Let’s travel back 2,500 years to the time of the Buddha. Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha (Doctor Shivago Kompara) from India, revered as the “Father of Medicine” to the Thais, is respected as the person who developed Thai Massage. Jivaka was noted to be the Buddha's physician with his sangha (community) of monks and nuns. 

With roots in traditional Indian systems, such as Yoga and Ayurveda, 2000 years ago, Thai Massage was brought from India to Thailand along with Buddhism. Passed down from generation to generation, Thai Massage is a deep spiritual practice held in honor of the Three Jewels: The Buddha, the fully enlightened one, the Dhamma, the teachings of the Buddha, and the Sangha, and the community of Buddhism that practices Dharmas.

 In our modern time, Thai massage is still practiced in ‘Wats’— Buddhist Thai Temples.

Thai Massage is closely linked with Buddhist meditation practice. Dedicated practitioners train their minds through meditation and embodied presence. In doing so, they share the benefits with their clients. Through the practice of Samattha (concentration meditation), the mind becomes quieter. Out of a silent mind, the quality of Metta, which can be translated as loving-kindness, arises.

A massage performed this way allows the therapist to be intuitive, accepting, and attuned to the client’s needs—or even more simply put, a massage from the heart. In this way, both giver and receiver will enjoy the treatment and leave with a sense of rejuvenation and peace.