~ Traditional Thai Massage ~

Traditional Thai Massage Introduction

Thai medicine is a unique healing system based on a holistic approach to health, incorporating treatment for body (through diet and herbs), psycho-spiritual healing (through practices such as meditation), and the energetic systems (treating the flow and balance of vital energy through Thai massage).
The roots of Thai medicine are found in T'ai hill-tribe shamanism and indigenous medicine. Over the years, Thai medicine and massage have adopted and incorporated influences from Indian Ayurveda and yoga practices, as well as Chinese healing arts.

“Three" in Thai Massage

Three is a significant number in each of the systems we explore. In Indian Ayurveda, we recognize three layers of being - the physical, the astral (mind, emotions) and the causal (spirit). In Chinese philosophy and medicine, there are three powers, San Tsai - heaven, human and earth. In Thai medicine, it is recognized that there are three aspects of existence - the physical, the energetic and the spiritual (heart consciousness).

In Thai medicine, as with most traditional medicines, all three layers are addressed simultaneously. The physical is addressed through diet and herbs. The energetic is addressed through Thai massage which works with the various energy pathways and elements. The spiritual is addressed through Theravada Buddhism mixed with Tantric philosophy and hill-tribe shamanism.

Although the Thai massage itself was conceived to be specific to energetic healing, one can see that all three layers are both directly and indirectly addressed in the massage practice. The physical is addressed through touch, pressure, movement and manipulation of tissues, organs, joints and various other systems of the body. The energetic is addressed through working with energy pathways and elements. The spiritual is addressed through awareness, resonance, intent, visualization, prayer and ritual.

As practitioners of Thai massage, we are not just listening to one level or layer of our client, but allowing all levels of being to suffuse and communicate as sensation, image, thought, feeling… The practitioner allows the logical to dance with the intuitive, conscious to merge with unconscious, intellectually-learned knowledge to intertwine with heart-lived wisdom… Past, present and future merge into a singular eternal moment. Inner and outer are no longer merely reflections, but exist as one continuum of being. Spirit becomes solid - palpable - and physical dissolves into an ocean of energy.

This is the realm of the traditional Shaman. It is the traversing of many planes of existence, many ways of perceiving at once to allow an image to emerge built of body, energy and spirit that describe the person, the time, the condition and the potential for healing.

Our Lineage

We are affiliated with the Northern Thai Tradition of the Shivago Komarpaj Lineage and the Tao Mountain Association in the United States, whose director and founder is Pierce Salguero (for more info on Pierce).

This lineage was established by Ajahn Sintorn Chaichakan through his work at the Traditional Medicine Hospital, Chiang Mai, Thailand which he founded in 1973. Ajahn Sintorn was instrumental in the development of a Thai massage program at the prestigious Wat Pho temple of Bangkok at the request of King Rama IX in the late 1950's. Ajahn Sintorn later returned to Chiang Mai, adapting the massage techniques to the people and traditional practices he encountered there.

Pierce spent much time in Thailand (1997-2001) studying and later teaching with Ajahn Sintorn, as well as studying with other practitioners/teachers associated with the hill-tribe traditions of Northern Thai massage. In late 2001, Pierce returned to the States, and with the permission of his teacher, established a school and organization dedicated to the study, preservation and education of Traditional Thai massage, herbal medicine, healing culture and Theravada Buddhism.

Three Winds is proud to be affiliated with these teachings as part of its curriculum. While we explore other healing traditions (such as Indian Ayurveda) along with traditional Thai Massage and medicine, it is done with care to keep the distinctions between these systems clear, while exploring cross-influences in culture, philosophy and traditional medicine theory.

Nikki's words

I have been teaching yoga and facilitating individual healing sessions since 1994. I originally studied Thai massage with Kam Thye Chow of Lotus Palm, in Montreal, Quebec 2001-2003 and am ever-grateful for the opening he provided to the world of Thai massage... It is through his offerings that I began to pursue studies in Ayurveda with Dr. Frawley. Kam Thye's grace and heart are ever-present in my work and practice.

In 2004, the seeds for teaching Thai massage were planted by interested students, and I developed the Energies of Healing program that was launched in 2005. However, wanting to offer connections to Thai medicine, culture and practices that were out of my reach and understanding, I extended my practice to study with Pierce Salguero, pursuing teaching training through Tao Mountain beginning in the fall of 2005.

The journey with Thai massage is ever deepening --- we have barely even touched the surface of Thai medicine in the West. The potential for healing through this and other traditional medicines is a topic dear to my own heart. As both a practitioner and teacher, I am happy to be co-exploring with interested others the vast and rich traditions Three Winds touches on.

Traditional Thai Massage Workshops