Ayurveda

Ayurveda, the science of life, originated in India more than 5000 years ago and is believed to be the oldest healing science in existence, from which all other systems emerged.  The Sanskrit term Ayurveda is a combination of two words:  ayu (life) and veda (knowledge).  The literal translation of Ayurveda is  “knowledge of life” or “right living”.

This ancient healing system has three main focuses:

1. Healing illness
2. Prevention of disease
3. Longevity, age reversal or rejuvenation

Ayurveda offers a unique interpretation of the laws of nature, its effects on our health and it is an uncomplicated approach to healing.  Its concepts originate from a direct observation of nature and manifestations of natural laws.

The five basic elements combine in different proportions as Doshas (3 bio energies) in our body, which makes each one of us temperamentally and constitutionally unique.  Our unique constitution is called Prakruti, or nature.  By living our lives in a manner appropriate and supportive of our prakruti, we should be able to maintain good health.

Ayurveda is concerned with living well.  Living well by achieving a balance within the body, mind and spirit through yoga, nutrition and herbal remedies.

Abhayanga

Abhayanga is part of a larger science known as Ayurveda. This massage is very soothing and designed to release toxins from the cells and subcutaneous tissues. The treatment begins with an Indian Head and Scalp Massage with a special blend of herbal oils from India. After the initial seated massage you are led to the treatment table where your entire body is massaged with a warm rejuvenating treatment oil prescribed in Ayurveda as an antidote to stress, exhaustion and overwork. Holtz Spa has also added a beautiful Ayurvedic Facial to this classic massage which includes a natural herbal exfoliant, a natural plant mask to nourish and purify the skin, and finally, a facial massage with Miraculous Beauty Fluid prescribed in Ayurveda to illuminate the complexion and even out skin tone.

Shiroabhayanga

Performed with warm herbal oils, Shiroabhayanga stimulates the nervous system, drains toxins, increases circulation and is excellent for headaches, pain or stiffness due to long hours on the computer.

The Shiroabhayanga works on all the senses and is a deeply healing treatment, especially for those coping with:

•    Headaches
•    Eye troubles
•    Allergies and other respiratory disorders
•    Congestion
•    Colds
•    Frequent exposure to pollutants
•    Overstimulating environments
•    Most neck and head disorders

Interested in finding out more?  Browse our ayurvedic services online now!

Thai Massage: An Ancient Healing Art

Background

Thai massage has its roots in ancient India, where it was practiced over 2,500 years ago, well before thee time of Buddha.  It is believed that the  founder of Thai massage was a doctor in northern India by the name of Shivaka Kumar Baccha who was the Buddha’s personal medical advisor.  His teachings on herbal medicine and massage arrived in Thailand along with Buddhist teachings by the first Buddhist monks around the 2nd and 3rd century B.C.

Once in Thailand, knowledge of this healing art spread and techniques were handed down orally from teacher to student.  The ancient massage arts gradually gained a reputation for their abilities to alleviate backache, headache, stomach ache and nervous tension.

Thai massage reached its peak about 200 years ago, then began to fall in decline.  It was revived by King Rama III (1824 – 1851) who had all existing knowledge about techniques inscribed on stone tablets and erected at Wat Po in Bangkok, where they remain today.  The tablets depict diagrams of the human body showing the body’s key energy lines, where massage is applied to stimulate the circulation and effect healing.

Technique-wise, Thai massage is based on the concept of invisible energy lines running along the body.  This is linked to ancient Indian yoga philosophy, which states that we receive life energy, or prana, via a network of 72, 000 energy lines that interconnect along our bodies.  Thai massage focuses on ten key lines, known as a “sip sen” (ten lines) in Thai.

The energy along these lines powers all our physical, mental an emotional processes, so when there is an energy imbalance, the body’s harmony is disrupted, causing pain and disease.  Massaging along these energy lines can break up the blockages, stimulate the flow of prana and restore general well-being.

Application

A key difference from western massage is that Thai massage is applied without oils, and the recipient remains fully clothed.  Unlike the continuous strokes of Swedish massage, the Thai method uses pressure, muscle stretching an compression, practiced in gentle, rhythmic, rocking movements.  All the movements are flowing and smooth.  The masseur uses not just the hands, but also feet, knees and elbows.  The massage is usually preformed on a mattress on the floor.

Some people may ache after a Thai massage in places where they didn’t ache before.  This is because when a person is suffering from internal stress or anxiety, muscle tension in the form of frowning for example, may be so minute as to be unnoticeable.  Prolonged tension results in headache, backache or muscle pain in other parts of the body that become unnoticeable to the sufferer after a while.  When these habitually tensed muscles are massaged, their energy blockages are released, thus resulting in discomfort.  This can be remedied by a few more massage sessions.

Key Aspects

There are six key aspects to Traditional Thai Massage:

1. Yoga
2. Exercise
3. Meditation
4. Reflexology
5. Acupressure
6. Energy Healing

Benefits

The holistic benefits of Thai Massage are:

• Relieves pain and muscle tension
• Strengthens and rejuvenates the body
• Improves blood and lymphatic circulation
• Frees blocked energy flows
• Increases flexibility through passive yoga postures
• Increases ability to absorb food
• Enhances elimination of wastes and toxins
• Invigorates the nervous system
• facilitates relaxation

Interested in finding out more?  Click here to contact Holtz Spa for more information about Thai Massage

Healing with the Thai Touch

Throughout rural Thailand, massage is a part of daily life.  Massages are given with friendly abandon among family members and free massage sessions are available for the elderly at village temples.

What is known as Traditional Thai Massage or Thai Yoga Massage is a formal healing art with its roots in Theravada Buddhism, Thailand’s national religion.  The philosophy of traditional Thai massage originated as a spiritual practice derived from the teachings of Buddha, and in the early days was only taught and practiced in temples.  Even today, the most important massage school in Thailand is at Bangkok’s Wat Po, or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha.

When a masseur gives a Thai Massage, he or she is practicing the physical application of Metta, or “loving kindness” advocated in Theravada Buddhism.  A truly good Thai masseur performs his art in a meditative mood, starting with a prayer to centre himself on the work he is about to perform.  In this mood he massages with meditative awareness, mindfulness and concentration.  A massage performed thus differs vastly from other types of massage such Swedish, sports or aromatherapy, because it is this meditative mindfulness that gives thee masseur the power to sense energy flows in the body and successfully treat the person according to his or her needs.

While it may appear that Thai massage requires great physical exertion from the masseur, when done properly, the giver isn’t exhausted at all.  Instead the masseur is relaxed and refreshed, because Thai massage is an act of giving and compassion.  By acting generously, a sense of well-being is – this nourishes both the giver and the recipient.  When combined with a nutritious diet and healthy lifestyle, Thai massage may help a person reach (and maintain) a high level of fitness.

Interested in finding out more?  Click here to contact Holtz Spa for more information about our Thai inspired services