Just Thai Massage (because I can't think of a catchy tag that hasn't been overused, like Thai One On)

The first Thai massage I ever had was with an American named Paul Fowler who, after quitting his job as a school teacher, took off for Thailand and just sort of wandered. In the northern city of Chiang Mai he heard about a Thai massage teacher, Pichest Boonthumme, and decided to study with him for three months. He later completed his formal training at the Cortiva Institute Chicago School of Massage Therapy

As Paul put it, Pichest was “revolutionizing the practice” by bringing body awareness into the mix. Before him, Paul said, Thai massage could be a rather rote encounter. Pichest “brought a more thorough understanding of energy and how it flows through the body, and he has an amazing ability to use the body in the most ergonomic way possible so there’s no strain for the person giving the massage.” That's good because Paul says sometimes Thai massage "cannot be very thoughtful to the giver."

Pichest is considered one of the premier and respected teachers and according to Paul, almost all American and even Thai massage practitioners have trained under him—and he’s still only in his 40s.

Is a brief description of Thai massage in order here? The study and practice of Thai massage, known as nuad boran, is a two-person experience between practitioner and client. Clients are fully and comfortably clothed as the practitioner stretches, applies pressure and manipulates clients to release energy and restore balance and harmony. As a client, you must be vocal about how deeply you would like your practitioner to go. Part of this is taken care of, since her or she will feel how you are or are or are not relaxing into the movements. But flexible people should be self aware at all times.

Styles, however, differ. In the north, which is the style Paul learned and practice, is more yogic and flowing while, in the south the technique involves more pressure-point work.

Because of all the variances, and because like all ancient healing practices that have been ushered into the 21st century, the Thai massage world is in the process of creating a professional organization called the Thai Healing Alliance to educate, professionalize and embrace all types of Thai massage.

I was sort of weepy after that first Thai massage. It was a combination of an extreme sense of well being, utter gratitude that Paul offered it up to me and a true sense that I was leaving somehow elevated by the experience.