RELAX WITH A THAI MASSAGE.
Thinking about my first time in Thailand brings back a lot of memories; most of which are VERY good. I was living comfortably, eating good food, meeting nice people and undergoing some intense Muay Thai training. By the end of the day, I was exhausted. Even though I was in pretty decent shape, my muscles and joints were always sore. I had heard about Thai massage, but hadn’t had the time or even great desire to check it out. One night, I gave in and went to a local parlor just around the corner of my hotel.
The Beginning Process
Upon walking in, I noticed thick mats on the floor and several Thai and foreigners laying there looking completely relaxed. I knew this was going to be good. A nice older Thai lady gave me an outfit and told me to get changed. The outfit was reminiscent of what a Thai person might wear to relax and lay around the house in. When it came time to tie the fisherman pants, I didn’t have the slightest idea of what the hell I should do. They were 5 times too big and more like loose shorts rather than pants. I opened the curtain and called the Thai lady over; it was as if she was expecting this to happen. She was giggling, but very eager to help me figure the process out, laughing the entire time of course. On the mat, she had me lay down and the process began; starting at my feet, working up and then switching sides. It felt great.
Strange Noises Cause Surprise
About 10 minutes before my hour was up, the woman had me sit up. I thought she had finished early, but I was wrong. She started doing these very deep twists and bends. All I heard was ‘crick, pop, snap’; my bones and tissues were being manipulated in ways I didn’t know was possible. It was during this time, everything ‘clicked’ in my head. All those noises I had heard from the other people in the room, the ‘aah’s, ooh’s and even occasional ouch’, was a result of this intricate process.
The Worry Sets In
Now, I have to be honest. I was pretty nervous that this woman was going to mess up my back and put me down for at least a few days. Not that the massage hurt, it just seemed that some of the technique was not exactly great for the body.
The Results are In
After the massage, I paid the $5, gave the lady a tip and walked out feeling relaxed but curious to know for how long. That night I slept like a baby and in the morning I was careful getting out of bed; paying attention to any possible tense spot in my body. There was nothing. Everything was fine; I felt relieved and was eager to return the following evening. For me, this experience was the best thing I could have done for my body and even my training.
A Unique Form of Bodywork
Thai Massage is a very different from a Swedish or sports massage. There is no table, clothing is worn and unless you are in an upscale spa, no privacy. I know many people who think it is too hard on the body and causes pain, but at the same time I know a lot of people who only get Thai massages. It is really up to the individual; therefore, if you haven’t had one done, try it to see for yourself.
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