THE PARLOURS OF ORIENTAL RELAXATION

Thai massage

The roots of Thai massage lie in Buddism. When Buddism spread from India to other parts of Asia, the monks brought their medical practices with them to Thailand as an integral part of the religious system.

Massage is a method of treating ilnesses that has been used successfully for a very long time, in fact, for more than two thousand years. With the change in social conditions, some new methods became institutionalised and massage, as a form of illness treatment, has completely disappeared from many societies. However, in Thailand, the practice of massage for treating physical ailiments is still alive.

Today the neglect of Thai massage is forgotten. Thai massage is widely used to treat conditions as well as to prevent illness and maintain general health. It is taught throughout Thailand by individual masters and schools, the best known of which, especially for Westerners, are those at Wat Pho monastery in Bangkok.

The commencement of the massage session is marked by the prayer (mantra) which is performed by both masseure and the client in order to achieve spiritual harmony between the two.

The text of the prayer is as follows

"We invite the spirit of our Founder, the Father Doctor Shivago, who comes to us through his saintly life. Please bring us the knowledge of all nature, that this prayer will show us the true medicine of the Universe. In the name of this mantra, we request your help and pray that through our bodies you will bring wholeness and health to the body of our client. The Goddess of healing dwells in the heavens high, while mankind stays in the world below. In the name of the Founder, may the heavens be reflected in the earth below so that this healing medicine may encircle the world".

The term "Thai massage" in the context of Western practice can be misleading, as we usually associate "massage" with a type of tissue manipulation, applied directly to the skin with receiver lying on a raised bed. Thai massage does include soft-tissue manipulation, but is performed on a mat on the floor with the client wearing loose comfortable clothing made of natural fibre. Working on a mat on the floor allows and supports the freedom of movement required for this wonderful style of massage. The masseuere's own bodyweight, rather  than muscular force, is used in the application of pressure to deliver compressions.

Stretches and breathing, rocking, relaxing, stretching and working with gravity are equally integral aspects of good treatment. Most importantly, the practitioner's attitude and approach - working from a place of open heart and compassion - is as essintial as good technique.

The quality of treatment comes from the carefully tuned "listening" skills and experienced quality of touch from the masseure together with good technique and practice. A traditional Thai masseure needs to trust his or her intuition, rather than the structural diagnosis used in other disciplines, which can often get in the way as the body reacts and changes to every touch.

The benefits of Thai massage are numerous, but its uniqueness is the ability to incorporate rather than limit. Its wholesome, rounded flowing style welcomes all to participate. Not just the client, but masseure as well comes out feeling more open, stretched, refreshed and "in balance". Thai massage achieves this through the application of rhythmic compression to energy lines and points, in synergy with deep stretching movements, gentle rocking and a receptive awareness between masseure and client to co-create a unique healing experience in the balancing of energies. It is very much like a form of meditation for the masseure as both he or she and the client move into a space of gentle trust and receptivity, with the client being aware of taking part but almost in a trance-like state.

These are the recommendations for the client:

1. If you feel uncomfortable about receiving the treatment (for whatever reason) ask masseure to stop and wait until you feel more positive;
2. Remember that duration od the treatment is of your choice but 2 hours session is ideal, as it allows for a full body treatment and enables both of you and masseure to move into a special space of relaxation and meditation;
3. Take some minutes of rest before getting up after the treatment. Most people may feel a little "spaced out" but in a very nice way! Some people release emotions and feelings that they never addressed before as a result of treatment. A drink of water (tea) and a little time to get back to "normal" are helpful.

The company "7 colours" invites you to try traditional Thai massage here in Moscow. This is rare opportunity, really exotic and exclusive and should not be missed.

We hope that meeting the Thai ancient culture without actually leaving Russia could be a remarcable experience which may enrich you both physically and spiritually.

Post scriptum. The Embassy of Thailand in Moscow have officially expressed their gratitude to the company "7 colours" for introduction and dissemination of Thai traditional massage in Russia.