Traditional Thai Massage
‘Suffering is universal and inevitable...
There is a way out of suffering’
[Buddha]
Due to the confluence of history and geography, this traditional bodywork has its roots in India over 2.500 years ago. Those of you who practice Yoga will be quite familiar with many of the positions taken both by the practitioner and client ~ hence the more modern term of Thai Yoga Massage. Still actively used in Thailand's health centers and clinics, it is considered fundamental in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders and systemic illness. Performed on a thick mat on the floor, the body is stretched, rocked and kneaded with a resulting suppling and structural aligning of the body. Both the northern (Nuad Boran) and southern (Jap-Sen) styles are incorporated~ combining the rhythm and stretching characteristic of the northern tradition around Chiang Mai with the acupressure and deep nerve work with origins in and around Bangkok. Unlike westernized massage techniques, no oil or lotion is used and the client remains fully clothed during the session.
Steamed herbal packs (Luk Pra Kob) are incorporated into sessions, and are prepared according to traditional specifications. These wonderful packs are used to free joints, clear the lungs, increase overall circulation, reduce inflammation, and ease pain. The synergistic properties of the herbs have a slightly soporific quality which gives the recipient a general sensation of intense lassitude ~ yet interestingly leaves one invigorated and alert following a session. Our organic blend is prepared in Thailand by an apothecary in the northern town of Chiang Mai. It is a traditional 'recipe' comprised of medicinal herbs including eucalyptus and lemongrass, flowers such as lotus, orchid and sarapee, and spices aiding in the promotion of circulation and reduction of inflammation (turmeric, siamese ginger and cumin among others). The ingredients have been sun-dried on hillside racks outside of town limits, and no natural oils or synthetic fragrances are added.
The Thai tradition of treatment is so comprehensive that most techniques associated with western bodywork are in some way encompassed in a full session. Your therapist has a wide background in deep tissue massage, therapeutic and clinical massage, neuromuscular therapy, anatomy and kinesiology, and in-clinic work. There is significant influence from the osteopathic field and yoga therapy, as well as years of ongoing studies under five traditional instructors in Thailand.
We also provide comprehensive Traditional Thai Massage Training, Workshops and Intensives and instruction in Reusi Dat Ton (Thai Yoga).
Who Can Benefit?
Anyone. All sessions are focused upon the client... you.
Our clients range from 8 years old to 90-some, athletes to elderly.
We work with these conditions, and more:
- Partial Paralysis, Neuropathy, Paresthesia
- Frozen Shoulder, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Patellofemoral Syndrome
- Chronic Back Pain: Scoliosis, Post-Surgical, Occupational, Slipped Disc
- Surgical Recovery: Knee and Hip Replacement, Scar Tissue, Carpal Tunnel
- Regaining Flexibility and Range of Motion after Injury or Surgical Procedure
- Easing Pain from Arthritis, Scar Tissue, Joint Contracture, Whiplash
- Multiple Sclerosis, Cancer, ALS
What does a Traditional Thai Massage Therapy Session Include?
- Therapeutic Massage and Deep Tissue Massage
- Range of Motion, Stretching, Acupressure
- Traditional Two-Hour Sessions
- Organic Herbal Compresses from Chiang Mai
- Comprehensive, Patient/Client Focused Treatment
- No Travel Charge Within Bloomington
Where Are You?
- We wish to provide ease and simplicity in accessing our treatments and therapies.
Appointments are offered at the client's location in a broad service area including
Bloomington and the Indianapolis metro area. Sessions may also be scheduled at
the TMBCC. Special housing arrangements can be made for those traveling into
Bloomington for customized programs, therapy, and referral appointments.
Learn about Shivago Komarpaj, the 'Father Doctor' of Thailand
Understand the current integration of Traditional Thai Medicine (TTM) with modern methods
View a research study on pain reduction and Thai Massage
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Yoga Therapy
It is interesting to note that there are more individuals practicing Yoga in California alone than in all of India… It is also noteworthy that the population of the USA is, by statistic, the most unhappy and dissatisfied nation in the world. Could there be a correlation between these facts?! A 1994 German study, which compared a group of women practicing Hatha Yoga to a second group that did not, found that the yoga-practicing group showed markedly higher scores in life satisfaction, and lower scores in aggressiveness, emotionality, and sleep abnormalities .
Yoga is not simply the mastery of asanas (postures). It can be used to calm the mind, relieve stress, reduce pain, and (to you doubters, recent science says so!) to ameliorate medical issues such as asthma, COPD, multiple sclerosis, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, insomnia, depression, high blood pressure and arthritis. (More Info & References)
EquiLibrium offers Yoga as a way to free the body and put conscious-awareness into daily activities. The focus is on the individual and each session will reflect this approach incorporating classic Hatha yoga, adaptive poses and modifications, and Reusi Dat Ton (Thai Yoga)
Yoga Therapy:
- Private Sessions: Yoga Therapy at your location
- Specialized Yoga Therapy Classes
- Yoga for Multiple Sclerosis: Yoga for MySelf
- Workplace yoga programs and workshops: Yoga for the Workplace
- Customized Yoga Program: We will meet with you for a one hour session to evaluate your needs and ability, then create a written, flexible yoga program that can be modified as needed. We will then meet for another hour-long session to go over the program and answer questions. Depending on experience, you may then elect to continue on your own or schedule periodic yoga sessions to modify poses or alter the program as needed.
- Comprehensive Therapy Program: Combining Yoga Therapy with Traditional Thai Massage
Yoga Classes & Private Instruction:
- Private Sessions: Yoga at your location or the TMBCC
- Specialized Yoga Therapy Classes
- Yoga for MySelf Yoga for Multiple Sclerosis
- Yoga Therapy from Head to Toe
- Thai Yoga - Reusi Dat Ton
- Yoga for the Workplace
Who can yoga help? Clients have come to us for:
- Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, Parkinson's, Cerebral Palsy, Cancer
- Partial Paralysis, Neuropathy, Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Frozen Shoulder, SI Joint Dysfunction, Patellofemoral Syndrome
- Chronic Back Pain: Scoliosis, Post-Surgical, Occupational
- Surgical Recovery: Knee and Hip Replacement, Amputation, Scar Tissue
- Athletic Injury, Restricted Range of Motion (ROM), Hyper-Flexibility
- Depression, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders, Stress
- Customized Programs: Therapy, Athletes, Seniors, Corporations & Clinics
- Private Yoga Instruction: Hatha Yoga, Thai Yoga, Therapeutic Yoga
- Yoga for Disability
What are some of the possible applications and benefits of yoga?
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Regaining flexibility and range of motion after injury or surgical procedure
- Increasing balance and proprioception
- Easing pain from arthritis, scar tissue, fibromyalgia, joint contracture
- Getting going again after a long sabbatical from exercise
- Injury prevention… From backyard gardening to the local marathon
- Body awareness... How you use your body, listening to its pain messages, learning to alter potentially damaging movement and postural habits
- With regular, gentle practice an overall toning of the body and sense of well-being lead some to make healthful changes in life-style and thinking patterns as well as having an appreciation (rather than negativism) for their body
Where Are You?
- We wish to provide ease and simplicity in accessing our treatments and therapies.
Appointments are offered at the client's location in a broad service area including
Bloomington and the Indianapolis metro area. Sessions may also be scheduled at
the TMBCC. Special housing arrangements can be made for those traveling into
Bloomington for customized programs, therapy, and referral appointments.
Contact Us for more information
Yoga for Multiple Sclerosis
_Yoga for MySelf_
"I don't want to stop being Who I Am"
This is a phrase heard more than once while working among those of you with MS. It is a reflection of the frustration experienced when trying to keep up with the pace of the modern world, work, and quite frequently the personal stress of juggling a family and well-intentioned friends. MS is not who you are, but can become a second skin which constricts one in such a way as to challenge even the simplest effort, altering how we are...
- how to go up the stairs
- how to get out of the car
- how to let others understand you are just fine {‘Maybe a little tired, though’}
The Yoga for MySelf approach is simple and straight-forward, meeting each individual at their level of ability. Sessions are at your location, avoiding the need to put out extra effort. Each individual will have specific restrictions and requirements, therefore each session will be tailored to that day's indications.
For persons with Multiple Sclerosis we offer:
- Private Yoga Therapy Sessions
- Free Yoga Therapy Class
- Yoga Therapy Workshops
- Customized Yoga Therapy Programs
- Therapeutic Thai Massage
Yoga Classes and Yoga Therapy Sessions will include:
- Adaptive and Modified Hatha Yoga
- Balancing of muscle groups
- Exercises to increase proprioception, balance, proper posture
- Learning to recognize forms of stress and tension in the body
- Providing simple, safe yoga postures and exercises to implement daily, at home or work.
- Focus on confidence and body-awareness (sitting, rising, stride/gait, stairs etc.)
- Using the breath properly to decrease fatigue and chronic pain
The therapist is aware of symptomology and stages of MS progression, as well as having clinic experience and active participation in local groups. There is also a personal interest due to family acquaintance and consequently the nuances of MS are familiar ground.
Customized yoga programs may also include therapeutic Thai Massage which incorporates stretching, range-of-motion, acupressure, structural work, and soft tissue manipulation. It can be effective in relieving paresthesias and pain due to muscle contracture and spasticity, as well as increasing circulation and preventing atrophy. Therapeutic massage has been shown to be effective in stress management and depression, the latter being considered the most debilitating symptom of Multiple Sclerosis.
Yoga for MySelf: Yoga for MS Training
Having knowledge is a step... understanding is many steps taken to form a path. We hope that the many steps we have taken are sufficient to have formed a path for others to follow. If you are a yoga therapist or yoga instructor who has worked with Multiple Sclerosis and would like to learn more, or are tentative about working with those with MS, consider a full day or two day intensive training or workshop in Yoga for MySelf: Yoga for MS. These may be private or group trainings, or a hosted workshop at a studio, clinic or conference.
Yoga for MySelf: Yoga for MS Training |
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Yoga for MySelf: Yoga for MS Workshop |
Contact Us for more information
Workplace Wellness
_Yoga at Work_
Yoga at Work | Ergonomics | Corporate Programs We offer several options for the work-place, ranging from customized programs to small-group yoga classes.