What is Thai Yoga Massage?

By Elizabeth Levens

I first experienced Thai Yoga Massage at my yoga teacher training at Frog Lotus Yoga. My trainer studied Thai Yoga Massage extensively in Thailand for several years. She frequently incorporated elements of Thai Yoga Massage in her hands on assists and offered sessions during free time at training. I was quick to sign up for a session, thinking it would be a great way to combine both yoga and massage. After the first session, I experienced immediate relief from neck and wrist pain, as well as more range of motion in my entire body. I also had more energy. I eagerly scheduled additional sessions.

Having many musician and athlete friends who could benefit from this healing practice, I was inspired to become a Thai Massage practitioner. Since my yoga teacher training, I have taken several Thai Massage workshops, and completed a comprehensive training last year at Frog Lotus.

Thai Yoga Massage sessions combine assisted gentle yoga postures, and massage work. Many describe Thai Massage as “lazy man’s yoga,” because of the relaxing nature of the assisted stretches. In contrast to traditional Swedish massage, Thai Massage sessions are performed on a mat, with no oils or lotions, with the receiver wearing normal yoga clothes. Techniques include compression strokes, reflexology, energy line work, and techniques which boost circulation. Thai Massage sessions focus on the entire body, rather than isolating specific problem spots, adopting an Eastern medical approach, which views the mind, body, and spirit as connected. All types of massage and reflexology have been shown to have multiple health benefits, including reduction of pain and stress, improved circulation and nerve function, and increased lymph flow.

In Thailand, massage is viewed as a medical treatment. Thai medicine acknowledges four major branches: manipulation, medicine, diet, and spiritual ceremonies, where massage falls under the manipulation category. The roots of Thai Massage are in Ayurvedic medicine. During ancient times, missionaries and travelers along the Silk Road brought Indian Ayurvedic medicine, Buddhism, and other traditions to Thailand. They also passed on the teachings of Dr. Jivaka Kumarbhacca, who is considered the Father of Thai Medicine. Dr. Jivaka, an Indian Ayurvedic doctor, was a skilled brain surgeon who treated Buddha and invented Thai practices of herbalism, massage, and acupressure. These massage practices were passed on through word of mouth for many generations, and were eventually recorded on palm leaves. In the nineteenth century, King Rama III carved the texts into epigraphs at the Wat Pho temple in Bangkok.


Thai Massage treatments are focused on opening up the ten major sen lines, or energy lines. These lines are invisible, and do not have an exact anatomical base. They are all connected with various orifices in the body. Opening up the sen lines restores energy to the entire body, facilitating healing. Thai Massage views pain as a reflection of imbalance. Thai massage restores balance, improves range of motion, decreases stiffness and pain, and provides healing to the internal organs. Thai Massage is appropriate for all ages and flexibility levels, and can be offered as full Thai Yoga Massage sessions, or incorporated into hands on assisting in yoga sessions.

The Restorative Yoga with Thai Massage workshop will combine relaxing, supported restorative yoga postures with Thai Massage, working the entire body. I am honored to offer this relaxing and incredibly healing modality, and plan to continue my studies in Thai Massage, hopefully in Thailand in the future.

Elizabeth Levens began practicing yoga in high school to relieve neck and back pain from practicing violin several hours each day. She soon discovered that yoga not only improved back and neck pain, but offered a unique ability to combine a physical workout with mental benefits, including relaxation, clarity, and inner guidance. After practicing for several years, she was eager to share these benefits with others and completed a 200-hour Hatha and Vinyasa residential yoga teacher training at Frog Lotus Yoga. Since her 200-hour training, she has completed hands on assisting training at Down Under Yoga, and Thai Massage training through the Triple Gem School of Thai Massage. A professional violinist, she has a Bachelor of Music in violin performance from Boston University and Master of Music from University of South Florida. She has a large private violin studio, teaches fourth grade orchestra, and performs in several orchestras in the Boston area. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, playing with her dogs, kayaking, and pursuing graduate work in occupational therapy.