Much more than just a massage

Thai Yoga Massage – “Have you ever tried it? If you haven’t, I strongly recommend you do…. I guarantee you will fall in love!”
Danila, Thai Massage Practitioner at Shine, Church Street.

 

My love story with Thai Massage starts in the year 2000 when I was on a yearlong trip around the world. Already passionate about Yoga and fresh from a massage introductory course, I ended up in Thailand and discovered this fascinating traditional healing art, which is a fusion of yoga and massage. By the end of my first Thai Massage I was in love. I was amazed by the sensations of length & balance in my muscles, the feeling of openness in my body, the incredible sense of calm, grounding and alertness in my mind. As well as all the benefits I was clearly absorbing, I was blown away by the incredible skills with which my therapist moved me around, softening my entire being during those two magical hours. That was it. I was destined to become a Thai Massage Therapist!

Traditional Thai Massage (known in the west as Thai Yoga Massage) is very different from other forms of bodywork. The combination of Yoga, Reflexology and Acupressure makes it a unique healing art that affects not only the physical body, but also the whole human energy system. It’s a part of the Traditional Thai Medicine, made up of 5 primary roots: Medicinal Sciences, Physical Therapies, Spirit Medicine, Divinatory Sciences and Buddhism.Much more than just a massage

It’s based on the theory of the 72000 Sen or Energy Lines (comparable to the Ayurvedic Nadis and Chinese Meridians) that run through the body. These Sen are avenues carrying the various forms of energy, such as mental, emotional and physical. When these Sen lines become blocked, the energy (Lom, Chi or Prana) becomes stagnant and the body loses its balance, allowing disease and discomfort to set in. Thai Massage focuses on 10 main Sen.

It’s an elegant, simple and profound method of bodywork performed on a futon mat on the floor, with the client fully clothed, pressure is applied to all the muscles of the body, and along the Sen. The applied stretches bring the receiver passively into positions similar to yoga asanas, which complete the Sen work by creating space along their course and within joints and fascia. Every technique melts into the next with total economy of motion; it looks like a beautifully choreographed performance.

The benefits of Thai Massage are countless:

–        Stimulates & tones the organs, glands and nerves, moving fresh oxygenated blood around the body helping to restore all systems to a healthy working order

–        Targets the body’s energetic system and the muscles, whilst also improving weak circulation and tensed fascial tissue.

–        Improves mind and body awareness

–       Provides relief from aches and pains

–        Stretches muscles

–       Increases flexibility and range of motion

–       Improves alignment and postural integrity

–        Reduces emotional and nervous tension

–        Decreases symptoms of anxiety and depression

–        Ultimately, it brings our bodies back to a healthy mobility range for our joints while relaxing the muscles.

Much more than just a massageEvery year or two, my insatiable thirst for knowledge takes me to Thailand, where I never tire to talk to my teachers, get as many massages as I can from them and other masters, as well as attending more courses. There is so much to learn and discover about this fascinating practice; I feel I am on a life long journey with Thai Massage, a journey I don’t want to see the end of.

“There is no substitute for the mind/body healing process that unfolds during and after an effective Thai session.”
(Kira Balaskas_TYM teacher)

“Thai Massage is a physical therapy, a dance of movement and flow, a medical treatment, an expression of compassion, and a medium for spiritual healing.”
(Robert Henderson)

For the month of November 2021, you can enjoy £10 off your 1st Thai Yoga Massage with Danila, just be sure to mention this great promotion when you make your appointment.

Danila Ciencia

“Thai Yoga Massage with Danila has been life changing for me. I had issues with stiffness and tension in my shoulders, upper back and neck, due to my work; these issues were starting to affect my yoga practice and my daily life. Danila carefully examined and treated those areas with her skilful and intuitive treatments, and i felt refreshed and relaxed after the first session. After years of deep tissue, and very little improvements, I decided to try Thai Yoga massage after having experienced some of its benefits while in Thailand. With regular sessions, Danila restored a healthy mobility in my shoulders and relieved me of the pain in my neck. I left every session feeling rested and balanced but at the same time energised and stretched. My posture and flexibility have improved considerably. Her effective stretches and caring approach worked on different levels, helping me to stay flexible and healing my pains.”

Robi, Yoga Teacher.