Thai Massage - Background & History
The roots of traditional Thai Yoga Massage, called originally in Thailand "Nuad Phaen Boran" (which means: ancient healthful touch) reaches far back in history. The yoga poses e.g.: fish, plough, bridge used in the traditional Thai Yoga Massage and their terminology and characteristics of energy-lines are very similar to the Indian system of ayurveda and yoga. The north Indian physician Jivaka-Komarabhacca (Jivakar Kumar Bhaccha) is mentioned as the father of Thai Massage. He was a contemporary of Buddha and lived in the 5th century B.C. In the ancient writings of the Theravada Buddhism - the Pali-Kanon he is referred to as the personal healer of the Indian king of Magadha, called King Bimbisara. Thai Yoga Massage was presumably passed on by monks which travelled from India to Myanmar over a period of a few centuries through Buddhist teachings.
The only relics of this massage techniques were written on palm leaves
in the language of Pali and were carved into 60 stone tables, initiated
1832 from king Nang Klao and placed in the temple of Wat-Pho in Bangkok.
All other testimonies were destroyed through Burmese conquerors in 1767.
The practice of traditional Thai Yoga Massage in present-day is still
deeply connected with Buddhism and will be applied with "Meta" the
Buddhist term for "Loving Kindness".
The masters of Thai Yoga Massage are mostly religious people and are
working in a state of attentiveness, equanimity, compassion and shared
happiness.