Traditional Thai Yoga
History
Diagrams inscribed on the walls at the temple of Wat Po in Bangkok illustrate one of the fundamental principles of traditional Thai medicine: that energy flows through the body along ten major channels.
Thai Yoga has its roots in traditional Thai medicine, which is a natural, holistic approach to health and well-being. Developed over thousands of years, Thai medicine includes proper nutrition, physical exercise, the use of medicinal herbs and therapeutic massage. Traditional Thai medicine is not only concerned with curing diseases and ailments: its primary goal is maintaining health and well-being, as ancient Thais believed that "the absence of illness is the best blessing". The medical knowledge developed by Thai people through many generations has come to be known as the ancient wisdom of Thailand.
Traditional Thai bodywork, originally called Nuad Boran (which means “ancient healthful touch”), is a therapeutic technique that dates back thousands of years. Its precise origins are unknown, but practitioners traditionally trace their lineage to sage Srikumara Jivaka, the north Indian physician, who was a personal friend and physician to Lord Buddha. Nuad Boran is the cultural result of several ethnic forces including India and Tibet. Before Jivaka cultivated the modality, the first essential influence of this art was Sri Dhanvantari, who was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu’s medical grace.channels, or sen lines. If an obstruction occurs in any of these channels it is believed that pain or disease results. In this sense, traditional Thai medicine is similar to many other ancient healing systems, which believe that illnesses are caused by an imbalance or obstruction within the individual, or by an imbalance between an individual and his environment (very similar to Ayurveda). Ancient Thais treated a number of ailments by using massage to restore the flow of energy throughout the body.
Benefits
Traditional Thai massage is a deep, full-body treatment, which includes both stretching of the joints and muscles and applied pressure to the sen lines. Because of its energetic origin, the benefits of Thai Yoga include allowing the body and mind to experience a surrendering release which results in an invigorated spirit and profound feeling of rest.
In Thai Yoga, the body is viewed as a mandala, or sacred geometric design, as well as a bio-elecrtro-magnetic grid field (Shakti-prakriti), made up of energetic channels and spheres (pranic Sen lines and Marmas). It is considered a Martial Art of healing, and is utilized therapeutically as a cherished and revered remedy for prominent social ailments such as emotional stress and physical inertia. Thai Yoga sessions fulfill on the promise of inspiring the soul and tranquilizing the body. In Southeast Asia it is used as a therapeutic protocol for many as a weekly routine.
Utilizing pressing techniques, gentle rocking, and various yoga-like stretches, receivers are able to relieve body stiffness, gain flexibility and help improve overall balance in major muscle groups. While regular massage is able to stimulate energy lines which help promote and balance energy throughout the body, Thai Yoga interacts directly with the muscular, circulatory and nervous systems to enhance your body's natural healing ability. As a holistic practice, this work balances the body’s need for movement and stretching, which help the body to produce endorphins, a natural body pain reliever. A typical session can last up to 2 hours, and is reported to manifest instant positive results.
As a piece of copper becomes transformed when it is touched by electricity, so does an individual’s consciousness become spiritualized upon receiving traditional Thai Yoga massage. Also, as an alternative choice for non-verbal communication, Thai Yoga is an excellent experience as a loving exchange between friends, spouses, and parent and child.