Thai massage - Kraków

Working with your body may take on various forms, that stemmed from numerous traditions of understanding human constitution, the role of man and his place in the world and society but also in the spiritual and mystic dimensions.
In many traditions, especially those from Far East, the body is seen as a certain vehicle. That vehicle - when used conscientiously and with utmost consideration – is able to raise us to a higher level of perception of reality. Some say it may even help us achieve a higher level of enlightenment.
This perspective may be hard to accept for a person from the western tradition, as it falls outside the main stream of our culture. However, the message sent by our body and its symptoms, may be a source of knowledge on ourselves, our emotions, blockages, limitations or unconscious needs, which continues to be the focus of many contemporary psychotherapy trends. Among these we can name Wilhelm Reich`s vegetotherapy, bioenergetic analysis of Alexander Lowen and, to a lesser extent, Gestalt psychotherapy and Arnold Mindell`s process oriented psychology.
Among “touchless” methods of working with body we can name yoga, which becomes more and more popular in the west, pranayama, mindfulness meditation, reiki, holotropic breathing techniques, Tai Chi and Qigong.
Healing “touch” methods include all therapeutic massage techniques including Thai massage as the most principal (that is our subjective opinion). Reflexology, chiropractic, Bowen technique, Rolfing (structural integration) and Feldenkrais method all fall into this category.

The feeling of pain and bodily discomforts may be caused by an obvious mechanic injuries, chronic illness that causes degenerations, as well as stress related tensions that accumulate in body tissue.
Manual therapies are a general category. We list here all diagnostic methods, techniques and treatment of reversible functional disorders of musculoskeletal system (joints, muscles, fascia and tendons). They additionally aim to stimulate liquid connective tissue (circulatory and lymphatic systems). Examination and intervention are both performed with the hands of the therapist, therefore this type of work is called manual therapy.
The most important manual techniques are:

• manipulations: fast techniques that extend the scope of joints` movement often accompanied by “clicks” and “cracks”
• mobilizations: slower and less abrupt stretching techniques that improve the elasticity of soft tissue, mainly tendons
• massage: affects all soft tissue, starting from skin, muscles, facia, ligaments, tendons, periosteum.    It actuates circulatory and lymphatic systems, tissue fluid and may improve functioning of internal organs.

All the named techniques with their beneficial therapeutic advantages make up the definition of Traditional Thai Massage. It significantly steps outside the traditional definition of massage, rather being seen as a universal and comprehensive method of working with the body.

You may not know that:

• Thailand was the only country in South East Asia that was never colonized by the West, and one of its official names, Prathet Thai, may be translated as ‘The Country of Free People’.
• Just like the United Kingdom, Thailand is a constitutional monarchy, with the king universally revered. Anyone who dares to disrespect the king by actions or words may end up locked up in a hot and stuffy cell for a long time.
• Theravada Buddhism is followed by 94% of Thai population who worship in 35.000 temples around the country. Every boy under 20 years of age is encouraged to experience monastery life and become a monk for a year or two. Women are currently fighting to override this monopoly and gain full access to monastery life.
• Thailand with its 3200 km of shoreline and 1430 islands is a true paradise for those who love beach life and frolicking in the sea.
• Those who love mountains should head to the north of Thailand, where you can marvel in the delicious cultural varieties of local ethnic minorities.
• Thailand's capital city, Bangkok, is a metropolis just under ten million. Fifteen million tourists visit the city each year (including the Thai themselves). Although it is the hottest city of the world (on the basis of annual mean temperature readings), often ‘caught up in traffic’ and enveloped in a cloud of pollution, it is definitely a fascinating ‘must-see’ on the list.
• Thailand is a kingdom of animals. 10% of all known bird species can be found in Thailand. 2,500 elephants live freely in the country, with just as many domesticated and very often living in cruel conditions. Thailand`s forests are alive with many other species like: tapirs, tigers, rhinos, macaque monkeys, gibbons, gaurs (Indian bisons) and crocodiles. Thailand is home to the world`s smallest mammal: Kitti's hog-nosed bat (also known as bumblebee bat), while waters around the shore hide the biggest fish of the world: whale shark.
• Thailand is the world's top exporter of rice and... orchids. Orchid is the national symbol of Thailand, around 1500 of its species grow locally.
• Thai cuisine, local martial art Muay Thai and Thai Traditional Massage are the most recognizable trinity of ‘Thai culture ambassadors’ in the world.