The legendary founder of the art of Thai massage is Jivaka Kumarabhacca. He was a physician for the first Buddhist priests and a close friend of Buddha. The original texts of ancient Thai massage were recorded in the sacred pali language of ancient Buddhism.

Most of the ancient medical texts were destroyed in 1776 in the Burmese invasion. King Rama III had the surviving traditional knowledge carved into stone inscriptions in 1832 which were set into walls of the temple in Bangkok called Wat Poh. By this means he hoped to preserve the knowledge against future disasters, for the benefit of future generations.

Until recently the art was taught mainly to monks in the Wats (Buddhist temples) of Thailand.

From India
In India, medicine was part of an ascetically based religious movement, a portion of which became know as Buddhism. Medicine evolved with the Sangha and Buddhism monastery, became codified as part of the Buddhist scriptures, gave rise to the monk-healers and provided the basis for subsequent development of Buddhist monastic universities.

The traditional system of ayurvedic medicine owes much of its early systematization, preservation, and subsequent propagation to the ascetic Buddhists and their monastic institution.

Spreading in Thailand
When Buddhism began to spread in Asia, medical institution and practices of the monastery went along as integral parts of the religious system. When Buddhism reached Thailand in the 3rd or 2nd century BC, temples were built with adjacent dispensaries and medical schools.

Massage and other healing arts were taught and applied in the monasteries and within the family. In families it has been mainly an oral tradition (as most people could not read) handed down from teacher to student. The purpose of writing it down as done by the Sangha, was to preserve the medical tradition for the longest possible time and make it available to the maximum number of people of future generations.

It is easily understandable that compassionate monks and nuns would integrate any beneficial medical system to the one brought from India. It is also easy to understand that influence from China and other surrounding countries may have played a significant role in enriching the existing medical system. When one is sick or unwell no helpful method should be disregarded. If it truly help, it is good.

As to where and when this ancient Massage originated precisely, it is difficult to ascertain for sure. A long time has past and many historical evidences have disappeared, for example at the time of the destructive Muslim invasion of Northern India and also at the time of the Burmese invasion of the capital of Ayutthaya in 1767.

Only fragments of the existing precious medical texts survived the Burmese invasion and destruction, which the kind King Rama III in 1832 used as a basis for the famous epigraphs at Phra Chetuphon (Wat Pho) in Bangkok.

One thing is for sure, all is the fruit of care, of people striving to alleviate suffering and make other truly comfortable and well.

First to offer materiel well being, cloth, food, shelter, medicine and so forth; second to protect the people from fear, the giving of fearlessness; and third to teach the precious Dharma. These are the three generosity taught by the Buddha.

The Technique
This kind of Massage, like most Asian methods, is a technique used to give mankind an experience of the total body. It is similar to acupressure and Shiatsu combined with stretches and yogic Asanas. Its nickname has become, “yoga for the lazy”. Massage will strengthen the client physically and harmonize their energy so a new life experience can arise.

Massage works on the major meridians, also called energy lines or Nadis, which run throughout the human body. It aims to harmonize the body, to loosen blocks, and to recoup deficiencies along the energy lines. In contrast to traditional Chinese medicine, which uses acupuncture to manipulate the pressure points, Massage stimulates these same points with healing touch. Therefore, the points suffer less stress, and life energy, or Prana, is allowed to freely circulate.

Along with influencing the energetic side, Massage also works on the physical body. Starting at the feet and progressing up to the head, the client?s body will be moved, loosened and stretched. Massage combines techniques usually found isolated in the western physiotherapies including Trigger Point Treatments, Myofascial Techniques, Manual Therapy and others. The combination of energetic and physical aspects is unique to Massage, and so are its effects. Massage is a gift for the body, speech (energy) and mind (heart).

Massage is a way to prevent sickness. It helps to dissolve blocks before they manifest psychologically or physically, and it also improves flexibility. Injured athletes, as well as those suffering from handicaps or stress are another target group. Essentially, anyone will benefit from this powerful technique.

Concerning the treatment, this Massage is a floor massage. The fully dressed client lies on a pad or light mattress. An ingenious system of movements allows the therapist to manipulate the client without much effort. Every movement is designed to support the client as well as the therapist. The massage is given in silence to allow the therapist to understand the client and to give the client a chance to focus and learn about himself without distraction. To give and to experience Massage is a meditative practice. At the end of a two to three hour treatment, both the receiver and the therapist will feel relaxed and energized.

For the receiver
The joy of receiving
Calmness and rest
The simplicity of accepting help
A refreshed spirit
A general increase of energy
An opening of the meridians and blocked areas of the body
Relief for pain and muscle tension
The body and mind (heart) are strengthened and rejuvenated
Blood and lymph circulation are improved
An increase in flexibility
The nervous system is balanced
Deep relaxation is facilitated

For the giver
The joy of generosity
The joy of compassion
The joy of equanimity
The joy of oneness
Feeling of loving kindness

Tag: Massage for Healing