Osteothai

Osteothai is a form of bodywork which integrates traditional Thai yoga massage and osteopathic principles. It is a perfect fusion of eastern and western therapeutic traditions. ​
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An Osteothai practitioner performs varied and deep stretches to their patient, using long leverage techniques across muscle groups (inspired by yoga postures) and acupressure work on energy lines as well as release of tissue tension and work on structural and joint mobility. Osteothai is practiced on a floor mat and the patient wears light, comfortable clothes.
Daniel trained with Arno L'Hermitte, a french osteopath and co-creator of Osteothai and founder of the Thai Yoga Circus in Laos. Other teachers include Pau Castellgue, Itzhak Helman, Anastasis Koutsogiannis. Daniel is also a registered osteopath (GOsC) and a Senior Yoga teacher (YAP).
Daniel is currently offering Osteothai sessions of 1-2 hours (payment by donation)
    © photograph by Celine Barrelet

Thai yoga massage 

Traditional Thai massage, or Nuad Boran (ancient massage), has a long history of therapeutic healing. The earliest roots lie in India over 2500 years ago. The founder is believed to have been Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha, a doctor from northern India. He was a contemporary of the Buddha and a personal physician to the Magadha King Bimbisara.  It is thought that the teachings of Kumar Bhaccha reached what is now Thailand at the same time as Buddhism in the 3rd or 2nd century BC.

Thai massage is based on the concept of energy lines running through the body, similar to prana nadis in indian yoga philosophy. Traditional Thai massage focuses on 10 main energy lines (Sen or Sib Sen lines) on which there are significant acupressure points. Massaging these points makes it possible to treat somatic conditions or to relieve pain.
The Spirit of Thai Massage
The practice of Nuad Boran has always been considered a spiritual practice, closely connected with the teachings of the Buddha.  The giving of massage was understood to be a physical application of Metta, the Buddhist concept of 'loving kindness'. A good practitioner performs his art in a meditative state, working with full awareness, mindfulness and concentration and develops an intuition of the energy flow in the body and Prana lines. 
 Arno L'Hermitte, french osteopath and co-creator of Osteothai and founder of the Thai Yoga Circus in Laos    © photograph by Celine Barrelet
For a comprehensive study on Thai Massage, see 'The Art of Traditional Thai Yoga' by Asokananda