FAQs

Thai Yoga Massage

Reiki Healing

Hot Stone Massage

Thai Yoga Massage


Q. Is Traditional Thai Massage painful?

 Thai Massage does not have to be painful.  Northern style seems to be more relaxing rather than painful or vigorous. However if you are not flexible, you may feel a bit stretched and a bit of pain. If it is uncomfortable, you can always tell me to go soft.  I often work on some parts of your body to tackle with blockage, tension and toxication. I do believe that massage should not be painful nor hard.  Your body should not get used to strong massage, strong stimulation.



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Q. Can I book a session for today?

 I normally need a day or two to arrange a venue.  However if the venue is available, I may be able to take your booking.  Please contact me, I will do my best.



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Q. Who is it for?

 It is for everyone, male and female, young and elderly.  I feel that many people do not have any idea what That massage is about.  It is very discreet, one of the oriental traditional therapy.



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Q. Can you explain what a Thai Massage consist of? And how long does a normal session last?

Traditionally a Thai Massage would last for maybe 2.5 hours, however shorter versions are more popular nowadays as the demand from westerners and our hectic holidays require. A traditional Thai massage will begin with you lying on your back and it will start from the feet, working the sen up through the body. Quite a long time is spent on the legs, before moving up the body to the abdominals, arms and hands. I will then move you onto your side and start again from your feet working up to the head. This side lying position is particularly good for pregnant women or people with back problems who would be uncomfortable laying flat. This position is repeated for the other side, and is often left out of a one hour massage. The next position is Prone so you lie on your front and the therapist works your back, again starting from your feet. This section can involve a lot of hyper extension of the spine that feels great and helps mobility.
Then I will then turn you over and sit you up, but there is a whole massage involved in sitting you up that also flexes the spine, again great for mobility. And finally the seated position, which is great for the upper body and especially the upper back, neck and head. I will usually finish with a face massage in either the seated or spine position.
It may sound like a lot of moving around, but as long as you relax the therapist will do all of this for you.



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Q. How often can you have Thai massage? Is there a limit?

 Ideally you should have a couple of days between massages, and the benefits of just one massage may still be felt for up to 5 days. Twice a month in sufficient for a Thai massage.



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Q. Can Thai massage be used in sport preparation either in sports injuries or as part of a warm up technique

It is possible to use the massage as both a pre and post event massage, if you ever visit a Muay Thai Boxing contest you will see parts of the massage being performed before, during and after the fight contest.




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Q. I am not very flexible. Can I receive Thai massage?

Yes! Thai massage uses gentle assisted stretches to increase your range of motion and flexibility—based on your individual needs. Stretching is never taken farther than what your body will allow (which is hazardous, whether you’re receiving passive stretches, or you’re stretching on your own). Some positions in Thai massage may look intimidating if you’ve never stretched before or are inflexible. Very frequently, however, people are more flexible than they realize! Most importantly, if certain stretches are too advanced for you or they aren’t called for, they are omitted. There are hundreds of different Thai massage stretches, therefore hundreds of different ways to address each individual’s needs



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Q. What should I wear?

Comfortable, loose-fitting Yoga or athletic clothes are best to accommodate the twisting and stretching movements in the session. A pair of loose Thai fishermen's pants and a shirt are also provided for you here. 



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Q. How long is a Thai massage session?

In Thailand, a typical Thai massage lasts 2-3 hours, due to its complex and thorough nature. Obviously, not many people have the time or money to receive a 3 hour massage session. Many therapists will offer sessions ranging from 1 hour all the way to 3-plus hours, based on the client’s needs and monetary situation. The reason sessions are traditionally long is because the main objective is energy balancing, the physical moves become part of a deeper, more meditative spiral of healing that feels increasingly good and getting better as time goes by, resulting in a profoundly deep and integrated sense of physical, mental and spiritual well-being for both giver and receiver. 

A 1 hour session is sort of like the equivalent a ½ hour chair massage; it gives you a taste of the massage session, but it is by-no-means a full body treatment. An 1½ hour session is typically what most therapists offer, and is a good amount of time to receive a full body treatment. 2 hours or more is optimal for truly experiencing what Thai massage really is—integral bodywork that promotes healing and reconnects the mind, body and spirit... a difficult task to accomplish in 1 hour, when you consider what you endure day-in and day-out.



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Q. What if I am elderly or disabled?

If you are interested in Thai massage but can't get to Utopia therapies, please get in touch and we will try to arrange something. Thai massage can be very helpful for the elderly or disabled, but please consult your doctor first to make sure that Thai massage is suitable for you.



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Q. I'm stressed out! Can Thai massage help?

Yes, definitely. It is an ideal way to relax both mentally and physically. The oil massage is particularly useful as a stress reliever, and can take as little as an hour if you have a busy schedule.



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Q. What will happen after my treatment?

After the Thai massage session, you will tend to feel uplifted and energised. However it is possible to feel a bit tired as well. This is normal as a lot of subtle cleansing is taking place, and toxins are released from your cells. It can take 4-5 days for the energy balancing to be completed and therefore it is also important to drink water in the first few days after the massage in order to speed up the flushing of the toxins out of your body.



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Q. What's the difference between Thai Massage & Regular Massage?

Thai massage is done on a mat on the floor, no oil is used and the client is fully clothed. I use my body weight and strength to massage with my hands, palms, elbows, and feet. I press very specific pressure points to increase serotonin levels which leaves my clients feeling wonderful. Some yoga stretches are done and many of my clients feel its better than a regular massage because I do the whole body and the stretches are muchly needed for everyone.



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Q. My back is my primary concern, Why can't you do just my Back?

Thai massage is done very specifically and to be authentic to the Thai culture and its people I must preform our massages the way I was trained. The back is connected to the buttocks which is connected to the legs. I start at the feet, do the whole legs, arms, hands, back, neck, shoulders, and finish off with a very relaxing face and scalp massage. I take great pride in being thorough so my clients feel satisfied and relaxed afterwords



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Q. What do I need to know before my massage?

Don’t eat heavily before the massage.  You will be more comfortable with an empty stomach.

Wear loose, comfortable clothes.

If you need to cancel, you must call 24 hours in advance.

I have a one time “Oops” policy.  The first time you miss an appointment or cancel without 24 hours notice, I will waive the fee.  Everyone makes a mistake.  After that, you will be charged for the appointment.



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Q. Which common pains can Thai massage help with?

 Thai massage is also good for relieving:

- Shin splints (tennis players, joggers)
- Improving range of motion (golfers)
- Elbow pain (frequently in professions requiring manual dexterity, such as mechanics and large machine operators) 
- Neck and shoulder tension (desk jobs, journalists, computer work)
- Back and leg tiredness (standing jobs, like waiting tables or oil-massage therapists!)
- Sciatica
- Stress
- Menstrual problems
- Migraines/Hea
- Leg pain due to knee problems
- Leg and foot cramps .......and Much More!!



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Q. Can Thai massage relieve pain in the joints?

Yes. I see the body as a system of sticks and elastics. If you have too much tension in one elastic, it stands to reason that all the other elastics down the line of sticks will also feel the effect of that pull. Our muscles -- our elastics -- cross our joints (you'd be suprised how many people don't realize this simple fact). When our muscles are too tight, they exert pull on the bones toward each other at the joints, the weakest points in our sytem of elastics and sticks. And then we start walking funny, and things start to hurt. But which comes first, the joint pain or the muscle tension? It doesn't matter, the result is the same. Because muscles that cross a painful joint, will contract in response to that pain, causing further pain. If you can relieve the tension in the muscles that cross a given joint, you can relieve the pain in the joint without ever touching the joint itself. Thai massage does this.



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Q. What do they mean by "energy"?

Here is how I see it. We take in "prana", or energy, when we inhale air, and we exhale stale energy, depleted of oxygen. 
When we are tired or lethargic, our "energy is low". When we are excited or nervous, our energy is high. Kids often have too much energy! 

Long ago, when tension or pain occurred, "blocked energy" was only one of many ways to define it. When a muscle trembles or spasms as it is relieved and relaxed, energy is released or unblocked. What we refer to as "energy lines" (or Sen lines) follow bone, muscle tissues, nerves and blood pathways. The recipient "feels energized" for several days following a session, because their body feels good or hurts less. Bones are composed of minerals. Minerals are crystals. Crystals hold an electrical charge of (energy!). 



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Q. What are Sen Lines?

 According to Indian Philosophy of Ayurveda, we have a life force circulating through pathways in our body. This life force is called Prana (Energy) and is absorbed into our body from the air we breathe and the food we eat. In the tradition of Thai yoga massage, these pathways make up an energy line system known as Sib Sen / Ten Sen Lines. When this energy flow becomes obstructed, mental and physical imbalance occurs which manifest in the form of disease, aches, pains and emotional problems. These Sen Lines have various health indications and are engaged though stretching and acupressure. This helps unblock the energy paths allowing Prana to flow more freely which can help alleviate problematic conditions and enhance our wellbeing.



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Q. What happens during a Thai yoga massage?

Treatment is carried out on a comfortable padded floor mat and is given through clothing. Traditionally no oils are used. During the massage the practitioner will warm the muscles and joints and gently apply yoga based postures and stretches. All of the stretches are applied accordingly to your range of movement and flexibility – never will your body be forced into a stretch or posture which is unsuitable, uncomfortable or uneasy to achieve!

The hands, feet, knees and elbows are used to apply deep pressure to muscles and nerves which help release any stress or tension. Acupressure points are engaged to enhance wellbeing and help with certain ailments. Pressure points can be slightly tender and are often referred to as a ‘good pain’. Near the end of a treatment, a face and head massage will induce an even deeper state of relaxation allowing the body to completely let go of any tension and clears our mind, becoming calm and still.




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Q. When do we pay?

 It is a custom in this industry to have it paid before the service.



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