Thai Massage and Yoga

The practice of Thai massage shares many features with the practice of Yoga. TaoMountain teachers teach Thai massage as it is taught in Thailand, and lets this tradition stand without mixing in other traditions. However, because of this close historical relationship and similarity in modern practice, an understanding of yoga is usually very beneficial to the Thai massage practitioner. An understanding of alignment principles is also important in avoiding injury while practicing Thai massage. Please click here for more information about safety.

To see the similarities between Thai massage and Yoga, Look at the postures below side by side... No wonder some Thais have called this "Yoga for Lazy People!"

The Yogic Roots of Ancient Thai Medicine

Parts of Thai medicine, like many facets of Thai culture, originate in the Indian subcontinent. This is a rough timeline of the transmission of medical knowledge to Thailand....

1. The historical Buddha, Siddhatta Gotama (Sanskrit: Siddhartha Gautama), died c. 486 BC in Northern India near the border of Nepal. The "Father Doctor" Shivagakomarpaj is said in the scriptures to have been attendant physician to the Buddha and his order of monks.

2. Around 200 BC according to legend, the Buddhist King Asoka (pronounced uh-SHOK-a), sent emissaries to Southeast Asia to spread Buddhism. This is the traditional date given for introduction of Buddhism in Thailand, and is presumed to be the date that Indian medicine entered as well, since in India medicine was practiced primarily in the monasteries. (Theravada Buddhism is not the same as the Mahayana tradition practiced in Tibet, China and Japan, which traveled North from India much later, around 200 AD.)

3. Thailand is a colorful blend of these foreign influences, but through it all has retained its cultural identity and unique traditions. Later Chinese influence arrived in Thailand during the Tang dynasty beginning around 700 AD. This brought both Mahayana Buddhism and Chinese Medicine, both of which are minor influences on Thai healing and spirituality, but which must be mentioned.) Western influence arrives in the 16th century via Dutch and Portuguese travelers initially, then British (during the 19th century... remember Anna and the King?), French (during the 20th century... remember the Vietnam war?), and finally American (today... have you ever heard of Coca-Cola and Brittney Spears? The Thais sure have!)

4. Thai massage originated in the yogic medicine of India but was made Thai through centuries of practice, and is now a priceless cultural heritage of the Thai people. Thai medicine is related historically to Indian Ayurveda, but has developed along indigenous lines. Somewhere along the way in this transmission, yoga and yoga therapy, became Thai massage. The exact way in which this occurred has been forever lost due to the unforbidding Thai jungle which typically destroys all ancient records and artifacts.

5. All modern Thai healers trace their lineage to Shivagakomarpaj, and acknowledge him as their guru (Thai: "khru") in the wai khru (or "Respecting the Teacher") ceremony. The importance of lineage should not be lost in today's society as it is a seal of authenticity, of tradition, and of connection with the historical forces that have formed our modern world. This connection to the past is critical to the long-term survival of this art form, Thai massage. We can not allow Thai massage to become watered down, mixed with other arts, and lost for ever. It is our role as students and practitioners of this ancient art to preserve this knowledge as it has been handed down to us by hundreds of generations, preserving this priceless gem while making it relevant to today's world.

This Article Continues:
History of Thai Massage | Spirit of Thai Massage | Thai Massage as a Medical Discipline | Herbs in Thai Massage | Thai Massage and Yoga | Safety and Body Mechanics