The origins of Thai massage

Thai massage has been practised for centuries. It grew out of Buddhist temple medicine, with roots in Indian yoga and Ayurveda, and it is still taught in Thailand today.

Restoring the body’s energy balance

Thai massage follows the Sen lines, channels that are believed to carry energy, or lom (air), through the body. When these lines are blocked, the theory goes, we feel tension, pain or fatigue. The therapist applies pressure to points along the Sen lines to restore balance and flow.

A different physical technique

Unlike most Western massage, a Thai therapist uses her own body weight to do the work. She leans in with her palms, thumbs and straight, locked arms, and in some positions may use her knees or feet. There is a set sequence and rhythm, which she adapts to each person.

During an original Thai massage you are moved through a series of gentle, yoga-like stretches. Deep, steady pressure and rhythmic movement form the heart of the treatment, which is why people often describe it as “assisted yoga”.

Healing through touch

In the Thai tradition, massage is an act of care as much as a technique. A good therapist works with humility, awareness and concentration, paying close attention to how your body responds. It is this attentiveness, as much as the pressure itself, that makes a Thai massage feel restorative.

Thai massage at Thai with Me

Our therapists learnt their craft in Thailand, and local therapists are trained by our Thai staff. Since joining the Hatyai Thai Massage group, you can experience it at five spas across Cape Town. Start with an original Thai massage, or try a gentler Thai oil massage.