Nuad is translated as massage while Bo-Rarn stands for traditional however Nuad Bo-Rarn is popularly known as Thai Yoga Massage in the western world.
So, why Thai Massage?
“As a child I remembered being on my painting class whishing to be next door taking the laud acting class. As adult I experienced the same sensation when taking the vinyasa yoga teacher training, my dear teacher Mukti was sharing a Vedic Thai Massage on the room. The attraction was inevitable.”
Nuad Bo-Rarn Thai Massage for Therapists
Thai Massage is a balanced combination of physical, energetic, and spiritual healing techniques. A Thai Massage session primarily consist on broad and targeted pressure on the Sen (energy lines) and points, and a large variety of yoga-like stretching and movements that open and tone joints and muscles. This process tracks down the blockages to dissolve them, and stimulates the free flow of energy. The therapist will use feet, knees, palms, elbows, forearms, and fingers blended within the stretchings and synchronized active breath-work of the receiver.
The benefits a person experiences by receiving Thai Massage can be in a long list enumerated. However very little is said about the enormous benefits that a practitioner receives as the techniques are performed.
A Thai Massage session should not be excessively tiring for the therapist. On contrary, some sessions could be also beneficial for the practitioner as well. Through the practice of Nuad Bo-Rarn, the therapist can experience improvements on their own sense of being. Although each practitioner will evolve in his/her own particular way, the focus should be on the effective development of the body mechanics to be able to use the body size, strength and flexibility in the safest and worthwhile way.
Just like in ballet, the dancer has to purify the technique to be able to express herself, in Thai Massage, the practitioner should perfect her own body mechanics to achieve mastery on the performance of the technique. By developing strength and flexibility, the therapist will increase endurance and lower the risk of getting hurt.
Indeed, if the therapist feels pain when performing a movement, stop immediately. By hurting yourself, you will not help anybody. Pain should be because either the movement is not done correctly, or something is not working on your body mechanics. Ask for help to a teacher, but sometimes the issue might not be possible to solve. If that is the case, then do not perform that movement or try to find variations.
Use your balance and body weight efficiently to safeguard muscle strength and energy. Work with the lines of your arms and legs, keep your shoulders relaxed and low, your elbows straight, and allow gravity to do the work.
A great deal of Nuad Bo-Rarn Thai Massage is performed on kneeling position. A big reason to strengthen and protect your knees. Do not hesitate on using pads, small pillows or other supports to be able to go through the sequences from relaxation. A therapist with previous knee problems will experience more challenges. The good news is the practice by itself also involves the practitioner in a healing process improving physical condition and flexibility.
