Thai yoga massage is one of the oldest established massage therapy traditions. Thai Yoga Massage originated in India and arrived in Thailand at the same time as Buddhism around 3rd Century BC. The legendary founder was a contemporary of Buddha, a physician called Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha.
His teachings were passed down orally from teacher to student. Diagrams illustrating the knowledge were carved in stone and placed on the walls of Wat Pho, a temple in Bangkok, in 1832, since the original texts had been destroyed, when the Burmese sacked the then capital Ayutthia in 1767.
The theory behind thai massage is that the practitioner works on 10 main energy ( sen) lines. On these lines there are important acupressure points which can open up blockages, stimulate flow of energy and help restore general well-being. This is the same theory as Chinese acupuncture and acupressure, as well as the Japanese system of Shiatsu ( the energy lines in these systems are called meridians).
Traditional Thai Massage is practised all across Thailand, where it is used to maintain physical and emotional health. The massage takes place on a mat on the floor, and the client remains fully clothed throughout. It incorporates much acupressure, stretching and breathing exercises, since it has a basis in Yoga teaching, and it incorporates many Yoga positions.
In Thailand the two renowned Schools are the Old Medicine School in Chiang Mai and the Wat Po Temple in Bangkok. These schools teach the Northern and Southern styles which have some minor variations. Barney trained at the Old Medicine School.