I began my yoga teacher training in November 2013 with a
weekend immersion in Restorative Yoga.
After my first weekend, I returned home and began mapping out a plan for
completion. I had every class scheduled
but one.
I struggle with decision-making. Always looking for a connection or a sign, I
cannot even buy potholders if they don’t speak
to me. And then an email appeared in my inbox. The subject line read: THAI YOGA MASSAGE EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION EXTENDED. Just a few days earlier when
asked what I intended to do after completing yoga teacher training, I declared
my intention was to retire to Thailand and teach yoga. This email was my sign, my message from the
Universe.
As the weekend for Thai Yoga approached, my enthusiasm started
to fade and I wondered if I had misread the cue from the Universe. After all, chances of me actually retiring to
Thailand are slim; the logistics messy…especially given my new found fear
of flying. I also had no real concept of
what Thai Yoga massage was or how I could eventually apply it to my
practice. I hoped I was not wasting my
time and money.
She had me at, “Hello, I’m Melissa.” Melissa Smith, 500 E-RYT (500 hour Experienced-Registered Yoga Teacher) and founder of Grace Yoga, greeted everyone with a warm hug and confident demeanor. Captivated by her energy, I listened intently trying to harness as much knowledge, enthusiasm, and Metta (loving kindness) as I could. Quickly, I could see the
therapeutic benefits of Thai Yoga massage and began to formulate imaginary
classes in my head. Wouldn't it be great to follow a fast-paced vinyasa with a short massage sequence using partners or self massage techniques? I thought.
After our first full day of class, I returned home and announced to my husband that I wanted to practice my newly acquired massage skills on him. He was excited. And then I told him he would remain clothed and there would be no oil involved. His excitement waned.
After our first full day of class, I returned home and announced to my husband that I wanted to practice my newly acquired massage skills on him. He was excited. And then I told him he would remain clothed and there would be no oil involved. His excitement waned.
I created a comfortable space on the floor, about the width
of two yoga mats and instructed him to lie on his back. I began at his feet. He grimaced.
I continued. He grimaced
again. And then I performed the Russian
Dance, a move which twists the torso, one leg over the other. And again, he grimaced, this time
announcing, “This is not anything I’d ever pay for.” I stopped. Certain he would enjoy the stretching, traction and twisting, this was not
the reaction I expected. I must be doing it wrong, I
thought. After a few brief moments
and some deep inhales, I composed myself and continued, making mental notes of
what he appeared to like and not like. After
I finished the entire sequence, he asked me to do it again.
Shocked, “You want me to do it again?” I asked.
“Yeah…well…it got better as you went along,” he
replied.
Thai Yoga massage is vastly different than the more commonly
experienced Swedish massage. With Swedish
massage, the receiver lies on a table unclothed while his/her muscles are kneaded
or stroked using oil to release tension. Thai Yoga Massage requires the receiver lie on
a mat on the floor. The giver utilizes
his or her body weight to apply pressure in a series of stretches and twists in
a rhythmic meditation that resembles a graceful dance. It incorporates elements of yoga, acupressure, reflexology and meditation, as well as, physiotherapy, energy healing, and Ayurveda.
According to this article posted at www.muditathaiyoga.com:
According to this article posted at www.muditathaiyoga.com:
The benefits of Thai Yoga Massage are countless. By freeing the flow of vital energy in the body, Thai Massage can improve posture, breathing, flexibility, digestion and circulation. Muscles are stretched, inner organs toned and emotional and nervous tension is reduced.
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