What Is Thai Yoga Massage? A Quick Guide

Thai Yoga Massage is sometimes described as "lazy yoga” and it’s not a bad description at all.

You lie down, close your eyes, and let someone else do the stretching. But there is much more to it!

Traditional Thai massage (Nuad Thai) is a form of bodywork that combines rhythmic pressure, compressions, assisted movement and stretching. It is traditionally performed on a mat on the floor, with the recipient fully clothed. If you visit buddhist temples in Thailand, you will probably still see people being massaged or can get a massage yourself.

It is part of Thailand's traditional healthcare culture and was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2019.

I use Thai Yoga Massage as a way to work with the whole body - not only muscles and joints, but also your overall sense of movement, grounding and connection with yourself.

What happens during a Thai Yoga Massage?

Unlike a classic oil massage on a table, Thai Yoga Massage is usually performed on a mat on the floor.

You wear loose and comfortable clothes that allow you to move freely.

I use my hands, forearms, elbows, knees and feet to apply pressure and guide your body through different movements.

You don't have to do the work. I move your body for you.

But you are not completely passive either. Your body is constantly giving us information: where movement feels easy, where there is resistance, where you tense up, where you relax, and where something feels different.

Is Thai Yoga Massage the same as traditional Thai massage?

"Thai Yoga Massage" became a more common international name because many of the movements resemble assisted yoga postures and are different from the oil-based massages you might receive in spas. 

Contemporary Thai Yoga Massage schools combine the tradition with modern knowledge of anatomy and osteopathy and stay close to the traditional experience:

• performed on a mat

• fully clothed

• no oil on the body

• pressure and compression

• assisted stretching and movement

• a rhythmic, meditative quality

Is every Thai Yoga Massage session the same?

No, and I don't want it to be.

There are traditional sequences and techniques, but your body is not a textbook.

We start with a conversation about how you are feeling, what brings you to the session and what you would like to receive.

Then we see what happens once we start working.

Maybe your hips move easily but your shoulders are very tense.

One side might move differently from the other.

Maybe you need more grounding and less stimulation.

We adapt.

You don't have to arrive knowing exactly what you need. We can discover that together.

What can Thai Yoga Massage support?

People often come to Thai Yoga Massage because they feel stiff, tense or physically restricted.

The combination of pressure, movement and assisted stretching supports:

• greater awareness of your body

• a feeling of more spaciousness and freedom of movement

• better circulation

• flexibility and joint mobility

• release of muscular tension

• relaxation after prolonged physical or mental stress

• a stronger sense of grounding

You may leave feeling like your body has more room to move.

Thai Yoga Massage and your nervous system

Your nervous system is constantly responding to what is happening around and inside you.

When you have been under stress for a long time, your body may stay tense even when there is no immediate reason to be on alert.

You might notice that you hold your shoulders up, clench your jaw or hold your breath.

You may feel like you are always "on."

Thai Yoga Massage offers a different kind of experience: rhythmic movement, sustained pressure, stretching, breathing and moments of stillness.

For some people, this can feel very calming.

The combination of predictable movement, attentive touch and time away from everyday stimulation may help you shift into a more relaxed state and become more aware of what is happening in your body.

This is one reason I don't see Thai Yoga Massage as simply stretching your muscles.

We are also giving your nervous system an opportunity to experience slowing down.

This is also where my work with Somatic Experiencing influences how I practice.

I pay attention not only to how your muscles and joints move, but also to your breathing, tension, comfort and overall response to the work.

We don't force your body to relax - it actually responds better when we give it enough time and safety.

Do you need to be flexible?

Absolutely not.

You don't need to be a yogi or an athlete and you don't even need to touch your toes.

Thai Yoga Massage is adapted to the person receiving it, from babies to seniors.

The stretches should meet your body where it is, rather than requiring your body to meet the stretch. If your body has limitations, we can use pillows or blankets to adjust.

Who might enjoy Thai Yoga Massage?

Thai Yoga Massage might be a good fit if you:

• spend a lot of time sitting or working at a computer

• feel stiff or physically tense

• enjoy stretching and movement

• want to work with your whole body rather than one particular muscle group

• feel physically and mentally "stuck"

• find it difficult to slow down

• want a massage without oil

• enjoy a more active form of bodywork

• want to feel more grounded and connected to your body

You don't need to have a particular physical problem to come for a session.

You may just want two hours where someone else takes care of the movement for a change.

Who might want to skip Thai Yoga Massage for now?

There are come counter indications to receiving massage:

• you are in first trimester of pregnancy

• you have recently suffered an injury or undergone a surgery and are still recovering

If you suffer from a medical condition (for example heart problems) or are undergoing a medical treatment, consult your doctor before booking a massage.

We want you to feel better, not worse after the massage and your safety is the most important.

Is it painful?

There can be moments of intensity.

Some stretches may feel challenging. Some pressure may feel deep.

But deep does not have to mean painful.

I pay attention to your body and adjust the pressure, movement and intensity accordingly.

You can always tell me if something doesn't feel right.

What can you expect after a session?

Everyone responds differently.

You might notice that your body feels lighter or more spacious.

You might feel pleasantly tired or you might feel energized.

You might notice that you are breathing more deeply or that your mind has become quieter.

You may also become aware of areas of your body that you had not noticed before.

The aim isn't to make you feel a specific way but to create the conditions for you to slow down, receive, move and reconnect with your body.

And if you're not sure what massage to choose?

That's completely fine.

You can read my guide to which type of massage might be right for you, or we can simply talk on the phone :)

And if you are convinced to try, click here to book your massage.