Thai for Teachers!Monmouth Beach Yoga & Wellness!

April 5, 2014

The story of Thai massage begins in ancient India about 2,500 years ago. Dr. Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha was a revered and sought after physician of his time. He became the doctor to the Buddha and created a system of healing grounded in the art of loving kindness. Traditional Thai massage is influenced by Indian Ayurvedic medicine and ancient Buddhist medicine. It evolved in Thailand where stillness and softness are important cultural and spiritual norms. !

Thai word for massage is nuad boran which literally means ‘ancient massage’. At its essence, nuad boran is a balanced blend of physical, energetic, and spiritual healing techniques. It is the skillful combination of applying both broad and targeted acupressure, finding and dissolving blockages, stimulating energy lines (sen), opening and toning the body with yoga-like stretches, and last but not least, allowing and encouraging the receiver to engage in a process of self healing, deep relaxation, and renewal. !

Good body mechanics and correct breathing play extremely important roles in Thai massage. An experienced Thai therapist works only within his immediate reach, and positions his body directly alongside or above the area where he is working. The hara, the core area located slightly below the navel, is where all movement should originate. A therapist’s back should be straight, the shoulders relaxed, the chest open, and in most cases, arms should be straight and locked at the elbows when applying pressure. Masterful Thai therapists utilize correct breathing patterns as they work, they remain observant of their client’s breathing throughout each session, and they adjust their breathing to work most effectively with that of their client. Thai massage is most powerful and effective when it is carried out, for the most part, in silence. The therapist needs to focus his energies, observe and listen to the body, hear the breath, and adapt his techniques to the needs of the individual before him. The receiver should feel at peace, relaxed, spiritually centered, and in a parasympathetic state.!

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Sen Lines

Prayer to Dr. Jivaka

Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma-sammbuddhassa (x3)(prostrate before the blessed one, the perfectly awakened self that lies within)!

om namo shivago silasa a-hang karoniku sapasatanang o-satha tippamantang papaso suriya-juntang gomolapato pakasessi, wantami bantito sumetaso aroka sumana homi (x3)(prostrate before the founder Dr. Jivaka, who reaches us through his saintly life. May the knowledge of nature that extends through this prayer will show us the true medicine that lies in the universe. Through these words we acknowledge your help, and we offer ourselves in an effort to bring wellness and health to others)!

Piyo tewa manusanang, piyo proma namutamo piyo nakha supananag, pininsiayng nama mihang namo puttaya navon navien nassatit nasatien ehi mama navien nawe napai tavien navien mahaku ehi mama piyong mama namo puttaya(the goddess of healing dwells in the heavens high while mankind stays in the world below. In the name of the awakened one, may the heavens be reflected in the earth below so this healing may encircle the world)!

Na-a nawa rokha payati vina-santi (x3)(may the one we touch be happy, joyful, and any illness be released from them)

Dorsi Flex the feet. Heel of palm fits on ball of foot. Fingers lightly hold the toes. Rock body forward and circle from the pelvis. Both directions.!

Supine Flow

Center yourself, ground and offer intention for the person’s well being.!

Connect with their breath.!

Take hold of feet at ankle and traction gently. !

Rock side to side, palming the inside of the foot from heel to ball and back again. Three times. !

Straight arms, straight back.

Plantar flex the feet.

Palm inner leg from above ankle to hip crease and down again.

Scoop under knee and at heel to rotate the leg in hip circles. 3 times outward. Use your whole body, it’s a dance.

Move to the side of their body and sit in diamond stance.!

Say hello to the other leg.!

Then palm the outside of the leg closest to you. Rock side to side with breath.

Switch to butterfly hands to palm up the inside of the thigh.

Gently place them in tree pose and support near hip with a blanket if needed. One hand on knee and one hand on heel, gently palm up the inner line of calf.

Spinal twist. Move with breath - on the exhale gently stretch - think of serving. Heart open, straight arms, straight back.

Scoop under leg and lift gently and rotate inward. Circle three times.

Hold gently under knee and tug leg straight gradually. 3x

Hara connect

Palm/ Elephant rock inner arm. Towards the heart and then away. Avoid the inner elbow.

Gentle traction with hand massage.

Elephant walk up the back of the leg - avoiding the knee.

Prone Sequence

Invite partner to turn over.!

Lift and traction feet gently draw their legs apart.!

Lay down and rock side to side palming the sole of the foot. Avoiding toes and heel.

Bum Rub !

Palms soft, fingers lifted.

Pause for a moment at butt crease and pour weight down on the exhale. Lift on the inhale.

Butterfly hand / Elephant walk up back on either side of the spine. Three times. Moving with the breath, rhythmic side to side, straight arms, straight back.

Press feet to buttocks. Heel of palm fits just beneath their toes. Press on exhale.

If they can go deeper, raise off of your heels and lift with breath - keeping straight arms, straight back and open heart.

Kneel at butt crease. Hold their arms and have them hold you. On the exhale lean back (your butt is on your heels).

Slide fingers along neck and gently traction at the occipital ridge. !

Seal with an offering of intention for their wellness.

Closing Sequence

Traction feet!

Gently press shoulders or scoop and drown down and out. !

Namaste

Thank you so much for joining me. !

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info@jeanettesealy.com !Love & Gratitude,!

Jeanette