Product Description

An authentic guide to Thai yoga massage, a unique therapy that combines stretching, breath work, assisted yoga postures, and pressure point therapy. * Includes more than 80 illustrations, 30 charts, and a complete series of postures for a two-hour full-body massage. * Author Kam Thye Chow has taught massage in Thailand and throughout Europe and North America.

Until recently Thai yoga massage was virtually unknown in the West. It has its roots in both the ancient healing traditions of Ayurveda and Thai Buddhism. In this unique practice, the therapist gives a full-body massage that combines palming and thumbing along the Thai energy lines and pressure points with gentle stretching, movement, and breath work reminiscent of tai chi. Using his or her own hands, feet, arms, and legs, the practitioner gently guides the recipient through a series of yoga postures, creating a harmonious and therapeutic "dance" that leads to greater physical awareness, grace, and spiritual energy.

In this comprehensive guide for practitioners, Kam Thye Chow leads readers through every aspect of this dance--from its history and philosophy to a detailed presentation of a complete Thai yoga massage session. This important reference includes more than 80 illustrated postures, 30 charts and drawings, and a complete series of postures for a two-hour full-body massage that focuses attention on both the upper and lower body, which receive equal stress in the Western lifestyle. Information on contraindications, anatomy, and physiology integrates Western medical knowledge and theory with this ancient tradition. Massage therapists, physical therapists, nurses, and other medical professionals will find Thai Yoga Massage an important and innovative complement to their practice.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #916919 in Books
• Published on: 2002-02
• Released on: 2002-02-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 160 pages

Review
Kam Thye Chow establishes himself as one of the leading voices in the development and transmission of this ancient practice. -- Stephen Cope, author of Yoga and the Quest for the True Self

Kam Thye Chow is an integrator, one who brings the depth of an ancient tradition into practical application. -- Rama Berch, President, Yoga Alliance and founder, Master Yoga Foundation

Only a true master of Thai massage could present this profound healing art with such clarity and precision. -- Swami Ramananda, President, Integral Yoga Institute of New York

Thai Yoga Massage is necessary reading for anyone interested in this indigenous healing art and its contemporary practice. -- Robert Noah Calvert, Founder of Massage Magazine and author of The History of Massage

Thai Yoga Massage offers an intriguing discourse on a little-covered technique. -- The Midwest Book Review, June 2002

Review
"Only a true master of Thai massage could present this profound healing art with such clarity and precision, and make it so accessible. The spirit of loving-kindness that pervades Kam Thye's method is essential for healing our world."
( Swami Ramananda, President of the Integral Yoga Institute of New York )

"With Thai Yoga Massage Kam Thye Chow establishes himself as one of the leading voices in the development and transmission of this ancient practice. A supremely accessible teacher, Kam Thye is masterful with detail and nuance. This book will open up the healing world of Thai massage to thousands of eager students."
(Stephen Cope, author of Yoga and the Quest for the True Self )

"A complete manual of instruction, Thai Yoga Massage is necessary reading for anyone interested in this indigenous healing art and its contemporary practice. Kam Thye Chow is a sensei of the art and spirit of his work."
(Robert Noah Calvert, Founder of Massage Magazine and author of The History of Massage )

"Kam Thye Chow is an integrator, one who brings the depth of an ancient tradition into practical application, adapting Thai massage to the needs of our modern lifestyle without losing its integrity. His book is like his work-masterful and full of love. I recommend you read it slowly."
(Rama Berch, President, Yoga Alliance and founder, Master Yoga Foundation )

"Thai Yoga Massage offers an intriguing discourse on a little-covered technique."
(The Midwest Book Review, June 2002 )

"I highly recommend this text for practicioners who are flexible and love floor work."
(Massage Today, November 2003, Vol.3 No.11 )

"This is a must-have for anyone interested in a dynamic therapy for physical well being."
(Nexus, March/April 2004 )

"A dynamic guide, therapists should add Thai Yoga Massage to their home instructional reference libraries."
(The Bookwatch, September 2004, Vol.26 No.9 )

"A well-done book, one I would recommend you add to your collection if you are interested in the art of Thai massage."
(Massage, January/February 2003 )

From the Back Cover
MASSAGE / BODYWORK

“Only a true master of Thai massage could present this profound healing art with such clarity and precision, and make it so accessible.”
Swami Ramananda, president of the Integral Yoga Institute of New York

“Necessary reading for anyone interested in this indigenous healing art and its contemporary practice. Kam Thye Chow is a sensei of the art and spirit of his work.”
Robert Calvert, founder of Massage Magazine and author of The History of Massage

“A supremely accessible teacher, Kam Thye is masterful with detail and nuance in the development and transmission of this ancient practice.”
Stephen Cope, author of Yoga and the Quest for the True Self

In the temples of Thailand many centuries ago, a dynamic bodywork therapy based on yoga, ayurveda, and the martial arts was born. In this unique healing system of Thai Yoga Massage, the practitioner guides the recipient through a series of yoga postures while palming and thumbing along the body’s energy lines and pressure points. Together these actions result in a treatment that relieves muscular tension, improves circulation, boosts the immune system, and balances the body energetically.

Thai Yoga Massage is practiced as a duet. Counterbalancing and levering the recipient’s body with his own, the practitioner works with gravity, breath, and directed touch to create a harmonious and therapeutic “dance” with the recipient that imparts physical vibrancy, grace, and spiritual energy.

In this fully illustrated guide to Thai Yoga Massage, Kam Thye Chow leads readers through every aspect of this ancient bodywork therapy using more than 125 detailed, step-by-step photographs. He also includes additional information on important contraindications and fundamental anatomy and physiology that integrates Western medical knowledge and theory with this ancient healing tradition. In the accompanying DVD Kam Thye presents techniques for performing a one-hour massage, demonstrating effective body mechanics and methods for moving with a gentle steady flow in real time, as a complement to the points discussed in the text. With this text and DVD set, massage therapists, physical therapists, yoga practitioners, and others in the somatic arts will find Thai Yoga Massage an important and innovative complement to their work.

KAM THYE CHOW is one of the world’s foremost practitioners and has taught massage in Thailand and throughout Europe and North America. He is the author of Tai Chi Chuan: Mindfulness in Motion and his writings also have been featured in Massage Magazine, Bodywork, and other healing arts journals. He is the founder and director of the Lotus Palm School in Montreal.

Customer Reviews

Great Book
I ordered this book without knowing too much about Thai Yoga Massage. I also ordered another book on the same subject. This book is far superior as it accentuates the stance of the therapist which is of upmost importance in doing Thai Yoga Massage. The other book failed to say much about that aspect. Kam has a great reputation for having lots of integrity. I'm signing up to take one of his workshops. I highly recommend this book!

lovely guide to thai massage
kam thye chow brings his expertise and compassion to print! this book is more than nuts and bolts how to do it guide - it opens up the world of thai massage for the reader. kam thye is a great teacher of thai massage and his doesn't disappoint here. the postures are clear, the practitioners dance is well described and the connection to compassionate living is made.
even if you aren't practicing thai massage it is a great complement to yoga practice, other massage practice or just to life!

An intriguing discourse on a little-covered technique
This therapy for physical well-being and spiritual energy tells how to practice Thai yoga massage, covering the history and techniques of the ancient bodywork therapy and using step-by-step photos to explain postures for a one and two-hour full-body massage. Thai Yoga Massage offers an intriguing discourse on a little-covered technique.