Thai Massage is an ancient technique in which the client is laid on a floor mat, and stretched and massaged from head to toe. This technique is very different than those which we are accustomed to thinking of when we hear the word massage. Normally, we think of a massage table and oil. Thai massage breaks these stereotypes be employing a floor mat, comfortable clothing, and the use of most of the masseuse´s body. This includes use of the hands, fingers, elbows, knees, forearms, legs, and feet.
There are various benefits of this massage, including, improved postured, strengthening of the musculoskeletal system, tuning of the nervous system, activating the lymphatic system, increased musculoskeletal flexibility, mood and energy improvement, harmonization of the body, mind, and soul, fortification of the immune system, and a decrease of stress hormones.
In order to train local massage therapists in the ancient technique, the Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa hosted a Thai Massage Workshop from the 17th of May 2017 to the 21st June of 2017. As a result of this initiative from our on-staff massage therapist, Martha, she and 9 other masseuses from the area were certified after 13 hours of training by the Institute of Integral Solutions of Aesthetics.
We would like to thank all the enthusiastic participants for joining us and for sharing their experiences in this workshop.