FAQ

Swedish massage uses long flowing, stroking techniques such as ‘effleurage’ and ‘petrissage’ to release muscular and fascial tension and improve lymph drainage.

Thai Yoga Massage does involve direct work on the physical body which also releases muscular and fascial tension, but this is carried out in a sensing and intuitive way to remove blockages in the free flow of energy. Using the therapist’s bodyweight, rhythmic techniques such as palming, thumbing, stretching and acupressure are applied along the energy channels or ‘sen’. Deeper pressure can be applied using the feet, elbows and knees if required.

Swedish Massage is a Western bodywork treatment Thai Yoga Massage has its origins in an Eastern healing tradition and has a deeper spiritual aspect. It is a form of meditation known as ‘metta’ where kindness and love are directed towards the recipient.

Swedish Massage is usually performed on a massage table Thai Yoga Massage is performed with clients lying on a comfortable floor mattress or futon.

Swedish massage may include some passive joint stretching. In a Thai Yoga Massage, bespoke yoga stretches are applied to clients. For this reason, it is often called ‘the lazy man’s yoga’, as no effort is required on the part of the recipient. Thai Yoga Massage therapists have a wonderful variety of yoga stretches to choose from and because clients are so relaxed, they can usually give themselves over to a much deeper stretch.

Swedish massage is performed directly on the skin. In a Thai Yoga Massage, clients are fully clothed.

Swedish massage generally uses oil Thai Yoga massage is traditionally performed without oil (some oil may be used on the face with prior consent). I do, however, offer a separate Thai Back, Neck and Shoulder treatment which uses oil on the skin. The Thai Foot and Leg Massage also uses oil.
Please refer to my Treatments page to find out more.

During a treatment, you’ll be compassionately encouraged to quieten your mind, completely relax your body and tune into your breathing. This automatically send positive messages to your nervous system.

Any lifting, moving or stretching of your body will be done by me and requires no effort from you. You’ll be encouraged to allow your body to receive gentle pressure to be held, stretched or twisted and to relax into a quiet meditative state. People often do fall asleep.

I use my bodyweight to exert intuitive levels of pressure with my palms and thumbs and work holistically and therapeutically along the main energy pathways (‘sen’) of the body.

Specific therapeutic pressure points around the body are stimulated and a variety of tension-releasing yoga stretches are sensitively applied, all within your own body’s capabilities. I also often use my feet, elbows and knees to apply a deeper pressure if required.

The whole body is worked from the feet all the way to the top of the head and every massage finishes with a full-face massage.

Thai Yoga Massage is performed fully clothed, so come along in comfy, loose clothing. Leggings or jogging bottoms and a t-shirt or something similar would be ideal. Wear or bring extra layers such as a jumper or sweatshirt if you want to; you can always remove them.

For the Thai Foot and Leg Massage, please wear leggings or loose trousers which can be rolled up above the knee so that I can work on the lower legs.

For the Back, Neck and Shoulder Massage with Oil, come in comfy clothes and you can change out of your t-shirt/top/bra when you’re here. This massage uses oil directly on the back and the top of the chest, neck and face. You’ll be covered and kept warm with a towel and blanket.

No. Absolutely not. There is no expectation as to flexibility. All yoga stretches are applied and are carefully considered according to the wishes/capabilities of the individual.

I will work within your own body’s range of movement and regular Thai Massage will help to improve flexibility and range of motion.

Yes. A Thai Yoga Massage is a deeply grounding and nourishing experience. A confidential Client Health Questionnaire is completed before any treatment and therefore any previous surgeries, injuries, restrictions of movement or concerns will be addressed and the treatment will be adapted accordingly.

If there is anything you are unsure about, please get in touch and I’ll be only too happy to talk it through with you.

Thai Yoga Massage is an incredibly thorough and nurturing massage and has so many benefits.

Some of these include:
Feeling deeply calm and relaxed
Increased energy
Improved posture
Improved circulation
Improved digestion
Internal organs stimulated
Increased joint flexibility
Improved sleep
Relief from headaches, back, knee and neck pain
Feeling more balanced
Feeling more connected
Greater awareness of breathing patterns
Release of tension
Reduced stress and anxiety

You may feel full of energy immediately afterwards, which is a sign that new energy is moving and flowing around the body. Or, you may feel very tired initially, even for a couple of days. This will be because any negative or stagnant energy has been shifted and unblocked during the massage. After a few days, or even sooner, this tiredness will pass and you should start to feel more energised, more aware and more balanced as energy (‘lom’) begins to flow more freely. You may even feel an increase in creative energy.

The positive effects and benefits of a Thai Yoga Massage can continue to be experienced for quite some time after the treatment.

I often get asked this question and for each client, the choice about frequency of treatments will be a personal one. Most clients recognise that they need to make self-care a much higher priority. In general, however, regular Thai Massage treatments, (whether this is fortnightly, monthly or every six weeks), will help to keep your energy balanced. The positive and cumulative benefits will be increased and should greatly enhance your general sense of well-being.

I hope this has answered some of your questions, but if there is anything else you
would like to know, please do call or message. I’d love to hear from you.

Yes, I am fully insured with Balens who are specialist insurance brokers for Well-Being
professionals.

Personal information entered on the Contact page of my website will only be used to
respond to your enquiry. It will not be shared with any third party or used for marketing
purposes.

Every new client receives a Confidential Client Health Questionnaire prior to their
treatment. This equips me with important details of relevant medical issues or injures,
areas of concern or contraindication and personal preferences. This Questionnaire can be
posted in hard copy or emailed to me. Information is stored electronically and is password
protected. Hard paper copies are shredded.