THE THAI MASSAGE EXPERIENCE IN CHIANG MAI

Going back to Chiang Mai feels like coming back home.

I have been going to this area since 2008, to deepen my understanding of Thai culture. Chiang Mai is the source of my knowledge and inspiration in this healing art. Even though I have been studying with great western teachers, it feels great to have the whole experience of been in Thailand and experience the buddhist culture. A necessary experience for any ThaiYoga Massage practitioner or lover!

The best way to find a teacher is to receive a massage first and if you like the style, just ask them if they can teach you!

Receiving massage here is a little bit like a lottery. Most of the time you don't really know what is going to happen. This year I had a couple of great encounters, and also some not so great, but this is part of the game ;)

Sometimes a cheap massage ( around 5 € for an hour!!) at the Sunday Market street can blow my mind. I love to get massages in the markets and watch the therapists working. This March I really enjoyed seeing this lady on her 70's that keeps practicing Thai Massage. It was amazing to watch her moving so graciously, effortless and with a pure smile on her face. She is a clear example of how beneficial for the therapist is to practice this kind of bodywork, it is completely sustainable, it keeps you young, agile and happy!

This year I had also the chance to receive treatments from Arjan Sinchai, a blind masseur. I have been hearing about him for many years but never really had the time to meet him. Today he is my favourite therapist in town. In many places, mostly in Thailand ,Thai Massage can be strong and painful. He is right in the opposite vibration. I really felt his loving and caring energy. His work is gentle, slow and deep. He moves around your body in such a gentle way that you can't even hear it. He feels your body tensions and then release them with ease and peace.

He explained to me that when he was young he wanted to study at the University instead of being a therapist, but as he was blind, it was not possible to do it at this time. So he went to the massage school even though he wasn't so interested. After a while he was able to help people's wellbeing, so his perceptions of the work changed and he found great joy helping others. He has more than 30 years of experience working in Hospitals, so he really knows about the therapeutic side of massage, and you can feel that he really loves what he is doing.

It was in one of this wanderings around a market that I had the chance to meet Nun. When you allow your feet and your soul to walk without destiny, universe has the space to send you this kind of gifts.

P'nun was working in a corner of the Silver Temple with a little sing of Tok Sen, 15 min 50 bht.

I knew about this technique from many years, but never really received it. Here the therapist uses a kind of wooden tool and hammer to work along your energy lines. So I had a try with her. On her first touch I could feel her presence and passion.

She Tok ( that is the sound of the hammer hitting the tool...so while you receive your treatment your nervous systems fall sleep with the sweet sound tok tok tok) along the energy lines and the percussion goes deeper into your system. The stagnation of energy melts away and all of a sudden you feel a healthier energy flow running trough your body.

The day after I met her again to receive a full body Tok Sen. There she warms your energy lines with the Tok Sen and then she performs the classic Thai Massages stretches.

I really recommend to meet her. If you like her style you can even get a one to one course! Those are the kind of courses where you really get the full Thai culture experience while leaning!

Traveling to learn is an invaluable experience. Bring yourself out of your comfort zone and allow the magic to happen. I feel enormously grateful for the teachings of many anonymous therapists out there that I only met because I was in the right place at the right time, looking for the experience. I can say that there is no bad experience of any sort, as I have learned from all of them.

If you are curious and like to meet Sinchai, Nun or other great masters in Chiang Mai, check the community section in my web site. Don't hesitate to share your personal experience in Chiang Mai in the comments down below or to write me for any tips or advices.

Always enjoy the Thai Massage adventure!!

#thaiyoga #thailand #travels #lifestyle #toksen