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.

Thai Massage, Sacred Bodywork is a complete guide to an ancient practice that benefits body, mind, and spirit. Interest in Thai massage has been growing rapidly. This is no surprise given its unique multifaceted approach to the body. Thai massage combines acupressure, stretching, reflexology, assisted yoga postures, herbal compresses, prayer and meditation. It benefits everyone. Sometimes called the "lazy person's yoga", Thai massage stretches and relaxes the muscles, increases the joints' range of motion, and balances energy flow throughout the body. Thai Massage, Sacred Bodywork provides fully illustrated, step-by-step instructions which enable the reader to use this integrative and interactive therapy with a partner at home or with a client. The book explains the historical and philosophical background of Thai massage as well as its religious origins. Throughout the book, Ananda always reminds us of the deeper meaning of this sacred modality—compassion in action. A must for all those interested in the healing arts.

Buddhism and Thai Massage Prayer for The Buddha and Dr. Shivaga Komarapaj Traditional Thai Massage and Learning in Thai Society Traditional Thai Massage and UNESCO Traditional Thai Massage Styles Traditional Thai Massage: Six key features Brahma Vihara Sen Sip Theory Grouped lines on the Client's Body Points on the Face and Middle Line of the Skull Symbols and Instructions Used in Illustrations Technique of Using Thumbs Technique of Using Palms Technique of Using Thumbs and Fingertips Technique of Using Fingertips Technique of Using Forearms Technique of Using Elbows Technique of Using Knees Pillows in Thai Massage Loose Pants in Thai Massage How to Count: Thai Numbers Sitting Positions Upper Body Weight Movement Techniques Peut Bpra Dtuu Lom Techniques Teep Techniques Khaph and Goy Technique Cheak Technique Face-Up Face-Up: Khao Glaang (Majority of the session between receiver's legs) Face-Up: Khao Khaang (Majority of the session beside receiver) Face-Up: Arm/Hand Face-Down Side-Lying Facial Massage Face-Up Transitioning to Sitting Up Sitting Up Stretching While Sitting Up Ending the session Summary: Sixty Things to Know about Thai Massage My bio (while I was young in Thailand)

A complete guide to the ancient technique of Ruesri Dat Ton, also known as Thai yoga • Presents 60 step-by-step, illustrated exercises for self-healing and balanced well-being • Reveals the practice and evolution of Thai yoga, said to have originated with Buddha’s physician, Jivaka Kumarabhaccha • Explains how the postures allow individuals to rebalance the flow of energy in the body Traditional Thai yoga--or Ruesri Dat Ton--is an individual yoga practice rooted in the ancient Ayurvedic tradition. It is comprised of exercises that--like the partnered practice of traditional Thai massage--originated with Buddha’s own physician, Jivaka Kumarabhaccha. Enrico Corsi and Elena Fanfani present, for the first time in English, 60 of these postures fully illustrated with step-by-step instructions designed to stimulate self-healing by rebalancing the flow of energy in the body. Each of the postures works within the sen energy system that underlies Thai medicine. Fundamental to the practice is retention of the breath once the body has assumed the desired posture. The practitioner concentrates the breath on the place where the body is storing tension or dysfunction. When the breath is exhaled the body also expels the negative energy, allowing restorative energy to take its place. The simple yet highly effective postures in Traditional Thai Yoga address many common ailments--including physical ailments of the back, knees, shoulders, hips, arms, feet, and neck and more generalized ailments such as nausea and shortness of breath--as well as offering exercises that promote weight loss, longevity, and overall balanced well-being.

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 full-color, illustrated guide to Chinese tui na massage techniques for whole-body health • Demonstrates each of the 15 unique Tui Na techniques with rich full-color photos and step-by-step instructions • Explains how to use qi-points to treat conditions in close proximity to the points as well as enact healing in tender or injured regions through the use of distant points • Details how to use Tui Na in all ages to release stress, re-energize the body, invigorate the mind, and relieve pain, sciatica, headache, sports injuries, and other common ailments Tui Na, which means “grasp and push,” is a Chinese system of therapy that uses massage and bodywork manipulation to relieve pain, release tension, and treat common ailments. Often practiced in conjunction with acupuncture and Chinese herbalism, Tui Na is also used as a treatment to address specific patterns of disharmony and stimulate the overall flow of qi, or vital energy, throughout the body. The leading authority on Tui Na in the West, with years of study in China, Indonesia, and Thailand, Maria Mercati combines the individual techniques of Tui Na into an easy-to-use method for whole-body health. Providing rich full-color photos with step-by-step instructions, she demonstrates each of the 15 unique Tui Na techniques, showing clearly where to place your hands as well as offering clear diagrams of the meridian energy channels and more than 100 powerful qi-points, where qi energy can be directly affected to restore balance and harmony. She explains how to use the qi-points to treat conditions in close proximity as well as enact healing in tender or injured regions through the use of distant yet connected qi-points. The author details how to use Tui Na treatments to relieve neck, shoulder, and back pain, sciatica, headache, and many other common ailments, treat sports injuries, and improve athletic performance. She also shows how it can release stress, re-energize the body, and invigorate the mind, as well as provide healing massage for adolescents, the elderly, and babies. Offering a healing method that requires no special equipment and is simple enough to do at home or in a chair at work, this fully illustrated guide provides a hands-on program to help yourself and others find whole-body health.

"Seven Peppercorns" covers the vast scope of traditional Thai medicine practices including: Thai element theory, physical therapies, medical Buddhism, herbal medicine for massage, divinatory practices, and spirit medicine; all held within the context of a Thai bodyworker’s instructional manual. This is not another step-by-step Thai massage photographic sequence book, but rather an in-depth training in the theory behind the steps, with instruction in a wide range of esoteric Thai physical therapies designed to bring practical understanding of Thai bodywork as it is practiced by traditional doctors in Thailand. "Seven Peppercorns" is divided into twelve main segments; each segment containing several chapters. The organizational flow takes the reader from introduction, overview and history, through an understanding of Thai anatomy, including element, point, and sen line theory, to instruction in Thai diagnosis, actual physical manipulations and practical application of the shamanistic and Buddhist components of traditional Thai medicine as it applies to bodywork; all in an easy-to-follow well organized format. Included in this guide are Thai self care practices and exercises as well as treatment guidelines for specific disorders. "Seven Peppercorns" serves as both an instruction manual and a reference book fully annotated with appendixes, notes, glossary, bibliography and index. The straightforward academic informational writing is gentled with moments of conversational author-to-reader comments (often humorous), and peppered with short personal narrative stories that bring the reader into the sensory tapestry of Thailand. It is intended as a stand alone manual, or as a text book for Thai massage instructors to use in classes.