What is thai bodywork?

From the hills of northern Thailand to the concrete jungle of NYC

Thai Bodywork is growing in popularity all around the world, simply because it’s practice is so holistic: it goes beyond the mechanics of a “massage treatment.” One feels completely cared for during a session in a way that allows the body and mind to surrender and relax completely in the skilled hands of a practitioner. One exits the session in a completely different state to how they arrived. Sometimes, the experience may even feel transcendental.

Traditional Thai massage has been practiced in Asia for over 2,000 years. The first record of this style of healing was by the Ayurvedic doctor to the King of Thailand, Shivago Komarpaj, whose body maps were recorded on stone tablets, some of which survived and are still referenced today. The sequences follow what are known as Sen lines, the Thai energetic system, and many of the stretches often resemble yoga postures.

During the practice, the practitioner enters a meditative state with a focus on metta, the Buddhist principle of loving-kindness. This energy is brought into the space, creating a profoundly powerful container for relaxation and embodiment.

Restorative Thai Bodywork includes assisted yoga style stretching, rhythmic pressure, gentle rocking and focus on specific trigger points (acupressure points) to gently release tension, limber up the body and ease the mind. The RTB style focuses on the restorative effect of this practice rather than intensity of pressure. I believe that by being fully present in our bodies we can bring our mind-body connection back into alignment and feel more embodied than ever.