Stretching out the hamstrings and the muscles of the lumbar spine, and even the thoracic spine on people who are flexible enough!
Thai Yoga Massage is floor based work, and combines acupressure with some really strong and powerful stretches - working and releasing restrictions in muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia. An added bonus is that it is wonderful to give, as much as it is wonderful to receive - a Thai Yoga Massage session is relaxing, soothing and rhthymical, almost a dance around the person I am working on. It makes a really refreshing change to the more structural sessions that I do - everyone loves being stretched, and these days, everyone needs it - while still having a massive effect on the body - Thai Yoga Massage is still releasing physical tension and restrictions in joint, so it still helps promote improved range and quality of motion, and can still help reduce pain and inflammation.
So I did a photoshoot at The Little Escape a few weeks ago, you may have seen some of the photos appearing on my Facebook and Twitter pages. Here are the results, all in one place, so you can get a flavour of what Thai Yoga Massage is all about.
Stretching out the hamstrings while mobilising the hip joint
Stretching out the lumbar spine and tractioning the shoulders
The supine spinal twist - a great one for releasing restrictions in muscles of the thoracic and lumbar spine
Stretching the main quad tendon while applying soft tissue to the glutes and muscles of the lower back
The Cobra - encouraging the spine into Extension, something we all need to do more of, and stretching out the pecs
Another powerful stretch to the quads
Walking the spine - releasing tension and restrictions in the muscles of the upper lumbar and lower thoracic spine, plus more stretching of the pecs!
Stretching out the erector muscles of the lumbar and thoracic spine
A seated spinal twist, encouraging those lumbar erectors and side rotators and flexors to release
The Bridge, taking the back into a nice arc of extension.
If you like the look of it and would like a session, I am currently offering Thai Yoga Massage in Crystal Palace at The Little Escape, at my home treatment room in Streatham, and for mobile house calls in Streatham too. I hope to be offering Thai Yoga Massage at the Light Centre in the City too, soon!
And most of all, I can't wait for the summer, when I can take my futon to a park or bring it to your garden, and we can hold the session outside basking in fresh air and sunshine!
Many thanks to The Little Escape for the wonderful setting, thanks to @HarmiousShiatsu for the photographer and models.
