What Is Thai Yoga or Thai Massage?
By Dr. Anthony James D.M. (P), N.D., MD(AM), R.A.A.P., D.P.H.C. (h.c.)
What is Thai Yoga? The simple answer is the indigenous, traditional Ayurveda and Yoga Therapy, co-facilitated (hands-on/ Chirothesia) energy-based, healing art derived from Indigenous, Traditional Thai Medicine (I.T.T.M.).
Thai Yoga is a comprehensive, sophisticated healing art derivative of Theraveda Buddhism, Buddhist medicine, Buddhist Psychology, Theraveda Vipassana Bhavana, Classical Indian and Tibetan Ayurveda, Marma Cikitsa ( Applying energy to Lom, Marma or Energy points), and Yoga Vedanta. The classical influences of Indigenous Thai Traditional Medicine are acknowledged by the official Royal Thai Ministry of Health, The Union of Thai Traditional Medicine Society (U.T.T.S.), and the United Nations WHO. See “Legal Status for Thai Traditional Medicine”
It is not required that one become a Buddhist to practice this healing art, though it is helpful to understand Buddhist principles. It is more accurate to call this medicine by its traditional names like “ancient, anachronistic, or Old Thai Way of Healing with The Hands.” Still, the slang form “Thai Massage” is in use, and as long as this is so, there will be some understandable confusion.
Thai Yoga is a complex question. However, the type of traditional Thai Yoga therapy that most people will be exposed to is “ráksãa thaang nûat” (healing massage treatment). This is commonly known as the “Nuat Thai” or “Nuad Boran- Nuad Lanna” styles of Thai Yoga therapy, spiritual massage, and healing work of Thailand.
The primary outcomes of Thai Yoga are “ProMiiWihan Sii” ( Brahmavihara) or four divine, boundless sublime states of mind: Love, Compassion, Joy, and Equanimity. It is considered successful if these four qualities are communicated, transmitted, and exemplified during a session. For this reason, it is possible to have a Thai Yoga session with little or no actual touching!
In addition to the four divine states of mind, we practice and perform Puja– a ritual healing process of prayer, affirmation, and acknowledgment. We acknowledge the sacred space shared by the client and Yogi, we honor and recognize the Bodhisattvas and progenitors of our way and teaching, and we “generate the Boddichitta,” the perfected mental processes of enlightened beings through Mantra recitation of “OmNamoShivago,” the “Metta Sutra” or anything else that invokes and invites the essence and energy of love and healing to move within ourselves and our client.
This prayerful and thoughtful meditation attunes powerful energies and petitions the sacred and symbolic metaphors of deities, ancient guides, and role models that provide the basis for all further communication and expression of “Promiiwihan Sii”.
The secondary outcomes are of lesser importance and may or may not share characteristics common to many forms of Western massages, such as effleurage (stroking and kneading the muscles), manipulation (manipulating or aligning osseous or skeletal parts), and pressure point or acupressure style technique (applying deep, consistent pressure to specific nerves, tendons, or ligaments and acupoints or Lom). To balance the functions of the four Dosha or body elements called “thâat tháng sìi” (Lom, Fai, Din, Naam), Thai Yoga incorporates elements of energetic and Prana assessment, mindfulness, gentle rocking, Asana positional release, deep stretching, focused breathing or Prana Yama, Chakra balancing, “Prana Nadi” or “Thai Sen” line balancing and rhythmic compression to create a singular healing experience.
The Native American Indigenous Church, Inc. (N.A.I.C.), The American College Natural Medicine/ School of Ayurveda, and the Thai Yoga Center represent and support authentic Traditional Thai Medicine (T.T.M.), Thai culture, and healing arts. Our member instructors have directly authorized teachers, representatives, and traditional lineage holders in several different conventional secular and Buddhist schools:
– U.T.T.S. (Union of Thai Traditional Medicine Society)
– Buddhai Sawan Institute Ayudthaya and Nongkam (famous for martial and healing arts for 900 years)
– Phra Wat Chetuphon (Buddhist Temple, Wat Po Traditional Thai Medical School…One of the oldest schools of traditional arts),
– Buntautuk Hilltribes Northern Provincial Hospital and Training Institute, also known as “The Old Medicine Hospital of Shivago Komarpai.”- ITM (International Thai Massage, Chiangmai)
– Mama Lek Chaiya (Lek Chaiya Jap Sen Nuad, Chiangmai)
– The Foundation for the Blind
– Buddhist Temple Wat Sawankholok, School for the Blind
– Wangklaikangwon Industrial Community & Educational College program sponsored by H.M. King Bhumibol, Anantasuk Thai Massage)
There are several other significant lineages, teachers, and Grand Masters. Most important is the Buddhist medicine derived from the famous Saint Shivago (Jivaka). In the United States, traditional lineage and teaching are primarily passed on via the educational programs of the Thai Yoga Center in Brooksville, FL. Additionally, we recognize all schools formally recognized by the Royal Thai Ministries of Health and of Education and The Union of Thai Traditional Medicine Society (U.T.T.S.), listed or not!
There are quite a few different traditional “schools” of Thai Yoga. They range from the big university-driven or supported programs of Bangkok to the “family” style oral and conventional lineages of Thailand’s Northern Hill Tribe people, such as Karen, Lisu, Lahu, Mien, and Akha tribal people. Their influence is a growing factor in the modern expression of I.T.T.M. (Thai Yoga Therapy/ Traditional Thai Massage), especially in the North.
Thai Yoga is a day or geographically unique system. Modern Thai yoga massage synthesizes several different regional variations based on location, region, and, in some cases, the specific influence of a charismatic teacher. Traditionally, there was mention of the “Seven Schools.” Of course, there were not in the past only seven schools! Considering this was the primary medicine of millions of people for over a thousand years, it is logical to assume there were many different schools in operation at one time or another. For example, every temple teaching or practicing these healing arts could have been considered a school, and there were hundreds, if not thousands, of these over the years.
Origins and History of Indigenous Traditional Thai Medicine and Traditional Thai Massage (ITTM/ TTM)
For the History of Ayurveda in Thailand, Click here.
Today, the Wat Po Association of Traditional Doctors, member schools, and Aachans (Ajahns, Acharns) or Master Instructors are bringing this work into the modern world. Famous schools and their head Masters, such as Anantasuk Rongrian under both Phaa Kruu Anantasuk and Aachan Nantipa Anantasuk, work with the King’s Rajaprajanugroh projects to thoroughly document the traditional medicine and preserve its rich heritage.
One of the well-known traditional schools in the North is The Buntautuk Northern Hill Tribe Medical Hospital or “The Old Medicine Hospital.” Under the auspices of the late Grand Master Aajan Sintorn Chaichagun (Transitioned November 2005), it has become a national and international phenomenon. Teaching various levels of programs to Thai and falang (foreigners) alike, Aajan Sintorn was also famous for his daily recitation of the Pali Om Namo Shivago prayer and invocation for blessing. Twice daily, he would lead the entire community in this rhythmic and beautiful traditional mantra for healing. In the North, they say, “You don’t know Thai Massage until you know this mantra!” Aachan Sintorn’s best-known student and Master teacher in the West is Anthony B. James of the SomaVeda® system and style.
Northern Thailand (Lanna Kingdom) is closer to mainland China, so more Chinese and Laotion-influenced massage techniques exist. For example, a well-known teacher and practitioner in Chiangmai, the late Mama Lek Chaiya, and her family taught nûat jàp sên (nerve-touch massage), a Chinese-style massage technique that works with the body’s nerve meridians much like acupuncture. Some plucking techniques are reminiscent of Tuina and can be pretty unpleasant. However, the ultimate aim of balancing the chi takes precedence over comfort!
Thai Yoga Therapy is a sophisticated system of exchanging love with pressure, as a hug can convey care, consideration, and love with physical tension. It’s just that in Thai Yoga that loving embrace is described with great detail and sophistication. It is important to remember that all applications of physical force are intended to give ProMiiwihan Sii to balance and harmonize the “thâat tháng sìi” and Tri_dosha or Three Winds, Humor or energetically based body types.
For a more detailed dive into traditional Thailand’s history and culture, check out the book “Kabri Krabong, The Tiger Sword of Thailand.”
The practice of Thai Yoga is substantially based on principles of classical Ayurveda as described in the Caraka Samhita Sutra, Susrita Samhita Sutra, Gheranda Samhita, Atharvaveda, Pradipika, and Ramayana, without most of the overt references to Hindu deities. Ayurvedic practices emphasized in Thai Yoga include Samkhya (Sanskrit= Satkhya), Creation Cosmology, Rajas, Satvas and Tamas, Dhatus, Doshas, Sen Lines (Prana Nadi), Lom (Wind Gates, Sanskrit= Marma), Pancha Karma, Asana, Prana Yama, and Mantra. The philosophies and principles of these Ayurvedic texts have also been re-interpreted in Theravada Buddhism. Two influential texts in the Theravada system are the Buddha Dharma and the Vipassana Bhavana.
The four Thai Ayurvedic elements are Earth (din-substantial parts of the body, including nerves, skeleton, muscles, blood vessels, tendons, and ligaments); water (náam-blood and bodily secretions); fire (fai-digestion and metabolism); and air (lom-respiration, and circulation). Borrowing from India’s Ayurvedic tradition, some practitioners employ Pali-Sanskrit terms for the four bodily elements: pathavidhatu, apodhatu, tecodhatu, and vayodhatu. The book “Lines, Wheels, Points and Specific Remedies” covers this theory in detail.
Thai Yoga Massage and or “Thai massage” are systems of yoga therapy, and all aspects of Somaveda® Thai Yoga follow Ayurvedic and yogic principles.
From the Ayutthaya period until early this century, the Thai government’s Department of Health included an official massage division (phanâek mãw nûat). Under the influence of international medicine and modern hospital development, the national propagation/maintenance of temple-based Thai Ayurveda was eventually transferred to Phra Wat Chetaphon (Wat Pho) in Bangkok, where it remains today. Traditional Yoga therapy has persisted in most provinces and has recently grown in popularity throughout the country. The Wat Po system is divided into two separate and distinctive categories: the tourist massage pavilion and Tourist massage school (Ronrian Sala Thaang Nuaat) and the School for Traditional Medicine for training and certification of Maw Nuad (Massage Doctors). There are considerable differences in the terms and quality of movement. For example, a tourist may receive an introductory massage certificate in as little as ten days. In contrast, the complete program for Maw Nuad is twelve to fourteen semesters or four whole years. In the United States, we have many different levels of recognition for Certified Thai Yoga/Massage Practitioners.
The Royal Thai Ministry of Health relies on the Union of Thai Traditional Medicine Society (U.T.T.S.) to formulate and maintain standards of practice and competency necessary for the formal licensing of secular, non-religious professional Traditional Thai Medicine providers in the kingdom.
Within the traditional Thai medical context, a Thai Yoga massage therapist (mãw nûat, literally, ‘massage doctor’) usually applies Thai Yoga together with pharmacological (herbal) or psycho-spiritual treatments as prescribed for a specific problem or specific imbalance of the Dosha or winds and humor of the body, mind, and spirit. It is becoming quite popular for many Thais to use traditional Thai Yoga as a relaxation and disease prevention tool rather than for a specific medical problem. However, once you leave the big city and move into the country, you will see more reliance on energy-based medicine. This includes the resurgence and growing popularity of the self-treatment regimes and Yoga practices of “Reusi Dotan” or Reishi Yoga.
The term “Thai Massage” is Western slang, promoted mainly by tourists in Thailand. Although the use of time is now every day, it still is misunderstood and misused by the misinformed. It is easy to be confused when similar words, such as “Massage,” but legally, there are distinctions and differences in definitions. Thai Yoga, Thai Yoga massage, Thai massage, and or Traditional Thai Massage are not the same as “Massage,” “Massage Therapy,” or “bodywork,” as commonly defined in so-called “Massage Laws.”
Please note: In standard English, when we use the word “massage,” we do not mean it in the same context as the typical Western usage. In the West, “Massage” means something like a “rub down” for money and primarily refers to Swedish Massage and Massage Therapy systems. “Thai Yoga and or Thai Massage” (Phaen Boran Ráksãa Thaang Nûat) is entirely unrelated!
Legally, words can have different meanings than words used in common, non-legal language. For example, “Massage and Massage Therapy” definitions are based on the practice of “Swedish massage.” “Swedish Massage” is new (less than one hundred years) in European and American culture. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, “The term “massage therapy” encompasses many different techniques (see box for examples). Therapists generally press, rub, and otherwise manipulate the body’s muscles and other soft tissues. They often use their hands and fingers but may use their forearms, elbows, or feet”.
Compare this definition with the definition given for Thai Yoga at the beginning of this article: “Thai Yoga is comprehensive, sophisticated healing arts derivative of Theraveda Buddhism, Buddhist medicine, Buddhist Psychology, Theraveda Vipassana Bhavana, Classical Indian and Tibetan Ayurveda and Yoga Vedanta. ”
At first glance, Thai Yoga sounds similar to Western-style massage, but what is not mentioned in the proceeding definition is that Thai yoga massage is a spiritually based system of healing and movement education (Yoga). It is based entirely on principles of energy balancing (Sen, Tri-Dosha, Lom, Chakra, etc.). The actual touching, contact, or soft tissue manipulation is incidental, not the practice’s central aim! Again, I want to emphasize this statement: “It is possible to have a Thai Yoga session with little or no actual touching.” However, touching is good! This work brings fundamental elements and energy into harmony, creating wholeness of mind, body, and spirit.
Traditional Thai Yoga is a spiritually based Somatic technique and profession, a modality with standards established in the Buddhist holistic centers and temples thousands of years ago. It has a documented code of ethics known as the Buddha Dharma, The Eight Fold Path, Ahimsa (non-violence), and the “Ten Rules of the Healer.” There is an established criterion for education and professional practice for services that were never intended to be “Massage” or “Massage therapy.”
Where Can I Learn Thai Yoga and Traditional Thai Massage?
1) N.A.I.C. provides a registry of approved schools and Thai Yoga and Thai Massage teachers. Thai Yoga and Thai Massage Directory
N.A.I.C. Authorized Members are legally entitled to practice Thai yoga massage in all fifty states without requiring special licensing. Of course, that means as long as what is practiced does not violate existing medical laws or that the practice is under the umbrella of an expressive private membership association or recognized church or ecclesiastical authority or organization. We are happy to answer any questions about the legal practice of our energetic and spiritually-based art of healing and transformation.
2) The American College of Natural Medicine and The Thai Yoga Center: A.C.N.M. and the Thai Yoga Center offer courses from 164 hours to over 5000 hours with sponsored classes in the U.S., Thailand, India, West Indies, and Ecuador currently. In the U.S., the traditional lineages of Thai Yoga and Thai Massage are passed on through the Mastery and teaching of Ajahn Dr. Anthony B. James D.M. (P), N.D., MD(AM). After 39-plus years of extensive devotion, practice, and research, Ajahn James brings several different and complimentary traditional lineages to life. Dr. James is a Pastoral Clergy and Member of S.M.O.K.H. as a Tribal member of N.A.I.C. (Native American Indigenous Church, Inc. Tribal Organization)
3) Read More! The critically acclaimed textbook “Ayurveda of Thailand” has well-researched and authoritative history, theory, philosophy, and practical techniques clearly described and demonstrated.
4) To learn more about the Thai Yoga Center and SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Click Here!
SomaVeda® Thai Yoga is the core modality of our certificate and degree programs. Other elements include but are not limited to Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Native American, and Western Nature Cures or Naturopathy.
If this all sounds interesting to you and you would like to experience SomaVeda® Thai Yoga on a first-hand basis, then consider taking one of our certification courses or joining one of our famous Thailand Externship Programs. We have provided quality access to Thailand, Thai yoga massage, and Thai Culture for over 39 years. Our programs feature extensive hands-on massage training, internationally recognized certification, and great exposure to the country and the people through our Eco-Tour, a country survey-style approach. Join us for the adventure of a lifetime!
For more information on this author’s educational materials, see the Yoga Therapy bookstore at BeardedMedia.Com. If you think your friends would benefit from this information, please have them subscribe to our newsletter!
For additional Articles on SomaVeda® Thai Yoga and Traditional Thai Massage, Click Here!
See below for a free lesson on Puja by Ajahn James.
If this all sounds interesting to you and you would like to experience this first-hand, consider taking one of our certification courses or joining one of our famous “Thailand Externship Programs.” For more information on this incredible opportunity, click here! We have provided quality access to Thailand, Thai Yoga, and or Thai Massage and Thai Culture for over 30 years. Our programs feature extensive hands-on massage training, internationally recognized certification, and significant exposure to the country and the people through our Eco-Tour, a country survey-style approach. Join us for what may become your lifetime adventure!
For additional Articles on Thai Yoga and Traditional Thai Massage, Click Here!
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That is very thorough article on Thai yoga. There are not much awareness in the west and even in other asian countries on the topic. This is an enlightening subject. It will definitely help general readers as well as yoga teachers across the globe.