Description

---

This fascinating anthology presents a much wider scope than other books on Thai massage, and uncovers a wealth of previously unavailable information on the historical, spiritual, and cultural connections to this powerful healing art. Topics include ways to refine and maintain a healthy practice, breathwork and body mechanics, self-protection techniques, reading body language, acupressure concepts, and Thai herbal compress therapy. The spiritual and cultural section offers modern translations of ancient texts, Indian and Buddhist influences, magic amulets and sacred tattoos, and accessory modalities such as reusi dat ton (stretching) and tok sen (hammering therapy). Rounding out this thorough text, the final section features essays about actual practice with clients, written by therapists and teachers from around the world. The extensive experience and information provided in this reference book is invaluable to students or practitioners who wish to deepen their personal and professional understanding of traditional Thai healing arts.

About the Author

---

Bob Haddad is a Registered Thai Therapist, teacher and author who has studied and practiced traditional Thai massage since 1999. He is the founder and director of Thai Healing Alliance International, teaches workshops internationally, and has organized international conferences on Thai healing arts.

Kira Balaskas has studied traditional Thai Yoga Massage extensively in Thailand with Asokananda and other Thai teachers. She has been practising and teaching Thai Yoga Massage in London since 1989, and is recognised by the International Society of Thai Yoga Massage as an experienced and qualified Thai Massage teacher.

Michael Reed Gach, PhD, Dipl ABT, founded the Acupressure Institute in 1976, one of the leading international training schools in Asian bodywork. Gach is a national expert on acupressure therapy and has taught over 100,000 people from all over the world. Gach received his PhD from Columbia Pacific University in health and human services.

C. Pierce Salguero, PhD, is the founder of Tao Mountain, a nonprofit association of Thai massage and herbal medicine instructors who support academic research and clinical trials to build bridges between Thai and modern Western medicine. He is the author of Encyclopedia of Thai Massage, The Spiritual Healing of Traditional Thailand, and Thai Massage Workbook. He lives in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

Enrico Corsi received his degree in traditional Thai massage from the Wat Pho temple in Bangkok, Thailand. He is the founder of the Accademia di Massaggio Tradizionale Thailandese in Milan, Italy, and travels to Thailand at least once a year to pursue advanced studies in traditional Thai healing arts. He lives in Milan, Italy.

Nephyr Jacobsen is the founder and director of the Naga Center, School of Traditional Thai Massage and Medicine. She is a writer of articles and curriculum on Thai medicine and massage. She divides her time between Thailand and Portland, Oregon.

Praise For…

---

"I highly recommend this traditional Thai massage anthology for all those interested in healing work. This excellent book provides new insights and perspectives into the world of hands-on healing."
— Michael Reed Gach, Ph.D., Author of Acupressure for Emotional Healing

"This excellent book represents a significant milestone in the establishment and emergence of traditional Thai healing arts in the modern world. The breadth, depth, quality and scope of the contributions is astounding. I congratulate and thank the author and contributing writers for their diligent efforts."
— Richard Gold Ph.D., L.Ac., Author of Thai Massage: A Traditional Medical Technique

"Bob Haddad has poured his extensive knowledge into this beautiful text, and carefully, comprehensively, and lovingly deconstructs the art of Thai Massage for the reader. His personal and professional experiences woven throughout the book add depth of character and treasured authenticity. As an additional demonstration that this text is his gift to the bodywork profession, the book shares wisdom from more than a dozen other practitioners."
— Leslie A. Young, Ph.D., Massage & Bodywork magazine