Thai Massage consists of slow and rhythmic compression along with stretching, joint opening movements that resemble assisted yoga positions. One aspect of work in Thai Massage is similar to what in western terminology should be called peripheral stimulation. The term "Thai Massage" doesn't really reflect what is used to be understood as "Massage" in western world.
During the session the client remains fully clothed, laying on a mat on the floor. The practitioner uses their thumbs, palms, feet, elbows and knees to press, pull and stretch, guiding the recipient into various assisted yoga postures, while remaining focused on their own body-center. In areas of tension the pressure can be held for a longer time.
This combination of slow movements and focused awareness creates a sense of flowing dance around and with the recipient's body. Sometimes it is called "yoga for lazy people". It is good both for receiver as well as for the giver.
The session is tailored according to the individual needs and body condition of the receiver. The pressure strength might be soft, medium or hard dependent on sensitivity, flexibility and level of muscular tension but also on age and health condition. The same principle applies for stretching techniques.
Full sessions last 1.5 - 2 hours. One hour is considered to be short. It is so because techniques of Thai massage are performed in slow pace and cover the whole body, from feet to the head and face.
