This fascinating anthology presents a much wider scope than other books on Thai massage, and uncovers a wealth of previously unavailable information on the historical, spiritual, and cultural connections to this powerful healing art. Topics include ways to refine and maintain a healthy practice, breathwork and body mechanics, self-protection techniques, reading body language, acupressure concepts, and Thai herbal compress therapy. The spiritual and cultural section offers modern translations of ancient texts, Indian and Buddhist influences, magic amulets and sacred tattoos, and accessory modalities such as reusi dat ton (stretching) and tok sen (hammering therapy). Rounding out this thorough text, the final section features essays about actual practice with clients, written by therapists and teachers from around the world. The extensive experience and information provided in this reference book is invaluable to students or practitioners who wish to deepen their personal and professional understanding of traditional Thai healing arts.

An authentic guide to Thai yoga massage, a unique therapy that combines stretching, breath work, assisted yoga postures, and pressure point therapy. • Includes more than 80 illustrations, 30 charts, and a complete series of postures for a two-hour full-body massage. • Author Kam Thye Chow has taught massage in Thailand and throughout Europe and North America. Until recently Thai yoga massage was virtually unknown in the West. It has its roots in both the ancient healing traditions of Ayurveda and Thai Buddhism. In this unique practice, the therapist gives a full-body massage that combines palming and thumbing along the Thai energy lines and pressure points with gentle stretching, movement, and breath work reminiscent of tai chi. Using his or her own hands, feet, arms, and legs, the practitioner gently guides the recipient through a series of yoga postures, creating a harmonious and therapeutic “dance” that leads to greater physical awareness, grace, and spiritual energy. In this comprehensive guide for practitioners, Kam Thye Chow leads readers through every aspect of this dance--from its history and philosophy to a detailed presentation of a complete Thai yoga massage session. This important reference includes more than 80 illustrated postures, 30 charts and drawings, and a complete series of postures for a two-hour full-body massage that focuses attention on both the upper and lower body, which receive equal stress in the Western lifestyle. Information on contraindications, anatomy, and physiology integrates Western medical knowledge and theory with this ancient tradition. Massage therapists, physical therapists, nurses, and other medical professionals will find Thai Yoga Massage an important and innovative complement to their practice.

A form of Thai Yoga Massage that focuses on the three Ayurvedic body types • Explains how to determine a person’s Ayurvedic body type and provides hands-on techniques for working with them • Brings the practices presented in Thai Yoga Massage to a new customized level of therapeutic healing The traditional healing arts of Ayurveda and Thai Yoga Massage have a deep and integrated relationship that provides an unparalleled modality for restoring body, mind, and spirit. Although it originated in India, over the centuries Ayurveda has been assimilated into the predominant Thai culture and has evolved into a distinctive folk medicine. With the growing popularity of Ayurveda and Thai Yoga Massage, there is a renewed interest in reuniting these practices into a powerful therapeutic alliance. Thai Yoga Therapy for Your Body Type bridges the practice of Thai Yoga Massage with its ancient Ayurvedic roots to offer a complete and holistic healing modality. The authors first explain in detail the fundamental principles of Ayurveda and then recommend daily practices for each of the three main body types of vata, pitta, and kapha. Practitioners learn how to customize their work with the appropriate massage approach, recommended yoga asanas, breathing techniques, and diet and lifestyle tips. More than 50 illustrated, full-body Thai Yoga Massage postures are presented as well as a massage flow for each body type. The authors indicate the Ayurvedic benefits of each posture and detail any precautions that should be followed in this dynamic practice of transformative healing.

"Thai Yoga Massage is an ancient healing art, which has been handed down from teacher to pupil since the third century BC. It is a unique and powerful massage therapy, combining acupressure, gentle stretching and applied yoga.With such a clear visual and verbal presentation, this edition provides a thorough grounding to the art form. One, that appeals widely as a tool to aid understanding of Thai Massage, Yoga and Breathwork for healing and spiritual harmony."

Drawing from Thai history, cultural studies, Buddhist religion, and yogic practices, as well as a modern understanding of anatomy and physiology, this guidebook bridges the gap between theory and practice while presenting bodywork as it is understood in Thailand--as a therapeutic medical science. Presenting detailed analysis of each step in a Thai massage routine, the history, spiritual traditions, and ethical codes are offered in an engaging, informal style. Numerous photographs and diagrams illustrate the variety of techniques used, and examples of routines for treating specific disorders are discussed. Updated with new layout, photos, and expanded text, this exhaustive handbook is complete with a section on the main energy meridians and diagrams of acupressure points, making it the perfect tool to accompany anyone studying this popular healing modality.

Expand your Thai yoga massage practice with advanced postures and energy work to treat stress, back pain, headaches, and several other common conditions • Includes step-by-step photographs for more than 50 advanced Thai yoga massage postures • Illustrates in full color the locations of the sen lines and explains their specific therapeutic qualities and connections to ayurveda and the 5 kosha bodies • Details successful treatment plans for 8 common ailments with custom 60-minute Thai yoga massage posture flows as well as ayurvedic and yoga recommendations for continued healing and prevention at home In the unique healing system of Thai yoga massage--based on yoga, ayurveda, and the martial arts--the practitioner uses his or her own hands, feet, arms, and legs to gently guide the recipient through a series of yoga postures while palming and thumbing along the body’s energy pathways and pressure points, known in the Thai tradition as sen lines and in ayurveda as marma points. Providing a way to expand one’s Thai yoga massage practice, this book includes step-by-step photos and guidelines for more than 50 advanced Thai yoga postures as well as successful treatment plans for 8 common ailments: stress, back pain, stiff neck and shoulders, arm and hand exhaustion, headaches, constipation, fibromyalgia, and anxiety/depression. Each treatment plan offers a customized one-hour Thai yoga massage posture flow specific to that ailment along with ayurvedic and yoga recommendations for continued healing and prevention after the massage session. This comprehensive guide also illustrates the exact location of the sen lines and marma points, detailing their therapeutic indications and connections to ayurveda and the five kosha bodies, as well as explaining how to incorporate them into sessions for deeper healing.