A therapeutic dance
What it does special to traditional Thai massage It is not only its antiquity or its oriental roots, but the way it is performed: with movement, presence and rhythmUnlike other types of massage, where the patient remains virtually immobile and the therapist works from a massage table, in Thai massage, both bodies are in constant interaction, primarily on the floor, on a futon or mat. The therapist's body not only touches: accompanies, guides, synchronizes, for that reason Traditional Thai massage is called the dance of the therapist and the patient
In each session, we apply pressure with palms, thumbs, elbows or feet, and combine these pressures with joint mobilizations and stretching reminiscent of yoga, but passive. And this is where the feeling of “choreography” appears: the therapist does not move randomly, but with a fluid order, almost like a sequence of rehearsed movements that adapts to the patient's body.
But it's not a fixed choreography. It's like an improvisation between two dancers who understand each other without speaking. I observe how the patient breathes, how their muscles relax, how their body reacts to each stretch. Sometimes I speed up, sometimes I stop. I listen with my hands and respond with my body.
And this is noticeable. It's not just me who notices it when I work, they notice it too. More than once, a patient has told me: “It seemed like you knew exactly where to take me.”And that is, for me, the essence of Thai massage: a deep, conscious and rhythmic body accompaniment, where we are both part of the same healing dance.
The art of movement in Thai massage
Thai massage is not based on strength, but on the the art of moving with fluidity, rhythm, and body awarenessAs therapists, we do not go around “doing things” to the patient’s body; We move with him, at his pace, as if we were dancing a slow and meditative piece.
Every push, every stretch, is accompanied by the movement of our entire body. If we push with our hands, we do so from the hips. If we mobilize a leg, we do so by leveraging the weight of our torso. We work on the floor because it gives us the freedom to move more freely and use postures that would be impossible on a table. Instead of exerting specific force, We transmit the weight in a controlled manner, using gravity to our advantage..
My training in Asia: learning to move with respect and precision
Training in Asia was an experience that changed me not only as a therapist, but also as a person. Studying in South Korea, and later receiving instruction from Thai masters, taught me that Thai massage, the dance of therapist and patient, is not just a technique: It is an attitude, a presence, a form of respect towards the body of the other.
From day one, I understood that it wasn't about accumulating maneuvers or learning routines like recipes. What they taught you was to move with intention, with listening, with humilityThey made me repeat the same sequence for hours, not so I could memorize it, but so I could truly "feel" it, from within. Because in Thai massage, You are the channel, not the protagonist.
The lesson of body weight
One of the most important lessons I learned, and which I still apply in every session today, was to use the weight of my body instead of muscle strengthI discovered this very clearly thanks to a Korean teacher who had a very particular way of teaching: he spoke little and showed a lot.
I remember a practice where I was applying pressure with my thumbs to a partner's back. After a few seconds, the teacher came over, looked at me, and simply said, "Relax your arms. Use your core." Then he stood behind me, gently took my arms, and let his body weight fall onto mine. I felt how His pressure was deep, firm, but without tension, as if its energy flowed through me.
It was a revelatory moment. I understood that if I tried to control everything from my shoulders and arms, I would end up exhausted and my massage would be stiff. On the other hand, if I let the strength came from the ground, from my feet and hips, I could work hard without getting tired, and most importantly: without invading the patient.
Since then, every time I apply pressure or stretch, I think about that sensation. I focus, breathe, and let the weight do its work. And so, little by little, the massage becomes much more natural and effective.
Body listening: adapting the choreography to each patient
One of the keys to traditional Thai massage—and any well-done manual therapy—is knowing how to do it. listen to the patient's bodyAnd I'm not just talking about what he tells us with words, but what he expresses through his posture, his breathing, the tension in his muscles, or his level of commitment to touch.
Because Not all bodies speak the sameSome open easily to contact, others need time. Some arrive very rigid, as if made of stone, and others seem almost liquid, but hide deep tensions. Therefore, although Thai massage has a basic structure, The choreography must adapt to each body like a tailor-made suit.
Postural and sensory reading
Before starting a session, I usually observe how the patient lies, how their head rests, how their feet fall, how they breathe. These details tell me a lot. If one leg is more turned than the other, there may be pelvic rotation. If the chest is sunken and the shoulders slumped, there is accumulated emotional tension. And if breathing is shallow, the nervous system is probably on alert.
That reading helps me decide Where to start, what pace to take, and what techniques to avoid or enhance.
Benefits of this “dance” for the patient
What makes traditional Thai massage unique is that It acts not only on the muscles, but also on the fascia, joints, breathing and the body's energy system.It's a comprehensive technique that works from the physical to the subtlest aspects, which is why its benefits are so profound and long-lasting. Thai dance massage, the interaction between the therapist and the patient, will be a tremendous tool.
Myofascial release and deep stretching
During the session, when applying sustained pressures and assisted stretchingWe help release fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds muscles and organs. Often, the stiffness or pain isn't in the muscle itself, but in the fascia that covers it, which has become dense or inelastic.
For example, when I perform a stretching sequence on the posterior chain (hamstrings, glutes, and lower back), the patient not only gains flexibility, but also feels how their body “opens” from within. This myofascial work improves the circulation, oxygenates the tissues and reduces the feeling of muscular heaviness.
Energy Unblocking
From the Eastern perspective, the body has channels through which vital energy circulates (called sen in Thailand, similar to the meridians in Chinese medicine). When this energy stagnates, pain, insomnia, anxiety, or fatigue may appear. Thai massage, by working on these channels through rhythmic pressure, helps to reactivate the energy flow, and with this the body recovers its natural balance.
How does the patient feel afterwards?
By releasing physical tension, unblocking energy and working in depth, The body regains its mobility and the nervous system enters a state of calmThis combination produces an overall feeling of well-being that can last for days.
In short, this therapeutic dance not only improves the body: restores internal harmony and allows the patient to reconnect with themselves.
When massage becomes art
After so many years working with the human body, I can say with complete certainty that Traditional Thai massage is much more than a technique: it is an art in motionIt's a way of connecting with others without words, of accompanying with respect, of creating a space where the body can express itself, let go, and regain its balance.
And as in all art, The key is in the connection between those who share it. In this case, between therapist and patient. It doesn't matter if I apply a longer or shorter sequence, if I use my hands or feet, if there are stretches or just gentle pressure. What really makes the difference is the presence with which one works, the ability to listen with your hands and move with others, not above them.
When that connection occurs, the massage becomes something deeper: a therapeutic, intimate, and healing dance.
So, if you've never tried this technique, I wholeheartedly invite you to give it a try. You don't need to be flexible or have any prior experience. You just need to come with the body you have today, with your tensions, your blockages, your desire to take care of yourself.
And together, slowly, with respect and awareness, we will dance that silent dance that can do you so much good.
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