Thailand's Naud Bo Rarn Massage

Naud Bo Rarn Massage

Throughout the world there are myriad forms of bodywork and massage. One of the most interesting and therapeutic is the Thai Massage, or Naud Bo Rarn. Thailand may bring to your mind  exotic images with colourful costumes and taste of lemongrass but to me it brings thoughts of the country’s unique form of massage therapy. Massage is one of the ancient healing arts of traditional Thai medicine others being herbal medicine and spiritual meditation. The Naud Bo Rarn methods can be traced back over 2000 years and is credited to an Indian physician named Shivago Komarpaj who was a contemporary of the Buddha.  Buddhist monks and nuns preserved Nuad Bo Rarn therapy, the only surviving text of these traditional forms of bodywork which were carved in stone and set in the wall of a temple, Wat Po, in Bangkok. Thai massage has been passed down, by practice, as part of that tradition. Therapists outside of Thailand must receive training in the special method from select group of instructors who have received their teacher training and certification in Thailand.

Thai massage is a form of body therapy which incorporates gentle passive stretching techniques, compression and acupressure. This type of massage differs from the Western massage in a number of ways, as Thai massage is performed on a mat or on the floor, rather than a massage table. This allows the therapists the freedom to reform the stretches by utilising both his and the client’s body weight. Since both the therapist and client are dressed in lightweight comfortable clothing, no lotion or massage oils are used in Thai massage.

One of the unique features of this work is a use of rhythmic compressions following the client’s energy lines or “sen” lines. These lines resemble, but are not identical to, the meridians, or energy lines of Chinese medicine, to which the bodies of vital energy or “chi” travels. This energy is called “prana” in the Indian tradition. The goal of Thai massage is to promote the free flow of vital energy throughout the body. This energy is believed to be subject to becoming blocked at the joints, therefore the focus on gentle stretching is to open up the joints. The end result is that a Thai massage session is both relaxing and energising at the same time.

While experiencing this type of massage, one will experience influences of India’s Ayurvedic medicinal tradition. It is said that the Thai massage is like “assisted yoga” since the therapist does all the work while the client remains passive.

Nuad Bo-Rarn has many benefits such as increased flexibility, relaxation of muscles and increased range of motion at the joints. These benefits make Thai massage is a great bodywork system for anyone involved in athletic activity or physical training. Thai massage will also help keep your muscles stretched and healthy this will assist you in athletic performance and help to prevent muscle injuries. You don’t need to be an athlete to enjoy and benefit from these massages. Virtually everyone qualifies for these massages because therapies, as in other types of massage, can adapt the massage techniques to meet your special needs or capabilities. Since you remain cloaked throughout the session, the massage can be given almost anywhere.

Nuad Bo-Rarn is medative for both the therapist and client, as the slow rhythmic techniques and increased body awareness facilitate a military state. This helps to reinforce the mind-body connection of both therapist and client and also assist in an overall sense of relaxation while being and in the piece. In Thai massage, as in any other form of massage, “to receive his golden, but to give is divine.”

Beyond Basic Black: The variety of Tea.

Jasmine Tea

In spite of the various names, tea is tea – all teas, excluding herbal varieties,  come from the tea plant, Camellia Sinensis - black, green and oolong  are considered the basic types of teas but thousands of different types of tea exist.  Differences in flavor, color, and strength are based on factors in growing, harvesting and production. Fresh tea leaves from the bush are course and dull. Processing methods largely determine the end flavor of the tea.

 Black tea is made by drying tea leaves to reduce moisture content and concentrating the volatile oils. The leaves are then crushed to release plant enzymes that create flavor and fermented to oxidize the volatile oils that have been released by crushing. Finally, the leaves are heated to halt fermentation process and the end tea as a rich and robust flavor.

Green tea is unfermented, giving it a more stringent greener taste. The leaves are steamed immediately after picking to inactivate plant enzymes and prevent fermentation and then crushed and dried to free the volatile oils that add flavor.

Oolong tea is partially dried fermented to create a blend of the qualities of both black and green tea.

 

oolong tea

Teas may also be blended to create a variation of flavors may be flavored with other ingredients, like Jasmine of Bergamot.

Herbal tea, technically not a tea at all – uses a blend of dried plant flowers, stems, roots and leaves. Roots and stems are brewed by decoction, boiling for 10 to 15 minutes. While flowers and leaves are prepared by infusion or pouring boiling water over the mixture and allowing it to the steep for 3 to 5 minutes.

Preparation methods also add character. Try yerba – the potent Argentinean favourite – with a  touch of  vanilla and milk to soften the vigorous flavor.

Karkade, a traditional Egyptian tea, consists of hibiscus flowers and copious quantities of sugar.

Moroccan mint tea – strong, heavily sweetened brew of spearmint leaves – it is traditionally served after meals in the Middle East.

White coffee, a Lebanese favorite, actually tea-like concoction made an orange flowers and sugar and serve hot in demitasse glasses.

Dried Jasmine Tea

Five best reason to drink tea

It is a great excuse for a party. Invite friends over for afternoon tea. Serve scones, watercress and cucumber sandwiches. Speak with a British accent.

It's good for you.Tea  has specific healing properties that rival even the most novel supplement. Black and green teas have antioxidant properties and herb teas offer various health benefits from improving digestive to promoting sleep.

It is nice and gentle. We are rushed enough. We don't need more excessive stimulation. Even decaf coffee contains harsh plant alkaloids that can promote nervousness and the jitters and black tea has only a third of caffeine in coffee.

It's varied. There are dozens of varieties of teas and herbal blends. Even the most unsophisticated taste buds can tell the difference between a rich Earl Grey and a fruity hibiscus or a tangy lemon tea. Don't forget you can ice it too.

It's an event. Tea, with its slow down attitude offers an opportunity to revive. Collect exotic TV varieties; invest in a good ceramic pot, use sugar cubes and creamers. Set aside a specific time and place every day to sit with a couple of your favorite tea and reflect upon life.

We are suppliers of Teas and Herbal Teas, please take a minute to visit our site ThaiHerbSpice.com