HISTORY
It is believed that the origins of Thai massage began between 2000-2500 years ago in Ayurveda tradition. Its development is attributed to Dr. Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha; or as he is affectionately known in Thailand, Doctor Shivago Komarpaj or “Father Doctor” and the founder of Traditional Thai Medicine(TTM). Dr. Shivago is native to northern India and is believed to have been a contemporary of the Buddha and physician to the original Sangha (the community that gathered around the Buddha). He is credited with spreading the practice of yoga bodywork to the monastic community as a way to soothe the muscles and ease pain experienced by monks after long hours of practicing meditation. In addition, this healing system was utilized by the sangha as a way to aid sick and injured people within the community.
The movement of medicine into Thailand accompanied the migration of monks from India, by way of China. The precise dates are disputed, but most historians place it around the 2nd century B.C. Initially, information regarding medical knowledge was passed strictly by oral tradition, in the same fashion as the religious sutras of Buddhism. The monks, supported by Thai royalty, preserved the teachings of Shivago. Each master in turn would personally transmit and pass on the lineage and knowledge to the next generation in a solemn ceremony. Years of intense, disciplined, practice and meditation were required in all of the healing methods.
Eventually Medical writings that included detailed descriptions of yoga massage, as it was practiced originally, were recorded on palm leaves in the Pali language. Receiving the same respect as religious texts, these ancient medical scripts were considered sacred and, they were housed in the royal capital city of Ayutthaya. In 1767 the kingdom was invaded by the neighboring Burmese. Most records of religious, spiritual, medical, and governmental importance were destroyed in the attack. In 1832, King Rama III ordered the monks at the royal monastery to engrave the information from the few remaining texts into stone. These 60 plaques, depicting energy lines, pressure points and treatment protocols, were set into the walls of the medical pavilion at Phra Chetuphon temple (called a “wat”) and can be seen today. Their presence at the most important monastery in the modern capital, (also known as Wat Po, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha) is indication of the reverence with which this bodywork is held, by the royal family as well as the Buddhist community of Thailand. Further documentation of this ancient practice, which eventually came to be known as Traditional Thai Medical Massage, called Nuad Phaen Bo Rarn Thai (the ancient Thai way of healing with pressure) occurred in the 1870's when King Rama V commissioned the creation of a Thai traditional medicine text book which was completed in the early 1900's.
In the 1920's Thai bodywork became an official profession and is one of four branches within Traditional Thai Medicine. The others are herbal, nutritional, and spiritual practices. Over the centuries, this comprehensive practice has evolved into a uniquely Thai art simply refered to as Nuad Bo Rarn (ancient pressure/massage) and continues to be passed down from individual master to disciple. Unfortunately, with the advent of Western influence, including medicine, into Thailand, traditional culture, including Thai massage suffered greatly. The wats no longer served as the center of education, healing, or social life. However, with the ever rising costs, complications, and intricacies of modern treatment, there is a movement to reverse the trend. In 1985, the Thai Massage Revival Project was established to inform people of the benefits of Thai bodywork and to educate therapists on the safe practice of this therapy. The project continues to work on developing curriculums, codes of practice, licensing regulations, and materials on the history and practice of Thai traditional medicine.
Method
Incorporating the healing techniques of Ayurvedic medicine and yoga from India with the Chinese influence of acupressure using point pressure on specific energy lines, Thai massage holds the fundamental theory that the body is permeated with air/wind or "lom” which travels along 72,000 channels or “sen lines” throughout the body. Thai massage has always been considered a meditative and spiritual practice and demonstrates the four divine states of mind discussed in Buddhism: loving kindness, compassion, vicarious joy, and mental equanimity. The Thai people have used this ancient healing technique for treatment of their ailments, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual for centuries and continue to do so today. Even though the foundation of Nuad Bo Rarn has evolved within the cultural context of Theravada Buddhism, it is not, itself, based in religion or philosophy, nor does it impose any idea or specific discipline upon its participants.
In practice, Thai Massage is performed on a firm mat placed on the floor. The client remains fully clothed in loose comfortable clothing throughout the session. The practitioner uses hands, feet, knees and elbows to work only ten major sen lines. Through manipulation and peripheral stimulation, joints are loosened, muscles are stretched, and internal organs are toned. Thai body work is a combination of gentle rocking, range of motion, acupressure, reflexology, energy work and stretching techniques- a form of passive yoga. Performed in a quiet and meditative atmosphere, there is a fluid, rhythmic quality to the work that enables both the client and practitioner to realize a deeper level of consciousness, leaving each relaxed, refreshed, and rejuvenated. The practice of massage and healing work is understood to be the physical application of the word “metta”, the Thai word for “loving kindness”.
It is believed that the origins of Thai massage began between 2000-2500 years ago in Ayurveda tradition. Its development is attributed to Dr. Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha; or as he is affectionately known in Thailand, Doctor Shivago Komarpaj or “Father Doctor” and the founder of Traditional Thai Medicine(TTM). Dr. Shivago is native to northern India and is believed to have been a contemporary of the Buddha and physician to the original Sangha (the community that gathered around the Buddha). He is credited with spreading the practice of yoga bodywork to the monastic community as a way to soothe the muscles and ease pain experienced by monks after long hours of practicing meditation. In addition, this healing system was utilized by the sangha as a way to aid sick and injured people within the community.
The movement of medicine into Thailand accompanied the migration of monks from India, by way of China. The precise dates are disputed, but most historians place it around the 2nd century B.C. Initially, information regarding medical knowledge was passed strictly by oral tradition, in the same fashion as the religious sutras of Buddhism. The monks, supported by Thai royalty, preserved the teachings of Shivago. Each master in turn would personally transmit and pass on the lineage and knowledge to the next generation in a solemn ceremony. Years of intense, disciplined, practice and meditation were required in all of the healing methods.
Eventually Medical writings that included detailed descriptions of yoga massage, as it was practiced originally, were recorded on palm leaves in the Pali language. Receiving the same respect as religious texts, these ancient medical scripts were considered sacred and, they were housed in the royal capital city of Ayutthaya. In 1767 the kingdom was invaded by the neighboring Burmese. Most records of religious, spiritual, medical, and governmental importance were destroyed in the attack. In 1832, King Rama III ordered the monks at the royal monastery to engrave the information from the few remaining texts into stone. These 60 plaques, depicting energy lines, pressure points and treatment protocols, were set into the walls of the medical pavilion at Phra Chetuphon temple (called a “wat”) and can be seen today. Their presence at the most important monastery in the modern capital, (also known as Wat Po, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha) is indication of the reverence with which this bodywork is held, by the royal family as well as the Buddhist community of Thailand. Further documentation of this ancient practice, which eventually came to be known as Traditional Thai Medical Massage, called Nuad Phaen Bo Rarn Thai (the ancient Thai way of healing with pressure) occurred in the 1870's when King Rama V commissioned the creation of a Thai traditional medicine text book which was completed in the early 1900's.
In the 1920's Thai bodywork became an official profession and is one of four branches within Traditional Thai Medicine. The others are herbal, nutritional, and spiritual practices. Over the centuries, this comprehensive practice has evolved into a uniquely Thai art simply refered to as Nuad Bo Rarn (ancient pressure/massage) and continues to be passed down from individual master to disciple. Unfortunately, with the advent of Western influence, including medicine, into Thailand, traditional culture, including Thai massage suffered greatly. The wats no longer served as the center of education, healing, or social life. However, with the ever rising costs, complications, and intricacies of modern treatment, there is a movement to reverse the trend. In 1985, the Thai Massage Revival Project was established to inform people of the benefits of Thai bodywork and to educate therapists on the safe practice of this therapy. The project continues to work on developing curriculums, codes of practice, licensing regulations, and materials on the history and practice of Thai traditional medicine.
Method
Incorporating the healing techniques of Ayurvedic medicine and yoga from India with the Chinese influence of acupressure using point pressure on specific energy lines, Thai massage holds the fundamental theory that the body is permeated with air/wind or "lom” which travels along 72,000 channels or “sen lines” throughout the body. Thai massage has always been considered a meditative and spiritual practice and demonstrates the four divine states of mind discussed in Buddhism: loving kindness, compassion, vicarious joy, and mental equanimity. The Thai people have used this ancient healing technique for treatment of their ailments, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual for centuries and continue to do so today. Even though the foundation of Nuad Bo Rarn has evolved within the cultural context of Theravada Buddhism, it is not, itself, based in religion or philosophy, nor does it impose any idea or specific discipline upon its participants.
In practice, Thai Massage is performed on a firm mat placed on the floor. The client remains fully clothed in loose comfortable clothing throughout the session. The practitioner uses hands, feet, knees and elbows to work only ten major sen lines. Through manipulation and peripheral stimulation, joints are loosened, muscles are stretched, and internal organs are toned. Thai body work is a combination of gentle rocking, range of motion, acupressure, reflexology, energy work and stretching techniques- a form of passive yoga. Performed in a quiet and meditative atmosphere, there is a fluid, rhythmic quality to the work that enables both the client and practitioner to realize a deeper level of consciousness, leaving each relaxed, refreshed, and rejuvenated. The practice of massage and healing work is understood to be the physical application of the word “metta”, the Thai word for “loving kindness”.