1. Traditional Thai MassagesTraditional Thai Massages
Presented by:Presented by:
Bonny, Diana, RaviBonny, Diana, Ravi

2. Introduction
• Who: Ravi, Diana, Bonny
• When: September 5th
2009
• Where: Wat Po Massages Service
Center
• What: To study and experience the
massages
• Why: Interested in different types of
massage and their purposes. And
why Thailand is popular for it.
• How: BTS, Ravi’s mom drove us there
• Process:
• Met around 9 – 10 AM at Siam
Paragon Starbucks
• Ravi’s mom drove us there
• Did our massage
• Interviewed
• Came back to Siam Paragon by car

3. • Also called Thai yoga therapy,
Nuad phaen boran or Nuad Thai
• Reportedly began over 2000 years
ago with the introduction of
Buddhism.
• Recorded history of traditional
Thai massage was lost during the
Burmese attack on Ayutthaya in
1767.
• Few records survived are stored at
Wat Po.

4. •Uses point pressure, muscle
stretching and compression, done in
a rhythmic movement of gentle
rocking
•Therapists use their feet, forearms,
knees, and elbows in Thai massage,
not only hands.
•Applied on a mat on the floor, and
the work is done fully clothed and
no oils are required.

5. Ancient Wat Po Massage Teachings
• Teacher/Master of Massagers
– Shivago Komarpaj (Jīvaka
Komarabhācca), who is said in
the Pāli Buddhist Canon to
have been the Buddha's
physician over 2500 years ago
– Massager treats him like
god/the master of massaging
– Believed that he performed
different postures to relieve
and relax his pain
• The wall pictures + history
– Medicine formula
– How it helps
– Where to press
– Boy and girl

8. Types of Massages
• Aromatherapy and Oil Massage
– Common supplements :
essential oils
– Includes other external
application of water, lubricants,
salt scrubs, and other tropical
preparations and devices to
improve actions of hands.
– Aromatherapy involves oils that
are naturally extracted from
plants to balance, harmonize,
and promote the health of body
and mind
– Fragrances can further calm,
relax, and restore energy in the
response of the aroma

9. continued…
• Foot Massages
– Common as the body massage
– Regularly seen around Thailand
– To receive a traditional food massage, not
only feet are massaged but also legs, lower
thighs, hands and forearms
– Massagers massages lightly and precisely
on specific nerve endings in the foot
– Since each part of the foot links to another
distant body organ of the body, it can be
treated by food massage

11. continued…
• Facial Massages
– Can relax and restore energy in the face, increasing ciculation
– Often massaged in circular strokes in the forehead, cheeks, chin and
neck
– In an upward motion, fingers move from the neck up to the forehead
regularly to give skin a tight and youthful effect

12. Techniques on Massages
• Pressure along the “sen”
(the energy lines)
• Gentle soothing
movements
• Yogic stretching
• Joint compression and
decompression
• Uses of feet, forearms,
knees and elbows, hands

13. Interview
• Khun Toi
• 37 years old
• Working for 11 years
• Trained at Wat Po Massage School (Physiology, Human
Anatomy, Herbal Medicine)
• Treat Thai and foreigners with different massaging techniques
• Worships the priest (teacher), Shivaga, prays him before a
massage to ask for power and permission to perform a good
massage

14. Diana’s Experience
Body Massage

15. Ravi’s Experience
Thai Herbal Massage
Preparation:
•Steam the herb ball
•Leave it until it cools
down to apply to the skin
Ingredients:
•Herbs- dried lemongrass,
dried turmeric, dried Thai
ginger, dried camphor,
dried tamarind leaves and
menthol + (smells like Tom
Yum)

16. Thai Herbal Massage
How its apply:
• area of body
• Press and massage clockwise
What does it helps?
• Muscular aches and strains
• Energizes tired muscle
• Reduce soreness, bruises, and joint stiffness
• Healthy blood circulation
• Reduce muscle sprains and bumps

17. Bonny’s Experience
Foot Massage