NUAD BORAN

Pichest Boonthumme
Chiang Mai, Thailand

I would like to take space here. To acknowledge the ancient teachers, my parents and Kruba Sri Wichai – patron saint of Chiang Mai, who have made a significant contribution to my development as a bodyworker, healer and teachers.

First, I would like to thank you my parents for their contribution in my belief that there is more to life than meets the eye at first glance, my father give me the inspiration to study Thai massage, I already massage more than 25 years, I keep many experience until now I can help many people. I am thankful for Kruba Sri Wichai who help me to have consciousness and make meditation.

My massage is more than just a form, I teach that to meditate, pray and listen deeply, I teach students to free yourself from guidance by mind and with proper techniques, follow your intuitive guidance, transmitted from all healers who have come before you.

I also wish to thank all of the students I have had the honor to teach for the wisdom they have shared and the commitment they have made toward helping themselves and other along THE PATH.

Pichest Boonthumme

From Pichest Boonthumme’s website:

• PREPARATION & PRAYER
• PRAYER TO SHIVAGO
• MINDFULNESS & MEDITATION
• ROOTS & REMEMBRANCES
• MASSAGE EAST & WEST
• HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THAI MASSAGE
• PHILOSOPHY & THEORY OF THAI MASSAGE
• SEN SIB
• BENEFITS TO BODY, MIND & SPIRIT
• CONTRAINDICATIONS IN THAI MASSAGE
• METHODS & BODY MECHANICS USED IN THAI MASSAGE
• IMPORTANT AREAS

PREPARATION & PRAYER

There are many different ways you can prepare yourself for performing this “sacred medicine,” Traditional Thai Massage. One suggestion is to take enough time before each session to quiet the mind. You might do this by relaxing on the Earth, sitting or walking meditation, mindful movement and stretches or chanting. Always wash your hands and arms before and after each session. You might light a candle and/or have a fresh bowl of salt water in the treatment room. The flame and salt transform unwanted energies. Remember to pour the salt water onto the Earth at the end of the day to keep the energies moving.

Create nice lighting in the room, put clean sheets on the mat and pillow, and have soothing music ready if the client prefers music to silence. You may offer to wash the feet of the client, if they have not had time to do so themselves prior to arrival. You may also offer the client loose pants and shirt if they arrive in work clothes that are not appropriate (i.e.,tight or constrictive.)

Make sure that as the practitioner you are feeling enough energy to perform the massage. It is not good to work on somebody if your physical or emotional condition is less vibrant than theirs. If you do so, it is possible to deplete the client of vitality, which is counteractive to our intention. It is considered ethical to call off a session in such a case. It is also important to clear any unresolved issue you may have with a client before working with them. This may be as simple as: “you forgot to pay me last session,” or as complex as “I’m feeling attraction to or from you.” It is important to clear anything that may get in the way of helping the client.

You are now ready to kneel at the foot of the client and center yourself. First deepen and slow your breath, tuning into your own breath as well as the client’s. Ask for the lineage of healers to be present and assist in allowing the highest form of healing, relaxation and transformation to take place. You may pray in whatever way you please. Another way of looking at prayer is as setting an intention for the session. You may cater this intention to the client’s specific needs. In the Temples, Hospitals, and Schools where Traditional Massage is still performed, they begin and end each day with a ceremony know as “Wai Khru.” In this Ceremony, flowers, incense, and other gifts are offered as an honoring to the Buddha, the Father Doctor – Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha, commonly known as Dr. Shivago – and various symbolic deities that represent unconditional love and healing to the present day practitioners. During this ceremony, the prayer that has been passed down from the ancient Pali and Sanskrit texts is recited by everyone present. Begin and end each day with this prayer:

PRAYER TO SHIVAGO

“I pray to you, Dr. Shivago, who established the rules and precepts. I pray that kindness, wealth, medicine – everything comes to you. I pray to you who brings light to everyone just like the sun and moon do, who has perfect wisdom and who knows everything. We all love you who are without defilement, who are near to enlightenment – having entered the stream three times. We all come to pray to you. I pray to the Buddha. I pray, I pray that with your help all sickness and disease will be released from whom I touch.”

The prayer is chanted as follows:

Om Namoh Shivago Silasa A-hang Karuniko
Sapasatanang O-satha Tippamantang
Papaso Suriya-Jantang
Gomalapato Paka-Sesi Wantami Bantito
Sumethaso A-lokha Sumana Homi
(3 times)

Piyo-tewa Manussanang Piyo-proma Namuttamo
Piyo-Nakha Supananang
Pininsiyang Nama-Mihang Namo-Puttaya Navon-Navien Nasatit-Nasatien
Ehi-Mama Navien-Nawe Napai-Tang-Vien
Navien-Mahaaku Ehi-Mama Piyong-Mama Namo-Puttaya
(1 time)

Na-a Na-Wa Lokha Payati Vina-Santi
(3 times)

We invite the spirit of our founder, the Father-Doctor Shivago, who comes to us through his saintly life. Please bring to us the knowledge of all Nature, that this prayer will show us the true Medicine of the Universe. In the name of this mantra, we respect your help and pray that through our bodies You will bring wholeness and health to the body of our client.

The Goddess of Healing dwells in the Heavens high, while humankind dwells in the World below. In the name of the Founder, may the Heavens be reflected in the World below so this Healing Medicine may encircle the world.

We pray for the ones we touch, that they will be happy and illness will be released from them.

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MINDFULNESS & MEDITATION

The Buddha taught the importance of Meditation. He would give tools for concentration (samadhi) in his teachings, but ultimately he would teach that each individual needs to sit with their own mind and body; with all the thoughts, emotions and sensations that arise and fall away. According to the Buddha, each being needs to work with their own attachments and aversions to these arisings and fallings. With practice we begin to understand the nature of suffering and thus develop loving kindness (metta) and compassion (karuna) toward ourselves and then toward others. These practices also develop insight known as “mindfulness” practices, which have been popularized by present-day Zen Master, Thich Nhat Hanh. Both Mindfulness and Loving Kindness are important qualities for the practitioner of Traditional Thai Massage to develop.

The roots of Traditional Thai Massage stemmed from the Buddha’s teachings (Dharma). Practitioners continue to perform massage in order to assist with the alleviation of suffering in others. When we practice mindfulness, we bring ourselves into the present moment. When we practice Traditional Thai Massage, we have an opportunity to be mindful and listen deeply to the needs of our client. This is also an opportunity for both the giver and recipient to be in meditation together. If we are fully present we naturally enter a state of deep listening which nurtures loving kindness and understanding. Don’t we all just want to be understood? What a beautiful way to work: allowing the client to be exactly where they are, with no judgment and no agenda. If we listen and be present with our client (having no need to fix them) transformation, healing and spontaneous joy take place.

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ROOTS & REMEMBRANCES

Traditional Thai Massage has come to be known as “Nuad bo Rarn” in Thailand, which often translates as “ancient healing” or “sacred medicine.” It has been passed down from generation to generation in the temples, families, and texts for more than 2500 years. Thailand, being so near to China and on the trade route to and from India, gained the influences from both cultures. In Thai Massage we can see both the influences of Acupuncture, herbs and Shiatsu/Tui-na from China as well as the relation to Ayurvedic Massage and Yoga asanas (postures) from India. All the techniques used in Thai Massage serve to open and balance the energies in the body. These energies move through pathways called Sen, which sometimes overlap with the Chinese Meridians and Indian Nadis.

According to Thai folklore, Thai Massage dates back to the time of the Buddha, in the land of India. A hermit and healer emerged from his cave and became the physician for the Buddha and his Sangha (community of monks and nuns.) This Doctor’s name was Jivaka Kumar Bhacca, presently popularized as Dr. Shivago Komparaj. Dr. Shivago would accompany the Buddha and his sangha as they would travel throughout the land delivering dharma (teachings) to the lay people. He performed bodywork on the Buddha to help him to stay healthy on his extended travels. He would teach this form of bodywork, along with the teachings of the Buddha, to monks who would in turn assist lay people in healing from sickness in both mind and body. As Buddhism made its way to Thailand, so did this form of healing.

Over the years, the Buddha’s teachings got somewhat lost in India, yet became popular and prevailed in the land of Siam (present day Thailand), and so did Nuad Bo Rarn, now translated as “Traditional Massage.” Wat Pho, a famous temple in Bangkok, still possesses some of the epigraphs of documented techniques and Sen that were engraved at the time of the Burmese invasions of 1832. Earlier texts were written on palm leaves and stored in Ayutthia, the old capitol city, and when the Burmese invaded, King Rama III had the surviving texts carved in stone.

Today, one can find Traditional Massage throughout Thailand. It is still practiced in some of the most well known Temples. Thai massage has diversified in interpretation and embellishment between the Temples, Hospitals private homes, Massage schools, Massage clinics and the Red Light District. One can still see the roots of both Yogic stretches and Meridian work in Traditional Thai massage, and with the increasing interest of westerners it continues to evolve.

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MASSAGE EAST & WEST

Massage, or the practice of using touch to cure illness, has existed since the beginning of human history. It has been used instinctively long before people knew just why it had such beneficial effects. It seems to have existed under different names among all ancient cultures. References to massage have been found in Chinese literature dating back 3000 years before the Christian era.

Eastern and Western massage have taken off in different directions. In the West, the body has been approached from an objective point of view with the focus being on tangible physical structures such as organs, bones and muscles. Any malfunction has been approached mechanically as a separate entity. This differs radically from the eastern approach which has been more subjective and where the focus has been on the energy within the body. Here problems have been looked upon as a disorder of the whole body and the concept of energy lines and points has been very important.

Swedish massage, which is the most popular style of massage practiced in the West today, focuses on the relaxation of the physical body and does not have an energetic understanding of the body. Thai massage, on the other hand, is an eastern style of bodywork based on the concept of energy. The philosophy behind Thai massage will be discussed more in the section on Philosophy and Theory of Thai Massage. Fortunately, with more and more contact between east and west the best of both approaches is becoming more cross culturally shared.

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HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THAI MASSAGE

Thai people come from several different backgrounds – the main ones being Tai, Mon, Khmer and Lowa. The blending of these different ethnic groups as well as the influence of other cultures shows up in Thai culture as a whole.

It is well known that for many centuries Thailand was deeply influenced by Indian and Chinese culture. India’s influence shows up in many areas such as Thai language, literature, religion, royal administration and massage, to name a few. China’s influence shows up in other areas such as Thai food, art, architecture and medicine.

As Thailand is located between China and India, it is no surprise that the country was influenced by these two great civilizations. An active sea route existed between south India and southern China for at least 2000 years. There was also the famous overland Silk Trail between China and India, which passed through Burma, Thailand’s neighbor to the northwest. It is highly likely that many of the trades and travelers along these routes made a diversion to Thailand on the way.

The most notable contact, however, between India, Thailand and China was through the movement of Buddhism, which was brought to Thailand from India in the 2nd of 3rd century BC by Buddhist envoys. They were sent by India’s king, Ashoka, who asked them to propagate the teachings of the Buddha and to build temples knows as wats.

In terms of Thai massage, the movement of Buddhism to Thailand was important as the medical system of an Indian doctor called Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha was incorporated in the religious knowledge of the envoys. It is interesting to note here that the Thai word for massage is nuad boran which literally means “ancient massage.” Whether or not Thailand had an indigenous form of massage before Buddhism arrived is not known. Jivaka’s medical system was based on India’s ayurvedic and yogic traditions. Thai massage’s Indian influence is still obvious today from the large number of yoga like postures used, its many Sanskrit and Pali words, its spiritual foundation, as well as from Thai massage therapist’s veneration for Jivaka. In fact a prayer which invokes the blessings of Jivaka is still often recited before giving a Thai massage. Mention of Jivaka can be found in the Pali Canon, the scriptures of Theravada Buddhists who practice today in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Laos, Burma and Cambodia.

Jivaka’s greatness as a doctor and surgeon was legendary. His supreme skill as a physician was matched by his supreme devotion to Lord Buddha, whom he attended three times a day. The Buddha declared Jivaka to be chief among his lay followers. Because of his medical eminence, Jivaka was three times crowned in public as “King of Doctors,” and is therefore known as the “Thrice Crowned Physician.” He was an expert in pediatrics and excelled in brain surgery. He successfully performed intricate abdominal operations. It is no wonder that he is considered by many Thais as “The Father of Medicine.”

Thai massage theory was passed down orally from teacher to student until it was written down on palm leaves in the Pali language using the Khmer script. These texts were venerated and given the same importance as Buddhist religious writings. Unfortunately the Burmese destroyed most of these texts in 1776 when they took over Ayutthia, Thailand’s first capital

In 1832 King Rama the 3rd ordered that all of the best surviving texts be collected and studied. Based on this study, 60 stone plaques were carved of the human body – 30 of the front and 30 of the back. On these figures, points were placed on the walls of Phra Chetaphon Temple, more popularly known as Wat Po, in Bangkok as it was the earliest center for public education. Explanations were carved on the walls next to the plaques.

Unfortunately, due to the limited number of texts available then and because the dissection of corpses was forbidden in earlier Thai cultures, many inconsistencies exist in the drawings and their explanations.

Wat Po is still one of the main educational centers for traditional Thai massage. Chiang Mai, Thailand’s 2nd largest city, is the other main center. Classes are available in both cities year round as well as at many other places.

Thai massage is thriving in Thailand today as more and more people realize the benefits of traditional medicine. Due to its great popularity it is now also being practiced in many other countries and has even found its way back to India.

This text covers specifically the style of massage as done by Ahjarn Pichest Boonthumme, one of Thailand’s greatest living masters who has been responsible for training many of today’s leading teachers in Chiang Mai.

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PHILOSOPHY & THEORY OF THAI MASSAGE

Thai massage is one of the branches of Traditional Thai medicine: manipulation, medicine (orals, salves, compresses and vapors), diet, and spiritual ceremonies or magical practices. These ceremonies are deeply rooted in mysticism, astrology and the supernatural. For the most comprehensive results, Thai massage (i.e. manipulation) should be practiced in conjunction with these three other aspects.

Thai massage’s Buddhist background elevates it to such a high level that it is regarded as a perfect spiritual practice in Thailand, for it exemplifies the four divine states of mind taught in Buddhism. These are: metta, good will, loving kindness; karuna, compassion, the desire to help others; mudita, sympathetic joy, gladness for the good fortune of others; and upekkha, impartiality or equanimity. The following words by The Dalai Lama describing Tibetan medicine could actually be used to perfectly describe Thai massage: “Tibetan medicine is deeply integrated with Buddhist practice and theory which stresses the indivisible interdependence of mind, body and vitality. The ideal doctor is one who combines sound medical understanding with strong realization of wisdom and compassion.”

As mentioned before, Thai massage is an Eastern form of therapy where the whole person is diagnosed and treated – not just a particular symptom. It is based on the holistic point of view that any problem is not simply an illness of a particular part, but rather a disorder of the whole being. All the parts of the body are believed to have an organic relationship which exists within an even greater whole – nature. Because of this holistic approach, treatments are usually about two hours long so that the person’s whole body can be addressed. Pichest Boonthumme, whose work this book is based upon, always points out the connections between one problem area and the other and repeatedly says, “connect, connect” when palpating. Wataru Ohashi, a shiatsu teacher, describes this in the following words: “In the Orient we believe you are built in one piece, that it is impossible to isolate a part without considering what effect it will have on the whole. We do not concentrate on the illness, but on the entire body. We do not label disease, because all diseases come from the same source – an imbalance of energy flow throughout the body.”

What is this energy? It can be defined as the force that initiates all physical and psychological functions. This life energy is absorbed from the air we breathe and the food we eat. Different cultures have given different names to this energy. In India it is called Prana, in China – Chi, in Japan – Ki and in Thailand it is called Lom which means wind. This energy is believed to travel through invisible pathways. In Thailand these pathways are called sen, in India, nadis and in China and Japan they are called meridians, channels and/or vessels. In Tibetan medicine it is said that the “…mystic channels are numerous, they are sometimes numbered 72,000 but are also said to be uncountable”. In India and Thailand it is also believed the there are 72,000 energy lines. Whatever the number of lines, where they run and what they do varies depending on the medical system involved. They are not solid realities which one can point out like in the physical body, in spite of the fact that people often try to make exact identifications with particular parts of the body. Such identifications do not hold up. There are however, more general correspondences which do have meaning and significance. The pathways according to Ryokyu Endo, “…can be felt only through personal experience and therefore belong to a world indefinable by words. Clinically, the position and depth of meridians varies infinitely according to each patient… Because of their qualitative nature, meridians can only be perceived by an equally qualitative mind. Healers are able to recognize meridians when they are in sympathy with the patient’s vital energies and there is a fusion between the feelings of the two… Meridians were discovered as a means of cure based on treatment through sympathy between the patient and doctor. In fact, meridians cannot be understood outside the concept and practice of curing the patient through the touch of the skin… Recent attempts to scientifically prove the existence of meridians by electrical responses in the living body have not succeeded because what can be scientifically proven is limited to the quantitative expressions of scientific method.”

In Thailand, out of the 72,000 lines, ten have been selected as the main ones to use during Thai massage therapy. Although it has been agreed that there are ten main sen, descriptions of where they run and what they do differ from school to school. It is important to note here that Thai massage is focused on the whole line rather than on individual points, although points can be used for treatment in addition to the line work. Descriptions and illustrations of the ten main sen, according to the findings of Ahjarn Pichest Boonthumme, can be found in the Advanced Course manual. These sen illustrations, however, are only rough maps of invisible pathways many of which travel deep inside the body and therefore are very difficult to put down on paper.

As far as the beginner’s training is concerned only parts of these energy lines are used. These segments have been referred to as Lines 1,2,3 and so forth for the convenience of Western students. These line numbers, however, are not part of the traditional Thai way of teaching which is more experiential and less analytical. Illustrations of where these line segments run are given in the Technique section.

Lastly, according to Thai Belief, the right side of the body is considered the masculine side and the left side is considered the feminine side. Therefore, in a traditional treatment, the right side of the body is treated first when working on a man and vice versa for a woman. For example, if you were working on the feet one at a time and your client was a female, you would massage her left foot first and her right foot second. Energy in women is believed to flow in a counterclockwise direction, whereas in men it is thought to flow in a clockwise direction.

The important things to focus on during the basic training are to develop sensitivity to the lines, to be able to feel areas of tension and tightness, to know how to use one’s bodyweight, and to work in a relaxed and yet concentrated manner.

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SEN SIB

Sen sib, the ten life energy lines, is the heart of Thai massage and basis of Therapeutic Thai massage throughout the history of Thailand. The actual documentation of when and how Sen sib originated has not been found. The documents discovered occurred during the period of King Rama II (A.D. 1809-1824) written by Phraya Wichayatibbodee, formal governor of Chantaboon Province; the inscription on marble plates at Wat Pho during King Rama III (A.D.1824-1851); the major ancient description of Sen Sib in the Royal Traditional Thai medicine text complied by the command of King Rama V in A.D.1870. These three documents have been the main text of Sen Sib theory. The basic theories of them are the same. There are more than one name on some lines and there are some minor differences on names of each line.

Thai massage theory is similar to the philosophy of Ayurvedic which is based on life energy channels and the belief that one person’s health and well being rely on the balance of life energy. Life energy in Thai massage is called “Lom Pran” meaning “the wind of life,” which is the same as the Indian concept of “Prana.” The obstruction of Prana flow can cause discomfort or illness to a person. Sen Sib, being the major energy channels throughout the body, needs to be maintained against any blockage.

The ancient Royal Traditional Thai medicine Text indicates there are 72,000 channels twined inside the abdominal cavity. There are ten major channels leading from all 72,000 channels that spread from the abdominal cavity through the entire body. The ten major life energy channels are called “Sen Sib”. Thai massage, when applied properly, has an immense effect on Sen Sib unblocking any obstruction of energy flow, and providing balance to body-mind and spirit. The ancient Thais applied pressure points according to Sen Sib to heal certain illnesses, in combination with herbal medicine application. In the present time, some of these pressure points are being used in therapeutic massage to relieve common ailments.

Sen Sib indicates the channels of the lines as available from three important sources as follows:
1. the Royal Traditional Thai Medicine Text gathered in King Rama V era.
2. the document in ancient text “Tamla Loke Nitan” (fable medicinal story text) during King Rama II era by Phraya Wichayatibbodee (Klom), former governor of Chantaboon Province.
3. the lines inscribed on marble tablets at Wat Pho

Characteristics of Sen Sib
1. There are ten major lines. “Sen” means line and “Sib” means ten.
2. The origination of all ten lines are lying underneath the abdominal surface around the navel approximately two finger width deep.
3. Each line has a different exit throughout the body accordingly.
4. The lines are invisible. They are invisibly connected to send sensation when pressing at the right points to the corresponding directions.
5. There is “wind”, being the energy force, running through the line. If the line is obstructed, the wind can cause illness. Some lines have more than one wind, some have names for the winds, and others do not have names. However, lines with no wind names mentioned may not mean lack of wind. The ancient people merely did not mention names on some, but still indicate symptoms when there are blockages in the particular lines.
6. The lines have pressure point locations that effect the wind when pressing.

Name of Sen Sib
Most learners follow Wat Pho list of Sen Sib with minor variation. For the simplicity, to trace direction when mentioning Sen Sib, this text will refer to Sen Sib names follow from Wat Pho. The direction of Sen Sib mentioned here come from all three sources mentioned above. Most of the lines have the same direction. However, some lines do not cover certain parts as others. This text will apply all of them and indicate the differences. For the origination location points from the navel on all lines, only Wat Pho source indicates exact locations of the each line. However, the points on the marble tables are in two different scripts and difficult to interpret. The exact location of points were obtained in the findings of actual pressures traced by several experienced Thai massage teachers during the Thai Massage Revival Project in 1985. Hence, the explanation on the origin related to the navel herein is merely from Wat Pho source only. Measurement of “finger width” is not certain of which finger, since there is no exact rule. However, most teachers presume it to be the thumb.

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BENEFITS TO BODY, MIND & SPIRIT

Body
Thai massage application, by using direct pressure on muscles over most parts of the body, with a combination of stretching, to further stimulate the musculoskeletal system, which includes the joints, bones, nerves, ligaments, and lymphatic system, to create benefit to all five physiological body systems:

1. Circulation system: Improves blood circulation, lower heart rate, elevates temperature of massage area, increases lymphatic circulation, reduces edema (swelling).
2. Musculoskeletal system: lmproves muscle strength and effectiveness, relieves muscle tension, removes toxins from muscle mass, relaxes tendon and enhances elasticity, increases joint mobility and flexibility, and reduces stiffness.
3. Nervous system: Stimulates and improves activity of nerve and sensation with effects of reducing pain, enhancing sensation to the skin, and improved function of internal organs such as stomach, intestines, etc.
4. Respiratory system: improves depth of breathing and relaxation.
5. Digestive system: Increases elasticity of digestive tract and stomach movement, prevents and relieves indigestion.

Mind
For the mind, Thai massage offers the receiver the most renowned effect of total relaxation, thus reducing stress of daily tasks or a hectic environment. On some receptive receivers, this highly positive stress-relief effect may go beyond the present and penetrate into deep, past emotional scars and help release them.

Spirit
Since Thai massage is based on the element of life and sen sib (life energy), this has a tremendous positive impact on the spirit when the giver also concentrates on the energy flow while giving massage. When pressure is applied to each point to awaken the energy through Sen Sib, coupled with gentle, smooth movement during the transition of each sequence, combined with the union of breath between giver and receiver, such sacred harmonious union will bring the giver and receiver close to a tranquil meditative state and become one.

Holistic Benefits of Thai Massage:
1. Community
Thai massage improves bonding within the family. It has been custom within the tradition that Thai children massage the elders, and the elders help each other when there is need to soothe and relieve body aches and pains. Human touching increases the sense of love and caring between giver and receiver. This is an alternate method of showing their love to one another since Thais are neither used to, nor comfortable with direct expressions of love and affection by overt touching.

2. Health Care
Thai massage helps maintain health and wellness in the receiver of massage. It is and ancient tool employed to combat common ailments, increase the effectiveness of the body movements and benefit the physiological system. Thai massage also results in longevity due to a strengthening of the body’s immune system and balanced life energy.

3. Prevention
Thai massage techniques prepare the body to ward off bed sores (pressure wounds occurring when a patient lies in one position too long), muscle weakness, headaches, dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps), constipation, indigestion, stress, and other conditions.

4. Healing
Thai massage may also be able to relieve pain, sprains and inflammation of muscles, tendon, joints, as well as reduce stiffness of joints, increase muscle strength and improve mobility.

5. Rehabilitation
Thai massage is used as a means to stimulate paralyzed muscles to help improve circulation and function, and to maintain muscle strength. It also has been effectively applied in the rehabilitation for handicapped children as the practice at the Center for Handicap Children in Bangkok. The center trains parents of the handicap themselves and the children improve quickly with Thai massage. This may due to the therapeutic effects of human touching combined with massage effect to the life energy. Some children are able to sit up and some even are able to feed themselves after receiving on-going Thai massage.

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CONTRAINDICATIONS IN THAI MASSAGE

Thai massage is safe when performed with adequate knowledge of the receiver’s physical condition. Physical disorders vary from one body system to another and the effects on the receiver depend on the massage position as well.

The practice section of this book provides cautionary notes for particular positions and should be followed strictly. Here are some guidelines to consider, and conditions which necessitate refraining from administering Thai massage or require that one proceed with caution should these symptoms occur:

1. Injury or inflammation of muscle
Reduce the discomfort by applying a cold compress to acute injury which is red and warm to the touch part. DO NOT MASSAGE THE AREA.
Apply hot compress or herbal ball to the area of the chronic injury to soften and reduce tension. Massage with caution.

2. Bone fracture or joint dislocation
Perform first aid if possible on acute injury and refer to physician. DO NOT MASSAGE THE AREA.
With permission from caring physician, during healing process, massage with caution.

3. Fever from any causes
DO NOT GIVE MASSAGE.
If the body is aching from muscle inflammation, massage will exacerbate the inflammation. It may also spread infection if the cause of inflammation is bacteria. However, giver may gently massage hands, face and head to relax and offer relief and support to receiver.

4. Varicose veins (enlarged veins)
DO NOT MASSAGE THE ENLARGED VEIN.
The pressure of massage may dislodge any clots in the vein and cause obstruction to heart and/or brain.

5. Contagious skin disease
DO NOT MASSAGE AFFECTED AREA.
The disease may be spread to other parts of the body and contacted by the giver. Massaging non-affected skin area is possible but giver must avoid the area of the rash.

6. Drug and/or alcohol intoxication
DO NOT MASSAGE.
Massage may worsen the intoxicating agent’s effect and give rise to risk of uncontrollable behavior by the intoxicated person.

7. Cancer
Massage allowed with approval from attending physician; avoid site of tumor and the sensitive surrounding area. Reduce pressure to half of normal pressure. Do not apply pressure to lymph nodes and observe the contraindication positions indicated in the practice section of this book. Experience in massage is needed.

8. Ill health such as non-severe heart condition, diabetes, high blood pressure, stoke, and chronic illness conditions. Apply special techniques with caution as indicated in the practice section of this book.

9. Woman during pregnancy and menstruation cycle
Apply techniques with caution as indicated in the practice section of this book. Massage of pregnant woman needs additional special training.

10. When receiver is very hungry offer light snack and tea before massage. If too full, avoid positions which may cause discomfort such as face down and refrain from abdominal massage.

Note: Do not exert pressure beyond receiver’s comfort tolerance. Giver must not play a role of “medical physician”. Always refer receiver to seek professional health care advice when appropriate.

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METHODS & BODY MECHANICS USED IN THAI MASSAGE

When the client arrives for the first time, make an extra effort to help them feel comfortable. They may be unfamiliar with Thai Massage and nervous because they don’t know what to expect. Have a health intake form ready for them to fill out. When they complete the intake, look it over and ask them to talk about what they have written on the form. Take close note of injuries, medications, blood pressure, varicose veins and complaints. Ask more questions if you need more information. If you are unsure about something that looks serious to you, make a call, look in a book or refer them to a Medical Doctor. Always err on the side of caution.

It is important to begin each session by first seeing the beauty and innate good in the client. It is easy as body workers to hear the client’s complaints and to search out what is “wrong” and why. I believe if we first see what is beautiful, we can help the client to enhance their beauty, then organically the pain or what some might think of as “ugly” will decrease. We are not here to “fix” the client; we are here to assist them in their own healing process. This occurs when they are ready, not when you, the practitioner, are ready. We must work with patience, love and mindfulness.

Get your own body comfortable by slowing down your breath, relaxing your shoulders and jaw, and emptying your mind. Begin the session slowly and work with a rhythm that feels comfortable for both you and the client. Some sessions may be very slow and methodical while others may be more vigorous; with practice you will get a sense of the client’s needs and develop a rhythm that works for both of you. Let the client know from the start that feedback about pressure, comfort and discomfort are welcome and encouraged.

I will always remember what one of my teachers, Avishai, taught me to say to myself when performing body work: “Thank you for allowing me to use Breema Bodywork, a similar yet different modality, that has fed my study of Thai Massage deeply. The principles in Breema are: Let the body move naturally, use the whole body, maintain physical connection throughout treatment, lean with relaxed, natural body weight, let your instinct determine pressure, deepen and release gradually, allow pressure to be firm yet gentle and remember all treatments are based in non-judgement. These principles are nice guidelines for living a spiritual life. We can choose to let our bodywork exchanges be a natural extension of our spiritual life, thus, a good reason to continue to develop our own personal practice (yoga, tai-chi, mindfulness, meditation, exercise, prayer….etc).

Mechanically speaking, again, we want to make sure as givers that we are comfortable. We work with a rocking motion that helps us to conserve our energy. Even if we are holding a placement in one of our moves, the current is still flowing. We always make sure that we are taking care of ourselves by moving without great effort. Also, it is important to always move from our center, known by the Chinese as the Tan-Tien and the Japanese as the Hara (located about three inches below the navel). Always use straight arms when applying deep pressure or weight. Always check alignment and assess whether you are comfortable while performing a move. If not, take a moment to adjust yourself so that you are. Remember to lean into the client’s body to create depth and pressure rather than use strength to create it. When using the thumbs, use the ball of the thumb rather than the tip. You may stack thumbs or experiment with elbows, heels and knees if your thumbs are tired or stressed. Check your own shoulders, are they relaxed? Are you breathing? Is your client breathing? Are they breathing deeply? Sometimes just by you deepening your own breath, the client will deepen theirs; again a symbiotic relationship occurs. We will go over body mechanics throughout the training in relation to specific moves.

The Sen, the energetic pathways in the body, originate deep in the abdomen. It is always best to ask the client if it’s okay to work on or touch their belly; you may do this prior to the session, or just before moving to begin abdomen work. Not all sessions require abdominal work. As we work on the rest of the body, stretching and applying compression to the Sen, we actually facilitate movement of energy in the organs and tissues of the belly. A complete Thai massage session moves energy and Wind (Lom.) This is the same energy called Prana in Ayurveda and Chi in Chinese Medicine.

Thai massage should be done in a rhythmical relaxed manner at a moderate pace. Touch during the treatment should be used first as a means of gathering information and second as form of therapy. Due to this approach, the initial contact in a technique should be lighter than the later ones. In general, pressure builds from soft to strong for each technique. Usually, perpendicular leaning pressure should be used for applying weight and progressively stronger stretches should be used for stretching. The therapist should rock form side to side or from front to back while working, so as to slowly shift their weight.

The therapist’s body position is of tremendous importance throughout the massage, for, with good body mechanics the work can be done easily in a comfortable and effective way. The therapist’s weight should generally be distributed between the areas of his or her own body he or she is working with, such as his or her hands, elbows, knees and/or feet. When applying pressure, the arms or legs of the therapist should usually be kept straight so that leaning power rather than muscular force is used. In general, space should he kept between the therapist’s body and the area of the client that is being worked on.

It is also important for the therapist at most times to have their “center” – i.e. their abdominal area – facing their client. It is from this center that the therapist’s power comes. In this area there is a specific spot below the navel which is the origin of this power. It is called the dan tien in Chinese theory and is located 1½ cun below the navel. A cun is a Chinese measurement using the breadth of the first joint of the thumb. This point is focused on in many Asian meditation and martial arts practices to cultivate internal power.

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IMPORTANT AREAS

THE FEET
Thai massage usually begins with work on the feet as they are the lowest part of the body, gravity-wise. By working here first, a person’s energy can be moved upward thus helping with the circulation of energy. This is very important as our energy usually only flows downward because of gravity. Massage or inverted postures such as are performed in yoga can therefore help to remedy this.

The feet are one of four reflex areas in the body. The other three reflex areas are the hands, ears and the irises of the eyes. Reflex areas contain points that correspond with other parts of the body. When these points are stimulated there is an effect on the corresponding body part. According to reflexology, each foot represents a half of the body with the right foot corresponding to the right side of the body, and the left foot corresponding to the left side. The reflex areas on the feet are as follows:

Part of Foot Reflex Area:
Toes: Head
Balls of Feet: Chest, Lungs, Shoulders
Upper Arch: Diaphragm to Waist, Upper Abdominal Organs
Lower Arch: Waist to Pelvis, Lower Abdominal Organs
Heel: Pelvic Area, Sciatic Nerve
Medial Side of Foot: Spine
Lateral Side of Foot: Shoulder, Arm, Leg, Knee, Hip, Lower Back
Ankle: Pelvic Area, Reproductive Organs

As you work, notice for any differences between the right and left foot, areas of particular hardness, lumps, heat, coolness, etc. Sometimes very grainy areas can be felt. These are usually deposits of uric acid and calcium crystals. By massaging these areas the crystals will be reabsorbed in the blood.

THE LEGS
Thai massage therapists believe that work on the legs is a very important part of the massage. In a typical two or three hour massage at least one hour of the massage is devoted to just the legs. This is again partly to counteract the general downward flow of energy – i.e. to move energy up so that the upper part of the body also has energy. It is also a means of diagnosis and therapy, for problems in the legs indicate problems further up in the body such as in the abdomen, back or shoulders. Ryokyu Endo says, “…treatment on the legs will to a certain extent, soften any body since most of the sen lines run through the legs, by working on these lines one can affect the sen in the rest of the body.

THE ABDOMEN
Thai people believe that the abdomen is the center of the body – that it is a window which reveals intimately what is happening inside. Since this area contains so many vital organs, great care should be taken when working here. Begin with light contact and gradually increase the pressure. Make sure to work slowly and sensitively.

THE BACK
The back is of crucial importance as it contains the spine through which 95% of the body’s nerves travel. These spinal nerves affect almost every part of the body including its organs and glands. Likewise the condition of the body’s organs is reflected in the back. As all of the internal organs are affected by what happens in this area, it is very beneficial to spend a lot of time and care when working on the back.

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