Thai Yoga Massage combines massage, acupressure, and assisted yoga-like stretches to help people feel relaxed, limber, and reinvigorated. It seeks to improve vitality and balance mind, body, and spirit. Deriving from Indian and Thai traditional medicine practices, it follows a routine designed to address the whole body.
During a Thai Massage session, the therapist uses compression massage up and down the body which helps the body relax. In particular, the therapist presses along energy meridians and acupressure points to improve energy. The therapist also takes the client through a series of stretches, tractioning holds, and rocking movements designed to enhance flexibility.
Traditionally the client wears comfortable, loose clothing so they can stretch. The therapist uses their own body (hands, feet, knees…) as a lever to assist with some of the stretches, so there is a lot of contact between therapist and client. The client may select either a traditional Thai Yoga Massage done on the floor on a special mat, or a Thai Massage on the Table which has been adapted for a massage table.
Choose Thai Yoga Massage if you want a full body holistic experience.
A Stretch Session typically focuses very heavily on stretching techniques to ease pain, tension, and stiffness in specific target areas. It seeks to restore movement and ease in the body. The therapist may pull from a wide variety of stretching and movement techniques.
During a Stretch Session, the therapist may do all of the work, moving the client’s body to stretch specific muscles- or even tractioning to target taut fascia. Sometimes, the therapist may have the client move with or against the stretch to get more powerful results. And, like Thai Yoga Massage, some yoga-style stretches or compressive massage may also be part of a Stretch Session.
Similar to Thai Yoga Massage, the client wears loose comfortable clothing and the therapist may use their own body as a lever to assist with some of the stretches, creating a lot of contact between therapist and client. Typically, the therapist uses a massage table during a Stretch Session.
Choose a Stretch Session if you want to work on specific problem areas.
Our Thai Yoga Massage and Stretch Sessions rely heavily on stretching techniques to address a range of common issues that can disrupt your well-being and quality of life such as:
Consider one of these services if you want to use a stretching approach to work on flexibility, mobility, pain relief or stress relief. Thai Yoga Massage is perfect for people who want to try a unique and invigorating holistic massage with a full-body focus. For those who have complex needs or focus areas, we recommend the Stretch Session. Both are ideal for:
People trying to maintain mobility in light of a medical condition.
Those recovered from an injury or surgery but who have lingering movement issues.
People who have had their doctor or PT suggest stretching as part of their care plan.
Those engaged in physically demanding jobs or jobs that require prolonged sitting.
Athletes who want to enhance flexibility.
People who “know they need to stretch” but just never seem to get around to it.
Discover how Thai Yoga Massage or a Stretch Session can help you move more freely. Book a session and try a new approach. We offer phone consultations for free. You may also check the FAQs for more information.
Stretching focused services come with a number of positive results in diverse aspects in a person’s wellbeing such as:
Improves Movement: Stretching feels good and over time trains the body to stretch more easily. It can also make general movement feel freer and easier.
Eases Muscle Tension: Our stretch techniques can help release built-up tension and promote a sense of physical ease and flexibility– keeping you in shape for living your best life.
Reduces Pain: People who experience aches and pains from active living, aging, or living with an illness can stay more active with stretching to help ease soreness.
Athletic training: Relieve tight, aching muscles after a strenuous workout or competition and keep yourself in the game.
Maintains Mobility: Sometimes the goal is to maintain movement and flexibility to stay active. This could supporting a body that is dealing with physical changes like healthy aging, injury recovery, or a chronic illness.
Balances Mood: Massage Therapy, including stretch-based work, excels at helping people reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Many people find a profound sense of wellness through therapeutic touch. We often hear people say they feel more like themselves again.
Ready to flex? Here is a walkthrough on what to expect in a Thai Yoga Massage or Stretch Session.
Thai Yoga Massage is based on Eastern traditional medicine practices. It incorporates massage, energy work/acupressure, and stretching. It is less customizable than a Stretch Session because it follows specific routines. It is better for whole body balancing.
A Stretch Session is based on modern Western stretching techniques. It is heavily customizable to and pulls from passive, active, and resistive stretching techniques. It is better for focused attention to specific problem areas.
Generally, no. For people who are already very flexible or who have hypermobility, we don’t recommend trying to further increase flexibility. Although an isolated stretch or two during a Targeted Therapeutic Massage may be helpful in certain cases.
Generally, yes. Via therapist-aided stretches, those who need to improve their range can greatly benefit. Many people use Thai Yoga Massage or Stretch Sessions to maintain or improve flexibility, or to keep stiffness at bay. The therapist will work with the client to challenge the limits of muscles and joints, but will stay within those limits.
This is very similar to the concept of acupuncture. Basically, the tradition holds that the body has specific lines and points that relate to vitality. Pressing along these lines and into these points (with your fingers, not needles!) aims to restore health and wellness.
The tradition also draws from Ayurvedic principles for balanced living.
It was used to manage many common conditions ranging from headaches to arthritis to muscle pain.
Fill out your intake form in advance and arrive a few minutes prior to your session so that we can review the information with you. Think about your goals, focus areas (if any), and things that have/haven’t worked for you in the past. Please wear comfortable clothes that you can stretch in- you will wear these clothes during the session.