Thai massage: what is it?
The Thai massage is part of the traditional oriental massages, based on the energetic circulation inside meridians that run through the whole body.
His teaching is relatively recent compared to other massages based on traditional medicines, and has been relegated for many years to a simple aesthetic massage, since some techniques use particular oils, and for the substantial ignorance about the fundamental principles of traditional medicine on which it is based .
Thai massage is associated with Buddhism and yoga, but some features border on traditional Chinese medicine: the meridians on which they work are very similar, in some cases the same, to TCM, while some positions exert an action similar to the asanas of yoga .
Thai massage, in one of its variants, is in fact often also called " passive yoga ". Also the approach is the same as that applied in shiatsu and ayurvedic massages. The differences are mainly in the type of manipulations applied : pressures, kneading, twisting, stretching and brushing are used. Both hands and elbows and feet are used.
Thai massage is very complex and there are different techniques : learning the principles is simple, just knowing how to choose the school with the right characteristics.
Where to learn Thai massage
Thai massage consists of different techniques. Some schools practice it on the ground, on a futon, others on a cot, there are those who use plenty of oils, and those who avoid them on certain parts of the body. The schools where learning Thai massage should have the following characteristics :
> presence of a complete complementary course in anatomy and physiology : even if it does not concern the medical field, we are always acting on the body of a human being and we should be able to recognize what are the form and functions of that particular segment on which let's get our hands on it;
> self-listening and listening to others, both verbally and empathically: touching a person is a very intimate gesture that requires the ability to be empathetic and respectful;
> courses on traditional and alternative medicines, with particular reference to those that have directly influenced the birth of Thai massage: traditional Ayurvedic medicine, yoga, traditional Chinese medicine, history and evolution of Thai massage;
> more practical Thai massage seminars on various body districts, techniques and protocols, and on complementary tools used, such as oils and herbs;
> course on ethics and professional ethics, to understand the areas of exercise of Thai massage.
Some schools that offer study paths to become a Thai massage professional are:
> Traditional Thai Massage Academy, operates in Milan and Genoa; offers intensive single-theme training courses that provide practical and immediately applicable tools for performing a good traditional Thai massage and a good Thai yoga massage;
> the Shivago Thai Massagge school, in addition to basic one-day courses, offers a broader training course, spread over several years, including both practical and theoretical aspects of Thai massage. It is based in Savona, Genoa and Sabaudia;
> the Samadhi Ssdrl school is based in Florence and Milan and is a yoga and meditation school. Thai massage courses are organized over several months within a school year, or residential intensive courses. The course structure covers both the theoretical part, with history and principles of traditional medicine, and practice.
