What is Thai Yoga Bodywork?
Traditional Thai massage dates back to some 2500 years ago in India, in times of Ayurvedic and Yogic healing. It was brought over to Thailand as a medical practice by a famous Indian doctor “Jivaka Kumar Baccha”, the Buddha’s personal physician and doctor of the monks in the monasteries of that time.
With the application of rhythmic pressure on certain points and energy lines in the body, the yogic stretching of muscles and joint manipulation, blockages can be released and the energy restored to its natural flow. By using body weight, correct posture and the hands, thumbs, elbows, knees, feet and forearms the massage is able to go deep into the internal organs and soft tissue. Because this massage is working on the different body layers (koshas) the release works on an emotional, energectic and physical level.
Loving kindness, or metta, is the foundation of Thai Yoga Massage. Each motion of the hand is laid with the energy of compassion and a meditative mind. Thai Yoga is where yoga, ayurveda, massage, meditation, and metta meet.
Receivers rest on a comfy mat and dress in loose-fitting clothes. The only effort on your behalf is to simply be present with your breath. The practitioner smoothly moves you through gentle and deep stretches. As she holds the pose for you, your muscles are palmed, your energy lines opened, and the meditation is on your healing. It is all about you.
Throughout the session, you are guided to focus on the breath, sending more oxygen to every cell in the body, naturally inducing a meditative mindset, relieving stress and relaxing the entire system. Intuitively, your practitioner will work in rhythm with your breath, creating a dance between you and the practitioner.
Whether you experience chronic pain or want to deepen your personal practice, Thai Yoga will help you understand the vital connection between the body and mind, developing a deeper understanding of your needs, your health and your true Self. Every act of self nurturing increases self esteem by sending the message, deep into the body, that you care deeply for all your parts body, mind and your sacred Self. You and your body deserve that.
Pam Lunz is a Certified Thai Yoga Massage practitioner, who studied directly with Kam Thye Chow.
What is Reiki?
Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.
The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words - Rei which means "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy." So Reiki is actually "spiritually guided life force energy."
(info from Reiki.org)
