Well today is Sunday December 12, 2010 and it marks 3 weeks for me being here in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I have decided to stay here in Chiang Mai until Dec.25. I am really enjoying the Sunshine Massage School, Wild Rose Yoga and the Blue Diamond Cafe. On Christmas day I will fly to Koh Samui and then take a boat to Koh Phangan to attend the Bliss Festival at The Sanctuary Thailand. I am gathering tools to create conscious cultivation of inner balance, equilibrium, wisdom and serenity.
It is imperative to let the nervous system unwind, the fluctuations of the mind to relax and the internal equilibrium to deepen. But for many of us, the constant go, go, go is all we know. We are continually running around like hamsters in a wheel, looking outside for happiness and fulfillment. So what is it that we are doing that is habituating this neurosis? Well I'm trying to figure that one out. Everyday I am challenged in almost every moment to slow down physically, mentally and energetically.
I have been exploring different kinds of healing techniques and modalities to re align all of my bodies; the physical, emotional,energetic and spiritual. On this journey I am exploring different styles of Yoga, Thai Massage, Herbs, Tibetan Singing Bowls for Sound Healing and Meditation. I am happy to share my discoveries with you as I learn and trance-form.
Friday night dancing at the Rock Climbing Gym. This is love for the SPIRIT BODY. Courtesy of www.seesonya.com
This is going to be a new hobby for me for sure.
This is the beautiful Rose from www.wildroseyoga.org
On Saturday morning I decided to take a course in making a Herbal Ball Massage Compress at Namo Yoga. I really enjoyed putting all the fresh herbs together. Taking the time to sit still and make something for a healing benefit was amazing for my emotional body. I felt a calmness come over me as other thoughts left my mind.
Ingredients :
Zingiber cassumunar Roxb (Zingiberaceae),turmeric,
kaffir lime leaf and skin,orange skin,lemongrass,
Acacia concinna leaf, tamarind leaf,Cassia Siamea Britt leaf, camphor, and Salt.
Originally derived from ancient Thai traditions, Herbal Thai massage is slowly becoming a popular western modality. Thai yoga massage itself dates back over 2,500 years with roots from both Indian and Chinese healing practices.
The combination of a Thai herbal compress and traditional Thai massage techniques create a treatment designed to soothe almost any aliment one might experience. History of Thai Yoga Massage
Jivaka Kumar Bahaccha, Buddhist monk and founder of traditional Thai medicine and Thai massage techniques, established Thai massage to alleviate pain by improving the flow of 'prana' or life energy within the body.
Prana circulates through the body along pathways called 'sen lines'. Theoretically, when someone is experiencing pain or disease there is an upset in the flow of prana which flows along these sen lines.
When these blockages are stimulated with the pressure, stretching and kneading techniques, along with modified yoga postures used in Thai massage, it releases the blockage allowing prana to move freely again. As the released prana effortlessly flows again, each system of the body is saturated with vital nutrients improving the body's normal functions. As the body starts to return to a balanced state the pain decreases, energy is restored and the client is filled with a renewed sense of vitality and well-being.
The Yoga Connection
Thai massage was created based on yoga philosophies and traditions as it helps balance not only the body but the mind and spirit as well. Typically a Thai therapist meditates before each treatment to clear their mind of distracting thoughts and focus on bringing healing energy into the massage.
As stated earlier, modified yoga postures themselves are integrated into each massage session creating a multitude of avenues to apply massage techniques. Thai therapist maintains a calming quality to the massage by applying graceful rhythmic movements and focused attention while connecting the postures, similar to practicing yoga.
The Herbal Compress
Herbal Thai massage incorporates the use of a heated compress containing a collection of medicinal aromatic herbs traditionally grown in Thailand. This compress is simply a pouch filled with ground Thai herbs wrapped tightly in a natural porous cloth, usually unbleached cotton or muslin.
It is most often steamed to stimulate the herbs then pressed or rolled on the body during, before or after a Thai yoga massage. When used in conjunction with a Thai massage, the heated ball allows the muscles and joints of the body greater movement and flexibility.
The herbs themselves are absorbed through the skin and used in the body to facilitate further release of energy blockages thereby improving energy imbalances within the body. Some of the herbs have drawing properties that allow removal of inflammation and swelling typical with injuries.
Benefits of Herbal Thai Massage
Traditional Thai massage is most commonly used to treat inflammation due to muscle and joint pain, injuries or imbalances but it is not limited to muscular system. Thai massage can help with all the systems in the body allowing whole body healing.
The herbal compress promotes further healing as the typical selection of Thai herbs offer many healing properties to the mind body and soul. Together the Thai yoga massage and the herbal compress promote healing in the following ways:
o Improves muscle injuries, imbalances and pain
o Improves blood and lymph circulation
o Improves physical and mental energy by releasing energy blockages
o Improves joint flexibility and range of motion
o Reduces acute and chronic inflammation
o Improves appetite and digestive processes and dysfunctions
o Prevents illness
o Slows aging process and degeneration of soft tissues and joints
o Boosts immune system
o Lowers blood pressure
o Encourages relaxation
o Prevents and alleviates stress and anxiety
o Calms the mind, improves concentration and positive thinking
o Speeds healing
o Improves movement and function of fascia (body's connective tissue)
o Decreases cold and flu symptoms
o Improves organ function and movement
o Calms respiratory dysfunction and pain
o Eases menstrual cramps and associated pain
o Calms and prevents migraines and headaches
o Helps with insomnia and other sleep disorders
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| Spiritually Orientated Chi Nei Tsang Abdominal Detox Massage |
After my herbal ball class I tried an INTENSE Chi Nei Tsang massage. I'm still recovering from it.
It's an ancient Chinese therapy that relieves tensions around the abdomen (where many people hold stress), Chi Nei Tsang unblocks organs to clear up digestive problems and get you back to your natural balance - helping you feel calmer, cleaner and more vibrant.
An ancient therapy
Chi Nei Tsang is a Chinese healing massage that originated in Taoist monasteries to help monks detox, strengthen and refine their bodies, giving them the energy needed for spiritual practices. Using techniques from Qi Gong, Tai Chi and Kung Fu, Chi Nei Tsang works to create a balance of body, mind and spirit.
Relieve stress and increase energy
Stress, tension and negative emotions from our modern lifestyle accumulate in our abdomen. The entire energy of our body is blocked when this area becomes congested, slowly weakening our internal organs and immune system and decreasing energy and vitality. Chi Nei Tsang focuses on acupressure points around the navel and surrounding abdominal area to relieve congestion and increase energy, helping our body function better, heal and fight off illness.
Enhance detox
Many organs involved in detoxification are located in the abdominal area, and Chi Nei Tsang can support them- intestines, kidneys, liver and lymphatics. Our intestines are our primary channel of elimination and when our bowels are not working properly our body struggles to remove wastes. By manipulating the abdomen, Chi Nei Tsang improves the performance of our intestines and helps remove toxins faster. During a detox program, Chi Nei Tsang massage is especially valuable since our body is working hard to get rid of wastes, and abdominal massage eases this process.
Stabilize emotions
According to Eastern philosophy, we hold many emotions in our organs - anger in our liver, worry in our spleen and fear in our kidneys. Decongesting these organs with abdominal massage releases psychological and emotional tensions, supporting emotional detox. Our thoughts and feelings affect our physiology, and when these areas are in balance, our body restores itself better.
Improve digestion
In addition to releasing physical, psychological and emotional stress, Chi Nei Tsang increases nutrient -providing circulation. This allows abdominal organs to work more efficiently which can alleviate digestive problems such as bloating, gas, irritable bowel syndrome and constipation.
Loosen up with an abdominal massage during detox or anytime you're feeling blocked up. Chi Nei Tsang increases energy flow throughout the body and improves our well-being. When our core is brought back into balance, so is our overall health.
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