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<H2>Byron Thai Massage</H2>
Byron Thai Massage is run by Valentina Gombi, an accredited teacher (Chiang Mai, North Thailand) who offers traditional thai massage, theraputic treatments and intensive courses in Byron Bay, Australia. Each healing massage session gives the benefits of acupressure, reflexology, yoga stretches, energy line work (meridian work), internal organ massage and adjustments, and is considered one of the deepest and most thorough full body massage.<BR><BR>
<H2>THE PRINCIPLE OF THAI MASSAGE</H2>
The theoretical foundation of Thai Massage is based on the concept that a life force (also known as prana, chi or energy flow) circulates throughout the body maintaining health and vitality. This life force - invisible currents that can be felt and experienced - is believed to run along approximately 7,200 energy lines or Sens, roughly equivalent to the meridians of Chinese acupuncture and to the Ayurvedic channels. When this energy flow is blocked or restricted, it creates sickness or disease.<BR><BR>
To clear these blockages Thai Massage combines the application of pressure (produced with hands, thumbs, elbows, forearms, feet and knees) with manipulation, adjustment and muscle stretching in a full bodywork which improves overall health and well-being. Energy pathways are cleared, muscles are elongated, joints are freed, internal organs and all bodily functions are stimulated into moving towards a more balanced state.
Thai Massage is an interactive form of bodywork that is often compared to a dance in which the bodies of practitioner and client merge in continuing movement.<BR><BR>
The influence of yoga is apparent from the positions (yoga asana) and stretching movements (adjustments) typical of the massage and also from the similarity between 3 of the 10 main thai sens with the yogic nadis Ð ayurvedic energy channels. The Thai sen sumana runs along the center of the body and reaches the tongue like the sushumna of the yogic physiology, the Thai pingkhalaa, like the Sanskrit pingala, reaches the right nostril and is associated with the sun; while the Thai ithaa, like the sanskrit ida, reaches the left nostril and is associated with the moon.<BR><BR>
Thai Massage it's like having yoga done to your body. The muscle stretching which takes the form of yoga asana frees up joint spaces and deepens the stretch in a way that is passive for the recipient, yet very active in its effects. Because of the muscle stretching, joint release and emphasis on breath, Thai Massage also offers similar benefits to yoga: flexibility, internal organ massage, oxygenation of the blood, mobilization, postural alignment, and quieting of the mind. Yoga practitioners have said: "With Thai Massage you are having the movements done to you. It removes the preoccupation with trying to get there and suddenly you are in a pose and enjoying it".<BR><BR>
Thai Massage is also very beneficial for the practitioners because it allows them to enter a meditative state of mind, stretch and strengthen their own bodies while working on clients.<BR><BR>
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