The Elements of Thai Massage are based on two theories:

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1. Sen Sib: “Prana” Life Energy Lines (learn more in the Sen Sib section below)

   1. Life energy in Thai Massage is called “Prana” and translates to “the wind of Life.”

   2. 7200 energy channels originate in the abdominal cavity and spread through the entire body via the ten major channels called “Sen Sib.”

   3. Prana must be able to flow through these Sen Sib channels to maintain health; any blockages in the channels will lead to illness or poor health.

   4. Blockages in Sen Sib channels are caused from an imbalance or disharmony of Life Theory Elements in the body.

 

1. Life Theory Elements:  Earth, Water, Wind, and Fire.

   1. Earth: solid properties

      1. 20 parts of the body are represented by earth as solid properties: hair; body hair; nails; teeth; skin; muscles; tendons; ligaments; bones; bone marrow; spleen; brain; heart; liver; kidneys; lungs; colons; intestines; stomach; and rectum.

      2. Thai massage affects the earth elements by relaxing/stretching muscles, tendons, and ligaments; and stimulating/detoxifying organs.

   2. Water: fluid part of life; resides in earth (body), and requires wind (circulation) for movement

      1. 12 products of the body’s organs are represented by the water element: bile; mucus; lymph; blood; sweat; liquid fat; solid fat; tears; saliva; nasal mucus; synovial fluid (lubrication of joints); and urine.

      2. Thai massage stimulates the water elements to flow through the entire body and helps maintain healthy function of the organs.

   3. Wind: constitutes lightness and circulation; provides energy for movement in all activities and functions of the body

      1. 6 types of wind energy flow through the body: movement from lower to upper part of body; from upper to lower part of body; from inside abdominal cavity but outside of the stomach and intestines; from inside the stomach and intestines; throughout the entire body via blood circulation; and breath through inhalation and exhalation.

      2. Thai massage helps direct the wind elements to flow in the proper direction to benefit the body.

   4. Fire: heat and energy of life; assists wind and water elements to flow with the right temperature, and keeps earth elements warm to maintain healthy organs.

      1. 4 types of fire elements are within the body: the fire that keeps the body warm, located near the lungs; the fire that creates restlessness, located near the heart; the fire that digests food, located in the digestive organs; and the fire that causes deterioration of the body, located in the lower part of the body.

      2. Thai massage benefits the fire elements by improving circulation and helping the body to maintain the right temperature for optimal health.

Good health is the result of balance in the Life Elements in the body. Any imbalance or disharmony in these elements causes blockages in Sen Sib energy channels which lead to illness. Thai Massage helps to restore and maintain the necessary balance of these elements to promote health and wellbeing.