Thai Massage

What does Nuat Bo’rarn mean? How long ago was Thai massage first

recognized? Why do people get Thai massages? What is the name of the meditative

prayer said just before the massage?

Who- Me (: and my friend Sirin, the photographer)

Where- Bamboo Spa in Nichada and Great Massage just outside the front gate of Nichada

When- Saturday, February 6, 2010 and February 22, 2010

Why- To experience a Thai massage and to get closer to Thai culture through massage

How- Walking and golf cart

“Nuat bo’rarn” means “Ancient massage”

“ ‘Nuat’ means ‘to touch with the intention of imparting healing’ while ‘bo’rarn’ is derived from the Sanskrit language and means ‘ancient, sacred and revered’.”

(Spa Style page 63)

Shivago Komarpaj (what he is called in Thailand), the founder of Thai massage

His real name is Dr. Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha

From Northern India, and contemporary and friend of the Buddha

Known as “Father Doctor” Theravada Buddhism 2500 years agoShivago

Komarpaj

Records of Thai massage are kept in stone at the Wat Po temple in Bangkok; massage school

Thai massage is passed on from generation to generation as a tradition

Also used to relieve muscle stress, pain, to loosen joints and for medical purposes

Referred to as Thai yoga massage

Wat Po

Regular Thai massage

Techniques used for massage include

Using the elbows, feet, hands, forearms and knees and body weight mainly for pressure

No massage oil is required. Muscle stretching, pressure

points and compression. Done in rhythmic

movement along Sên lines. Move from toe to head

because the head is sacred. Meditative prayer called

“puja”

There are typically 4 positions for a Thai massage: 1) front or prone, 2) back or supine, 3) side and seated, 4) lower back

Video

1. What’s your name and age?- “My name is Kung and I’m 30 years old”

2. How long have you been practicing Thai massage? – “4 years”

3. How long have you been working at this shop?- “4 years”

4. Do you enjoy your work place?- “Yes, I enjoy it very much because it makes me happy to work here”

5. Is this a family run business?- “No, my husband is a driver and I do massage”

6. How does giving a massage make you feel?- “Very good because I know the person is relaxed and feeling good”

Visual layer- Thai massage is usuallypracticed on a mat or pad on the floor.Movements are much more physical, by using the arms, elbows, knees and

legs, instead of just the hands. No oil is used. Light cotton pajamas for the massage stretching, Yoga positions

Rolls and Styles of Communications- In-direct: My massage therapist had to ask an older masseuse before she could answer my questions.

Group Beliefs and Behaviors- Massage being passed down generation to generation as a tradition.

After the massage, I felt loose like my body was less stressed, and muscles were less tense. During the massage it was pretty painful because the whole point was pressure, which I’m not used to. I was pretty surprised when it came to the massage itself, I didn’t know that they used their feet and elbows and such. I was surprised of how physical they were during the massage, I didn’t think it would have been so physical. The massage at Bamboo Spa was a Traditional Thai massage, where as at Great Massage it was just a Thai massage.

Quiz

What does Nuat Bo’rarn mean? How long ago was Thai massage first

recognized? Why do people get Thai massages? What is the name of the meditative

prayer said just before the massage?

Thames and Hudson Spa Style Asia © 2002 Archipelago Press

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