The Norwegian Massage Association is an approved practitioner organization for Thai massage and Yoga massage. We want to ensure the quality of these directions, for the benefit of both the athletes and their customers.
Our members are educated and run a practice that follows ours academic requirement.
Thai Massage
Thai Massage is a treatment method that has been around for more than 2500 years. The traditional Thai massage combines techniques from acupressure and yoga. Getting a Thai massage is like doing yoga exercises effortlessly while receiving acupressure treatment.
The massage is usually performed on a mat on the floor with clothes on, and the practitioner uses both hands, feet and elbows as tools during the treatment. Thai massage has a wide range of techniques and grips such as stretching, twisting, stroking, pressing and kneading.
NB! Traditional Thai Massage includes not joint manipulation or “buckling”. We do not allow such techniques among our members, and will consider it a violation of our guidelines. Our liability insurance does not cover such techniques.
The grips reduce muscle tension and increase joint mobility. There are different sequences for each part of the body, which stimulates the nervous system and balances the body's energy system. Thai massage calms the mind and creates a harmonious feeling throughout the body. Massage therapists with long experience know the body's points well, and can improve the client's energy flows and blood circulation using the hands.
Thai massage is especially suitable for stress-related ailments.
Before and now
The Thai massage originated in India in the time of the Buddha. The massage found its way to Southeast Asia where the monks introduced it as part of Thai medicine. The monks saw illness as an imbalance in body, mind and soul. They treated the imbalance with the four elements of Thai medicine: diet, herbs, meditation and massage. Later the massage spread and elements from yoga and ayurveda were added.
The massage is no longer limited to temples, but it still contains spiritual elements. Many practitioners begin the day with a prayer based on Buddhist teachings. Prayer focuses on compassion, love, joy and balance.
Today, Thai massage is performed throughout Thailand - at massage schools, at old traditional hospitals, in hotels, on beaches and on just about every street corner in Bangkok. While many of the clinics, especially in Bangkok, are not approved because practitioners have undergone only minimal training, other clinics follow strict quality criteria and employ only highly trained masseurs.
Yoga Massage
Yoga massage has its origins in Ayurveda and Yoga, two Indian health systems where the holistic perspective is central. With Ayurvedic massage and yoga-based stretching, the body is stimulated to restore its natural health and vitality.
The form of treatment affects the whole body and reaches the deeper connective tissue structures. The masseur uses hands and feet, and the pressure is adapted to the client's muscle tension. The body is first softened with massage, then assisted yoga is performed. Room temperature oil is used in sparse amounts and the whole body is usually treated.
Yoga massage can counteract back and neck problems, and aches in the shoulders, hips, knees and feet. The form of treatment can also be effective in stress-related symptoms and sleep disorders. The method is very good if you are stiff and tense in the body. It is recommended for those who want to start with yoga or other exercise and training. Excellent for active athletes.