Thai Massage - A Parody On Its Curious Double Standard

Much is said for the healthful benefits of receiving Thai massage, the holistic, healing and often life changing energy based bodywork from Thailand. Its benefits lie in the truth that Thai massage addresses the whole person - body, mind and spirit. Its attention is broad, complete, hopeful, honoring and trusting of each person's innate ability to heal and become well. It is on the basis of the concept that a life force energy circulates along energy pathways through the entire body, maintaining health and vitality. It works along these energy pathways to fix imbalances and remove any restrictions that can lead to pain, tension or dis-ease. By facilitating energy to flow freely and unrestricted, tension eases, pain lessens, flexibility increases, blood and lymph circulation improves, elimination of wastes and toxins is enhanced, body-mind energies come right into balance and the person relaxes and experiences a standard sense of well-being. Yes, much is said about the benefits of receiving, but less about the advantages of giving - and Thai massage is beneficial for the giver. Traditional Thai massage, could be the sacred healing bodywork of Thailand, but has influences from other countries, cultures and medical traditions. Its origin is credited to an Indian physician Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha, also called Doctor Shivago Komparaj, who is said to own been the non-public physician and friend to the Buddha over 2500 years ago. It's influences include acupuncture, herbs, and Tui-na massage from China and Ayurvedic massage, yoga asanas (postures) and Buddhism from 市原 タイ古式マッサージ. An important aspect of Thai massage is so it applies the Buddhist teachings of the four divine states of mind - metta (loving kindness ), kuruna (compassion), mudita (sympathetic joy) and upekkha (equanimity). Metta could be the desire to produce others happy and the ability to show loving kindness. Kuruna is having compassion for people who suffer and the desire to help ease their suffering. Mudita is rejoicing in sympathetic joy with those people who have good fortune and never feeling envy. Upekkha is regarding others with equanimity, having a situation of composure arising from a strong awareness and acceptance of the present moment, without preference, prejudice, judgment or criticism. While applying the qualities of metta, kuruna, mudita and upekkha with the desire for the receiver's well-being, the giver creates a moving meditation, mindfully flowing in one position to the next. This benefits the entire health of not only the receiver, but the giver as well. Thai massage can also be beneficial to the giver, as it encourages him or her to be healthy and balanced - physically, emotionally and spiritually. In order to give a successful and quality Thai massage, one must certanly be in good physical and emotional condition with lots of energy. Since Thai massage is this kind of close and intimate kind of bodywork, it is important for the giver to feel as healthy, or healthier, than the receiver. Being in good shape causes it to be easier to focus, tune in to the receiver's needs and create a routine of energy between giver and receiver that benefits both. Thai massage appears more tiring and strenuous than it really is. By using good body mechanics and leverage, rather than forced muscle strength, it's not straining and takes less effort than is apparent. Often, the giver feels invigorated carrying out a session. When done mindfully and with proper technique it could be very relaxing. The giver remains in a meditative state of mind while stretching and strengthening their own body. Throughout the massage, it is essential the giver stay relaxed, mentally scanning his or her body for areas of held tension. By constantly self-correcting, breathing into tight areas and releasing any areas of tension as needed, the giver receives the health giving effects as much as the receiver. In the West, Thai massage is often called Thai Yoga Bodywork, since giving Thai massage is comparable to doing yoga. It shares similar benefits, such as for example increased flexibility and strength and improved circulation. As in doing yoga, giving Thai massage can also be very theraputic for internal organs and glands, along with for all systems of the human body including the muscular, vascular, digestive, endocrine and nervous systems. It improves the givers posture, body alignment and body awareness along with their breathing and ability to stay balanced, centered, present and calm. Done regularly, it helps maintain the giver healthy and young.