Moving beyond mere relaxation, these treatments focus specifically on your wellbeing as we help you harmonize the many different elements that affect your health, environmental, emotional and spiritual. Three hours of pure bliss relaxes the senses and invigorates your body from head to toe. Abhyanga is one of the most popular forms of traditional Ayurvedic massage, involving the use of soft to medium pressure and warm herbal oil applied from head to toe. The herbal oil seeps deep into the skin and releases fat-soluble toxins from body tissues, improving muscle recovery and flexibility. The treatment has a stimulating effect on the skin, the heart, muscles and veins, as well as the circulatory and nervous systems.

As novices, we didn’t think to do any research about where to go or what to expect. Instead, we simply wandered into a Chiang Mai massage parlor (which doubled as a tourist agency) that was promoting inexpensive massages. The price was only 200 baht (about $6 USD) for a traditional 1-hour Thai massage. Even though Kris has an aversion to massages, I dragged him along with me for the iconic “Thai Massage in Thailand” experience.

The massage offer in Thailand is so huge because both locals and travelers enjoy traditional Thai massage, among other kinds of massage. Given the huge number of massage shops in Thailand, especially in the most touristy cities, it is good to distinguish what is really a Thai massage, and which types of massage you will find on offer. A common misconception is to think there is such a thing as “traditional Thai Oil massage”, since traditional Thai massage doesn’t use oils of any kind. In tourist areas, especially, a short walk in either direction is likely to bring you to the doorstep of a massage shop in a matter of minutes, if not seconds.

Using 2,500-year-old techniques developed from the doctrines of Buddha himself, the Asia Herb Association massages espouse the concept of a 'compassionate heart'. Famed for its organic, herbal ball presses that are made fresh every day, this experience will appeal to all of your primordial senses. Choose between a variety of Ayurvedic (Hinduist alternative medicine) massages, herbal compresses, aromatherapy, or even a four-hand massage. The couples' spa packages offer the opportunity to treat a loved one and both leave in a state of total bliss.

Techniques used include light gliding compression, palm friction, and kneading. Each therapist seems to have their own techniques and specialty but they are all excellent. Jane has been especially helpful in tackling troublesome shoulder knots from staring at computers for long periods of time. It is also effective in mitigating headaches and neck and back discomfort while concurrently enhancing overall vitality. The practice is also reputed for fostering improved flexibility and decreased stress hormone levels.

Together, we create a synergy to ensure you achieve your life-changing goals. A Thai massage is just what you need for overall health and rejuvenation. Also known as the “lazy massage”, Thai massages use a combination of acupressure, yoga positions and Indian Ayurvedic methods. You'll experience a big difference between a massage from a student at the local community college versus a student who went to one of the nation's top institutions of healing arts.

The great news is that you don’t have to go all the way to Thailand to experience the benefits! If you haven’t gotten a personal recommendation, many reputable Thai Massage therapists and centers have websites that you can use to screen their services and check their qualifications. Either way, when you arrive or before you schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to ask questions. As the entire body is worked on, a full body Thai Massage takes time. To move you around the mat efficiently, the Thai massage therapist uses his or her body to leverage you into the elongating stretches. He or she also will use your body as a tool for deepening these stretches by sitting on your feet and legs or pushing or pulling you into twists.