The International Thai Therapists Association, Inc. represents the truest and most authentic visions of Traditional Thai Medicine, healing Arts and Thai Culture. Our Instructors are directly authorized teachers, representitives and traditional lineage holders in several different traditional Buddhist schools:Buddhai Sawan Institute Ayudthaya and Nongkam (famous for martial and healing arts for 900 years!) , Phra Wat Chetuphon (Buddhist Temple, Wat Po Traditional Thai Medical School...One of the oldest schools of traditional arts), Buntautuk Hilltribes Northern Provencial Hospital and Training Institute also known as "The Old Medicine Hospital of Shivago Komarpai. ITM (International Thai Massage, Chiangmai), Mama Lek Chaiya, The Foundation for the Blind, Buddhist Temple Wat Wianglock and the Wangklaikangwon Industrial Community & Educational College program sponsored by HM. King Bhumibol, Anantasuk Thai Massage) as well as several other significant lineages, teachers and Grand Masters. Most importantly the Buddhist medicine associated and derived from the famous Saint Shivago (Jivaka).
The type of Thai medical therapy that most people will be directly exposed to is ráksãa thaang nûat (healing massage treatment). This is what is more commonly known as the Nuat Thai or Nuad Boran styles of Thai Yoga therapy or the spiritual massage, healing work of Thailand. Please note: for clarity although in common english we use the word "massage" we do not mean it in the same context as the typical western usage. In the west "Massage" means something like a "Rub Down" for money and is primarily referring to systems derived from Swedish Massage and Massage Therapy. "Thai Massage" (Phaen Boran Ráksãa Thaang Nûat) is completely unrelated! It is a healing art of the Theraveda Buddhism and Buddhist medicine. It is not required that one become a practicing buddhist to practice this healing art (but it helps!). Although it would be more accurate to call this medicine either by its traditional names or "Ancient or Old Thai Way of Healing with The Hands", the slang form is used and as long as this is so there will be some understandable confusion.
The primary outcomes associated with the practice are clled ProMiiWihan Sii" or Four Divine, Boundless or States of mind without limitation. They are Love, Compassion, Joy and Equinimity. As long as these four qualities are transmitted and exemplified during a session , we say it was good and successful. For this reason it is possible to have a Thai Massage session with little or even no actual touching! The secondary outcomes, of lessor importance share characteristics similar or common to many forms of western massage as well, such as efflurage (stroking and kneading the muscles), Manipulation (manipulating or moving/ aligning osseous or skeletal parts) and pressure point or acupressure style technique (applying deep, consistent pressure to specific nerves, tendons, or ligaments and acupoints or Lom) in order to balance the functions of the four body elements (thâat tháng sìi). It incorporates elements of mindfulness, gentle rocking, deep stretching and rhythmic compression to create a singular healing experience. However, as we said previously the applications of physical pressure are intended primarily to convey the Primary intentions of ProMiiwihan Sii. MUch like a hug can convey care and consideration and love with physical pressure. The only difference is the level of sophistication in exchanging this love with pressure.
The four Ayurvedic Elements are: earth (din-solid parts of the body, including nerves, skeleton, muscles, blood vessels, tendons and ligaments); water (náam-blood and bodily secretions); fire (fai-digestion and metabolism); and air (lom-respiration, and circulation). Borrowing from India's Ayurvedic tradition, some practitioners employ Pali-Sanskrit terms for the four bodily elements: pathavidhatu, apodhatu, tecodhatu and vayodhatu. The book "Lines, Wheels, Points and Specific Remedies covers this theory in detail. Thai Massage is Yoga! Let me say it again with emphasis Thai Massage is not LIKE Yoga, it IS Yoga!
From the Ayudthaya period until early this century, the Thai government's Department of Health included an official massage division (phanâek mãw nûat). Under the influence of international medicine and modern hospital development responsibility for the national propagation/maintenance of Thai massage was eventually transferred to Phra Wat Chetaphon (Wat Pho) in Bangkok, where it remains today. Traditional massage therapy has persisted most in the provinces however and has recently enjoyed a resurgence of popularity throughout the country. The Wat Po system is divided into two completely separate and distinctive categories: A) the tourist massage pavilion and Tourist massage school, (Ronrian Sala Thaang Nuaat) and the School for traditional Medicine for training and certification of Maw Nuad (Massage Doctors). There are huge differences in the term and quality of training. For example a tourist may receive an introductory massage certificate in as little as 10 days, where the full program for Maw Nuad is 12 to 14 semester's or four full years! In the states we have many different levels of recognitions for Certified Thai Massage Practitioners.
In the north of Thailand as it is closer to mainland China, you see more chinese and laotion influenced massage technique. For example a well known Teacher and practitioner in Chiangmai, Mama Lek Chaiya and her family yeach what is called nûat jàp sên (nerve-touch massage), a Chinese-style massage technique that works with the body's nerve meridians much like acupuncture. Some of the plucking techniques are reminicient of Tuina and can be quite unpleasent. However, the ultimate aim of balancing the chi takes presedence over comfort!
Within the traditional Thai medical context, a massage therapist (mãw nûat, literally, 'massage doctor') usually applies Thai massage together with pharmacological (herbal) and/or psycho-spiritual treatments as prescribed for a specific problem or specific imbalance of the Dosha or winds and humors of the body, mind, spirit. It is becoming quite popular for many Thais to also use traditional massage as a tool for relaxation and disease prevention, rather than for a specific medical problem. However, once you leave the big city and move into the country you begin to see more reliance on the application as energy based medicine.
Thai Massage is not the same as "Massage, Massage Therapy", and or
"bodywork" as commonly defined in so called "Massage Laws". The term "Thai
Massage" is western slang, mostly promoted by tourist in Thailand. Although the
use of the term is now common, it still is misunderstood and mis-used by the un
and/or mis-informed. It is easy to be confused as similar words used, such as
"Massage" but legally there are distinctions and differences in definitions...
In law specific words may have different meaning and weights than those same
words commonly associated by ordinary "Non-legal" or in lay speech/ speak. For
example: "Massage and Massage Therapy" definitions are based on the general
practice of what is term "swedish massage". So called "Swedish Massage" is new
(less than 100 years), Western (Europe and America) and defined legally as "the
application of a system of structured touch, pressure, movement and holding to
the soft tissues of the human body with the purpose of positively affecting the
health and well being of the client. The practice includes the external
application of water, heat, cold, lubricants, salt scrubs and other topical
preparations and devices that mimic or enhance the actions of the hands." Thai
Yoga and Massage sounds a bit similar at first glance , however, What is not
mentioned in the preceeding definition is that Thai Massage is a system of
movement education (Yoga). It is based entirely on principles of energy
balancing (Sen, Tri-Dosha, Lom, Chakra etc.) and the actual touching, contact or
soft tissue manipulation is incidental to, and not the central aim of the
practice! As described above: The primary outcomes associated with the practice
are clled ProMiiWihan Sii" or Four Divine, Boundless or States of mind without
limitation. They are Love, Compassion, Joy and Equinimity. As long as these four
qualities are transmitted and exemplified during a session , we say it was good
and successful. For this reason it is possible to have a Thai Massage session
with little or even no actual touching! However, touching is good! Thai Yoga and
Thai Massage incorporates elements of mindfulness, gentle rocking, deep
stretching and rhythmic compression and focus to create a singular healing
experience. This work brings fundamental elements and energy into harmony and
creates wholeness of mind, body and spirit. Thai Yoga and Massage is a Somatic
technique and profession, a modality with standards established in the Buddhist
holistic centers and temples thousands of years in the past. It has an
established code of ethics known as the Buddha Dharma and the "Ten Rules of the
Healer". There is an established educational criteria for education and
professional practice for services which although at time similar on the surface
but which were never intended to be or implied to be "Massage " or "Massage
therapy".
There are actually quite a few different traditional "schools" of Thai Massage.
They rangge from the big university driven or supported programs of Bangkok, to
the "Family" style oral and traditional lineages of the Northern Hill Tribes
people such as of the Karen, Lisu, Lahu and Akha People. There influence is a
growing factor in the modern expression of Thai Massge especially in the North.
The most famous traditional school in the north is The Buntautuk Northern Hill
Tribes Medical Hospital or "The
Old Medicine Hospital" as it is more likely called. Under the auspices of
Grand Master Aajan Sintorn it has become a national and international phenomenom.
Teaching vaious levels of programs to Thai and falang (foreignor) alike. Aajan
SIntorn is also famous for his daily recitation of the Pali
Om Namo Shivago prayer and
invocation for blessing. Every day, twice a day he leads the entire community in
this rhythmic and beautiful traditional mantra for healing. In the north they
say you don't know Thai Massage until you know this mantra!
If this all sounds interesting to you and you would like to experience this on a first hand basis, then consider taking one of our certification courses or joining one of our famous "Thailand Externship Programs". We have been providing quality access to Thailand, Thai Massage and Thai Culture for over 21 years. Our programs feature extensive hands on massage training and internationally recognized certification as well, as great exposure to the country and the people through our Eco-Tour , country survey style approach. Join us for what may become your lifetime adventure! For more information on this incredible opportunity click here!
Anthony B. James LMT, ND, MDAM
President, Director of Education
E-Mail itta@core.com