Back in 2019 whilst travelling in Malaysia and Thailand to teach some acro workshops, I spent 2 weeks in Chiang Mai studying Thai Yoga Massage (which I believe is THE BEST type of massage!).
For those of you unfamiliar with Thai yoga massage, it is a type of massage that is different to the other typical Thai massage style that is strong and aggressive.
Instead Thai Yoga works with the body, it's more gentle, gradual and the techniques go deeper into the body.
It's sometimes described as yoga for lazy people. Because you get stretched and moved in ways that will open up your joints and fascial lines while you just lie there.
As you can probably tell I am a huge fan of Thai yoga massage.
I personally love to receive and give this style of massage for so many reasons.
But first I want to tell you how I found this type of massage.
Which was due to the acroyoga community.
Many of the more experienced acro teachers and practitioners know some Thai yoga massage as it is part of the lunar acro practice.
So acro was my first exposure to this amazing practice.
You may have experienced it too, if anyone has ever given you some 'leg love' after you've based them.
I developed an interest in it because of how amazing it always felt to receive, and how much it would help and benefit my body.
It's really good at relaxing and bringing the body into the parasympathetic nervous system (relaxed/sleep state).
The same way a gentle oil massage does.
However most oil massages like traditional swedish style, are great at relaxing and easing muscular tension, but they don't go deep into the body.
They don't help release tension in the joints and fascia.
On the other hand deep tissue and shiatsu style massages are great for going in to the deeper tissue layers and help with releasing tight joints etc.
But they are often painful and can be difficult to relax while receiving.
This is why I think Thai Yoga massage is the best of both worlds.
It is super relaxing and painless, and yet it works on a really deep level into the tissues and joints to help release tension and relax the body.
The other reason is that its is one of the best massages to give.
When you learn the proper techniques and way of giving thai yoga massage it is a very meditative relaxing and easy practice to give.
It should feel mostly effortless as you use leverage, bodyweight and different parts of your body to apply pressure to the receiver.
Due to my interest I eventually decided to go do a training in Thailand and it was super rewarding, enjoyable and fulfilling to learn this special practice.
Nowadays it is something I use on a regular basis and even teach occasionally too.
I could talk more and more about massage and tell you more stories, but really I just think you should go and try it out or yourself.
In your acro community find someone who knows some (I reckon in most communities there is at least one person) and see if they will give you a little bit, or book a full session with them!
The other amazing thing is you can build this into your training partnerships and group practices too by trading massages or doing bodywork parties (more on that in another email).
I will finish by saying if you do get serious about learning more about thai yoga massage reach out to those you know who teach it to find out how to learn more.
Or drop me a message I can share information about teachers and schools that I know and trained with.
Lastly I want to give a special mention and thank you to Astri and Sheryl.
Two of the best Thai yoga massagers here in Bali.
I've learnt plenty from them both and received many of their incredible massages too!
Cheers,
Cas
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