Here’s an easy recipe for Thai muscle balm, which can be applied to relieve tired and achy muscles. Use a double boiler to create the mixture. Ingredients: 180 ml extra-virgin olive oil, 45 g beeswax, 1/4 cup camphor salts, 30 drops of peppermint, 30 drops of spearmint, 20 drops each of cinnamon and clove Heat olive oil and beeswax over low heat. Stir until wax is completely melted. Add camphor and allow to dissolve. Add essential oils, stir lightly and spoon into mini glass jars. Cover when cool. |
Tags: camphor, cinnamon, clove, peppermint, relieve tired muscles, spearmint, Thai Massage, Thai muscle balm
I first saw the “Thai Spa Book” in 2006 at a small bookstore in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I was taken with the books combination of aesthetic, visual beauty as well as significant and accurate information about Thai herbal remedies.
I suggest you buy this book to learn more details about the properties of Thai herbs, recipes for Thai bathing rituals, recipes for Thai tonics and juices, as well as recipes for Thai massage oils.
Sample recipe from book: “Banana and Honey Night Cream”. ”To be used on tired feet–recipe provided by the Banyan Tree Spa, Phuket: Honey’s humectant properties nourish and moisturize, the banana is soft and soothing, and the lime is antispetic. Ingredients: Half ripe banana, one tspn honey, half tspn lime juice. Mash the banana and mix all the ingredients well, then apply the mixture all over your feet before going to bed. Put on a pair of cotton socks and leave on overnight. You’ll wake up to find smoother and softer feet. ” Gotta Love that!
Tags: Banana & Honey Foot cream, Thai bathing rituals, Thai herbs, Thai Massage, Thai Spa Book, Thai tonics and juices
If you’ve ever done a yoga class, typically you will go into some variation of Cobra Pose as part of a Sun Salutation series. The Cobra Pose in a Thai Massage is different in that you stay relaxed as the therapist moves you into the stretch. The emphasis, as you can see in the picture, is more about opening the chest, shoulders, and back.
There are several variations of the Cobra Pose when giving a Thai Massage–one type is the one shown–this variation is best for someone who has hypermobility in her hips and low back–also for someone who tends to have low back pain and sciatica.
To try this variation, place your knees at the base of your receiver’s glutes, Sits Bones. Make sure to press your knees down and towards the receiver’s glutes, so you traction the low back/sacrum as you do this stretch. Ask the receiver to hold onto your wrists or forearms. Lean forward and then lean back and pull the receiver along with you. Inhale as the receiver is still down, and exhale as you lift the person and lean back. The receiver should do the same breath. This variation is best for someone with low back pain.
The other variation is to stand to either side of the receiver, at hip level. Same breath–make sure to bend your knees as you lift the person. Of course if someone has had a recent shoulder injury or back injury, you should not do this stretch. Also be sure to instruct the receiver to relax her head down, chin to chest so her neck is not stressed. Repeat the stretch 2 more times.
Tags: assisted cobra pose, chest opening, cobra pose, shoulder opening, Thai Massage, thai yoga massage
I have a keen interest in language. Before Thai Yoga Massage found me, I was teaching English Literature at Denver University. One would say I was obsessed with language at that point in my life. I also speak French, and it has been intriguing over the years to realize the connections between a language and its people. You can learn SO MUCH about a culture by studying its language, especially its idiomatic phrases—the everyday lingo that encapsulates a society. These Thai words are extra, golden nuggets of wisdom for my clients and friends. I encourage you to let these words influence your life.
Mai bpen rai: (Pronunciation: “My Ben Wry”) This phrase translates to “It doesn’t matter”–”It’s all good”–it typifies the Thai way of life–don’t get bogged down by small obstacles, don’t worry, take it easy. Easier said than done, right? But it’s helpful to have a new phrase to help you remember not to worry –to take each moment as it comes.
Sabai: (Pronunciation: “Suh-Bye”) This word literally translates as “happy”, but its usage is more akin with “comfortable”, “relaxed”, or “well.” To be Sabai is to be content and tranquil. Happiness is fleeting, but contentment is always possible–it’s our choice essentially. To intensify this notion, you would repeat the adjective–instead of saying “very relaxed”, in Thai you’d say “relaxed relaxed”. So when someone asks you how you are, you can reply–”Sabai Sabai”–”everything’s chill”, “not a care in the world”. Even if that’s not exactly how you’re feeling in that moment–saying that phrase, “Sabai Sabai”, has a way of taking you to that place of Sabai. Deep breath. Ahhhh. Lovely. Try it.
Tags: contentment, deep breath, Mai Bpen Rai, relaxed, Sabai Sabai, Thai language, Thai Massage
This is an Uber-simple but Ultra-exotic home remedy for stress, tension, and muscle pain.
–Find a local, Asian market (in Denver I go to Little Saigon on Federal and Alameda), and buy one or two roots of ginger–try to get 2 different kinds if it’s available: Galangal and Plai.
–Buy a small amount of white cotton or hemp fabric. You will need enough fabric to cut a piece that is 12” x 14”. You will also need a piece of string, a durable kind, like jute–you can get that at a fabric store or a craft store.
–Slice the root with a large knife on a cutting board.
–Place a bunch of the sliced, ginger root in the middle of the cloth.
–Take each corner of the cloth and gather the fabric in the middle. Squeeze around the compress to pack the ginger root tightly together. Twist the top of this fabric bundle and bind with string to make a handle.
–Voila! You now have a Ginger Root Compress. (Take note–these are fresh compresses, so they will last 2 -3 days. You will want to store it in your fridge between uses.)
–To activate the beneficial properties of the compress, you need to use steam heat. You can do this by either microwaving it or heating it in an electric rice cooker. For microwave use: slightly wet the compress with water, wrap it in a hand towel, lightly wet the hand towel, then place the whole thing in a microwave for 1 – 2 minutes, depending on strength of microwave. Be cautious when taking it out of the microwave. For electric rice cooker use: fill the basin with some water, place the veggie tray on top of the water basin, place the compress on that veggie tray, cover the tray with a hand towel so it’s completely covered, turn the rice cooker on, allow 10-15 minutes for it to steam.
–There are numerous ways to use the compress once you’ve heated it–you can use it for aromatherapy and you can place it on muscles and areas that are sore, painful, and strained. Stay tuned for the next post to get more specifics on how to use it.
Tags: Ginger, Herbal Remedies, Home Spa Treatments, Thai Compresses, Thai Massage, Thai medicine