Thai Massage E Book

Thai Massage, Sacred Bodywork is a complete guide to an ancient practice that benefits body, mind, and spirit. Interest in Thai massage has been growing rapidly. This is no surprise given its unique multifaceted approach to the body. Thai massage combines acupressure, stretching, reflexology, assisted yoga postures, herbal compresses, prayer and meditation. It benefits everyone. Sometimes called the "lazy person's yoga", Thai massage stretches and relaxes the muscles, increases the joints' range of motion, and balances energy flow throughout the body. Thai Massage, Sacred Bodywork provides fully illustrated, step-by-step instructions which enable the reader to use this integrative and interactive therapy with a partner at home or with a client. The book explains the historical and philosophical background of Thai massage as well as its religious origins. Throughout the book, Ananda always reminds us of the deeper meaning of this sacred modality—compassion in action. A must for all those interested in the healing arts.

Drawing from Thai history, cultural studies, Buddhist religion, and yogic practices, as well as a modern understanding of anatomy and physiology, this guidebook bridges the gap between theory and practice while presenting bodywork as it is understood in Thailand--as a therapeutic medical science. Presenting detailed analysis of each step in a Thai massage routine, the history, spiritual traditions, and ethical codes are offered in an engaging, informal style. Numerous photographs and diagrams illustrate the variety of techniques used, and examples of routines for treating specific disorders are discussed. Updated with new layout, photos, and expanded text, this exhaustive handbook is complete with a section on the main energy meridians and diagrams of acupressure points, making it the perfect tool to accompany anyone studying this popular healing modality.

An authentic guide to Thai yoga massage, a unique therapy that combines stretching, breath work, assisted yoga postures, and pressure point therapy. • Includes more than 80 illustrations, 30 charts, and a complete series of postures for a two-hour full-body massage. • Author Kam Thye Chow has taught massage in Thailand and throughout Europe and North America. Until recently Thai yoga massage was virtually unknown in the West. It has its roots in both the ancient healing traditions of Ayurveda and Thai Buddhism. In this unique practice, the therapist gives a full-body massage that combines palming and thumbing along the Thai energy lines and pressure points with gentle stretching, movement, and breath work reminiscent of tai chi. Using his or her own hands, feet, arms, and legs, the practitioner gently guides the recipient through a series of yoga postures, creating a harmonious and therapeutic “dance” that leads to greater physical awareness, grace, and spiritual energy. In this comprehensive guide for practitioners, Kam Thye Chow leads readers through every aspect of this dance--from its history and philosophy to a detailed presentation of a complete Thai yoga massage session. This important reference includes more than 80 illustrated postures, 30 charts and drawings, and a complete series of postures for a two-hour full-body massage that focuses attention on both the upper and lower body, which receive equal stress in the Western lifestyle. Information on contraindications, anatomy, and physiology integrates Western medical knowledge and theory with this ancient tradition. Massage therapists, physical therapists, nurses, and other medical professionals will find Thai Yoga Massage an important and innovative complement to their practice.

Expand your Thai yoga massage practice with advanced postures and energy work to treat stress, back pain, headaches, and several other common conditions • Includes step-by-step photographs for more than 50 advanced Thai yoga massage postures • Illustrates in full color the locations of the sen lines and explains their specific therapeutic qualities and connections to ayurveda and the 5 kosha bodies • Details successful treatment plans for 8 common ailments with custom 60-minute Thai yoga massage posture flows as well as ayurvedic and yoga recommendations for continued healing and prevention at home In the unique healing system of Thai yoga massage--based on yoga, ayurveda, and the martial arts--the practitioner uses his or her own hands, feet, arms, and legs to gently guide the recipient through a series of yoga postures while palming and thumbing along the body’s energy pathways and pressure points, known in the Thai tradition as sen lines and in ayurveda as marma points. Providing a way to expand one’s Thai yoga massage practice, this book includes step-by-step photos and guidelines for more than 50 advanced Thai yoga postures as well as successful treatment plans for 8 common ailments: stress, back pain, stiff neck and shoulders, arm and hand exhaustion, headaches, constipation, fibromyalgia, and anxiety/depression. Each treatment plan offers a customized one-hour Thai yoga massage posture flow specific to that ailment along with ayurvedic and yoga recommendations for continued healing and prevention after the massage session. This comprehensive guide also illustrates the exact location of the sen lines and marma points, detailing their therapeutic indications and connections to ayurveda and the five kosha bodies, as well as explaining how to incorporate them into sessions for deeper healing.

Both professional practitioners and casual massage enthusiasts will learn to raise their practice to an art with this step-by-step guide to foot massage as traditionally taught in Thailand. The practical sections of the book clearly cover the different parts of the massage process, and color photos and graphics provide clear explanations to help learners utilize the techniques with confidence. The book also covers the history and theory behind Thai foot massage, including discussions about the reflex points on the feet and the concept of Sen (energy) lines that flow throughout the body, to help explain how this ancient healing art works. Though Thai foot massage is not a curative in itself, the featured techniques can promote general health and well-being.

A companion volume to the Encyclopedia of Thai Massage, this interactive teaching tool provides an overview of the basic course for classic Thai massage routines. Instructors who have had to create their own study guides will welcome this time-saving accessory, and students will appreciate the thoughtful design that allows room for taking notes, as well as links to images and pages in the original text. Updated with new content and a revamped layout, this handy reference also includes alternate steps from advanced courses as well as a section on Sen lines.

This practical and highly illustrated introduction to the principles and techniques of Thai massage discusses the theories of Thai medicine and its Chinese and Ayurvedic influences. It offers clear and easy-to-follow descriptions for all Thai massage techniques accompanied by full color photographs and drawings, with arrows to indicate direction of movement. Basic explanations describe how massage therapists can use elements of these techniques and apply them immediately in their own practice. Gives clear and easy-to-follow descriptions for each technique. Techniques can be used alone, in conjunction with other forms of massage, or to facilitate Yoga and other meditation practices. Clinically valuable and practical explanations of how to use elements of the procedures make it easy for therapists to enrich their practice with these techniques -- whether applying all of the methods, or starting with stretches alone. Features an icon throughout the text that calls attention to precautions therapists must be aware of for safe and effective sessions. Includes a 45-minute DVD presenting video of techniques and routines in real time, to demonstrate proper pacing. Photographs, drawings, and illustrations of techniques are now in full color, for greater clarity of concepts. More historical background provides a deeper understanding of this ancient medical art. An accompanying DVD offers a 45-minute video of a Thai massage session in real time - demonstrating procedures with proper pacing. The visual approach along with its step-by-step narration helps viewers understand how the concepts discussed in the book translate to actual practice. The book also includes DVD icons that indicate which techniques are demonstrated on the DVD. Increased coverage of body mechanics helps readers understand the difference between correct and incorrect technique. Legends below the photographs provide specific information on the muscles being pressed or stretched with each technique to help therapists understand how this art of Asian healing corresponds to Western anatomy. A new Muscle Atlas appendix helps to further identify muscles mentioned in these legends. A new chapter, Correlations to Yoga, outlines the correlations between specific Thai massage procedures and yoga postures to help therapists incorporate Yoga into their practices. A new chapter, Suggested Sequences, provides guidelines for 60-, 90-, and 120-minute sessions - taking the guesswork out of planning Thai massage sessions.

Thai Foot Massage is an ancient art, and part of traditional Thai Medicine. In Thailand, it is the most widely applied treatment. This book is indispensable for all massage teachers, as it contains information and tips from a well experienced massage instructor with 10+ years of experience. Also, it will be valuable for those who wish to start learning simple massage techniques in order to apply them to family members and friends. In this book, you will find: • Detailed descriptions on traditional Thai Foot Massage techniques. • Instructions on massage techniques on the dorsal and palmar surfaces of the foot • Work with massage wooden tools and towels • Thai Hand Massage instructions • A small section on self-massage.

Thai herbs are part of a vibrant culture of healing that has been practiced and preserved over the centuries in traditional medicine schools, Buddhist monasteries, and village homes all over Thailand. Many quite ancient herbal traditions continue to be practiced throughout Thailand to this day, and some of these have now been recognized by the Ministry of Public Health as an important facet of the country’s national healthcare system. This revised and updated edition provides an overview of traditional Thai medicine--including both the theory and the practical application of Thai cuisine, bodywork, and herbal medicine. Of interest to herbalist, massage therapists, and practitioners of other alternative healthcare systems, the book introduces the basic principles of Thai herbal healing in simple and clear terms, and it includes a detailed compendium of individual herbs. Best of all, this book is fun, offering easy recipes for home remedies, healthcare products, and cuisine that will make the world of Thai tradition come alive in your home.

Fully illustrated guide to massage techniques for unblocking chi, releasing tight tendons and muscles, and alleviating back and joint pain • Explains the hammering massage technique of Tok Sen, which sends vibrational energy deep into the fascia and muscles • Details how to use the 10 Thai energy meridians known as Sen Sib and the 12 muscle-tendon meridians of Chinese acupuncture in massage • Explains Meridian Detox Therapy and Gua Sha, which clears blood stagnation, promotes metabolism, and can prevent and treat acute illness Good health depends on the free flow of life-force energy, chi, throughout the entire body. The accumulation of tensions in the muscles and tendons as well as the stagnation of negative energy can lead to blockages in the body’s energy channels, resulting in pain, low energy, or illness. In this full-color illustrated guide, Master Mantak Chia and William Wei detail massage techniques for unblocking chi, releasing tight tendons and muscles, and alleviating back and joint pain. The authors explore the 10 Thai energy meridians known as Sen Sib, the 12 muscle-tendon meridians of Chinese acupuncture, and the most commonly strained muscles and tendons of the spine, neck, and pelvis. They explain how to treat specific ailments, such as headache, stiff shoulder, or lumbar pain, with the traditional Thai massage technique known as Tok Sen, which uses a wooden hammer to send vibrational energy deep into the fascia and muscles along the Sen Sib meridians. This method is particularly effective for joint pain, because the vibrations can reach more deeply and accurately within the body’s structure than a massage therapist’s fingers. The authors also explain Meridian Detox Therapy, which includes cupping, skin massage, and Gua Sha--the scraping of different parts of the body to clear blood stagnation, promote metabolism, and treat acute illness. The final book in the Chi Nei Tsang series, Chi Nei Ching offers advanced massage techniques to work with the energy meridians for optimum health.