Thai Massage at IO
Often, in the western world, Thai massage is watered down into a version of Swedish massage that incorporates a few faux-yogic stretches here and there. I’ve experienced Thai massage in many spas and the mother land as well as other Asian countries, and wanted our IO bodywork program to incorporate the real deal.
At IO, we do our best to offer an authentic variation on the theme. In keeping with tradition, our Thai massage sessions take place on a mat on the floor so more body mobility is possible for both giver and receiver.
Thai massage is a very powerful, therapeutic form of treatment that incorporates breath and bodywork with movement and stretch. It’s a sort of hybrid of yoga and massage. In fact, it’s often called “lazy-man’s yoga”.
Technically, Thai massage works by releasing and manipulating energy along a system of meridians and channels of breath within the body. For this reason, breathing through the treatment is essential to experiencing the full therapeutic effects of the work.
If you’ve never tried Thai massage, you might be surprised at the deep level of relaxation and balancing that it imparts.
If you have an existing yoga practice, this style of bodywork can act as a wonderful bridge between your more active asana routine and the lazy bliss of getting a massage. If you have never done yoga in your life, it can be a nice introduction to the releasing sensation of yogic stretching.
Either way, Thai massage is just one of the many ways that we strive to offer you a full range of balancing, relaxing and health-imparting options at IO.
Keep stretching,
Amy
