Thai Me Up, Thai Me Down: The Importance of Human Touch

I’m happy to report that I’m no longer Thai’d up in knots thanks to Wassana Sanlar, Thai massage therapist extraordinaire, at Tao Healing Arts Center on Main Street in Santa Monica. A native of Thailand and the the oldest of three sisters, Wassana moved to Los Angeles 10 years ago and I am so grateful that she did.

It had been a good 3 months since my last massage and when I tumbled onto Wassana’s table following 30 minutes in a spacious Far Infrared Sauna, my body was tingling with anticipation. Although the session was slated to be a Thai Massage, my body was clear that it kneaded (pun intended) some deep tissue work thrown in for good measure. And as Wassana so eloquently stated, “We listen to what the body wants and then we go from there.”

Believed to have been developed by the Buddha’s physician over 2500 years ago, Thai massage combines Traditional Thai Medicine with stretching and deep massage. Using hands, elbows, knees and feet the therapist puts the client into yoga-like positions to relax muscles, increase flexibility and range of motion as well as to center the mind and body. And, while we may think of massage as a luxury, this ancient form of healing assists our bodies in activating their own restorative powers and thereby enabling us to open up our energetic pathways and receive unlimited energy from the universe.

By the end of the 90-minute session I felt relaxed, unwound and like I had just shared a pot of tea with a trusted friend. We even came up with a concept for a unique desk chair to assist those dealing with chronic neck pain. More on how I overcome chronic neck pain and further developments on the chair (after we secure the patent;) in a future blog.

About Tao Healing Arts Center:

For more than a quarter of a century, the Tao Healing Arts Center has built and maintained its reputation as a healing sanctuary for those seeking vibrant, long-lasting health. The Center, through its expertise in both Eastern and Western healing arts therapies and medicinal practices, focuses on balancing the body’s energy (Qi) and supporting its natural healing processes.