Pilathai - A Perfect Fusion of Pilates and Thai Massage

What is Thai Massage?

Mention Thai Massage, and for some people it conjures imagines of people walking up and down your back, or masseuses walking up and down beaches offering their services to the sunbathers.

Whilst such thoughts have elements of truth about them, Thai Massage is so much more, and does not have to involve being walked on! Whilst the popular Swedish massage of the West focuses on the physical aspect of the body with the kneading of muscles, Thai Massage addresses and combines techniques usually found isolated in the western physiotherapies including Trigger Point Treatments, Myofascial Techniques, Neuro-muscular Therapy, and Manual Therapy among others.

The combination of energetic and physical aspects is what makes Thai Massage unique and so effective. Traditional Thai massage is really a deep, full-body treatment, starting at the feet and progressing up to the head. Using a sequence of gentle, flowing exercise movements, the recipient's joints and muscles are moved, loosened and stretched. Some of the stretches are closely linked to Yoga. This unique type of massage influences the energy as well, restoring the flow of energy throughout the body with applied acupressure on the Sen Energy Lines of the body, aimed at harmonizing and energizing.

Believed to be over 2000 years old, traditional Thai massage is an authentic healing art and unique form of body therapy developed by people who used massage not only as a therapeutic method of healing to treat illnesses, but to also maintain health and well-being.

It is the combination of yoga stretching, calmness of meditation, with acupressure, exercise movement and reflexology that makes it a healing art. It is worked on a floor with the client dressed in comfortable loose clothing. Thai method uses mainly point pressure and muscle stretching, and it is not just the hands that are used to free tension stored in the recipient's body, but the feet and elbows are used as well.

What are the similarities between Thai Massage and Pilates?

There are many similarities between Thai massage and Pilates, not least the fact that both seek to use the whole body in exercises designed to move and stretch, and both promote a mind-body connection. We created the practise of Pilathai because the two go hand-in-hand. The client remains dressed in loose fitting clothing, and goes through a combination of Pilates moves in the various positions (such as lying on the back, on the side and on the front) which are interspersed with Thai Massage moves. This gives the client an amazing experience, leaving them feeling lighter, more flexible and yet stronger.

Whilst many people are familiar with the benefits of Pilates, people are not as familiar with the benefits of Thai Massage. It will come as no surprise to find that many of the benefits are the same. Some of the innumerable physical, mental, psychological benefits are:

Physical Benefits of Thai Massage

• Help the detoxification of the body and boost the immune system
  
• Increase blood circulation, and lower blood pressure
  
• Good for muscle relaxation, increase flexibility in your muscles, and increase mobility
  
• Improve breathing technique
  
• Improve posture, balance, correct body alignment, and dissolve energy blockages
  
• Improve athletic performance
  
• Help arthritis and back pain,
  
• Help tone the body, strengthen joints and fight diseases, including chronic joint problems
  
• Prevent illness and alleviate degenerative diseases
  
• Slow the aging process

Mental Benefits of Thai Massage

• Improve your outlook on life, and help build an emotional balance
  
• Help with concentration and creativity
  
• Clear and calm your mind
  
• Help you gain mental clarity

Psychological effects of Thai Massage

• Reduce and relieve stress and anxiety
  
• Help boost inner energy levels
  
• Develop discipline and self-control
  
• Achieve better levels of health and vitality.
  
• Raise energy levels and stamina
  
• Build internal power and create natural confidence

At Pilates Life Solutions, we offer traditional Thai Massage, or our exclusive Pilathai experience. Both last an hour and 30 minutes and can take place in your own home. All of our masseurs and masseuses are fully qualified in Pilates and Thai Massage. Please contact us for more information or to book your session.