In Thai Massage (Nuad Boran) the practitioner places the recipient in yoga postures while massaging along the body's energy ("Sen") lines and pressure points. This full body treatment relieves muscular tension, improves circulation, and promotes relaxation. This meditative practice is the physical application of "metta" (loving kindness
The Ayurvedic Link
The word ayurveda derives from two Sanskrit words: ayur, meaning "life" and veda, meaning "knowledge" - the science of living.
According to Ayurveda, individuals are composed of any or a combination of the three doshas (body types): vata (airðer), pitta (fire&water) and/or kapha (earth&water).
Yoga postures affect our energy in different ways: they can have a grounding effect, or enhance circulation, they can help focus and center our energy, or raise it up.
Every time a person is brought into a yoga posture one or all of the doshas is activated. A recipient's energy can be balanced by applying postures of the opposite nature, in order to strengthen the weaker dosha(s). For example, for a fast-paced, nervous vata type the practitioner would apply soothing postures at a slow pace, while an invigorating and dynamic massage will help a slow-moving kapha to beat that sluggish feeling
History
The founding father of Thai Massage, Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha, was a celebrated yogi and a doctor in the healing tradition of Ayurveda who treated, among others, the Buddha.
Traditional Thai massage developed over millennia within the environment of Buddhist temples. It flourished as a way for spiritual people to share the benefits of meditation and compassion in a physical form. It is a respected form of healing practiced today in hospitals and temples throughout Thailand.