time to perfect these techniques.

Thai Massage uses two primary procedures - applying gentle pressure with the hands and feet, and a wide variety of passive stretching movements.

With these techniques, applied in a quietly meditative atmosphere, space is created in the musco-skeletal structure, the body begins to open and regain flexibility and ease of movement, while the mind gently returns to calm alertness. Tension and toxic material is released from the joints, muscles, and connective tissue. The body’s energy, as well as the internal organs, is stimulated by pressure on peripheral reflex points. You will gain an inherent knowledge of the inner workings of the body, a knowledge that has been developed over centuries of practice.

There is something in the essence of this artform that appeals to a wide range of people on a core level; something that satisfies their physical and emotional needs, and perhaps even assists in their spiritual needs. This ancient therapy is beneficial for young or old, active or inactive, healthy or not so healthy. While each person will respond to touch in terms of their own experience and present state of health, remember that Thai Massage has been used for countless generations to treat degenerative conditions and promote wellness.

Thai Massage facilitates a sense of unity, wholeness, and balance. It creates a dynamic physical experience, which integrates the body, mind, emotions and spirit. It is a meditative practice for both client and practitioner, reflecting the states of loving kindness and compassion. It is a unique and deep massage that transforms the body to a more flexible, relaxed, lighter and less painful being.

Thai Massage – one of the world’s great massage traditions. A blending of the technique of manipulating the energy which travels throughout your body (Meridians in Chinese Medicine, Sen Lines in Thai Massage), and the yoga traditions of India. It is practiced in different forms reflecting different schools and traditions. Wonderful for the legs and overall balancing of energy it is performed with the person clothed, without the use of oil. Energy lines are pressed by the therapist’s thumbs, and then the palms, in a gentle and complete pattern. After your body is loosened up, gentle stretches are done. Different body areas are massaged more than one time, so two hours is not excessively long for a complete treatment. It’s good for tight muscles, low energy levels, and stress. For the new practitioner, arms and hands will become very stiff after performing this massage, and if you are not flexible, then you may be a little sore the next day. This is best learned with a practicing partner.

Foot Massage – one of the most common and useful massage areas for people of all walks of life. Foot treatments often include washing and soaking your feet followed by an abrasive scrub to take away any calluses, or dead skin. The best known foot massage is called reflexology, in Thailand, it’s is usually done in the Chinese style. Small tools are often used to rub the sides and tops of your toes, and the massage is recommended to be very firm. Some people find it too hard and even painful, while others love it. Reflexology in Europe and America is different than the Chinese style, where only hands are used to rub your feet. Besides firm pressing, the therapist will pinch the sides of your feet and use their fingertips to work certain areas of your toes, and the top and bottom of your feet very thoroughly. This method can also be intense but, without the stick, less people find it painful. Once again great strength is required of the practitioner’s hands.

Oil Massage – although the science of oil massage and aromatherapy are originated in the west, Thais have used fragrances and herbs for ordinary health care since ancient times. You will learn how to make uses of both oriental and western aromas, and learn oil massage techniques, which have been adapted from the well-known Thai Traditional Massage. It is imperative that students undergo the general Thai Massage Course before taking this course. A smooth, strong, full-body massage with particular focus on the back, neck and shoulders, combines Swedish and soft tissue techniques, working those areas of your body which carry the most stress - the neck, shoulders, and back. You will be educated in the many Thai herbal or aromatherapy oils, each with its own special healing qualities. The Thai master will teach you a technique that employs slow strong movements and acupressure, with some gentle stretches, energizing and invigorating the body as well as realigning the energy pathways of the body. A Thai massage is best performed for at least two hours, giving the therapist time to work the whole body. This style of massage is one we recommend to couples, wishing to rejuvenate their own sense of touch.

Head Massage – The Face Massage and Head Massage is a particularly pleasurable experience. Most people will be surprised at the amount of tension they hold here, particularly around the jaw line. There is not usually time for a full face and head massage as part of a full-body massage, so it relevant that this massage be completed on its own, or in combination with a back and shoulder massage. There are a variety of different strokes that can be used, ranging from the most delicate touch with the fingertips to focused deep-tissue work. All strokes can be varied in speed and pressure. Keeping your hands relaxed, begin working slowly and rhythmically, gradually building up speed and pressure as you experiment. This massage involves pressure points, and the use of pausing to keep your patient relaxed.

Herbal Massage – is a traditional type of Thai massage. According to any recipient, the treatment is a unique experience. Stretching, acupressure and hot herbal compresses combine to provide the utmost in muscular and mental relaxation. The blend of traditional Thai herbs used in this massage has a relaxing and simultaneously invigorating effect on the body and mind. It is soothing sore and over-worked muscles, while giving a boost for the body’s energy level. If necessary herbs can even be custom-blended for individual needs, colds, flu, other illnesses, etc. Hot compresses are also excellent for stiff, sore or pulled muscles and ligaments, back pain, arthritis, chronic pain or injury, disorders of the internal organs, skin diseases, migraines, and chronic stress or anxiety. This type of massage is also known as ‘Pra Krop’, where the massage is focused on the use of chosen herbs wrapped tightly in cloth, steamed, and the herbal bundles are then touched or pressed to your body. The lessons from the previous styles of massage will assist in mastering this art.

You have now completed 15 minutes of the basics involved in 5 of the many arts of Thai Massage. Our course has been swift, and does not give enough of the intricacies involved with the art of Thai Massage, but we hope that we have instilled in you the desire to learn how to utilize a piece of ancient Thai culture. We know that you will treasure the many experiences you encounter while on our paradise island, and now we have given you the opportunity to take one home with you to keep forever. All of our senses are important, but the sense of touch may be the most important of all.

FACTS
Natural Wing Health & Spa Resort
Located in Bang Por, Koh Samui
www.naturalwing.com

View complete list of Spa Samui Hotels here.