By Ariela Grodner
Thai Massage is one of the more ancient massage forms in the field of bodywork. It is so old that it was created at time when things were not often recorded on paper. Some of the earlier texts of Thai-Massage were believed to have been written on banana leaves and some of the energetic components after the Burmese invasions were carved into stone in order to ensure the preservation of it.
The foundation of many of the ancient massage techniques were rooted as part of a Yogic tradition. The techniques and applications could vary from region to region. I could compare it to a grandmother’s secret recipe book. I find this to be beautiful and I truly admire the diversity of Thai-Massage, in particular the difference between the northern and southern styles.
Beliefs can be an important component of healing but sometimes it can also create a block in the possibility that things change. As a presenter of this lineage I have come across a lot of diversity in the approach of teaching this art, and to be honest have come across some rigidity in beliefs.
Some teachers adhere to a very disciplined and refined principle. While I honor and respect these roles in the preservation of ancient medicine I also honor the free thinkers and artists in this field. My first teacher was definitely a rebel and felt it was important to continue the development of this lineage and style of teaching to allow it to be more applicable to human beings today.
His name was Kam Thy Chow and he definitely angered many of the western teachers who were trying to keep to one system.
Kam would say, “Look, you do what makes you happy and I’ll do it makes me happy. In fact let’s just all be happy.”
I relate to that sentiment, as long as you are not harming anyone of course. What that man taught me was pure art and the ability to transmit presence, creativity and dance through massage. If I had gotten a more rigid teacher I don’t think I ever would have fallen in love with his heart.
Kam would say that Thai Massage is shamanic in its nature. The reason for this is that the goal of Thai Yoga is not to necessarily approach the body on the singular elemental level. What I mean is we don’t only try to help someone muscularly, we also try to figure out which element is causing the disharmony and resulting in imbalance. The ultimate goal is to bring the mind into a state of self healing and as a byproduct the body will also relieve any painful symptoms that are physical as well as perhaps emotional.
For those of you who know me and have studied with me in the past you will know my dedication and love of Thai Massage. Surrendering to this art is in itself a yogic practice and I have felt the support from the techniques and the community around this art and the evolution one feels through the commitment of a 20 year old relationship. Yes this year marks two decades of loving, teaching, writing about and being with Thai-Massage.
In honor of my teacher and my desire to change with the times I will be offering a beautiful weekend of Thai Massage on the table Dec. 11-12th. This class will help those who already have a practice and haven’t figured out how to address it on the table, or for students who have never taken a class and are a little intimidated by working on the ground. We can do everything on a table. Thai Massage is meant to be offered in whatever way one can give it. Anyone can be a Thai Massage Yogi. All you need is to love and the volition to serve and assist others to be happy. The rest will happen naturally.
Thai Massage Foot Sequence on a table–Demonstrated by Ariela Grodner on Yaw Tutu
