Origins:

Thai yoga massage

Traditional Thai Massage is an ancient form of healing which spread from India, along with Buddhism, to other parts of Asia over 2000 years ago. It is known in Thailand as Nuad Borarn, which translates simply as ancient massage, although it is also known as Thai medical massage or Thai bodywork.

The founder of Thai massage was an Indian doctor called Jivaka Kumarabhacca. He was physician and friend to the Buddha and also personal physician to Bimbisara the king. Jivaka Kumarabhacca is regarded by many as the father of medicine. He introduced manipulative techniques, along with dietary change and the use of herbs, which were taught to monks and nuns at the temples. These temples then became a place of both medical and spiritual healing.

Even today a prayer of thanks is offered to the Father Doctor before any treatment begins. This is said or sung in Pali and invokes help from the spirit of Jivaka Kumarabhacca to remove illness and bring the receiver back to state of wellbeing.

Unfortunately, medical texts in the Pali language that detailed this traditional from of medicine were destroyed in Ayutthia when the Burmese invaded in 1767. However in 1782, Rama I ruled from the new capital in Bangkok and had stone carvings made from what could be salvaged of the texts. These carvings were set in to the walls of Wat Po, which is probably the best-known monastery and school of Thai massage in Bangkok. The carvings are still there today.

As the roots of Thai massage lie in Indian medical practices and Buddhism, it is no surprise that the treatment is much more than a mechanical exercise in stretching. The stretches come from yogic practices and as such are true to the spirit of yoga. The word yoga denotes a union of mind, body and spirit, not only between giver and receiver but also of a union with the universe as well.

Thai massage is given and received in a meditative state that is similar to the Buddhist practice of ‘ metta’, or loving-kindness. It provides a space whereby the receiver can ‘let go’ not just of physical aches and pains, but of mental, emotional and spiritual blocks as well. This makes Thai yoga massage a truly holistic experience for both giver and receiver.

Reiki

Reiki is an energy healing system that originated in Japan in the early part of the 20th century. The word Reiki can be broken down into Rei which means universal and Ki which means life force energy. The founder of the Reiki healing system was Dr. Mikao Usui, a Tendai Buddhist monk, who is said to have received a sign or empowerment following a 21 day fast on Mount Kurama. This gave him the ability to give healing through his hands. From this he created a system of both self-healing and spiritual development as well as a way of healing others. There are many variations in the history of the development of Reiki and these increase as more information comes out of Japan. Originally Reiki was brought to the west by Mrs Takata. In her version Usui was portrayed as a Christian minister trying to find the power of the miracles of Christ. This is now known not to be the case and it is thought that this version was given to make the concept of Reiki healing more appealing to 1940’s America.

Today Reiki is predominantly taught and practiced at three levels. A practitioner must be attuned to each level by someone who is already a master practitioner. The first level allows for self-healing, the second level passes on the ability to send healing across distances and the third level confers the ability to attune others. This teaching is being challenged by more practitioners now as information from Japan shows that the practice of Reiki can be an ongoing journey of spiritual development and a complete part of life, rather than just a healing method.

Although Reiki is developing along many paths, it remains, at it’s heart a very effective energy therapy. Discussion and variation only add to the richness and simplicity that is Reiki healing and underlying the whole practice are the Reiki precepts given to us by Dr. Mikao Usui. They state:

• Just for today, do not worry.
• Just for today, do not be angry.
• Just for today, learn your living honestly.
• Just for today, honour your parents, teachers and elders.
• Just for today, show gratitude for everything
• In the morning and at night, with hands held in prayer,
  think this in your mind, chant this with your mouth.

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