Please wear comfortable clothes, such as yoga clothes or loungewear* (*Pants/cropped pants are preferred; Shorts are ok if tight-fitting and stretchy. Loose-fitting shorts, however, can be prohibitive of some stretches and are not recommended).
Thai massage is a traditional form of bodywork originating from Thailand and is one of the main pillars of Traditional Thai Medicine (can you imagine a medical system that includes regular bodywork?!). I have been trained in both Traditional and Westernized versions of Thai massage, as well as yoga (which is related), and incorporate all of these experiences with my knowledge of anatomy and massage to provide a deeply restorative mat-based experience.
Why are we working on the mat? Well, often tension resides in our body, physically and energetically, inside of chronic postural patterns. It may have once had a purpose, but often we are carrying around residual tension that is no longer needed. Through incorporating various rhythms, pressures, and passive movements, which can be easier on the floor, we invite the body to gain awareness, renegotiate these patterns, and establish ease. Warm herbal compresses may be used.
60 Minutes - $110 | 75 Minutes - $135 | 90 Minutes - $160 | 120 Minutes - $210
What is Thai Massage?
Thai Massage is a form of bodywork practiced globally that draws inspiration from Traditional Thai Massage in Thailand. It popularized in the west around the same time as yoga, Reiki, and other eastern forms of bodywork.
Typically, a session incorporates compression, passive movements and range of motion techniques, thumb work along energy lines (called sen), gentle rocking, stretches, yoga-like postures, other massage techniques and possibly hot herbal compresses. A slow rhythm may be incorporated to enable the receiver to enter a relaxed or trance-like state. Liniments, cupping and scraping may also be traditionally used (though I typically skip these). Clients are clothed and the session happens on a table or mat on the floor.
A Brief History
Bodywork is considered one of the five branches of Traditional Thai Medicine and is deeply embedded into Thai culture. Some texts indicate that Thai Massage in some form has been practiced as long as Thailand has existed as a country (and possibly longer by the cultures who lived in and around the area). Some families even have their own techniques that were passed down through generations!
Herbal compresses
During cooler months, I may incorporate hot herbal compresses into the treatment based on the client’s goals and needs. These are bundles of herbs that are wrapped in cotton and steamed to release intense heat deep into the client’s muscles and joints, radiating comfort and relaxation through the body and preparing it for massage. The compresses come directly from Thailand and the herbs are specifically selected for bodywork.
Why do I offer Thai massage?
I fell in love with Thai Massage after receiving sessions from a couple local practitioners. The sessions gave me something I couldn’t get with table massages, and I kept coming back. At first, I found the thumbing a little painful, but the more I learned how to relax while receiving bodywork, the more I could feel how effective the work truly was. Thai Massage can be wonderful for general relaxation or whole-body conditioning, and uniquely offers the potential for deeper pelvis and shoulder work because of the more dynamic movements and positioning available (since the client is fully clothed).
They say Thai Massage should feel as good for the practitioner as the receiver, which may just be the magic sauce!
A word on Traditional vs. westernized
Some practitioners dedicate themselves to emulating Traditional Thai Massage as closely as possible, joining Thai teaching lineages and studying in Thailand, and then translating the work for the western world. Other practitioners learn from these practitioners and may incorporate inspiration from yoga or other forms of bodywork. I fall into the later category.