Thai Massage Manual

Thai Massage is the touch that enhances health, happiness, and wholeness--and with more than 150 expertly demonstrated sequences unfolding on these pages, everyone can enjoy its benefits. Sometimes called "yoga in action," Thai massage has worked its relaxing wonders for more than 1,000 years. Explore its secrets with a detailed program that includes ten complete lessons, each concentrating on a particular part of the body. Like other forms of massage, it employs a flowing sequence of stretches, but instead of using only your fingers, pressure is applied with the thumbs, palms, elbows, knees, and feet. Full-color photographs of every move match still shots with superimposed artwork that indicate the direction of the movements. Each technique is clearly explained and its benefits--from improved flexibility to increased vitality--detailed. "All of the techniques are shown in sharp color photographs that are pleasing to the eye. Descriptions of the techniques are clear."--Massage Therapy Journal.

Despite many books and courses teaching Thai Massage techniques, therapeutic application remains a confusing and inaccessible area. This high-level visual manual seeks to elucidate this challenge for students and professionals in Thai Massage. The reader will learn how to apply techniques and for whom, in the correct conditions, sequence, and pace. This comprehensive book incorporates neuromuscular treatments for an array of conditions whilst guiding students on how to develop fluidity in transition from technique to technique. Relying on visual prompts such as photographs, muscle charts, and anatomical images, this is an invaluably practical resource for bodywork students and teachers.

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.

This practical and highly illustrated introduction to the principles and techniques of Thai massage discusses the theories of Thai medicine and its Chinese and Ayurvedic influences. It offers clear and easy-to-follow descriptions for all Thai massage techniques accompanied by full color photographs and drawings, with arrows to indicate direction of movement. Basic explanations describe how massage therapists can use elements of these techniques and apply them immediately in their own practice. Gives clear and easy-to-follow descriptions for each technique. Techniques can be used alone, in conjunction with other forms of massage, or to facilitate Yoga and other meditation practices. Clinically valuable and practical explanations of how to use elements of the procedures make it easy for therapists to enrich their practice with these techniques -- whether applying all of the methods, or starting with stretches alone. Features an icon throughout the text that calls attention to precautions therapists must be aware of for safe and effective sessions. Includes a 45-minute DVD presenting video of techniques and routines in real time, to demonstrate proper pacing. Photographs, drawings, and illustrations of techniques are now in full color, for greater clarity of concepts. More historical background provides a deeper understanding of this ancient medical art. An accompanying DVD offers a 45-minute video of a Thai massage session in real time - demonstrating procedures with proper pacing. The visual approach along with its step-by-step narration helps viewers understand how the concepts discussed in the book translate to actual practice. The book also includes DVD icons that indicate which techniques are demonstrated on the DVD. Increased coverage of body mechanics helps readers understand the difference between correct and incorrect technique. Legends below the photographs provide specific information on the muscles being pressed or stretched with each technique to help therapists understand how this art of Asian healing corresponds to Western anatomy. A new Muscle Atlas appendix helps to further identify muscles mentioned in these legends. A new chapter, Correlations to Yoga, outlines the correlations between specific Thai massage procedures and yoga postures to help therapists incorporate Yoga into their practices. A new chapter, Suggested Sequences, provides guidelines for 60-, 90-, and 120-minute sessions - taking the guesswork out of planning Thai massage sessions.

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.

Both professional practitioners and casual massage enthusiasts will learn to raise their practice to an art with this step-by-step guide to foot massage as traditionally taught in Thailand. The practical sections of the book clearly cover the different parts of the massage process, and color photos and graphics provide clear explanations to help learners utilize the techniques with confidence. The book also covers the history and theory behind Thai foot massage, including discussions about the reflex points on the feet and the concept of Sen (energy) lines that flow throughout the body, to help explain how this ancient healing art works. Though Thai foot massage is not a curative in itself, the featured techniques can promote general health and well-being.