Thai Massage, Buddhism and Reverence for the Lineage 
By Ariela Grodner, LMT Nuat Boran is the traditional name for the system of ancient bodywork that is known in the west as Thai Massage. It is also sometimes referred to as “lazy man yoga”, since the technique is largely based on the yogic philosophy from its native India and is a form of assisted yoga. Thai Massage is also considered by many practitioners to be a type of energy work whose intentionality is, first and foremost, to balance and align the mind and breath. The lineage teaches that when the mind is equanimous the breath becomes balanced, and when that balance is achieved the practitioner’s entire physical structure can’t help but to reflect this state, allowing nature to take care of the rest. These basic concepts underlie and inform Thai Massage and it’s varying practices and techniques. The traditionally acknowledged founder of Thai Massage was a man by the name of Jivaka Kumar, a great Ayurvedic Physician and practitioner of the healing arts. It is said that he lived to be very old, but always maintained a youthful countenance and radiant face. According to the stories about him, preserved in Tibet by faithful practitioners of the tradition, when he decided to leave this earthly plane he dissolved into a rainbow and remained connected to the realm of manifestation so that anyone in need of healing could call upon his grace. In Eastern culture respect for one’s ancestors and reverence for one’s elders is an essential component of the community. It is universally understood that to receive wisdom from our forefathers, learn from their mistakes and benefit from their successes is the root of one’s own (as well as the community’s) successes or failures. It is from this culturally inherent principle that the modern existence of Thai Massage has been assured. The techniques and principles of this art have withstood the passage of millennia, passed from teacher to student, in an oral tradition, and preserved by (and inextricably woven with) the Buddhist communities of Thailand. My personal exploration of Nuat Boran has resulted in a great reverence and gratitude for the work of those that have come before us and their preservation of the knowledge we all benefit from today. Before and after giving Thai Massage, I take a moment to thank the founder of the lineage, my own ancestors, the recipient I am gifted with being able to share with, and all those nameless forebears that our every moment depends upon. As time passes and we all become branches on that family tree of knowledge, may our descendants continue to benefit from the work we do today and the lineage we bequeath them. May all beings be happy. For more details on cost, course descriptions, certification details and online registration go to the FSM Website or contact Sarah at 352-378-7891
