Traditional Thai Massage is branch of Thai medicine. It’s therapy based on an energy work philosophy of healing through flowing “lom” a life force wind, known in other cultures as qi, chi, prana, mana and ki. A Thai Massage Therapist manipulates the lom through the “sen,” the meridians along the body where this energy flows. Of course, all this sounds more complicated than it really is, and it’s been practiced for thousands of years as a sacred healing method in Southeast Asia.
Matthew Galena, who teaches at the Thai Massage of Maui, says an apt description is as “Lazy Man’s Yoga.” He says the recipients of Thai massage are pushed, pulled, bent and twisted through a one-way partner session. The recipient is clothed, no oils are used and they allow themselves to be positioned, supported and moved about by the therapist. Galena says he got hooked for life when he was introduced to Thai Massage in his professional massage training in 2003.
“Arthritis, tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and nerve entrapment all are effectively treatable in the long-term with massage and acupressure to release contracted muscle knots, and with stretching to lengthen the muscles, reducing strain on tendons and restoring needed space within the joints to prevent further unnecessary wear and tear using nothing more than fingers, palms, forearms, elbows, knees, feet and toes,” says Galena. “No medications dispensed or provided, no scalpels or lasers necessary. All you have to do is prevent the problems from happening in the first place by providing space. A little elbow room on the inside!”
Thai Massage Therapists are also considered healers, and Galena believes there are not enough of them on Maui to service all of the people who could benefit. Galena has created the Thai Massage Institute because he says one of his biggest challenges is having enough practitioners to get to new clients. His answer to this are workshops and an internship program where, once you’ve attended any class, you may return to experience that class again for free. He hopes that by allowing students to return he will cultivate more healing hands in the community.
“It’s important to remember, however, that Thai massage is not a cure,” he says. “It’s a treatment that encourages the body to move in the right direction, especially by loosening and lengthening your muscles. Once relaxed and long, however, your muscles will still contract, shorten and clench because that’s exactly what they are designed to do! That’s how we move around! The body, however, is organic and ever-changing (for better or worse), especially when you’re working and playing hard with it. Here on Maui, we have surfing, windsurfing, stand-up paddling, outrigger canoeing, kite boarding, long distance biking, hiking, running, and dancing, just to name a few of our common high-impact hobbies. That’s what we do for play, so what about the rigors of work? All of these activities are wonderful for the adventurous soul, but it’s important to recognize that all this positive energy in ‘getting out’ can have long-term negative effects within, unless we intentionally keep them in check.”
To find out more about workshops and the internships go to Thaimassageinstitute.com. For more info on Thai massage, go to sabaimaui.com.