Thai Yoga Massage

Thai massage seems to work heavily with the physical concept of myofascial release, that can be seen in Rolfing and other massage methods that have evolved over the last few centuries. However, Thai massage appears to have originated thousands of years ago. Also, I see Thai massage as a more mutually engaging type of practice where both the patient and practitioner seem to both be engaged in the goal of better health and well-being for both.

L0027324 Siamese Manuscript, Pressure Massage Manual. Credit: Wellcome Library, London. Wellcome Images images@wellcome.ac.uk http://wellcomeimages.org A guide to pressure points for use in ‘Thai Yoga Massage’. Diagram: human figure showing pressure points. circa 1850 Published: – Copyrighted work available under Creative Commons Attribution only licence CC BY 4.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Thai massage has deep roots in its origins in Buddhism and yoga. Very similar to TCM concepts of energy flow throughout the body by way of the meridians or sens. The yoga concepts of chakras do align with the Chinese meridian system of TCM. Direct pressure on key points (acupoints) are preferred over kneading of the skin, fascia and muscles. Thai massage is composed of foundation concepts of meditation, postures or stances, rhythmic rocking, and other touch/pressure techniques. Meditation appears to be a very strong component, where the practitioner is actively involved in the present moment. By being engaged with the patient on the 3 levels of mind, body and spirit they are able to help the patient through applying loving kindness or “metta” to their patient.

Thai massage has deep roots in its origins in yoga from Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha developing it over 2500 years ago. This method of healthcare does appear to me to embody the concept of balancing the mind, body and spirit where if one aspect is out of harmony with the others, disease, illness and suffering will manifest. As with any of these time proven practices that have been passed on for thousands of years, there must be something here regardless of Western allopathic Medicine’s resistance of recognizing the benefits of these mind, body and spiritual methods of healthcare and well-being.

It is my understanding from many of the modern Western massage practitioners that I have visited, that they often feel exhausted not just after the individual sessions but accumulatively over the time of their career. I found this more prevalent when the massage therapist themselves did not practice taking care of themselves to replenish the energy that they put out during the massage treatments. Those that I have met that cared to share, told me that it was essential for them to practice something like yoga, tai chi, qigong, meditation as well as good nutrition to stay balanced, as far as energy conservation goes. I have learned that we can not give out freely, that which we do not already have an abundance of with out some level of detriment to all involved.

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My goal is to present an education that brings awareness to these time-proven methods. With an intent to de-mystify and simplify explanations, hopefully more people can come to realize that we are all accountable for our own well-being.

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Acupressure for Common Ailments (online lecture)

Watch my lecture on acupressure, where I discuss the theories and concepts behind TCM, the placebo/nocebo effect, self-care and many other topics. Acupressure (no needles) and its parent of acupuncture (needles) from Traditional Chinese medicine, has been around for a few thousand years. I have been learning and practicing acupressure for almost 40 years with great results.

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For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at info@mindandbodyexercises.com, 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

Yang Style 24 tai chi

Tai Chi is a powerful art of immense depth consisting of exercise, self-defense and philosophy. The “sets” or “forms” are the structure or the foundation. Forms are individual exercises linked together to form a long flowing series of movements. According to Yang Chan Fu (who is known as the modern father of Tai Chi) “to start learning Tai Chi you have to start with the forms”. There are many styles of Tai Chi, and within each style, each has its different Forms. Even with one well-known form, there are many versions. Students might feel confused facing so many options, or one could take it as an advantage to have so many choices available.

Be well, stay healthy, be wise!

Jim Moltzan

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Masters Council

BaguaZhang (8 trigram palm)

Bagua, Baguazhang, Bagwa, Pakua, Walking Meditation or “walking of the circle” are all names for this style of Kung Fu training. Translated to English is “8 trigram palm”. Bagua is an internal developing style similar to Tai chi and Hsing Yi. Tai chi is often considered to be the softest, Bagua somewhat harder and Hsing Yi the hardest style of the three main internal styles. Hard and soft refer to the control applied to the various movements practiced. Bagua develops stability in motion amongst many other things. Cheng, Chung, Emei, Sun are all styles of Baguazhang.

Benefits include:

Calming of the mind

Focuses thought

Strengthens and relaxes muscles

Can be practices as “Moving Meditation”

Attention to body alignments

Cultivates internal energy (qi)

Develops the physical body from the inside out

Slow, medium & fast body motions

Static (isometric) as well as continuous (isotonic) movements

Deep mindful breathing, specific muscle stretching and deliberate walking techniques are the basis of BagauZhang exercises. Practicing BaguaZhang or Bagua, stepping positions, body postures and changes (transitional stretching movements) enables one to move your body like a spring, being flexible and light but having a lot of strength and power behind the movement. This would be similar to moving as light and smooth as a feather but having the strength and speed of a bear.

Attaining certain body alignments within postures, holding that position and moving from one to another is essential to develop overall strength, coordination, balance and increase of energy flow throughout the body. Proper breathing is important in the development of internal strength and has to be in tune with each movement. These postures can be practiced as static exercises for any length of time (typically 20 seconds to 5 minutes or more), or dynamically while performing the different stepping methods.

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Often we look to point the finger how others should be better. Another perspective would be to make ourselves better. Be the best version of ourselves that we can be. Set the example because this action alone can be contagious in a positive way.

Wisdom is a recipe of knowledge and experience obtained over time (age) allowing one to differentiate when is the correct timing to react or not to react. When to do, when not to do. Coming up to a stop sign, you really don’t care to stop your vehicle (your true feeling) but you do because it is the right action (the law) to stop. If a blaring fire engine were to suddenly appear in your rear view mirror, you might choose to move through the intersection and to a space clear of the oncoming 370,000 pounds of moving metal and water (correct action for this situation).

Learn how to maintain health, fitness and wellness with tai chi, gigong and other time-proven methods. Private, small or group instruction.

Take care of yourself because no one else should care more about you than you. Eat better, move more, stress less, be nicer. Be well!

.Jim Moltzan 407-234-0119

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Masters Council

3 Internal Martial Arts

3 Internal Martial Arts – Tai Chi, BaguaZhang & Hsing Yi

Tai Chi, (TaiJi, Tai Chi Ch’uan), Pa Kua (BaGuaZhang), Hsing Yi (XingYi Quan), and are considered the 3 main Taoist Internal Martial Arts. They incorporate many types of trainings including exercises, forms (sets), breathing exercises (Chi Kung or QiGong), meditation, self-defense and weapons skills. Many of the same benefits derived from qigong can be realized from regular practice of these exercise methods.

Tai Chi, Taiji, T’ai Chi Ch’üan, is an internal Chinese martial art practiced for both its defense training and its health benefits. The term Tai chi (translates to the ”Supreme Ultimate”) refers to a philosophy of the forces of yin and yang, related to the exercises. Though originally conceived as a martial art, it is also typically practiced for a variety of other personal reasons such as stress relief, physical fitness and achieving greater longevity and self awareness. As a result, many training forms exist, both traditional and modern, which correspond to those aims with differing emphasis. Some training forms of Tai chi are especially known for being practiced with relatively slow movements. Chen, Yang and Wu are all styles of Tai chi.

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“San Ti Shi” is Chinese for “Trinity Posture”, also known as the “3 Elements
Form/Posture” or “3 Body Posture”.San Ti Chi is the fundamental posture used in Hsing Yi Chuan (Xing Yi Quan). Hsing Yi is one of the 3 major internal martial arts along with Tai Chi and BaguaZhang. The “three bodies” refers to the three phases all together; heaven-earth-and the human being. It corresponds to the head, hands, and feet in Hsing Yi. These phases are again divided into three sections; spirit-mind-body.

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