Ancient Massage Lends Balance to Modern Day Living

by Rachel Florez

As multitask-masters, we Americans know it is difficult to quiet one’s mind.  Our minds and bodies can often be disconnected as a result of the cerebral world we create.  That is why many people are currently looking to the preserved wisdom of the Ancients to lend balance to their complex lives.  How do we bridge the gap between Body, Mind, and Spirit?

Learning to heal quickly is obviously an important survival skill for both humans and animals.  Massage (or bodywork) is typically the first type of care humans give to an injured companion.  Remedies provided through diet (ingestion of medicines/herbs) are the next response to injury or sickness.  These themes are evident in traditional medical practices from around the world.  Today, massage remains an important part of the Traditional Medicines of India and Asia as it has been for thousands of years. 

Traditional Thai Massage is an ancient bodywork system that can be traced back thousands of years to the Ayurvedic roots of India and the Traditional Medicine practiced by the monks in Ancient Thailand.  Historically, Thai Massage was taught in the Temples through an oral tradition (most people could not read) and handed down within the family from teacher to student.  Today, even though there are books written on the subject, one still has to learn in the same oral tradition.  Amazingly, the series of movements experienced during a treatment are the same today as they were some 2,200 years ago.

Observers have off handedly called Thai Massage “yoga for lazy people.”  The Thai Therapist positions the body into yoga-like postures and uses gentle rocking to assist the body in deeply opening the joints and increasing flexibility.  The treatment will facilitate stretches that the non-yoga enthusiast would most likely not achieve without the aid of the therapist.

The benefits of this Ancient massage can be:

Improved joint flexibility and muscle tone

Enhanced systemic function by stimulating blood circulation and lymphatic flow

Stress reduction

General calming

Increased sense of well-being

Shared joy, compassion, and a feeling of oneness

Harmonizing and balancing of Mind, Body, and Spirit

It is the nature of all Traditional Medicine to educate and empower people to take responsibility for their own well-being.  Ancient massage, like most Asian methods, is a technique used to give us an experience of the whole body.  Traditional Thai Massage is something that can strengthen you physically as well as harmonize your energy.

Rachel Florez CMT is a member of Saint Mary’s Wege Institute for Mind, Body, and Spirit since 2002.  Rachel has practiced and studied internationally the ancient art of Traditional Thai Massage for over 11 years.  Of all her massage practices, she finds the balancing effects of Thai Massage the most unique.