THAI MASSAGE

Something as simple as a massage, the first thought that comes to mind is relaxing orsoothing. taking from my massage experience in Indonesia I figured the same thing when it came to all of south east Asia. First day in Thailand, I reminis on the Indo price or ~$7 for an hour long full body massage, and cant wait to get one after my long flight. Too bad we decided to end up in some random part of Bangkok called Siam(the original name for Thailand) where everything was expensive and no one spoke English. It was l local business area with high rise buildings and suits that crowd the streets during the day and African pimps and Thai hookers run the streets at night. Oops, next day we found our way to Khao San rd(a Thai Bourbon street if you will) where we eventually found our way to the islands after a few days.

I finally find my massage. Same price and I think I'm in heaven... until the massage lady get started, if you are an advanced yoga student you could twist into the positions these lady's put you in no problem, but if your an unsuspecting person who wanted to have a relaxing massage it might be a bit more difficult. The massage practitioner leans on the recipient's body using hands and usually straight forearms locked at the elbow to apply firm rhythmic pressure. The massage generally follows the Sen lines on the body—somewhat analogous tomeridians or channels and Indian nadis. Legs and feet of the giver can be used to fixate the body or limbs of the recipient. In other positions, hands fixate the body, while the feet do the massaging action. A full Thai massage session typically lasts two hours or more, and includes rhythmic pressing and stretching of the entire body; this may include pulling fingers, toes, ears, cracking the knuckles, walking on the recipient's back, and arching the recipient into bhujangasana (or cobra position). There is a standard procedure and rhythm to this massage.

           After having had a few of these we mat some friends while we were headed to Koh Phangan, Grant Perryman and Hei Tung M. Grant(not having had a Thai Massage before apologized ahead of time for falling asleep during the massage. When the rest of us heard this we knew it was his first time and laughed with a sarcastic "good luck" tone.... he was in for a treat.

      

          Even though parts of you will crack you didn't know could, you will feel great after just don't expect to fall asleep and remember to stay loose and just go with it.