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2007/10/27

Thai-Yoga Massage - Rising Popularity of an Ancient Therapy

By Nina Schnipper
Now is an exciting time to give or receive relaxing, therapeutic Thai-Yoga massage. It is an especially exciting time for therapists and yogis who practice Thai-Yoga massage, as clients who seek natural health treatments are starting to discover its many benefits.

What is Thai-Yoga massage?

How is it different from other styles of massage, and from yoga? What are some of its health benefits? Why is it becoming popular recently?

Thai-Yoga massage is also known as Thai-Yoga or Thai massage. It is practiced in the Thai, or Siam, culture for well-being and prevention. It produces the therapeutic effects of yoga. However, it feels wonderfully relaxing as it is applied. You, the recipient, passively receive the treatment.

Essentially, Thai massage is like having yoga done to you. You, the recipient, are usually clothed and lying on a padded mat on the floor. Some therapists may perform the treatment on a therapy table. Others may incorporate some of the Thai stretches into their typical Swedish massages.

To alleviate some of the mystique, let's explore the yogic aspects of this therapy. When we practice yoga, we are stretching our body in dynamic ways. These stretches are also called postures, or asanas. We twist and move in many directions, and we stretch many muscles simultaneously. This is called dynamic.

One of yoga's therapeutic benefits is its end result. When we stretch dynamically, our exercise is more likely to enhance our everyday activities. Because everyday activities are dynamic. Healthy living requires us to use many muscles for each activity, and to move in many directions.

So, after we practice yoga, our muscles and joints feel loose. And our everyday activities feel easier.

When these stretches are applied to you, by another person, the benefits are multiplied! When your body is relaxed and passively stretched, your body will often release tension and inhibitions and allow greater stretching to occur.

Similarities and differences.

Thai-Yoga massage is like yoga because stretches are applied to a recipient. Thai-Yoga massage is unlike yoga because it is passively received. Thai-Yoga is like massage because it is a form of bodywork applied with a relaxing and therapeutic method. It is unlike most massage because the recipient is often clothed, and the treatments are often performed on a cushioned mat rather than on a massage table.

Although yoga and massage come in many varieties, they often have some similar benefits. They are both loosen stiff joints and relax tense muscles. They bring peaceful calm. They encourage participants to meditate and discover a deeper awareness about their bodies.

Yoga and massage are available for athletes, and for people severely injured or disabled, and everyone in between!

Claim to fame?

So, why has Thai massage become a hot trend in natural therapies? Yoga, and other ancient forms of Ayurvedic medicine, have become increasingly popular in the U.S.

An aging population has discovered the relaxing therapies of yoga and of massage. So, when a natural therapy combines the best of both therapies, it's bound to be a hit.

How do I get a Thai-Yoga massage therapy?

Some practitioners have massage schooling, while others are trained in yoga. Wellness spas often carry Thai-Yoga massage and other kinds of Ayurvedic medicine. If you do not have a multi-disciplinary wellness spa or office in your area, folks at your local yoga studio can usually find a therapist for you.

Your body will thank you.

Nina Schnipper specializes in pain relief and injury recovery, using fitness training and therapeutic massage including Thai-Yoga massage. She offers Vedic therapies at Higher Spa & Studio in Basalt, Colorado.

Her Thai-Yoga Massage mentor, Micheal Buck (Mukti), of the Vedic Conservatory in Florida, was recently inducted into the Massage Hall of Fame. (Yeehaw! Way to Go! Love & Light to Ya, Mukti!).

Nina is part of the Official Sports Massage team for Higher Spa & Studio, so she works with skiers, synchro-skiers, climbers, and other athletes throughout the Aspen valley and Colorado Rockies. Of course, she also treats people with pain from work, hobbies, and everyday stresses.

For more information about Nina's work, articles on pain relief and injury recovery, plus VIDEO, Go to http://www.HigherSpa.com For ongoing lifestyle support & coaching, Join their online Members' Zone!

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