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TableofContents

TitlePageCopyrightPageDisclaimerPrefacePartOne-TheoryIntroductionOverviewofThaiTraditionalMedicineTheHistoryandDevelopmentofThaiFootMassageEasternPhilosophyMeetsWesternScienceTheFutureofThaiFootMassageHowThaiFootMassageWorksTheReflexPointsofthefeetTheSenLinesorEnergyChannels

PartTwo-PracticeTraditionalPrayerforHealingandGuidanceSettingtheSceneTheConsultationProcessAftertheTreatmentTheRhythmandTechniqueofThaiFootMassageAndfinally…TheOpeningSequenceMassagingwithoutCreamMassagingwithCreamTheReflexPoints–UsingtheStickMassagingWiththeStickStimulatingtheReflexPointsWorkingtheSenLinesoftheLegFinishingtheFeet

MassagingtheLegLinesPercussionsontheLegsandFeetWrappingtheFeetTheClosingSequenceWorkingThroughtheWrapsStretchingtheFeetAwakeningtheFeetandLegsToFinish…

BibliographyResourcesAboutTheAuthorFINDHORNPRESS

Preface

IfirsttravelledtoThailandhopingtolearnafewtechniquestoincorporateintomy existing sports massage practice. A friend had shown me a few Thaitechniques that impressedmesomuch I immediatelybegan toplanmy trip toThailand. This first trip was a revelation to me. Traditional Thai Massageseemedtobetheperfectsportsmassage.ThephysicalaspecttoThaiMassageisundeniable,every joint ismobilised,everymuscle isstretchedandcompressedin away that has to be experienced to be appreciated, and all performedwithsuchapparenteaseby the therapist.Nearly tenyears later IamstillconvincedthatThaiMassageistheperfectsportsmassage;howeveritisalsomuchmore.As well as massaging the physical body, Traditional Thai Massage takes aholisticapproachencompassingthemind,bodyandspirit.As a therapistmy intentionwas holistic, however the training I had chosen

wasalwaysphysicalinitsapproach.Ihadbeguntosearchforthemoreholisticapproaches to health and well-being and was studying as a yoga teacher. Iparticularly enjoyed pranayama, or breathing techniques, and had begunincorporatingvinyasa,combiningbreathwithmovement,intootherareasofmywork. Thai Massage fascinated me from the outset with its physical yetmeditative approach. It combined yoga postureswithmassage techniques andbreathwork.Iwasimmediatelyhookedandmyinteresthasonlyincreasedsincethisfirstrevelation.Whatbeganasasearchforafewtechniquestoincorporateinto my practice, has instead completely changed my approach, sparking aninterestinallaspectsofTraditionalThaiMedicine,ofwhichThaiMassageisanintegralpart.AfterthisfirsttriptoThailandIalmostimmediatelyreturnedtocontinuemy

studies. It was between these first two trips that I had my first reflexologytreatmentandbecamefascinatedwith thefeetandalso thefirst timeImetmypartner Paula. I had heard of reflexology and seen much Thai FootMassagewhilst inThailand. I knew that itworked reflex points on the feet in order to

affect the internal organs of the body, but I had never had a reflexologytreatment.Itwasn’tthatIdoubtedtheeffectivenessofthetreatment,justthatIpreferredthephysicaleffectsofafullbodymassage.Whilst waiting to return to Thailand I visited my local Complementary

TherapyCentretoextolthevirtuesofThaiMassageandseeifIcouldworkasatherapist there. Imetwith the proprietor, PaulaLloyd,whowas a reflexologypractitionerandtutorwiththeARCreflexologyschool.PaulaseemedinterestedinThaiMassageandsowearrangedtoswaptreatments.HavingkeptmyendofthebargainIwasthoroughlyenjoyingmyreflexologytreatmentandfascinatedby Paula’s commentary throughout. The majority of the treatment was verypleasantandrelaxing,exceptforonepointwhereitfeltlikeaneedlewasbeingappliedtomyfoot.WhenItoldPaulawhatIwasfeelingsheexplainedthatthispointrelatedtomyear.Ihadbeenexperiencingconstantdiscomfortwithmyearsince going scuba diving in Thailand and as I explained this to Paula, shecontinuedtoworkonthisareaandeventuallythepaindieddown.After the treatment I carried on with my day thinking more about the

reflexologist than the reflexology treatment.As thedayworeon Inoticed thatwhen I swallowed or yawned the annoying popping sensation in my ear hadsubsided,andthen,thenextdayithadgonecompletely,andhasneverrecurred.AfterthisonetreatmentIdecidedtwothings:tostudyThaiFootMassageonmynext and imminent trip toThailand, and to get to knowPaula better. I think Ihave managed both, as Paula and I have been together ever since and I ameternallygratefulfor thedirectionandmotivationshehasgivenme,aswellasherexpertknowledgethathasbeeninvaluableinwritingthisbook.IhavehadthehonourandprivilegeoftrainingwithsomegreatThaiteachers

and Masters of Traditional Thai Massage and my thanks go to ChongkolSetthakorn, Somphat, Mama Lek, Jack Chaiya, Nit Chaimonkol, PichestBoonthume, the staff at the OldMedicine Hospital in ChiangMai and TMCChiangMai,aswellasthestaffatWatPho.TotheseteachersIamverygratefulalongwiththemanyThai therapistswhohaveshownmemuchalongtheway,especiallyAtchaleeSiriwan(Angie)forherhelpandfriendship.MyonlyWesternteacherofThaiMassagewasaGermanmanbythenameof

Harald Brust, better known as Asokanada or Ashoka. Ashoka wrote the firstbook in the English language on Traditional Thai Massage called The Art ofTraditionalThaiMassage.IhaveborrowedhistitleforthisbookasadedicationtoAshoka,andalso,asatthetimeofwriting,thisisthefirstbookinEnglishonThai Foot Massage. Ashoka was an incredible man who elevated his own

practice of ThaiMassage to an art form, andwas an inspiration tomany.Asneither a leader,nor a follower I foundmyself surprisedat the strengthofmydesiretofollowAshoka.Ihadintendedtostudywithhimforafewdayswhilsthewas inLondon,andafewdays turned intoacoupleofweeks,but thiswasstillnotenough.Whenhe left I immediatelybegan toplanmore trainingwithhim.Ittookoverayeartoorganise,butIeventuallymanagedtotakemyfamilyhalfwayaroundtheworldtoNewZealandwherehelived.Ashokahadwarnedmethathewasunwell,butwhenIarrivedhewasveryweakandterminallyillwithcancer.Ashokahadcutshortavipasanameditationretreatthathedideveryyear for a month in the jungles of Thailand, as he found himself too ill tocontinue.Hewas later diagnosedwith cancer and therewas to be no cure orremission.AfterhisdeathIwastrainingwithPichest,anincrediblygiftedThaiMassage therapistwhostill taught in theoldoral tradition.PichestwasoneofAshoka’steachersandexplainedtomethattherearemanystrongspiritsinthejungle and that these spirits had caused Ashoka’s illness.When a very weakAshoka made the journey to Thailand to speak with Pichest and seek sometreatmentadvicePichest recommendeda localShamanicwomanknownas the“egg lady”, who could remove these spirits from Ashoka. This was not theadviceAshokawaslookingforanddecidednottogo.Therewastobenosecondchance,orchancetoreconsider,asboththeeggladyandAshokapassedawayafewweekslater.I recall this story tohighlight theTraditionsofThaiMedicine.Supernatural

power is the first of 4 possible causes of illness according toTraditionalThaiMedicine and thepowerful spirits of the jungle arementioned asoneof thesesupernatural powers. Such concepts are hard to accept in the West, wherescientificevidenceisessential,butthesetraditionshavecontinuedforthousandsof years in Thailand, and have survived the arrival of Western medicine.TraditionalThaiMedicinehasearneditsrighttoexistandhasproveditsvalidityover thecenturies.ThecurrentrevivalofTraditionalMedicinehascomeaboutduetotheneedforareturntoaholisticandproactiveapproachtothehealthofThaipeoplethatWesternmedicinedoesnotoffer.ThaiFootMassageisapartofTraditionalThaiMedicinewhichhasbecome

immensely popular within the current revival of Thai Medicine. It containsenoughelementsof science to standupunder scientific scrutinyandalsoasksmany questions that cannot be answered by science alone. This allows theexperiencedpractitioner toperform the treatmentasahealingart rather thanascientific therapy. I have taught this art tomanyandvaried students, from the

very physical approach of the sportsmasseur, to the esoteric approach of themoderndayshaman.Icanshowastudenthowtopractise techniquescorrectlyandtrytoconveyafeelingfortheThaicultureandwayofworking.IttakestimeandpracticetoperfectThaiFootMassageandbegintoexpressthisasart.WhenIbegan teachingThaiFootMassageIdidnot intend towriteabook.

Collatingamanualhadbeendifficultenough.Howeveryoucanonlybeasked“Areanybooksavailable?”somanytimes,beforeyourealisethatoneneedstobewritten.TherewerealsocoursesonofferwhichtaughtversionsofThaiFootMassagethatvariedincrediblyfromanythingIhadreceivedandbeentaughtinThailand. So as well as demand there also seemed to be the need to set therecordstraightonwhatexactlyThaiFootMassageis.This book is intended to encourage anyone to learn Thai FootMassage, to

practise on friends and family and to help spread this healing art around theworld.Therearenoprerequisitesorentryrequirements;allyouneedissomeonetopractiseon.Theonlyassessmentyouwillundergoistheinformalassessmentofyourvolunteer.Whetheryouareapractisingtherapist,oracompletebeginner,Ihavetriedto

makethisbookanenjoyablereadandausefultrainingtoolwithwhichtolearnThai FootMassage. I have tried to give an insight into theTraditions ofThaiMedicinetowhichThaiFootMassagebelongs.Thereisofcoursenosubstituteforlearningfromateacherasabookcanonlyshowyousomuch.Ifyoucan,Isuggest thatyou learn inThailand,but ifnotat least learn fromsomeonewhohas trained in Thailand and can give you an insight into the traditions of thispowerfulhealingart.InthisbookIhavebroughttogetherallof thetechniquesthat I have learnt at many schools throughout Thailand, along with manytechniqueswhichIhavepickedupalongthewayfrompractisingtherapists.MythanksgotomypartnerPaula,whoseintroductiontoreflexologyproved

soalluring,andtoourfamiliesonbothsidesoftheworldwhohaveallhelpedinonewayoranotherinthewritingofthisbook.Mythanksalsogotomyteachersandstudentswhohaveenabledmetowritethisbook.

SimonPiersGallNovember2007,England

PartOne

Theory

Introduction

Whatbetterwaytohealththantospendanhourofyourtimehavingyourfeetmassaged?TraditionalWesternbeliefmayhold thatyourhourwouldbebetterspentworkingoutat thegym,orstudyingthedos,anddon’tsofthelatestdietcraze.NotinThailand,InThailandyoucanhavea“FootMassageforHealth”;itis not an act of pure self-indulgence to be accompanied by a feeling of guilt(although it does feel great), it is a complete and holistic treatment for yourmind,bodyandspirit.EasternandWesternphilosophieshaveverydifferentapproachestohealth.In

the West we may take out medical insurance that we pay for whilst we arehealthy, so that if we become unhealthy we will receive the best treatmentmoneycanbuy inorder to restoreourhealth.Easternphilosophywill seeyoupayingfortreatmentwhilstyouarehealthyinordertoremainhealthy.ThaiFootMassageisarguablythemostpopular,butcertainlythemostvisiblepartofthisproactiveapproachtohealthinThailand.ThenameThaiFootMassageisnotcompletelyaccurate,asthemassageisnot

onlyperformedonthefeet,butalsoonthelowerleg.TheconventionalWesternviewofthemassagewouldexplainitinphysiologicaltermsasthemanipulationofsofttissueandthemobilisationofjoints;howeverintheEastitisconsideredas much more. Apart from just feeling fabulous the massage also aims tostimulatetheinternalorgansofthebodyviathereflexpointsofthefeet.Reflexpointsare specificpointson the foot thatcorrespond toan internalorgan.Themassage alsoworks along the energy (sen) lines of the feet and lower legs tobalance and harmonise the flow of energy around the body. Sen lines areinvisible channels that allow energy to flow throughout the body. Thisstimulationoftheinternalorgansandtheenergylinesisintendedtofacilitatethebody’snormalfunctionsandbydoingsothebodyremainshealthy.Thisdescriptionimmediatelydemandsthatyouacceptboththeideaofreflex

pointsonthefeetandtheexistenceofenergylinesthroughoutthebody.Neitherof these theories formsapart of ourbiology lessons and there is no scientificproofoftheirexistenceaccordingtoconventionalWesternscience.Asyoulearn

ThaiFootMassageitisnotimportantwhetheryouacceptthesetheoriesornot,just to be aware of the theory is enough for now. When you can perform amassagewithoutreferringtothisbookyouwillhavebecomeatleastcompetentin Thai Foot Massage and may have already received some remarkablefeedback. When you can perform the massage using the expression of yourintent youwill have elevated it to an art form, andyouwill be able to gatheryourownanecdotalevidenceofitsbenefits.Thai FootMassage is similar to reflexology aswe know it in theWest. In

Thailand they would say “same same”, which colloquially translated meanssimilar,andnotthesame.Thiscanbequiteafrustratingconceptwhenyouaretryingtobeprecise,butgreatifyouareonholidayenjoyingtherelaxedorsabaiattitudeofThailand.ThemaindifferencesbetweenThaiFootMassageandreflexologyarethatof

the therapist’s intention, and the emphasisof themassage.Reflexology,whichmeans “the study of the reflex points” emphasises, as the name suggests, anexamination of the reflex points, followed by a bespoke treatment intended tostimulatespecificinternalorgansdependingontheresultsofthereflexologist’sexamination.Christine Issel inherbookReflexology:Art,ScienceandHistorymakesthefollowingdistinction:“Reflexologyshouldnotbeconfusedwithfootmassage” and goes on to say “Reflexology makes use of very precise reflexpoints”.Reflexologyhasprogressedbeyondmassageandhasbecomeatool,bywhich theadvancedpractitionercanassess thehealthof the internalorgansofthe body, by studying their corresponding reflex point on the foot, and evenworktoimprovethehealthof theseorgansbyworkingthereflexpointsof thefoot.Thai Foot Massage, on the other hand, emphasises the massage and is

intendedtogenerallystimulatethereflexpointsofthefeet,inordertostimulatetheinternalorgansgenerallyandencouragethefreeflowofenergythroughoutthe body by thoroughly massaging both the feet and the lower legs. Thaitherapistsrarelyexaminethereflexpointsduringamassage,andperformtheirroutine massage knowing that the techniques they employ promote generalhealth and well-being. The practice of keeping to the routine does notnecessarilydetractfromthetreatment,andcanbequiterefreshing.Thereisnoappointmenttomake,orrushtokeep,nolengthyconsultationortreatmentplan.Youmerelytakeaseat,putyourfeetupandsabai(relax)!It is this general approach to the reflex points, the multitude of massage

techniquesemployed,andtheworkingoftheenergylinesthatdefinesThaiFoot

MassageanddifferentiatesitfromReflexology.Thai Foot Massage is not a soft and soothing massage with superficial

techniques, but more a refreshing and revitalising massage that is deeplyrelaxing. The therapist works to the beat of their heart or to the rate of theirbreathingwithadepthofpressuretomatch.This form of foot massage has been practised for thousands of years and

originatedinIndiaaspartoftheayurvedicmedicalsystem.TheversionthatweseetodayinThailandhasevolvedwithbothIndianandChineseinfluence,alongwith other Far Eastern medical practices. This sharing of knowledge andtechniques has been brought about by the spread of Buddhism and themanytraderoutesthroughoutSoutheastAsia.

TakingteatoChina!TeachingThaiFootMassagetosomelocalvillagersatBanThalaeNokCommunityCentreontheAndamanCoast,aspartofapostTsunamireliefprogramme

Itisnot,however,onlythegeographicallocationofThailandbetweenthetwogreatnationsofIndiaandChinathathasallowedittobenefitfromtheirmedicalsystems.ThenatureofthepeopleofThailand,knownasthe“LandofSmiles”isvery welcoming, hospitable and immediately endearing. This aspect of Thaiculturehasenabledthemtobenefitfromthemanywelcomevisitors.Sawasdee,meaningwelcome,isawordthatisunavoidableinThailandandunderlinestheir

nature.This iseverpresent in thespasofThailand,whicharesecond tonone.TherelaxedyetattentivenatureofThaiserviceflourishes in thisenvironment.PamperinghasapurposeinThailandandthatpurposeistopromotegoodhealth.

OverviewofThaiTraditionalMedicine

In order to understand the phenomenon that Thai Foot Massage is today inThailand it isnecessary tounderstand itsplacewithin theholistic approachofTraditionalThaiMedicine.AccordingtoTraditionalThaiMedicinethebodyismadeupoffourelements:

earth,water,windand fire.These elements are collectivelyknownas tard.Oftheseelementseachindividualhasadominantelementknownastardchaoruan,whichisdeterminedbythedateandtimeofanindividual’sconception.Thistardchaoruanwilldetermineanindividual’sappearanceandcharacteristics,aswellasthevulnerableaspectoftheirhealth.During an examination and diagnosis a practitioner will take a full

consultationandperformaphysicalexamination.Theywilldetermineyourtardchaoruantoidentifyanyimbalancesintheseelementsandmayalsoperformanastrologicalexaminationtodeterminethecauseofillness.Within Traditional Thai Medicine there are 4 possible causes of illness as

highlightedbyVichaiChokevivatandAnchaleeChuthaputti in theirpaperTheRoleofTraditionalMedicineinHealthPromotion:

Supernaturalpowers,e.g.ancestor’ssoul,powerfulspiritsoftheforest,evilspirits,punishmentfromaheavenlyspiritforthosewhomisbehave.PowerofNature,e.g.imbalanceofthefourelementsofthebody(earth,water,wind,andfire).Poweroftheuniverse,e.g.influenceofthesun,moon,andstars.Kimijati, or micro organisms and parasites of conventional Westernmedicine.

TreatmentofferedbyThaiTraditionalMedicineissplitinto3mainareas:

Medicine,includingherbalremediesandtraditionalmedicines.Massage (nuad), including Thai Foot Massage, Traditional Thai

Massage,herbalcompressesusedaloneorwithinamassage,andherbalsteambaths.Meditation (dhammanamai), which encompasses Buddhist rites andmeditationaswellaslivingone’slifeonthe“middlepath”ofBuddhismin order to avoid over-or under-indulgence. Eating a healthy diet,including appropriate herbs, and the practice of ruesi dud ton or ThaiYoghaasatraditionalformofmeditativeexercise.

Areproductionofoneoftheoriginal80ThaiYoghastatuesondisplayatWatPho

Thisholisticapproachtothemind,bodyandspiritisproactiveasThaipeopleare encouraged to maintain health by using herbs correctly in food, takingregular massage, and by following dhammanamai which is split into threecategories:

Kayanamai (healthybody)BypractisingThaiYogha, andbyhaving agooddiet.Jitanamai (healthy mind) By practising meditation and studying theBuddhistteachings.Chevitanamai (healthy lifestyle) By following the “middle path” ofBuddhism

Itistheaccessibility,aswellasthebenefits,ofallaspectsofTraditionalThai

Medicine,andinparticularThaiFootMassagethathasenabledittobecomeaspopular as it is today.There is never a problem finding somewhere to have aThaiFootMassageandsowiththismasssupplythequestionof“why”hasbeenreplacedwith“whynot”!

TheHistoryandDevelopmentofThaiFootMassage

AncientHistoryThaiFootMassageisincrediblypopularinThailandtoday.Onthetouristtrailsyouareneverfar fromsomewhereofferingyouthechance toputyourfeetupandwatchtheworldgoby.Traditionallyhowever,allformsofTraditionalThaiMassagewereseenasaspiritualpractice,foundintemplesandhospitals,ratherthanthebeachorthemarketplace.ThetouristtradeundoubtedlydrivesthehugenumberofpeopleofferingThai

FootMassage,and,withaonehourmassagecosting theequivalentofaday’sminimumwage, these shops remain focused on the tourist trade.Despite this,ThaiFootMassagestillremainsanintegralpartoftheThaiCultureandwayoflife. It is commonly practised within the family and between friends forrelaxationandhealth,aswellasbytraditionalThaidoctorsandhealers.Traditional Thai Massage credits an Indian Ayurvedic Doctor, known as

JivakaKumarabhacca(c.500BCE),asthefatherorfounderofTraditionalThaiMedicine. Prayers aremade in his honour prior to amassage and his spirit isinvited towork through thepractitionerandguide their treatment.Thisprayer,known inThailand asWaiKru (honouring the teacher), is spoken in Pali andSanskrit,twoancientIndianlanguages.

AstatueofJivakaKumarabhaccaatWatPho

There are different versions regarding the birth of Jivaka Kumarabhacca,whose name translates as “to live” and “be raised by a Prince”. All of theversionsagreethatPrinceAbhayaadoptedJivaka.PrinceAbhayawasthesonofKingBimbisaraoftheMaghadanEmpire(NorthEasternIndia).AsJivakagrewhe became interested inmedicine and healing and spent seven years studyingwith a renowned IndianDoctor.By the timehe had finishedhis studyhe hadsurpassed even his teacher and was sent out to practise with his teacher’sblessing.His ability to healwas legendary and he became famous throughoutIndiatreatingKingsandPrinces.Hismostrenowned,andfavouritepatientofallwas theBuddhawhom Jivaka attended three times a day. Jivaka even built amonasteryinhisgardenanddonatedittoBuddhaandhisdisciples.AfterBuddha’sdeathitwasnotuntilthereignoftheIndianemperorAshoka

(c.300BCE)thatBuddhismbecameestablishedonanationallevelwithinIndia.Emperor Ashoka began to spread the teachings of Buddha internationally bysending Buddhist monks throughout Southeast Asia. Thesemonks, who wereoftentrainedinAyurvedicprinciples,notonlyspreadthewordofBuddhism,butalso the now legendary stories of Jivaka Kumarabhacca and the Ayurvedicprinciples. Themonks set up temples and hospitalswherever they settled andtheirskillsbecameintegratedwithlocalmedicalpractices.Thailandisthoughttohave had mainly shamanic style healing practices prior to the arrival ofBuddhism.ThespreadofBuddhismandtheancienttraderoutesofSoutheastAsiashow

howBuddhism first spread from India towardsChina and then furtherEast toJapan and Korea. It also shows how Buddhism spread back from Japan toNorthern Thailand. This spread of Buddhism and the trade routes show thegeneraldirectionoftravel.TherouteswerenotsimplyfromAtoB.Trade,alongtheSilkRoad for example, did not involve taking goods fromone end of theroad to theother; goodsweregenerally soldonalong theway.Smaller routesbranching from these main routes enabled local traders to join the route andbecamemarketplacesandstopoffpoints.AlthoughthereisnoevidenceIwouldimagine thatPadabhyanga, the ayurvedic name for footmassage,would havebeenapopularskillonsuchtreks.

MapshowingthespreadofBuddhismandtraderoutesthroughoutSEAsia

TheacknowledgementofJivakaKumarabhaccaasthefounderofTraditionalThaiMedicine firmly roots theoriginof this tradition in India however; otherculturesandcountrieshavealso influenced the treatments thatwesee today inThailand.ForexamplethestickusedtostimulatethereflexpointsinThaiFootMassageoriginatedinTaiwanasatoolforprovidinggreaterdepthofpressure.Christine Issel in her bookReflexology:Art, Science andHistory, describes

twostreamsofreflexologyconvergingintheWestduringtheMiddleAges,onefromtheEast(India)andonefromtheWest(Egypt).ThereisafamousimagefromEgyptthatiscreditedasbeingthefirstimageof

Reflexologyon thewallsofAnkhamor’s tombdatingback to2330BC,butasChristineIsselstates“TheartofreflexologywasnotonlyknowninEgyptbutitwasalsoknown5,000yearsagoinancientIndia.”Thesetwohistoricpointsofreferencesuggestthatsomeformoffootmassage

maywellhaveoccurredsimultaneously in twodistantcultures,suggesting thatmaybefootmassage,bywhatevername,isanarchetypalformofmassagewithmore than one origin. It is however the Eastern or Indian footmassage fromwhichThaiFootMassageoriginated.

ThaiimageofVishnuwithLakshmiathisfeet

WithinIndiathefeet,orpada,havealwaysbeenafocusofworship.PriortoBuddhism,HinduismwasthemainreligionofIndia,whichpredatesBuddhismbyatleast1,000years.InHindutraditionthecontactofthefeetwiththeearthenablestheearths’energytoflowthroughoutthebodyandmind.Hinduism celebratesmany gods. The threemost important areBrahma, the

creator,Vishnu the preserver, andShiva the destroyer.Vishnu the preserver isoftendepictedinHinduartwithLakshmimassagingthefeetofVishnu.LakshmiisVishnu’sShakti,orfemalecounterpart,andrepresentspositivefemaleenergy.An 18th Century drawing of the Feet of Vishnu places various symbols at

specificpointsonthesolesofthefeet.Therearesomestrikingsimilaritiesintheplacementofthesesymbolswithsomeofthereflexpoints,althoughthemeaningoftheimagesisnotclear.ThepointsusedinPadabhyangaareknownasMarmapointsandalthoughtherearecorrelationsbetweentheseMarmapointsandthereflex points of Thai FootMassage theMarma points number far fewer thanthoseusedinThaiFootMassage.The footprints (padamudra) of gods have also been treated as objects of

worship in Hinduism, and several temples have been built around thesefootprintsthroughoutSoutheastAsia.ThistraditionofworshippingthefeetandfootprintscontinuedintoBuddhismwhereworshippingtheBuddha’sfootprintsrepresentsfollowingthepathofBuddha.Thesefootprintsareoftendepictedashavingauspicioussymbolson thesolesof thefeet,whichrepresent thesaintly

lifeandteachingsofBuddha.TheseimagesofBuddha’sfootprintsareparticularlypopularinThailandand

arefoundwhereverBuddhismspread,includingChina,Japan,andKorea.China’s influenceonThaiFootMassage ismost evident in themapsof the

reflexpoints thatareused.ThesemapsareverysimilarandcorrespondalmostentirelytosomeofthemapsusedinChina.

AnimpressionofBuddha’sFootprintfromWatPhraPhuttabat,inSaraburiProvince

Historicalrecordsofmassage,andinparticularfootmassage,arefewandfarbetween,howeverthereisenoughevidencetosurmisethatfootmassagewasanintegralpartofthetraditionalmedicineofIndia,China,andThailand.InChinatherearehistoricalrecordswrittenbySimaQianreferringtoawell-

knowndoctorduringthesecondcenturyBCcalledYuFu(meaningfoothealing)whotreatedhispatientspurelybymassagingtheirfeet.Also the book The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, or

HuangdiNeiJing,whichdealsmainlywithacupuncture(thought tohavebeenwrittensometimebetween475–221BCE)identifiessiximportantchannelsthattraveltoandfromthefoot,andidentifies66pointsalongthesechannelsonthefeet. The book does mention massage and, although foot massage is notmentioned specifically, the importance of the foot is emphasised by theconcentrationofpointsonthefeet.Itmaybe that themassage techniques,orpressingand rubbing, asmassage

translates, remained as part of an oral tradition that were taught rather thanstudied as the written word. Such techniques don’t lend themselves to wordy

descriptions,andaremuchmoreeasilytaughtbydemonstrationandpractice.Priorityseemstohavequiterightlybeengiventothepointsandthelinesor

channelsofenergy.InThailand,untilveryrecently,allaspectsofTraditionalThaiMassagewere

taughtinthisoraltradition.Techniqueswerenotrecordedandrecordswerenotkeptinwrittenform.StudentswouldtraditionallylearnasapprenticesundertheguidanceofaMaster.Therewasnosyllabus tostudy, just the teachingsof themaster. A student would complete their apprenticeship when the master wassatisfied that they were ready to practice their skills and continue the goodreputation of the Master. This approach is potentially very good for anapprentice and thismethodhas been responsible for adding to the variety andstylesofTraditionalThaiMassage.Ithashowevermeantthathistoricalrecordswerescarce.AnotherreasonforthelackofhistoricalevidenceinThailandcouldbepartly

todowiththelackoforiginalresearch.Thereflexpointsforexample,seemtohave been, in the main, adopted from the Chinese. It is the many massagetechniques thatmakes this treatmentThai, andhistoricallymassage techniquesingeneralarenotwelldocumented.Of the records still in existence regarding the broader tradition of Thai

Medicinethereisevidenceof102hospitals,knownasArogayasala,throughoutthe Khmer kingdom (Northeast Thailand) In 1238 CE during the Sukhothaiperiod, suggesting that an indigenous formof healingwaswell establishedbythistime.During the Ayutthaya period (1350 – 1767) there were herbal drug

dispensariesforthepublicaswellasaroyaldrugdispensaryintheroyalpalace,and later during the reign of King Narai the Great (1656 – 1688) the king’sdoctorswrotethefirstofficialbookofThaiHerbalMedicinecalledTamraPhraOsodPhraNarai.

ModernHistory

OneofsixtystoneinscriptionsatWatPho,depictingtheSenlinesofthebody

When the Burmese invaded Thailand in 1767, the old capital Ayutthya wasransacked and destroyed along with many sacred texts and records. Much ofThailand’s cultural history was destroyed in this invasion. Following thisinvasionKingRamaI,whenhewascrowned,movedthecapitalofThailandtoBangkok orKrungThep (City ofAngels) as it is known inThailand.Havingprovedhimself as a greatwarrior during this invasion, he also proved to be agreatandfairleadertohispeople.HebeganaprocessofrestorationfollowingtheBurmese invasion, encouragingThai literature andbringing togethermanyremainingworksofartandculture.In1788HebeganthebuildingofWatPhraChetuphon on the grounds of two separate temples Wat Salak and WatPhodharam,thelatterwasalreadyknownasacentreforeducationandlearningof Traditional Thai Medicine. The King intended to compile the traditionalknowledgeofThailand,andpreserveitwithinthewallsofthetemple,sothatit

couldbestudiedforthehealthofalltheThaipeople.TherewerenoschoolsinThailandatthistimeandtempleswerethemainplacesofstudy.Thetempleisstill commonly known asWat Pho an abbreviation ofWat Phodharam, and isregarded bymany as the home of Traditional ThaiMassage. This restorationworktookoversevenyearstocomplete.Further restorationwork lasting 16 yearswasmade byKingRama IIIwho

had thewalls of the temple coveredwith stone tablets inscribedwithwritingsaboutvariousbranchesofThaiknowledge.Theseinscriptionsweredividedintoeight groups. One of these groups deals entirely with herbal recipes and listsover 1,000 such recipes. Another sectionwas dedicated to ThaiMassage andThaiYoghaandoriginallyshowed60inscriptionsoftheenergy(sen)linesofthebodyalongwith80 statues showingThaiYogha postures.Anotherpart of thismassiverestorationworkwasthestatueoftherecliningBuddha.Itis46metreslong and 15metres high. Themost striking part of this statue, apart from thesize,isthemotherofpearlinlaydepicting108auspicioussymbolsonthesolesoftheBuddha’sfeetinbothIndianandChinesestyles.

ImageofBuddha’sfeetatWatPho

ThailandreadilyacknowledgesthattheirTraditionalThaiMedicinehasbeeninfluenced by both the Indian and Chinese medical systems. Chokevivat andChuthaputti in their article “The role of Thai Traditional Medicine in HealthPromotion” describe Traditional Thai Medicine as involving medicine and

massage, alongwithBuddhist rites andmeditation, aswell as ritualsbasedonthebeliefinasupernaturalpowerorthepoweroftheuniverse.Thearticlegoeson to say that traditional knowledge was built up through the processes of“selection”,“adoption”,“adaptation”and“utilisation”oftraditionalmedicineofsome countries with which Thailand had contact in the past and mentionsspecifically India and China. These processes are still evident today with themostrecentexamplebeingtheWesterninfluenceonTraditionalThaiMedicine.Since1987 ithasbeenpossible tostudyandpracticeAppliedTraditionalThaiMedicine. An Applied Traditional Thai Medicine practitioner will use somewesternmedicalequipment toexaminepatientsanddecidewhethermodernortraditional medicine is most appropriate. Applied Traditional Thai Medicinepractitioners can prescribe only traditional medicines or therapies to theirpatients.Traditional ThaiMedicine has evolved over the centuries and what we see

today in Thailand are clear examples of both Chinese and Indian influence.However, Traditional ThaiMedicine and ThaiMassage stand as an entity ontheir ownandcannotbeunderstoodbypurelyChineseor Indian reference, orevenbyacombinationofthetwo.

EasternPhilosophyMeetsWesternScience

Traditional Thai Medicine and Western medicine worked together briefly inThailandbutfailed tobecomeintegrated, the traditionalprocessesofselection,adoption,adaptationandutilisationwereoverruledbyWesternmedicine,andintheshorttermWesternmedicinecompletelyreplacedTraditionalThaiMedicineMissionaries and Doctors first introduced Western medicine to Thailand

duringthereignofKingRamaIIIand,in1888SirirajHospital,thefirstwesternhospital andmedical schoolwasopenedand taughtTraditionalThaiMedicinealongside Western medicine. The teaching of Traditional Thai Medicine wasdiscontinued in 1916 when it was deemed to be incompatible with Westernmedicine as it relied too heavily on the doctors’ opinion rather than scientificevidence.ThiswasthestartofadeclineinTraditionalThaiMedicinethatwastolastover60years.Thedeclinewascompoundedwhenin1936the“ControlofthePracticeofthe

Art of Healing Act” required practitioners of Traditional Thai Medicine toregister and become licensed. Most practitioners did not register and so theybecameunlicensedandcouldnolongerpractice.Thosethatdidbecomelicensedhad no place to practice, as western medicine had become the main form oftreatment within hospitals. Traditional ThaiMedicinewas forced to retreat topoorerandruralcommunitieswherewesternmedicinewasunavailable.It was not until 1978, when the World Health Organisation’s Alma-Ata

Declarationurgedmembers to emphasisePrimaryHealthCare to “protect andpromote the health of all of the people of the world” that Traditional ThaiMedicine began to recover. It was already evident that westernmedicinewasfailing the people of Thailand, the cost of expensive equipment and importeddrugs left little for the prevention of disease and the promotion of health.Westernmedicinewasalsofailingtocureseverallifestylerelateddiseasessuchasdiabetes,hypertension,cardiovasculardiseasesandvariousformsofcancer.This World Health Organisation declaration sparked a resurgence of

Traditional Thai Medicine that is still gaining momentum today. MedicinalplantsarenowattheforefrontofThaiMedicine,andTraditionalThaiMassagehas benefited from the support of the governmentwith national standards andcurriculumbeingsetbytheMinistryofPublicHealthundertheguidanceoftheInstituteofTraditionalThaiMedicine.In1999theInstituteofTraditionalThaiMedicine received a grant of 62 million baht from the Thai government toorganisetrainingcoursesinallaspectsofTraditionalThaiMassageandbetween4,000and5,000peopleweretrained.ThisintensivetrainingprogrammehasledtothemasssupplyofThaiFootMassagethatisevidentinThailandtoday.

TheFutureofThaiFootMassage

This huge supply of well-qualified Thai FootMassage therapists has broughtThai FootMassage out of the temples and hospitals and onto the promenadesandstreetbazaars.ShopsnowoffertreatmentsthatwouldonlybeonofferinthebestofwesternspasandthequalityofthesetreatmentshasledtothedemandforThaitherapistsatsomeofthebestspasaroundtheworld.In theWest complementary and alternative therapies generally take amore

holisticapproach than theclinicalapproachofconventionalWesternmedicine,andalreadyprovidePrimaryHealthCarewithorwithouttheofficialbackingoftheirgovernment.ManyindividualtherapistsandtherapieshavestrivedhardforrecognitionandacceptancefromconventionalWesternmedicine,andarehavingsome success. Some techniques in isolation have been adopted in the West.AcupressurenowappearsasNeuromusculartechniquesortriggerpointworkinmassage, andAcupuncture has appeared as dry needling and been adopted bymany Osteopaths and Physiotherapists. In these cases the whole concept ofmeridians andTraditionalChineseMedicine has not been adopted, but certaintechniqueshavebeenborrowed.Thisconvergenceof ideascanonlybeagoodthingforbothconventionalWesternmedicineandComplementarytherapies.Theworkplacehasbeenfairlyquickinadoptingaproactiveapproachtothe

healthof theirworkforce.SeatedAcupressureMassage, forexample,basedontheTraditionalChineseMeridianshasbecomeverypopularintheworkplaceoftheWesternworldwherewe tend to hunchourselves over computers andpaylittle attention to correct posture. Thai FootMassage could also have a hugeimpacthere.Workerswhoarenothunchedoveracomputertendtobeontheirfeetallday,andThaiFootMassageespeciallywouldbeofgreatbenefitinthesecircumstances.Spashavealsobeguntolookattheirtreatmentmenus.Spasandretreatsused

tobetherealmoftherichandfamous,butnowthegeneralpopulationdemandthe same pleasures, but have a greater focus on value for money. Yes, thetreatmentmust feel great, but itmust also be good for their health.The latestaddition to the spa world is the emerging market of the day spa and is

reminiscent of the way Thai Massage is offered in Thailand. The day spa isbeginningtoheadoutfromexclusivehotelsandretreatstotheHighStreetandshoppingcentres.Theclienteledonotexpectmiraclecuresandarehappywithanecdotalevidenceratherthanclinicalstudiesthatsuchtreatmentsaregoodforyou.Peoplecanspendafewhoursinatranquilsettingandreceiveauthenticandholistictreatmentsfromaroundtheworld.AsthepopularityofHolistictherapieshasgrown,thegeneralknowledgeregardingthebenefitsofthesetreatmentshasalsoincreased.Thepublicnotonlywantatreatmentthatwillhaveagoodeffect,butitmustalsofeelgreat.ThaiFootMassageistheoriginaltreatmenttofitthisbill,itfeelsundeniablygoodandit’sgoodforyou.Perhaps in the not too distant future aWesternDoctor will refer you for a

course of complementary therapy. In the meantime however the market hasbeguntoprovideplaceswheretreatmentsareavailabletomeetallyourheart’sdesires,aswellasallofyourotherorgans!

HowThaiFootMassageWorks

TheScienceandthePseudo-scienceTherearemanytheoriesregardingtheeffectfootmassagehasonthebody.Thetwo theories that aremostwidely accepted have both a scientific and pseudo-scientificapproach.Themorescientificapproachsuggeststhatpressureappliedtothe7,200nerveendinginthefeetstimulatesanimpulsealongtheperipheralnervoussystem.Thisimpulseistheninterpretedbythecentralnervoussystem,which in turn generates an impulse to create a motor response affecting thecorrespondingorgan.ThePseudo-scientificapproach,which isofEasternorigin,suggests that the

body has channels of energy flowing throughout the body, and that anyblockagesorstagnationofenergyalongthesechannelsmayresult in illnessordisease.Suchblockagescanbefeltonthefeetaslumpsorcrystalsforexampleand,bymassagingthesepoints,blockagescanbedissipated.ThaiFootMassage follows the latterof these theories,whichacknowledges

theexistenceofenergychannelswithinthebody.Aswellasworkingthereflexpointsofthefeet,ThaiFootMassagecontinuestoworkalongtheenergylinesofthelowerlegtoencouragethisflowofenergyupandthroughoutthebody.This combination ofmassaging the reflex points of the feet and the energy

linesofthelegsaddsapowerfuldimensiontoThaiFootMassage.Ratherthanhopingthattheworkthatyouhavedoneonthefootflowsthroughthebody,youactively encourage the flow of energy by working the energy lines along thelowerleg.WhenyouareenjoyingaThaiFootMassageitdoesactuallyseemashameto

stopattheknee.IfThaiFootMassageprovesasaddictiveforyouasithasforme, itmay leaveyoufeelinggreatbutwantingmore.Thailandhas theansweragain,intheformofTraditionalThaiMassage.Myideaofaperfectday is tohaveaThaiFootMassagefollowedbya full

body Traditional ThaiMassage with the use of Herbal compresses. The ThaiFootMassagestimulatesyourinternalorgansandbeginstoencouragetheflowofenergythroughoutthebody.TheTraditionalThaiMassagewillthencontinuetoopentheenergylinesfromthetipsofyourtoestothetopofyourhead(andouttoeachfinger),bywayofthetherapistusingvariouspartsoftheirbodytoexpertlystretchandcompressyouintovariouspositions,sothatthisenergycanflowfreely.Theuseoftheherbalcompressesafteramassagewillhavevarying

effects depending on the herbs used, however the generic compresses containherbsthatwilldetoxifythedigestivesystemandrelievemusculartension.Thiswouldtakeuptoabout3or4hoursofmyperfectday,soIwouldhavetimeleftforsomeThaifood,whereherbsareagainusedwithexpertise,andperhapsadipin theAndamansea!Ofcourse ideally therestof thedaywould involvesomecontemplationandmeditation,aswellasThaiYogha,butImustrememberthatthisismyperfectdayandIamonholiday!

TheReflexPointsofthefeet

Being able to affect other parts of the body by massaging the feet is a veryattractiveidea,givingyoutheopportunitytobeabletoworkontheshoulder,forexample,withouthaving to touch theshoulder,or stimulate theadrenalglandswithout open surgery. It is this access to the internal organs that is such afascinatingpartofThaiFootMassage.The feet represent the entire body, with different areas corresponding to

differentareasofthebodyandspecificpointsrelatingtospecificorgans.Overcenturiesmapsofthereflexpointshavebeenputforwardandrefinedby

differentculturesandschoolsofthought.Therearemanymoresimilaritiesthandifferencesbetweenthesereflexmaps,butdifferingschoolsofthoughtdooccurbetweenculturesandsometimesevenwithincultures.These different opinions can become a major concern as to which map of

thesepoints is accurate and isoftena topic fordebateby reflexologists in theWesternworld.Here againThaiFootMassagehas its own set ofmapswhichcorrelateanddifferonsomepoints.The followingmaps show points that have been shown tome in Thailand.

Againtherearesomedifferencesandslightvariations,however,withthegeneralapproachtothesepointswithinaThaiFootMassage, itcouldbesaidthat it isnot so critical as towhether you areworking on, for example the Thymus orThyroidglandasitisall“goodforyou”!Ofcourseforamorespecifictreatmentthiscouldbeamajorcauseforconcern.

MapShowingtheReflexPointsofThaiFootMassage

Itisfairlyclear,especiallywhenyoujustglanceatthemapsofthefeet,thatwhereveryoumassagethefootyouwillbemassagingmanyreflexpointsandsoaffectingthecorrespondingbodypartsassociatedwiththesepoints.Do not be concerned that you are stimulating organs that may not need

stimulating,asThaiFootMassageislikerainfallingtotheearth.Theraindoesnotheadforthedrysoilinordertomoistenitortotheflowertomakeitbloom,itjustfalls.Theearthinstinctivelyabsorbstherainorallowsittoflowtowhere

itisneeded.

TheSenLinesorEnergyChannels

The ideaof invisible channels allowingenergy to flow throughout thebody isnot unique to Thailand and occurs throughout Asia. In India the Ayurvedicprinciplesofmedicinecall thisenergyprana,andrefertothechannelsthroughwhichthispranaflowsasnadis.InChinatheprinciplesofTraditionalChineseMedicine call this energy Qi and refer to the channels as Meridians, and inThailandthechannelsareknownasSen,andtheenergyissometimesreferredtoas lom, or wind. These cultures all suggest there are 72000 energy channelsthroughoutthebody,althoughthishasbeensuggestedasaBuddhistpseudonymforcountlessratherthanaprecisefigure.Each culture has settled on a finite number of channels as being the main

channels.Whilst there is againmuch common ground in the running of thesechannelstherearealsodifferencesthatareuniquetoeachcultureandalsowithineachculture.TheThaisystemofSenlinesaccepts10mainSenlines,knownas“SipSen”(10channels).MyonlyWesternteacher,HaraldBrust,alsoknownasAsokanandaorAshoka,didagreatdealof research intosen linesand it ishischarts of the energy lines that I use throughoutmy Traditional ThaiMassagetreatments,andinthisbook.ForthepurposesofthisbookIhavejustshowntheSenlinesofthelowerlegs

astheyareworkedinaThaiFootMassage.Of the tenenergy lines“SipSen”used inTraditionalThaiMassage,weuse

sixoftheseSenlinesduringaThaiFootMassage.TheSenlinesusedare:

SenSumanaSenItthaandSenPingkalaSenKalathariSenSahatsarangsiandSenThawari

SenSumana,istheequivalent,andnamesake,ofSushumnaNadiofAyurvedic

Medicine and the Governing and Conceptual vessels of Traditional ChineseMedicine.SenSumanaisconsideredthemainenergylineandrunsupthecentreofthebody.Thislinerunsupthebackoftheleg.Startingatthemedialedgeofthebigtoe,alongthemedialarchofthefoot,aroundtheheel,alongtheAchillestendon,betweenthetwoheadsoftheCalfmuscle(Gastrocnemius)tothecentreofthebackoftheknee(poplitealarea).Goodfor:Abdominalanddigestivedisordersandbackpain.

DiagramofSenSumana

Sen Ittha and Sen Pingkala follow the same route on opposite sides of thebody.SenItthaisontheleftsideofthebody,andSenPingkalaisontherightsideof thebody.SenIttharelates to themoonandcontrols the leftsideof thebody.Thislineisconsideredtohavefemininequalities.SenPingkalarelatestothe sun and controls the right side of the body, and is considered to havemasculinequalities.ThesetwoSensagainhaveasimilarnamesakeinthenadisofAyurvedicmedicine,IdanadiandPingalanadi.In Thai FootMassage aswell as Traditional ThaiMassage you approach a

manfromhisrightsideandawomanfromherleftsideasthesetwolinesshouldbeworkedaccording to theirdominance.SowithThaiFootMassageyouwillgenerallystartwiththeleftfootforawomanandtherightfootforaman.Theselinesrunfromthelateraledgeofthelittletoe,alongthelateraledgeof

thefootandthenupbehindthelateralankleandalongbehindthefibulatothebonyprotrusionatthetopofthefibula.

Goodfor:Abdominalpainandbackpainaswellasallinternalorgans.

DiagramofSenIttha/Pingkala

DiagramofSenKalathari

SenKalathari,isknownastheemotionalorpsychicSen,andcrossesthebodyfrom left to right at the abdomen and extends to our fingers and toes. ThiscrossingoftheSenlineallowstheenergytoflowfromonesideofthebodytotheother,helpingtokeepthetwosidesofthebodyinbalanceandharmony.This

Senruns throughthecentreof themedialheadof thecalfmusclereachingthefoot midway between the medial ankle and the Achilles tendon. It then runsdiagonallyacrossthemedialsideoftheheelandunderthefoottothemidpointalong the top of the heel,where the heel joins the sole of the foot. From thispointthelinefansoutinto5branchesthatgodirectlytothetipofeachtoe.Theline then continues over the top of the toes and along the dorsumof the foot,wherethe5branchesbegintocomebacktogetherastheytravelupthedorsumof the foot and join again just in frontof the lateral ankle.Fromhere the linetravelsupontothelateralsideofthelowerleg, just infrontofthefibulaboneandcontinuesalongnexttothefibulatothetopofthelowerleg.Goodfor:Keepingus“together”onanemotionallevel.Jointpainsofthelegs

and feet, relieving physical tension brought on by emotional stress, and heartdisease.SenSahatsarangsiandSenThawari,likeSenItthaandSenPingkalatheseSenalsofollowsthesamerouteondifferentsidesofthebody.SenSahatsarangsiisontheleftsideofthebodyandSenThawariontherightsideofthebody.These lines follow the lateral edgeof the tibia, from theknee to thehollow

wherethelegjoinsthefoot.Fromherethelinesrunslaterallyacrossthedorsumofthefoottothelateraledgeofthefoot,andthenunderthefoot,acrossthetopoftheheellikeastirruptothemedialarchofthefoot.Thelinethencomesjustbehindthemedialankleandfollowsthemedialedgeofthetibiatothetopofthelowerleg.

DiagramofSenSahatsarangsi/Thawari

Goodfor:Kneepainandnumbnessofthelegs.

PartTwo

Practice

TraditionalPrayerforHealingandGuidance

WaiKruThe followingprayerormantra is traditionallyspokenprior toamassageasaway of paying respect to Doctor Jivaka Khumarabacca, and asking for hisguidanceduring themassage. Inmyexperience thisprayer isnotoftenspokenpriortoamassageinthemassageshopsthatexisttodayinThailand,butwouldatleastbespokenatthestartoftheworkingday.Itiswrittenherephoneticallysothatyoumayuseit.

OmNamoJivakaSirlasaAhangKarunikoSapasatanangOsathaTipi-MantangPapasoSuriya-Jantang.KhomalapatoPakha-SesiWantamiBandtito

SumetasoA-rlokaSumnahomi(3times)Piyo-TewaManussanangPiyo-PromaNamuttamo

PiyoNakhaSupananangPininsiyangNamamihangNamoputtayaNavon-NavienNasatit-Nasatien

Ehi-MamaNavien-NawaeNapaitang-VienNavien-MahakuEhi-MamaPiyong-MamaNamoputtaya(once)Na-ANa-Wa

RokhaPayatiVina-Santi(3times)

OriginalSanskritandPaliversion:Weinvitethespiritofourfounder,TheFatherDoctor“Jivaka”,

whotaughtusthroughhissaintlylife.Pleasebringtoustheknowledgeofallnature,

thatthisprayerwillshowusthetruemedicineoftheuniverse.(3times)Inthenameofthismantra,

werespectyourhelpandpraythatthroughourbodiesyouwillbringwholenessandhealthtothebodyofourclient.

Thegoddessofhealingdwellsintheheavenshigh,whilemankindstaysintheworldbelow.

Inthenameofthefounder,maytheheavensbereflectedintheearthbelow

sothatthishealingmedicinemayencircletheworld.(once)Weprayfortheonewhomwetouch,

thathewillbehappyandthatanyillnesswillbereleasedfromhim.

(3times)TranslationbyChongkolSetthakorn

SettingtheScene

ThingstoConsiderThismassagesequencewilltakeaboutanhourandahalftocompleteonceyouknow the treatment, and itwill take longerwhilst you arepracticing.There isplentyofscopetoshortenthetreatmentonceyouknowthefullroutineproperly,inThailanditisgenerallyofferedforanhour.Whilstyouarepracticingyoumayprefer toperform justone section, and repeat thisonboth legs. It isbetter forbothyouandyourpartnerifyouperformashortertreatmentthatisrepeatedonbothlegs,ratherthantryingtocompletethewholemassagebutonlymanagingoneleg.

PreparingYourRoomAlthoughThaiFootMassagecanbeperformedalmostanywhere,anditoftenisinThailand, it is best if you canwork in private so that your client can relaxtotally. It is reallyup toyouhowyousetup the room,butyoushouldat leastensurethattheroomiswarmandthelightsaredimmedslightly.Reclinerchairsaregenerallyused inThailand,however, ifyoudon’thavea

recliner chair don’tworry, themassage can be performed on a couch, bed, oreventheflooraslongasyouarebothcomfortable.Make sure your partner understands that you are practicing and so the

treatmentmay not flow completely to beginwith. Both you and your partnerneedtohaveengineeredenoughtimeforthepracticetobeinterruptionfree.

ThingsYouWillNeedThereisnotreallyanyspecialistequipmentneededforThaiFootMassage.TheThaiFootMassagestickmaybetheonlythingthatisnottohand,butthiscanbereplacedintheshort termwiththebluntendofapencilorthefirstknuckleofyourindexfinger.Youwillnotneedituntilthesecondsection,whenweworkonthereflexpoints,sothatgivesyoutimetopracticethefirstsectionwhileyoulookforasuitablestick.

ThaiFootMassagestickwithwoodenbowlandtray

Apillow–youmaywanttosupportyourpartners’feetandlegsfurtherwithapillow.2handsizedtowels–thesewillkeepyourpillowandchaircleanandwillalsobeneeded later,at theendof the thirdsection, towrapup thefeetandlegs.Creamandoil–blendthecreamandoiltogetherintheratioofabout3parts cream to2partsoil.This canbedone in abowl justprior to themassage(yourThaiFootMassagestickmakesagoodstirrer),orcanbepre-prepared.Amixtureofcreamandoilisusedasoilistooslipperyforthistreatmentandtheskinabsorbscreamtooreadily.

A large bowl of water and a flannel – wash your partners’ feet in thebowl,oneatatime,beforedryingthefeetandlayingyourpartnerbackin the recliner. Apart from being a necessary hygiene precaution thewashingofthefeetatthestartofamassageisveryrelaxingandisalmostaritualpriortothemassage.IvisitedasmallshopinThailandwheremyfeetwerefirstsoakedinawarmindoorwaterfallandthenscrubbedwithsalts,beforebeingslowlywalkedalongashortriver toareclinerchair.Otherplaceshavemerelybroughtoutadampclothandwipedmy feetclean.Asidefromsatisfyinghygienestandardsitisagreatwaytostartatreatmentandisworthperformingwell.HavingsaidthisIoftenusewetwipeswhen I amworkingaway fromhomeor teachingand theyworkjustfine.

Thefeetarealwayswashedpriortomassage

TheConsultationProcessA Thai foot Massage in Thailand will rarely involve a consultation, unless aTraditionalThaiMedicinePractitioner is treatingyou. In theWest, however aconsultation should always be performed to at least rule out any totalcontraindicationsandmakeyouawareofanycautionstothemassage.WithThaiFootMassage it is possible to go through a checklist of contraindications andcautionstokeeptheconsultationtimetoaminimum,butanyquestionsthatyourpartnerraisesshouldbeansweredandifyouareindoubtastowhethertotreatornot,youshouldalwaysbeprudentandnotgivethemamassage.Rememberthatthisisnotadiagnostictooloratreatmentforanycondition.

TotalContraindicationsIfyourpartnerissufferingfromanyofthefollowing,youcannotmassagethem:Infection;Disease;Fever;Undertheinfluenceofrecreationaldrugsoralcohol;Diarrhoea;Vomiting;Pregnant(firsttrimester),orpossiblypregnant.

MedicalContraindicationsIf your partner is suffering from any of the following, your partnermust firstseek medical permission to have a massage: Pregnant (second or thirdtrimester); any cardio vascular conditions such as Thrombosis, Phlebitis,Hypertension,Hypotension,HeartConditions;Haemophilia;MedicalOedema;Osteoporosis; Arthritis; Nervous or Psychotic conditions; Epilepsy; Recentoperations;Diabetes; Asthma;Nervous system disorders; Trapped or pinchednerve; Inflamed nerve; Cancer; Kidney infections; Whiplash; Slipped orherniateddisc;Acuterheumatoidarthritis.

Areyoutakinganyprescribedmedication?Are you being treated for any condition by another complementarytherapistorDoctor?

LocalisedContraindicationsIf your partner is suffering with any of the following, you must adjust yourmassage to avoid the affected areas:Localised swelling or inflammation; Skindiseases; Varicose veins; Cuts or bruises; Recent scar tissue; Sunburn;Hormonalimplants;Haematoma;Recentfractures;Cervicalspondylitis;recentlargemeal.Itisclearlypossiblefromtheabovetomake3listsofthecontraindicationsin

ordertoreducetheconsultationtimeandmerelycheckthattherearenototalormedicalcontraindicationsinordertoproceed.Thereisalsoscopetoincreasetheconsultationtotakeinotherfactorssuchasemotionalorlifestylesituations.Finally the consultation shouldbe signed anddatedbyyour client, and any

adjustmentsmadetothetreatment.Theseconsultationformsshouldalsobekeptsecurelyinordertomaintainyourpartners’confidentiality.

AftertheTreatment

GettingFeedbackItisimportantforbothyourownpracticeandforyourpartners’comfortthatyougetfeedbackthroughoutthemassage.Encouragethemfromthestarttogiveyoufeedback, although if they fall asleep there is no need to wake them up forfeedback!TheThaiword for pain is “jeb” somake sure they let youknow ifthey feelany“jeb”.Thereshouldbenopainduring themassage,even thoughsometechniquescanbefairlystrong.Feedbackatsomepointafterthemassageiscrucialtoyoudevelopingafeel

for themassage. This does not have to be straight after themassage, and canevenbethenextdayorafewdayslater.Sometimesthisiswhenyouwillgetthemostpositiveornegativefeedback.Alsotrytoevaluateyourownmassageandconsiderwhichtechniquesworked

well, which ones you liked and also which ones you disliked. If there aretechniquesthatyoudisliked,askyourselfwhyandcheckastowhetheryouwereperformingthetechniquecorrectly.

AftercareAdviceItisimportantthatyourpartnerhasthetimeandspacetorelaxafteratreatment,theyshouldnotberushingofftomakeupforthetimetheyhavebeenresting.InThailand theywill often give you a herbal tea and let you remain seated andrelax for a while. Even if the therapist has another customer there is alwayssomewhereforyoutosit.This herbal tea is great, but if you do not have herbal tea at least get your

partneraglassofwater,andadvisethemtoavoidalcoholorcaffeine.

The Rhythm and Technique of ThaiFootMassageThe rhythm and the way the techniques are performed are perhaps the mostimportantpartofagoodThaiFootMassage.Thetwomostimportantthingstorememberaretouseyourbody,andworktothebeatofyourheart,andintimewithyourbreathing.

TechniqueWhenyoubegintousetheweightofyourbodytoperformamassageyouwillimmediatelynoticehoweffortlessitis.Evenwhenyouareusingyourhandsyouwillfindthatyounolongerneedtosqueezewiththemusclesofthehandsandforearm. Instead you place your thumbs, or whichever part of your body thetechnique requires, onto the foot and then rock forward and lean onto yourthumbssoastoaddthepressureofyourbodyweightratherthanmuscularforce.Thisisanincrediblyefficientwaytoworkandsavesalotofenergy.InThailanda therapist may be working all day and be seeing clients one after the other.Withoutusingyourbodythiswouldbeaverydifficulttask.Whenthetechniqueisperformedcorrectlyyourpartnershouldfeelagradualincreaseinpressureasyou lean or rock forwards and a gradual decrease in pressure as you rockbackwards.Usethepadsofyourthumbsratherthanthetipofyourthumb,andplaceyour

fingersonthefoottooffersomesupporttothethumb.

RhythmIf you get the rhythm wrong you will become fatigued very quickly. Thaitherapistsworktothenaturalbeatoftheirheartsandkeeptheirbreathingintimewith their heart.By keeping to this rhythmyouwill not overexert yourself orbecometired.Asyouperformtherockingtechniquedescribedabovetrytorockforwardsonyourheartbeatandthenrockbackwardsonthenextheartbeat.

Andfinally…

It is essential thatyou takenotesasyoupractice.Whilstworking through thisbook,rememberthatit isyours,putyournameonitandmakenoteswhereveryouwantto,sometimesafewarrowsofyourowndesignwillmakemoresensetoyouthanmine!Each technique is named and numbered and should go some way towards

describingthetechnique.Thepictureswillhelpandthenbelowthe‘Howto…’sectiondescribesexactlyhowtoperformthetechnique.ThereflexpointsandSenlinesworkedineachtechniqueareshownbelowthe

title, and at the end of each technique there is a boxed section describing theintention.Whilstyouarelearningthetechniquesrepeateachtechniqueasmanytimesas

ittakesforthetechniquetobecomefamiliarandfeelnatural.I am often asked how many times should I repeat each technique, and

admittedlyInevercount,butageneralguideisapproximately10timesfortheshortertechniques,and3–5timesforthelongertechniques.Ihaveindicated,asaguide,howmanytimestorepeateachmove.Wherethereisnoindicationofrepetitions,performthetechniqueonce.Variationsonthisguidecanalsobeusedtolengthenorshortenthemassage.

TheOpeningSequence

This section begins to warm the foot firstly without any cream so that yourintention is towork deeply and into the bones of the foot and then, once thecream is applied, you begin to warm the skin. There is a lot of work in thisopeningsequencetorelaxyourpartnerbothphysicallyandemotionally.Thissectionworksboththesenlinesandthereflexpointsandisintendedto

warmupbothinpreparationforthemorespecificworklater.It is an incredibly thorough warm up and is a great way to start. I would

suggestthat,initiallyyoucompletethissectionononefootandthenrepeatitonthe other foot, before you start the other sections. Once you have gainedexperienceyouwillcompletethefirstthreesectionsononelegbeforebeginningontheotherleg.Take time to relax and focus on your client before you start and you may

performtheWaiKru(page32)ifyouwish.Whenyoufeelrelaxedandreadytobegin,startontheleftfootforawoman,

or the right foot for aman, inorder to focuson thedominant energiesofSenIttha/Pingkalafirst.Thisbookshowsmeworkingontheleftside.

Timetofocusandrelaxbeforeyoubegin

MassagingwithoutCream

1~ThumbPressSenKalathariontheOutsideoftheLegSenLine–Kalathari.ReflexPoints–lymphaticsystem(upperbody)andhipjoint.

Howto…

Usingyourrighthand,turntheleftfootgentlytowardthemidlinesothattheoutsideofthelowerlegismorevisible.Holdthefootwithyourrighthandandwithyourlefthandthumbpressevery couple of inches up, and then back down Sen Kalathari on theoutsideofthelowerleg,thissenlinerunsfrominfrontoftheankleandalongabovethefibula.

Intention

TheworkingofSenKalathari is intended tocalmyourclientonanemotionallevel,andphysicallycalmtheheartandlungsandrelaxthelimbs.Working the Reflex points of the upper lymphatic system isintended to encourage the return of lymph to circulation andencouragethelymphaticsystemtofightinfection.Working the hip joint is intended to ease tension in this areaandrelaxyourclientintothechair.

Remember…Setthetempoofthemassageandgentlyrockforwardusingyourbodyweighttocreatethepressureofthethumbpress,ratherthansqueezingwiththehand.

2~ThumbPressSenKalathariontheDorsumoftheFootSenLine–KalathariandIttha/Pingkala.Reflex Points – Lymph nodes (chest), chest, labyrinth (inner ear), ribs,diaphragm,larynx,tracheaandvocalcords,andhipjoint.OnSenIttha/Pingkala–Shoulder,knee,elbowandarm.

Howto…

Hold the foot in both hands with your thumbs on the top of the foot(dorsum)andyourfingersonthesoleofthefoot.Starting in the channels between the first knuckle of the toes. Thumbpressalong2of thechannelsbetweenthemetatarsalsof thefoot to thedepressionorhollowinfrontoftheankle,andthenbacktobetweenthefirstknuckleofthetoes.Thumbpress2channelsatatime.Nowrepeatforthenext2channels.Thefifthchannelrunsfromthelateraledgeofthelittletoetothehollowin front of the ankle. Thumbpress this channel from the toe up to thehollowandthenbacktothetoe.Then thumb press along the lateral edge of the foot towards the heel

alongSenIttha.

Intention

TheworkingofSenKalathari is intended tocalmyourclientonanemotionallevel,andphysicallycalmtheheart,lungsandchest.Working these reflex points will relieve tension in the chestareaandrelaxthebreathingaswellasrelaxingthelimbs.

3~ThumbPressSenJHha/PingkalaSenLine–Ittha(leftleg);Pingkala(rightleg).ReflexPoints–Sexualorgans,lowerabdomen.

Howto…

Continue to hold the foot turned towards the midline, as before, andthumbpresswithyourlefthandupandthenbackdownSenIttha,whichrunsfrombehindtheankleandalongbehindthefibula.

Intention

Working Sen Ittha/Pingkala will relax all the internal organsand specifically relieve the lower back and abdominal area.ThisSenalsorelievestensionofthehead,neckandshoulders.Working the reflex points of the genitals and abdomen willhelptostimulateandrelieveanytensioninthisarea.

4~ThumbPressSenKalathariontheInsideoftheLegSenLine–Kalathari.ReflexPoints–Uterusorprostategland,anusandrectum.

Howto…

Nowchangehandssoyouareholdingthefootinyourlefthand,andturnthefootgentlyoutwardssothattheinsideofthelegismorevisible.UsingyourrighthandthumbpressupandthendownSenKalathari.ThislinestartsbetweenthemedialankleandtheAchillestendonandrunsupthroughthebellyofthemedialheadofthecalfmuscle.

Intention

TheworkingofSenKalathari is intended tocalmyourclienton an emotionally level, and physically calm the heart andlungsandrelaxthelimbs.Working the reflexpoints of theuterus or prostate gland andtheanusandrectumis intendedtostimulatetheseorgansandhelpyourclientletgoofemotionaltension.

5~ThumbPresstheMedialArchoftheFootSenLine–Sumana.ReflexPoints–Nose,parathyroid,cervicalvertebrae,thoracicvertebrae,lumbarvertebrae,sacrumandcoccyx,uterusorprostate.

Howto…

Workingwithboththumbstiptotip,thumbpresswithboththumbsfromtheheel,alongthemedialarchofthefootuptothebigtoeandalongthemedialedgeofthebigtoe.Thenthumbpressbacktotheheel.

Intention

Working Sen Sumana is intended to release tension in thechest,assistbreathing,andalsorelievetensionintheback.Workingthereflexpointsoftheentirespinecontinuestohelpyour partner relax into the chair and by stimulating theparathyroidglandassiststheregulationofcalciuminthebloodforoptimalboneformationandnervefunction.

6~FingerCircleBothSidesoftheHeelSenLine–Ittha/Pingkalalaterally(outsideoffoot)andSumanamedially(insideoffoot).ReflexPoints–Coccyx,sexualorgans,uterusorprostate.

Howto…

Usingthepadsofthefingersofbothhands,pressandcircletheskintotheinsideandoutsideoftheheel.Repeat10times.

Intention

Working Sen Ittha/Pingkala along with Sumana along with thereflex points of the coccyxwill primarily assist in relaxing thebackandspecificallythelowerback.

7~PalmSqueezeBothSidesoftheFootSenLine–Ittha/Pingkala(laterally)andSumana(medially).Reflex Points – Parathyroid, cervical vertebrae, thoracic vertebrae, lumbarvertebrae, sacrum and coccyx (medially); shoulder, arm, elbow, and knee(laterally).

Howto…

Interlockyourfingersandplaceyourhandsontopofthefootsothattheheelsofyourhandscoverthemedialandlateraledgeofthefoot.Liftyourelbowswhilstkeepingtheheelsofyourhandsagainsttheedgesofthefoot,sothatyourwristsflex.Keep thewrists flexed and lower your elbows so that the heels of thehandssqueezethemedialandlateraledgeofthefoot.Rockforwardsinyourchairasyousqueezethefootandrockbackwardsasyourelease.Repeat 5 times working up and down covering both the inside andoutsideedgeofthefoot.

NB: Squeeze should be created by rocking and lowering the elbows, not by

muscularforce.

Intention

Working Sen Ittha/Pingkala along with Sumana and the reflexpointsofthespineandlimbsisprimarilyconcernedwithrestingthespineandthelimbsandencouragingtheoptimalfunctionoftheparathyroidgland.

8~RubtheAnkleSenLine–Sumana,Kalathari,Ittha/Pingkala,Sahatsarangsi/Thawari.ReflexPoints–Hipjoint,uterusorprostate,sexualorgans.

Howto…

Placeonehandovertheinsideoftheankleandtheotherovertheoutsideoftheanklesothattheankleisinthepalmofthehands.Theheelofyourhandshouldbejustcuppingtheanklebelowthebone.Rubonehandforwardasyourubtheotherbackandrepeat10times.Thefootshouldwaveorwiggle.

NB: Try not to slide your hands on the skin – hold the foot so that you areworkingintowardsthejoint.

Intention

Thistechniquedeeplyrelaxesthelegandthehipjoint.Alloftheenergylinespassthroughtheanklejointandbyreleasingtensioninthisjointyouallowtheenergytoflowmorefreelythroughoutthebody.

9~FootRubSenLine–Ittha/Pingkala(laterally)andSumana(medially).Reflex Points – Parathyroid, cervical vertebrae, thoracic vertebrae, lumbarvertebrae, sacrum and coccyx (medially); shoulder, arm, elbow and knee(laterally).

Howto…

Using both hands, hold the foot between your hands so that the insideandoutsideedgesofthefootarenearthebaseofyourfingers.Rubforwardsandbackwardsasyoudidfortheanklerub(number8)–againnotslidingontheskin,butworkingdeeperintofoot,looseningthebonesandjoints.Repeat10times.

Intention

Similar to the Palm Squeeze (number 7), butworkingwith thefingers offers a more specific contact with each vertebra andlimb.

10~ThumbPresstheCentreLineontheSoleoftheFootSenLine–KalathariandSahatsarangsi/Thawari.ReflexPoints–Sexualorgans,insomniapoint,sigmoidcolon(leftfoot),smallintestines,transversecolon,kidney,solarplexus,lung.

Howto…

Placeboth thumbs,oneabove theotherat thecentreof theheelon thesoleofthefoot.Gentlyrestyourfingersonthedorsumofthefoot.Rock forwards as you thumbpress into theheelwithboth thumbs androckbackwardsasyourelease.Movethethumbsslightlyhigherandcontinueuptotheballofthecentretoe.Repeatcomingbackdownthecentrelineofthefoot.Repeatthumbpressingupanddown5times.

Intention

Sahatsarangsi/Thawari is touched here to assist the function ofthekneejoint.ThemainworkisonSenKalathariandthereflexpoints itcovers.The intentionhere is tobegin toencourage theenergytoflowfromthefeetupthroughthebody.

MassagingwithCream

11~ApplyCreamtoTopandBottomofFootSenLine–Sumana,Kalathari,Ittha/Pingkala,Sahatsarangsi/Thawari.ReflexPoints–Allsuperficially.

Howto…

Apply a scoop of cream to your hands, and warm the cream in yourhandsbysilentlycirclingthepalmstogether.Claspyourhands together as if youhad just clapped,orwere about torubyourpalmstogetheringlee!Then open your hands as you slide your fingers and then your palmsdownthefoot,withonehandontopofthefootandtheotheronthesoleofthefoot.Strokeall thewaydowntotheankleandthenslidebackupwithsomepressureandrelease.Nowturnthehandsasiftoclapwiththeotherhandontopandrepeat.Repeatandalternate10times.

Intention

Towarmthefoot,reflexpoints,andsenlines,inpreparationforthenextsection.

12~ApplyCreamtoAchillesSenLine–Kalathari,Ittha/Pingkala,Sahatsarangsi/Thawari,Sumana.Reflex Points – Uterus or prostate, rectum, coccyx, sexual organs, lowerabdomen.

Howto…

ApplysomemorecreamtoyourhandsandthenapplythiscreamtotheAchillestendonandheelwithalternatehands.

Intention

Towarmthebackoftheheelinpreparationforlatertechniquesandtorelaxthelowerabdomenandfurtherrelaxtheanklejoint.

13~ThumbSlideupSenKalathariontheSoleoftheFootandFlickofftheToesSenLine–Kalathari.ReflexPoints–Sexualorgans,insomniapoint,sigmoidcolon(leftfoot),smallintestines,transversecolon,kidney,solarplexus,adrenalgland,lung,trapezius,ear, eye, thyroid, throat/neck, head, pituitary gland, frontal sinuses, heart (leftfoot) liver andgallbladder (right foot),brain,oesophagus,hypertensionpoint,shoulder.

Howto…

Placeboththumbsatthecentreoftheheel,oneslightlyhigherthantheother,andrestyourfingersonthetopofthefoot.Asyourockforward thumbpresson thecentreof theheeland thenasyourockbackwardslideboththumbsupthecentreofthefootandoffthecentretoe.Startagainfromthecentreoftheheelandslideboththumbsupthesoleofthefoot,butthistimethethumbsspreadatthebeginningoftheballsofthetoesandflickoffthe2ndand4thtoes.Repeatagainandflickoffthelittleandbigtoes.Nowworkyourwaybackinbyslidingupandoffthe2ndand4thtoes

andthenthecentretoe.Repeat10times.

Intention

To stimulate the flow of energy throughout the foot and upthroughoutthebody.

14~ThumbSlidedowntheCentreLineandoffateitherSideoftheHeelSenLine–Kalathari,Sahatsarangsi/Thawari.ReflexPoints – Lung, adrenal glands, solar plexus, kidneys, transverse colon,smallintestines,descendingcolon(leftfoot)ascendingcolon(rightfoot),rectumandanus(leftfoot),urinarytractandbladder.

Howto…

Place your thumbs just below the ball of the centre toe, one slightlyhigherthantheother,withyourfingersrestingontopofthefoot.Asyouleanforwardpresswithyourthumbsandslideboththumbsdownthecentrelineofthefoot.Atthetopoftheheelslidethethumbsouttoeachsidesothattheyflickofftoeithersideoftheheel.Repeat10times.

Intention

To generally stimulate the flow of energy throughout the bodyandencourageeliminationofstagnantenergybystimulatingthebladder, therectumandanus(leftfoot)andtheascendingcolon(rightfoot).

15~ThumbsCrissCrosstheSoleofFootfromtheCentreLineSenLine–Kalathari,Sahatsarangsi/Thawari.ReflexPoints–Sexualorgans, insomniapoint, largeintestine,small intestine,bladder, kidney, ureter, adrenal gland, pancreas, stomach, duodenum, solarplexus, shoulder, lung, trapezius, thyroid, ear, heart (left), spleen (left), liver(right),gallbladder(right).

Howto…

Startingatthecentreoftheheelwithonethumbslightlyhigherthantheother.Pressinasyourockforwardandslidethethumbsouttoeachside.Returnyourthumbstothecentrelinealittlehigherthanbefore,withtheotherthumbhigherthistimeandrepeat.ContinuetotheballsofthetoesandthenworkbackdowntotheheelRepeat10times.

Intention

Tostimulatemanyorgansandencourageenergyflowthroughouttheinternalorgans.

16~KnuckleSlidetheMedialArchoftheFootSenLine–Sumana.Re flex Points – Cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral vertebrae, and coccyx,penisorvagina,uterusorprostate,bladder,parathyroidgland.

Howto…

Holdthefootinyourrighthandwithyourthumbbetweenthebigtoeandsecondtoe.Turnthefootlaterallysothatyoucanseethemedialarchofthefoot.Withyourlefthandslidethedistalknucklesdownthemedialarchofthefoot,fromthebigtoetotheheel.Use the thumbofyour left handas apivotpointorguide asyou slideyourknucklesdownthemedialarch.Repeat10times.

Intention

To further relax the spineandencourage theenergyof thebasechakratorisethroughthebody.

17~KnuckleSlidetheMedialSideoftheHeelSenLine–Sumana.ReflexPoints–Bladder,urethraandpenisorvagina,sacrumandcoccyx,uterusorprostate.

Howto…

Placethe thumbofyour lefthandonthebottomof theheelof thefootand your knuckles on themedial side of the footmidway between theheelandankle.Usingyourthumbasapivotpoint,slideyourknucklesacrossthispartoftheheel,workingawayfromyou.Repeat10times.

Intention

To further awaken and encourage the flow of energy from thebasechakra.

18~KnuckleBehindtheMedialAnkleandTibiaSenLine–Sahatsarangsi/Thawari.ReflexPoints–Uterusorprostategland,rectumandanus.

Howto…

Usingthesecondknuckleofthefirstfinger.Knucklebehindthemedialsideoftheankleandnexttoandbehindthetibia.Placeyourthumbontheheelanduseitasapivot.Rockforwardasyouslidetheknuckleupbehindtheankleandthetibia,andthenrockbackasyouslidetheknuckledownwithsomepressure.Repeat10times.

NB: The uterus or prostate area can be quite sensitive so be aware of yourclients’comfortandbesensitive.

Intention

Moreawakeningofenergyatthebaseofthespine.

19~ChineseBurntotheMedialArchoftheFootSenLine–Sumana.Reflex Points – Cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral vertebrae and coccyx,penisorvagina,bladderandparathyroid.

Howto…

Holdthemedialarchofthefootwithbothhands,sidebyside.Withyourfingersonthedorsumofthefootandthethumbsonthesoleofthefoot.Grip the footwithbothhands and thenwring the footworkingupanddownthemedialarchofthefoot.Asonehandmovesforwardtheotherhandshouldbemovingbackwardsasifwringingawetcloth.Repeat3times.

Intention

This technique allows for individual attention to each vertebraeandencourages theenergy to rise fromthebaseof thespineupthroughthebody.

20~KnuckleSlidetheLateralEdgeoftheFootSenLine–Ittha/Pingkala.ReflexPoints–Shoulder,arm,elbowandknee.

Howto…

Holdthefootinyourlefthandwithyourthumbbetweenthebigtoeandsecondtoe.Turnthefootmediallysothatyoucanseethelateraledgeofthefoot.Withyour righthandslide thedistalknucklesdown the lateral edgeofthefootfromthelittletoetotheheel.Usethethumbofyourrighthandasapivotpointorguideasyouslideyourknucklesdownthelateraledge.Repeat10times.

Intention

Toencourageyourclienttoletgoofanytensionintheirarmsandlegsbyrelaxingthelimbs.

21~KnuckleSlidetheLateralSideoftheHeelSenLine–Ittha/Pingkala.ReflexPoints–Knee,sexualorgans.

Howto…

Placethethumbofyourrighthandonthebottomoftheheelofthefoot,and your knuckles on the lateral side of the footmidway between theheelandankle.Usingyourthumbasapivotpoint,slideyourknucklesacrossthispartoftheheel,workingawayfromyou.Repeat10times.

Intention

Toawakentheenergyatthebaseofthespine.

22~KnuckleBehindtheLateralAnkleandFibulaSenLine–Ittha/Pingkala.ReflexPoints–Sexualorgans,lowerabdomen.

Howto…

Using the secondknuckleof the first finger, knucklebehind the lateralsideoftheankleandnexttoandbehindthefibula.Placeyourthumbontheheelanduseitasapivot.Rockforwardasyouslidetheknuckleupbehindtheankleandthefibulaandthen,rockbackasyouslidetheknuckledownwithsomepressure.Repeat10times.

Intention

To release emotional tension often held in the lower abdomen,andbydoingsorelaxingthelowerback.

23~ChineseBurntotheLateralEdgeoftheFootSenLine–Ittha/Pingkala.ReflexPoints–Shoulder,arm,elbow,knee.

Howto…

Holdthelateralarchofthefootwithbothhands,sidebyside.Withyourfingersonthedorsumofthefootandthethumbsonthesoleofthefoot.Grip the footwithbothhands and thenwring the footworkingupanddownthelateralarchofthefoot.Asonehandmovesforwardtheotherhandshouldbemovingbackwardsasifwringingawetcloth.Repeat3times.

Intention

Encouragetheflowofenergyanddeeplyrelaxthelimbs.

24~KnuckleSlideBothSidesoftheAnkleSenLine–Sumana,Kalathari,Ittha/Pingkala,Sahatsarangsi/Thawari.ReflexPoints–Sexualorgans,andhipjoint(laterally).Hipjoint,anduterusorprostate(medially).

Howto…

Letgoofthefootandmakefistswithbothhands.Placeonefistontheinsideoftheankleandonefistontheoutsideoftheankle.Usingthefirstknuckleofallthefingers,rubthehandsupanddowntheinsideandoutsideoftheankle.Asonehandrubsuptheotherhandrubsdown.Repeat10times.

Intention

Awakenfurtherandencouragetheflowofenergyupthroughthetrunkofthebody.

25~KnuckleHalfwayaroundBothSidesoftheAnkleSenLine–Shatsarangsi/Thawari,Ittha/Pingkala.ReflexPoints–Rectumandanus,uterusorprostate,hipjoint,lymphaticsystem(lower body), (medially). Sexual organs, lower abdomen, hip joint, lymphaticsystem(upperbody)(laterally).

Howto…

Usingthesecondknuckleoftheindexfingerofbothhands,knucklehalfwayaroundtheinsideandoutsideoftheankleatthesametime.Placeyourthumbsontheheelofthefootforsupport.Startingbehindtheinsideandoutsideoftheankle,slidethefirstknuckleoftheindexfingersupalong,andbehindthetibiaandfibulaasyourockforward.Slide the knuckles back down with some pressure as you rockbackwards.Slidetheknucklesbelowandaroundtheinsideandoutsideoftheanklesothattheymeetatthehollowatthetopofthefoot,asyourockforward.Slide the knuckles back down with some pressure as you rockbackwards.Repeat10times.

Intention

Toawakenandfurtherencouragetheflowofenergyaroundtheanklejointaswellasstimulatingthereflexpoints.

26~KnuckleSlidetheAchillesSenLine–Sumana.ReflexPoints–Rectumandanus,lowerabdomen.

Howto…

Support the foot in your left hand so that it is held slightly above thecushion.Usingthepadofyourthumbandthesideofthebentindexfingerofyourright hand stroke down the Achilles tendon from where the tendonappearsfromthecalfmuscledowntotheheel.Repeat5times.

Intention

TowarmandloosentheAchilles tendonandcontinue to loosenthe ankle joint in order to encourage the flowof energy in thisarea.

27~KnuckleAcrossSenSahatsarangsi/ThawariontheTopoftheFootSenLine–Shatsarangsi/Thawari.ReflexPoints–Diaphragm.

Howto…

Hold the foot inyour left handand thenusingyour righthandmakealoosefist.Usingthesecondknuckleofallthefingersonyourrighthandpressanddragyourknucklesacrossthedorsumofthefootinastraightlinefromthehighestpointnearestthemedialedgeouttothelateraledge.Workalongthisline(aboutaquarterofthewaydowntheDorsumofthefootbetween thehollowat the topof the footand thebeginningof thetoes).Repeat10times.

Intention

Torelaxthediaphragmmuscleandassistdeeprelaxedbreathing.

28~ThumbSlideDowninFrontofandthenAroundAnkle–onesidethenotherSenLine–Sahatsarangsi/ThawariandKalathari (medially). Ittha/PingkalaandKalathari(laterally).Reflex Points – Lymphatic system (lower body), hip joint, uterus or prostate,rectum and anus (medially). Hip joint, sexual organs, lower abdomen, andlymphaticsystem(upperbody)(laterally).

Howto…

Startingontheinside(medialside)oftheankle,holdthefootinyourlefthand, and with your right hand held open place the hand on the top(dorsum)ofthefootsothatyourfingersarepointingtowardtheoutsideoftheankleandyourthumbispointingtowardstheinsideoftheankle.Slideyourthumbdownjustbelowtheankle,slidebackupandrepeat10times.Usethemovementofyourwholehandandwristtohelpthemovement.Onthelastslidedowncontinuethemovementofthethumbaroundtheankleso thatyour thumbcirclesunder theankle,over the tibia,aroundthetopoftheankleandbacktowhereyoustarted.Repeat10times.Repeatbothmovesontheoutsideoftheankle,withthelefthand.

Intention

Tostimulate the lymphatic systemof the lowerandupperbodyand relax the hip joint before encouraging the flow of energyfromthebaseofthespine.

29~KnuckleSlideAlongtheChannelsontheTopoftheFootSenLine–Kalathari.Reflex Points – Lymphatic system, ribs, diaphragm, larynx trachea and vocalchords,labyrinth(innerear)andchest.

Howto…

Holdthesoleofthefootinthepalmofyourrighthand.Makealoosefistwithyourlefthandandplacetheloosefistonthetopofthe dorsum near to the ankle joint, so that the second knuckle of eachfingerisrestinginachannelonthetopofthefoot.Stroke theknucklesdown thechannelson thedorsumof the foot fromtheankletothetoes.Repeat10times.

TheOpeningSequence

Intention

To further relax your client emotionally, encourage deeperbreathing, and further stimulate the lymphatic system of theupperbody.Clearing theway fora free flowofenergy throughthechestareaandupwards.

30~SpiralKnuckleTopofFoot,MedialArchandBothSidesoftheHeelSenLine–Sumana,Ittha/Pingkala,Kalathari.ReflexPoints –Groin, lymphatic system, ribs, diaphragm, larynx trachea andvocalchords,labyrinth(innerear),chest(topoffoot).Cervical,thoracic,lumbarandsacralvertebraeandcoccyx,penisorvagina,bladder,parathyroid (Medialarch).Coccyx,sexualorgans,uterusorprostate(heel).

Howto…

Clenchthefingersofbothhandsloosely.Placeyourthumbsonthesoleofthefootneartothetoesandrestthedistalknucklesofyourrighthandonthedorsumofthefoot,andthedistalknucklesofyourlefthandonthemedialarchofthefoot.Circle the knuckles towards you and themidline of the foot, and thenaway fromyou and towards the inside and outside edge of the foot tocreateacircularmovementwitheachhand.MovethehandfromthewristtocreatethemovementAsyoucirclemovethehandsalongthefoottowardstheheelsothatthecirclesbecomespirals.Finishattheheelsothatyouarecirclingtheknucklesonboththeinside

andoutsideoftheheel.Spiralknucklebackupandthendown5times.

Intention

Tofurtherrelaxthespineandencouragethelymphaticsysteminthe upper body and the flow of energy from the foot and upthroughthebody.

31~PressPointsintheChannelsonTopoftheFootSenLine–Kalathari.Reflex Points – Thoracic lymph nodes, larynx trachea and vocal chords,labyrinth(innerear).

Howto…

Hold your hands together in the prayer position, and then open yourhands and fingerswhilst keeping thewrists together so that your handresemblesalotusflower.Holdthefootinthepalmsofbothhandsandthenbendthefingerssothatfingersofthelefthandpressintothechannelbetweenthebigtoeandthenext toe, and the fingers of your right hand press into the channelbetweenlittletoeandthefourthtoe.Presswithyour fingers, squeezing thechannelbetween thepadsof thefingersandthepalmofyourhand.Holdandpressasyou rock forwardsand releaseasyou rockbackandthenrepeat3times.

Intention

Tohelptophysicallyandemotionallybalanceyourpartnerwhilstworkingwiththelymphaticsystemofthechest.

32~ThumbSlideUpandDowntheChannelsonTopoftheFootSenLine–Kalathari.ReflexPoints–Groin,lymphsystem,ribs,diaphragm,larynxtracheaandvocalchords,labyrinth(innerear),chest.Howto…

Holdthefootwithbothhands,withyourfingersonthesoleofthefootandyourthumbsonthedorsumofthefoot.Placeyourthumbseithersideofthemiddletoenexttothefirstknucklewherethetoejoinsthefoot.Youwillfeelthestartofachannelbetweenthetendonsthatcontinuesuptothehollowatthetopofthefoot,wherethefootjoinstheleg.Nowslideyour thumbsupthesetwochannelseithersideof themiddletoe, up to the hollow where the foot joins the leg, and then slide thethumbsbackdownthetwootherchannelsbetweenthetoessothatyourright thumb finishes between the fourth toe and little toe and your leftthumbfinishesbetweenthebigtoeandsecondtoe.

Nowrepeat the thumbslides,but in reverse so thatyouslideup to the

hollowfromthetwooutsidechannelsandthenbackdownthetwoinsidechannelstowhereyoustartedfrom.Repeat10times.

Intention

Emotionalandphysicalbalanceaswellasstimulatingtheentirelymphaticsystem.

33~ThumbSlideAroundAnklesSenLine–Sumana,Kalathari,Ittha/Pingkala,Sahatsarangsi/Thawari.ReflexPoints–Chest, thoracic lymphnodes,diaphragm,ribs,hip joint,uterusorprostate,sexualorgans,rectumandanus,lowerabdomen.

Howto…

Keepyourhandsasbefore,fingersonthesoleandthumbsonthedorsumofthefoot.Startmidwayalong the twocentral channelson thedorsumof the footand thumbslideup to thecentreof thehollowwhere thefoot joins theleg.Itshouldfeelasifthereisasoftspothere.Withoutbreakingtheflowofthemovementofyourthumbs,moveyourfingers behind the heel of the foot and continue to slide your thumbsundertheankle(rightthumbtotheoutsideandleftthumbtotheinsideoftheankle)andofftheAchillestendon.Repeat10times.

Intention

Further relaxing of the ankle joint enabling better energy flowalong with more relaxing of the lower abdominal area andinternalorgans.

34~ThumbsCrissCrossAlongtheTopoftheFootSenLine–Kalathari.ReflexPoints –Groin, lymphatic system, ribs, diaphragm, larynx trachea andvocalchords,labyrinth(innerear),chest.

Howto…

Still with the fingers on the sole of the foot and the thumbs on thedorsum.Startingwithyourthumbsonthedorsumneartothetoes,slideyourrightthumbfrom the lateraledgeof the foot towards themedialedgeof thefootsothatitslidesacrossthechannels.At the same time slide your left thumb across the channels from themedialedgetowardsthelateraledgesothat theycrossovereachother,oneslightlyhigherthantheother(itdoesnotmatterwhichone).Nowslideboththumbsbacktowheretheystarted.Move both thumbs slightly higher up the foot (toward the ankle) andrepeat,butchangewhichever thumbwashigherup thefootso that thistimetheotherthumbishigher.Continue this criss-cross thumb slide all thewayup the dorsumof thefootandoverthehollowwherethefootjoinstheleg.Criss-crossthumbslidebackdowntothetoesandrepeat5times.

Finishthisthumbslideatthehollowofthefoot.

Intention

WiththechannelsofSenKalathariinmindwearestillaimingtorelaxthemindandemotionsofourclientandencouragetheflowof energy from the foot throughout the body. The techniqueemployed here is good for encouraging the flow of stagnantenergy.

35~AlternateThumbSlideovertheHollowattheTopoftheFootSenLine–Sahatsarangsi/Thawari.ReflexPoints–Groin,lymphaticsystem(upperandlowerbody).

Howto…

Continuingonfromthepreviousmovementthumbslidetherightthumbupoverthehollowatthetopofthefootandalongthelateraledgeofthetibia,andthenrepeatwiththeleftthumb.Continuethisalternatethumbslidemanytimes.

Intention

Toencouragefurtherrelaxationoftheanklejointandencouragetheenergyflowfromthelowerabdominalandgroinarea.

36~KnuckleSlideAcrosstheBallsoftheToesSenLine–Kalathari.ReflexPoints–Shoulder,lung,trapezius,thyroid,oesophagus,ear,eye.

Howto…

Holdthefootwithyourlefthandandpressthefootbackslightlysothatthesoleofthefootismorevisibleandaccessible.Putyourfingersonthedorsumandthethumbonthebottomofthefootneartothebaseofthetoessothatthetoesarealsopressedbackslightly.Makeafistwithyourrighthandandslidethesecondknuckleofallthefingersacrosstheballsofthetoeswithsomepressure.Use your thumb on the medial edge of the foot as an anchor for thismove.Repeat10times.

Intention

To deeplywarm up the foot in preparation for the next sectionandtoenabletheflowofenergythroughtheupperbodytowardsthehead.

37~KnuckleSlideDownandthenUptheSoleoftheFootSenLine–Kalathari.Reflex Points – Solar plexus, adrenal, kidney, stomach, pancreas, duodenum,heart (left), liver (right), spleen (left), gall bladder (right), ureter, transversecolon,small intestines,descendingcolon(left),ascendingcolon(right),rectumandanus(left),insomniapoint.

Howto…

Continuetoholdthefootasfortheprevioustechnique.Slide theknucklesof therighthanddownthesoleof thefoot fromtheballsofthetoestotheheelasyourockforwards.Repeat10times.

Continuetoholdthefootinyourlefthand,butdon’tpressthefootback.Turnyou righthandupandslide theknucklesof the righthandup thesole of the foot from the heel to the balls of the toes as you rockbackwards.Repeat10times.

Intention

Todeeplywarmupthesoleofthefootinpreparationforthenextsectionandtostimulatealltheinternalorgans.

Thisconcludesthewarm-upsection.IfthisisearlyoninyourpracticeIwouldadvise repeating this section on the other foot. If you feel confidentwith thissectioncontinueontothenextsectionworkingonthesamefoot.

TheReflexPoints–UsingtheStickThissectionismainlyaboutworkingthereflexpointswiththestickinordertostimulate the internal organs.Whilst it is possible to use the stick to create agreater depth of pressure it has also been designed as a tool to save yourknuckles.Itisourintentiontouseitforthelatterpurposeandkeepthepressurecomfortable for your client. If you have no stick then you can use the firstknuckleofyourindexfingerorthebluntendofapencil.As well as working the reflex points with the stick, there are also some

massagetechniquesperformedwiththestickpriortoworkingthereflexpoints.

HoldingaMassageStickThere are variousways to hold aThai FootMassage stick, andwhilst itmayseemstrangeatfirstitbecomesverynaturalveryquickly.Thefollowingarethemostcommontechniquesforholding,andworkingwithastick:

PenHoldingTechnique–holdthesticklikeapen!Thisisquiteagentletechnique.Youhavetotryquitehardtogetadeeperpressure.Itisgreattobeginwithasmostpeoplestillrememberhowtoholdapen.

KnifeHoldingTechnique–Holdthestickinthepalmofyourhandandextendyourindexfingertocreatesomepressure.Thisisagainasimpleandrelativelygentletechnique.

ThumbsUpTechnique–extendyourthumbalongthesticksothatyoucanapplypressurewiththestickusingyourthumb.Thiscanbequiteastrongtechniqueandusestheweightofyourarmtocreatethepressure.

ExtensionofArmTechnique–Holdtheendofthestickinthecentreofthepalmofyourhandandcloseallyourfingersaroundtheshaftofthestick.Youcanthenusetheweightofyourarmtoapplypressurethroughthestick.Thisisquiteastrongtechnique.

Reinforcingwiththeotherthumb–Withallofthesetechniquesitispossibletousethefreethumbtoreinforcethetechniqueandmakeitstronger.Todothisyou hold the stick in your preferred technique and apply some pressure asnormal,thenusetheotherthumbtoincreasethepressurebyalsopressingonthestickneartothetip.

MassagingWiththeStick

38~ApplytheCreamtotheTopoftheFootSenLine–Kalathari.ReflexPoints–Thoracic lymphnodes,chest, larynxtracheaandvocalchords,labyrinth(innerear).

Howto…

Hold the stick as youwould a knife, with your index finger extendedalongtheblade.Applysomecreamtothestickandrubthiscreamoverthedorsumofthefoot.Onlyapplythecreamtothehalfofthedorsumnearthetoes.

Intention

Tolubricatethefootforthenexttechnique.

39~SlidetheChannelsandPresswiththeStickSenLine–Kalathari.Reflex Points – Lymph glands (chest), larynx, trachea and vocal chords,labyrinth(innerear),chest.

Howto

Nowholdthethickendofthestickinyourfistwithyourthumbextendedtowardsthethinendofthestick.Bringyourfistoverthedorsumofthefootwithyourthumbandthethinendofthestickpointingtowardsyou.Usingyourthumbasaguide,slidethethinendofthestickupanddownthetophalfofthechannelbetweenthebigtoeandthesecondtoe.Onlyworkalong thehalfof thedorsumnearest the toes,where thechannelsaremoreobvious.Repeat this stick slideupanddown10 timesand thenapplya steadilyincreasingthendecreasingpressureatthetipofthechannelbetweentheknuckles of the toes.Raise your elbow and apply pressure to the stickusingyourthumb.Nowrepeatforallfourchannels,slidingthestickupanddowntentimesandthenapplying5–10secondsofpressureattheendofthechannel.

Intention

Deeply stimulate the reflex points covered and initiate energyflowalongSenKalathari.

40~StickSlidetheMedialArchoftheFootSenLine–Sumana.Reflex Points – Cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral vertebrae and coccyx,penisorvagina,bladder,parathyroid.

Howto…

Hold the stick in your left hand using the knife holding technique andholdthelateraledgeofthefootinyourrighthand.Usingyourindexfingerasaguideslidethestickalongthemedialarchofthefootfrombigtoetoheel.Repeat10times.

Intention

To relax the limbs and encourage a free flow of energythroughouttheseareasandtowardsthebody.

41~StickSlidetheLateralArchoftheFootSenLine–Ittha/Pingkala.ReflexPoints–Shoulder,arm,elbow,knee.

Howto…

Repeatthepreviousmove,butthistimeworkonthelateraledgeofthefoot,holdingthestickinyourrighthandandthefootinyourlefthand.

Intention

Torelaxthespineandencouragetheawakeningandfreeflowofenergyfromthebaseofthespine.

42~StickSlideSidesofToesandTwistintheWebbingSenLine–Kalathari,Ittha/Pingkala,Sumana.ReflexPoints–Sinuses.Howto…

Holdthefootinyourlefthandneartothebaseofthetoes.Iftheclientsfoot is larger than your hand you may prefer to hold each toeindividually.

Holdthestickinyourrighthandusingtheknifeholdingtechniqueanduseyourindexfingerasaguideasyouslidethestickupanddownthelateraledgeofthelittletoe10times.Nowusing your left hand gently spread the toes so that you canworkbetweenthelittletoeandthefourthtoe.Slidethestickupanddownthemedialedgeofthelittletoe10times.Keeping the toesspreadapartuse theedgeof thestickon thewebbingbetweenthetoes.Hold the stick against the webbing and then twist the stick on thewebbingbyrotatingyourwrist10times.Nowrepeatbysliding thestickonboth the lateraledgeand themedial

edgeofthefourthtoeandthentwistthestickinthewebbing.Repeatsothatboththemedialandlateraledgeofeachtoeisworkedandthewebbingbetweeneachtoeisworked.Finishonthemedialedgeofthebigtoe.

Intention

This technique is used to clear the sinuses and encourage easybreathingwhilstreleasingstagnantenergyfromthehead.

43~StickPressandFlickofftheTipoftheToesSenLine–Kalathari.ReflexPoints–Brain.

Howto…

Hold the stick in a loose fist in your right hand so that the fingers aresupportingthestick.Extendyourthumbalongthesticktowardsthetip.Extendyourindexfingertothelateraledgeofthebigtoetostabilisethistechnique.Useyourthumbonthesideofthestickneartothetiptoapplyasteadilyincreasingpressurewiththetipofthesticktothetipofthebigtoe.Allowthispressuretobuildandthenletthestickflickorslideoffofthebig toe laterally, so that it comes to rest on the edge of your extendedindexfinger.Thisisquiteahardtechniquetoperform,howeverwithsomepracticeitbecomessecondnature,andcanbeperformedquitequickly.Repeat 10 times on the tip of each toe, starting with the big toe andendingwiththelittletoe.

Intention

ThisworkstheverytipofthetoesandstimulatesSenKalathari,andthebrain.Theintendedeffectistostimulatethebrainwhilstrelaxingtheemotions.

44~StickSlidetheBaseoftheToesSenLine–Kalathari.ReflexPoints–Ear,eye,neck/throat.

Howto…

Hold the stick like a pen anddrawa linewith the stick down the toesfromjustbelowthesecondknuckleofthetoetothebaseofthetoe.Repeatthis10timesforeachtoe.

Intention

This techniqueencourages theflowofenergy to the leftsideofthe head (whenworking on the left foot), specifically the neckandthroat,leftearandlefteye.

45~StickSideAcrosstheBalloftheToesSenLine–Kalathari.ReflexPoints–Oesophagus,thyroid,lung,trapezius,ear,eye,shoulder.

Howto…

Hold the stick in the fist ofyour righthandwithyour thumbextendedtowardsthetipofthestick.Placeyour fistagainst thesoleof thefootanduseyour thumbtopressthesideofthestickagainsttheballofthebigtoe.Rotateyourfist inaclockwisedirection in thecentreof thesoleof thefoot,andpressyourthumbagainstthesticksothatthereissomepressureappliedtotheballsofallofthetoeswiththesideofthestickasthestickslidesacrosstheballsofthetoes.Slidethestickacrosstheballsofthetoesfromthebigtoetothelittletoeandrepeat10times.

Intention

Thistechniquerelaxesthewholeofthethoracicareatothefront,backandsidesofthebody.Emotionaltensionisoftenheldinthetrapezius and shoulder area.Theworkingof these reflex pointsandSenKalathariwillhelptoreleaseemotionaltension.

46~StickSlideAroundtheBalloftheBigToeSenLine–Kalathari.ReflexPoints–Thyroidgland.

Howto…

Holdthestickinyourlefthandandtouchthethinendofthestickagainsttheballsofthetoes,betweentheballofthebigtoeandthesecondtoe.Placethefingersofyourrighthandonthedorsumofthefoottosteadyitandusethethumbofyourrighthandtoguideandpressthestickdownandaroundtheballofthebigtoe.Start near to thewebbing between the big toe and the second toe andworkaroundtothemedialarchbelowtheballofthebigtoe.Repeat10times.

Intention

This technique is intended to stimulate the thyroid gland andoptimiseandstabilisethemetabolicrateofthebody.

47~StickSlide3LinesDowntheSoleoftheFootSenLine–Kalathari.ReflexPoints–Lung,shoulder,heartandspleen(left),liver(right),descendingcolon (left), ascending colon (right) (lateral line). Lung, adrenal, solar plexus,kidney, transverse colon, small intestine, rectum (left), insomnia point, sexualorgans (Mid Line). Thyroid, stomach, pancreas, duodenum, transverse colon,smallintestine,urinarybladder,anus(left)(MedialLine).

Howto…

Holdthestickinyourrighthandinaloosefist.Touchthethinendofthestickagainstthesoleofthefoot,justbelowtheballofthelittletoe.Whilstholdingthefootwithyourlefthand,slidethestickdownfromtheballofthelittletoetothestartoftheheel.Repeatthisstickslidedownthecentreline(startingbelowtheballofthemiddletoetothestartoftheheel)andagainforthemedialline(startingbelowtheballofthebigtoetothestartoftheheel).Youcanusetheindexfingerofyourrighthandalongthelateraledgeofthefootasaguideforthelateralandcentrallines,andthethumbofyourlefthandonthestickasaguideforthemedialline.Repeat5timesforeachline.

NB:This techniquecanfeelquitesensitive.Aless intensealternativeis tousethethickendofthestick

Intention

Thistechniquestimulatesmanyreflexpointsindividuallywithageneraltechnique.

48~CrissCrosstheSoleoftheFootwiththeStickSenLine–Kalathari,Sahatsarangsi/Thawari.ReflexPoints –Sexual organs, insomniapoint, large intestine, small intestine,bladder, kidney, ureter, pancreas, stomach, duodenum, solar plexus, shoulder,lung,thyroid,adrenal,heart(left),spleen(left),liver(right),gallbladder(right).

Howto…

Usingthethinendofthestick,zigzagupthesoleofthefootfromtheheeltotheballsofthetoes.Attheballsofthetoesslidethethinendofthestickacrosstotheotheredgeofthefootandzigzagthestickbackdowntotheheelofthefoot.Useyour lefthandtosupport thefootaroundthemedialarchandyourrighthandonthestick.The thumbofyour left handcanbeused to support the stick andhelpwiththismovement.

Intention

Aswiththelasttechniquethisonealsostimulatesmanyinternalorgans via their reflex points, and again stimulates each pointindividually,withinageneralmovementofthestick

49~StickSlideUpandDowntheSoleoftheFootusingtheSideoftheStickSenLine–Kalathari.ReflexPoints–Insomniapoint,largeintestine,smallintestine,bladder,kidney,ureter, pancreas, stomach, duodenum, solar plexus, shoulder, thyroid, adrenal,heart(left),spleen(left),liver(right),gallbladder(right).

Howto…

Holdthestickinyourrightfistwithyourthumbextendedalongthesticktowardsthetip.Place the sideof the stickagainst the soleof the foot,usingyour rightthumbtocreatesomedepthofpressure.Nowslidethesideofthestickupanddownthesoleofthefootsothatthestickcoversthewholeofthesoleofthefoot.Gentlyrockbackwardsasyouslidethestickuptowardstheballsofthetoesandrockforwardsasyouslidethestickbackdownthesoleof thefoottowardstheheel.You will find that you applymore pressure as you rock forwards anddownthesoleofthefoot,butstillkeepthestickincontactwiththefootasyourockbackwardsandslidebackup.

Repeat10times.

Intention

Togenerallystimulatetheinternalorgansviatheirreflexpoints.This technique is quite soothing after the two previoustechniques.

50~StickSlideAcrosstheTopoftheHeelSenLine–Kalathari,Sahatsarangsi/Thawari.Reflex Points – Bladder, rectum and anus (left), small intestine, descendingcolon(left),ascendingcolon(right).

Howto…

Holdingthestickinyourrightfistwiththethumbextendedtowardsthetip.Holdthetopofthefootinyourlefthand.Touchthetipofthestickonthemedialarch,atthetopoftheheel.Extendyourindexfingertothelateraledgeofthefootatthetopoftheheel.Increasethepressurebysqueezingyourindexfingerandthumbtowardseachother,pressingthestickmorefirmlyontothefoot.Asthispressurebeginstoincreaseslidethetipofthestickacrossthetopoftheheelfromthemedialedgetothelateraledge.Repeatfromthestart10times.

Intention

Topromoteeliminationviathebladderandcolon.

51~StickSlideDownontheHeelSenLine–Kalathari,Sahatsarangsi/Thawari.ReflexPoints–Sexualorgans,insomniapoint,sciaticnerve.

Howto…

Hold the stick in your right hand as if you were passing a knife tosomeone.Imagineyouhavedrawnalineacrossthetopoftheheelinthepreviousmove(itmaynotbetoohardtoimagine).Nowtouchthetipofthestick(thinend)atanypointalongthisline.Applysomepressureandthenslidethestickstraightdowntothebottomoftheheelofthefoot.Now repeat the same technique 10 times, each time starting from adifferentpointalongthe“line”atthetopoftheheel.Youcansupport theheelof thefoot inyour lefthand,whichwill raisethefootslightlysothatit iseasierforyoutoslideofftheheelwiththestick.

Intention

Deepstimulationofthereflexpoints.

52~HacktheHeelwiththeThickEndoftheStickSenLine–Kalathari.ReflexPoints–Sexualorgans,insomniapoint,sciaticnerve.

Howto…

Holdthesticktightlyinyoufist,andturnyourhandsothatthebackofthehandisuppermost.Now bring your hand towards your body by bending the arm at theelbow.Bringyourelbowwidesothatthethickendofthestickisnowpointingtowardtheheelofthefootandthethinendofthestickispointingtoyou.Hit theheelof thefootwith the thickendof thestickandrepeatmanytimescoveringthewholeoftheheelofthefoot.Onlyhittheheelofthefoot.

Intention

Furtherstimulationofthesereflexpointsandashiftingofenergyupthroughthebody.

StimulatingtheReflexPoints

Nowdry the foot, stickandyourhands to remove thecream.Usingcreamforthissectionmakesithardertoworkthepointsasthestickmayslip,toavoidthisthecreamisremoved.Work around the points shown on the diagram below starting at number 1.

Usewhichever stickholding technique feelsmost appropriate, and experimentwith thewayyouhold the stickuntil you feel comfortable.Apply agraduallyincreasing and then gradually decreasing pressures as you rock forwards andthenback.Thereshouldbeabriefpauseattheendofyourrockforwardstoholdthepressuremomentarily.Tryrockingforwardfor3seconds,pausingfor1,androckingbackfor3.Useyourfreehandtosupportthefootneartothepointthatyouareworking

so that if you slip with the stick you slip into your own finger and not yourclientsfoot.

MapshowingtheReflexPointsworkedwiththeStick

Thissectionoffersamorefocusedandprecisestimulationofthereflexpoints,however the technique is stillgeneral in itsapproachandaims tostimulateallthereflexpointsequally.

Nowcontinueontothethirdsectionstillworkingonthesameleg.

WorkingtheSenLinesoftheLeg

This section begins with a few techniques to warm the feet after the sticksection, and then goes on to working the Sen lines of the legs. Having justworked the Reflex points this section encourages the energy released to flowthroughoutthebody.

FinishingtheFeet

53~ApplyCreamtoTopandBottomoftheFoot(asfornumber11)SenLine–Kalathari,Ittha/Pingkala,Sahatsarangsi/Thawari,Sumana.ReflexPoints–Allsuperficially.

Howto…

Apply a scoop of cream to your hands, and warm the cream in yourhandsbycirclingthepalmstogether.Clasp your hands together as if you have just clapped, or about to rubyourpalmstogetheringlee!Then open your hands as you slide your fingers and then your palmsdownthefoot,withonehandontopofthefootandtheotheronthesoleofthefoot.Strokeall thewaydowntotheankleandthenslidebackupwithsomepressureandrelease.Nowturnthehandsasiftoclapwiththeotherhandontopandrepeat.Repeatandalternatemanytimes.

Intention

Towarmthefootinpreparationforthenextsection.

54~ThumbSlideUpandDowntheCentreoftheSoleoftheFootSenLine–Kalathari,Sahatsarangsi/Thawari.Reflex Points – Lung, adrenal, solar plexus, kidney, transverse colon, ureter,smallintestine,rectumandanus(left),insomniapoint,sexualorgans.

Howto…

Placebothofyour thumbsalong thecentre lineof thesoleof the foot,justabovetheheel,withonethumbslightlyhigherthantheother.Placethefingersofbothhandsonthedorsumofthefootforsupport.Slideboththumbstogether,upanddownthesoleofthefoot.Fromjustabovetheheelofthefoottojustbelowtheballofthemiddletoe.As you slide your thumbs up rock backwards and as you slide yourthumbsdownrockyourbodyforwards.Repeat10times.

Intention

As well as encouraging the flow of energy from the foot, thistechniquealsofeelsverysoothingafterworkingthereflexpointswiththestick.

55~ThumbSlideAroundtheBalloftheBigToeSenLine–Kalathari.ReflexPoints–Thyroidgland.

Howto…

Place your index finger between the big toe and 2nd toe, yourmiddlefingerbetweenthe2ndand3rdtoe,yourringfinerbetweenthe3rdand4th toe andyour little finger between the4th and5th toe, so that yourfingertipsareineachofthechannelsonthetopofthefoot.Nowusethepadofyourthumbtoslidearoundtheballofthebigtoe.Start at the medial side of the big toe, slide down the medial edge,underneath theballof thebig toeand thenbackup towardsyour indexfingerbetweentheballsofthebigtoeand2ndtoe.Repeatthis10times.

Intention

Tooptimisethebody’smetabolicrate.

56~ThumbsCrissCrossontheSoleoftheFoot(asfornumber15)SenLine–Kalathari,Sahatsarangsi/Thawari.ReflexPoints –Sexual organs, insomniapoint, large intestine, small intestine,bladder, kidney, ureter, pancreas, stomach, duodenum, solar plexus, shoulder,lung, trapezius, thyroid, adrenal, heart (left), spleen (left), liver (right), gallbladder(right).

Howto…

Startingatthecentreoftheheelwithonethumbslightlyhigherthantheother.Pressinasyourockforwardandslidethethumbsouttoeachside.Returnyourthumbstothecentrelinealittlehigherthanbefore,withtheotherthumbhigherthistimeandrepeat.ContinuetotheballsofthetoesandthenworkbackdowntotheheelRepeat10times.

Intention

Ageneral and soothing technique forallof the reflexpointsonthesoleofthefoot.

57~ThumbSlideChannelsTwoataTimeSenLine–Kalathari.Reflex Points – Thoracic lymph nodes, larynx trachea and vocal chords,labyrinth(innerear)chest.

Howto…

Placeboth thumbson the topof the foot,withyour fingersunderneaththefootforsupport.Startwith the thumbs in thechannelson the topof thefootnear to thetoes.Slide both thumbs simultaneously up and down 2 of the channels 10times.Don’twork2channelsnexttoeachotherasyourthumbsmaygetinthewayofeachother.Onlyslidehalfwayupthedorsumofthefoot,wherethechannelismostobvious.Nowrepeatthemoveintheother2channelsonthetopofthefoot.

Intention

Toclearthechannelsontopofthefootandallowenergytoflowmorefreely.

58~ThumbPullintheChannelsSenLine–Kalathari.Reflex Points – Thoracic lymph nodes, larynx trachea and vocal chords,labyrinth(innerear),chest.

Howto…

Holdyourrighthandasifyouarepassingacardtosomeone.Nowliftyourthumb,andplacethethumbofyourrighthandonthetopofthefootinthechannelbetweenthebigtoeandsecondtoe.Your fingers should be below the foot in a loose fist,with your indexfingerunderneaththechannelthatyourthumbison.Press your thumb into the channel (as if you have decided to hold ontightlytothecard)anddrawyourthumbtowardsyousothatyourthumbslidesupandoffthechannel.Repeat this once in each channelworking from thebig toe to the littletoe.

Intention

TostimulatetheenergyalongSenKalathari.

59~ThumbSlideUpandDowntheChannelsonTopoftheFoot(asfornumber32)SenLine–Kalathari.ReflexPoints –Groin, lymphatic system, ribs, diaphragm, larynx trachea andvocalchords,labyrinth(innerear),chest.

Howto…

Holdthefootwithbothhands,withyourfingersonthesoleofthefootandyourthumbsonthedorsumofthefoot.Placeyourthumbseithersideofthemiddletoenexttothefirstknucklewherethetoejoinsthefoot.Youwillfeelthestartofachannelbetweenthetendonsthatcontinuesuptothehollowatthetopofthefoot,wherethefootjoinstheleg.Nowslideyour thumbsupthesetwochannelseithersideof themiddletoe, up to the hollow where the foot joins the leg, and then slide thethumbsbackdownthetwootherchannelsbetweenthetoessothatyourright thumb finishes between the fourth toe and little toe and your leftthumbfinishesbetweenthebigtoeandsecondtoe.Nowrepeat the thumbslides,but in reverse so thatyouslideup to thehollowfromthetwooutsidechannelsandthenbackdownthetwoinside

channelstowhereyoustartedfromRepeat10times.

Intention

Emotionalandphysicalbalanceaswellasstimulatingtheentirelymphaticsystem.

60~ThumbSlideAroundAnkles(asfornumber33)SenLine–Sumana,Kalathari,Ittha/Pingkala,Sahatsarangsi/Thawari.ReflexPoints–Chest,thoraciclymphnodes,diaphragm,ribs,hipjoint,prostateoruterus,sexualorgans,rectumandanus,lowerabdomen.Howto…

Keepyourhandsasbefore,fingersonthesoleandthumbsonthedorsumofthefoot.

Startmidwayalong the twocentral channelson thedorsumof the footand thumbslideup to thecentreof thehollowwhere thefoot joins theleg.Youshouldfeelasoftspothere.Without breaking the flow of movement of your thumbs, move yourfingerstobehindtheheelofthefootandcontinuetoslideyourthumbsundertheankle(rightthumbtotheoutsideandleftthumbtotheinsideoftheankle)andofftheAchillestendon.Repeat10times.

Intention

More relaxation of the abdominal area along with somelymphaticdrainage.

61~ThumbsCrissCrossonHollowSenLine–Shatsarangsi/Thawari.ReflexPoints–Groin,lymphaticsystem(upperandlowerbody).

Howto…

Placeboththumbsonthetopofthefoot,justbelowthehollow.Sothatyourrightthumbispointingtothemedialedgeofthefootandyourleftthumbispointingtothelateraledgeofthefoot.Placeyourfingersunderneaththefootforsupport.Nowslideyourrightthumbtowardsthemedialedgeandyourleftthumbtowardsthelateraledgesothattheypassnexttoeachotherastheyslideoverthehollow.Nowmovewhicheverthumbwasnearesttothetoes,andplaceitnexttotheotherthumbnearertotheleg,andrepeatthethumbslide.Keeprepeatingthiscrisscrosssequenceupanddownoverthehollowatthetopofthefoot10times.

Intention

To encourage the energy to flow around the ankle joint and tostimulatethelymphaticsystem.

62~AlternateThumbSlideovertheHollowattheTopoftheFoot(asfornumber35)SenLine–Shatsarangsi/Thawari.ReflexPoints–Groin,lymphaticsystem(upperandlowerbody).

Howto…

Placeboththumbsonthetopofthefoot,justbelowthehollow,asforthepreviousmove.Slide the thumb, which is nearest the leg, so that it strokes over thehollowtothebeginningoftheleg.Asthefirstthumbslidesoffattheleg,begintoslidetheotherthumbupoverthehollowinthesamemanner.Atthesametimebringthefirstthumbbacktoitsstartingposition,readytoslideoverthehollowagain.Keeprepeatingthisalternatethumbslideatleast10times.

Intention

Toencouragedeeperrelaxationoftheanklejointandencouragetheenergyflowfromthelowerabdominalandgroinarea.

63~KnuckletheBigToeSenLine–Kalathari.ReflexPoints–Mandibleandmaxilla.

Howto…

Hookyourindexfingerofyourlefthandandplacethedistalknuckleoftheindexfingeronthetopofthebigtoebetweentheknuckleofthebigtoeandthenailofthebigtoe.Holdthefootinyourrighthandforsupport.Using the distal knuckle of your index finger slide the knuckle up anddowntheareabetweentheknuckleandthenail,asifyouarescratchingthearea.Repeatthisatleast10times.

Intention

Toreleasetensioninthejaw.

64~FingerSlideToesSenLine–Kalathari,Ittha/Pingkala,Sumana.Reflex Points – Frontal sinuses, ear, eye. Big toe only – nose, neck/throat,temples,pituitarygland,brainstem,maxilla,mandible,tonsils.

Howto…

Placethetipsofallofthefingersofyourrighthandtogether,asifyouareanItaliangesticulating,orsothatyourhandresemblesabeak.Nowplacethetipsofyourfingersonthetipofthelittletoe.Letyourfingersmoveapartslightlyasyouslideallofthefingersdownthelengthofthetoeandbackupagain.Repeatthis10times.Yourfingersshouldcoverallsidesofthetoeifpossible.Repeatthisoneachtoe,finishingwiththebigtoe.

Intention

Stimulates the frontal sinuses on all of the toeswith additionalstimulationoftheheadonthebigtoe.

65~ClickofftheToesSenLine–Kalathari.ReflexPoints–Sinusesandbrain.

Howto…

Usingyour righthand,extendyour first2 fingers to resembleapairofscissors.Nowplacethelittletoebetweenyourextendedfingers(attheendofthescissors)BendyourfingerssothatyoucanplaceyourthumbontopoftheindexfingerGentlysqueezethetipofthetoebetweenyourthumbandfingers.Whenyouhavebuiltupagentlepressure,slideyourfingersbrisklyoffthetoesothatyourfingerssnaptogether.Theremaybe a snapping soundasyour fingers click together, but thiscomeswithpracticeandisnotessentialtotheeffectivenessofthemove.Repeatthisonceforeachtoe.

Intention

Thisisthefinalstimulationofthereflexpointsonthefootbeforecontinuing onto the sen lines of the leg and finishes with thestimulationofthebrainfromthetipsofthetoes.

MassagingtheLegLines

Intention

TheIntention for thiswholesection is toencourage the flowofenergythatyouhavejustawakenedinthefeettoflowthroughoutthebodyalongthesenlines.Thereflexpointsarenothighlightedandareonlytoucheduponinafewofthetechniques.

66~ApplyCreamtotheOutsideoftheLegSenLine–Sahatsarangsi/Thawari,Ittha/Pingkala,Kalathari.

Howto…

Warmsomecreaminyourhandsasbefore,andapply thecreamto theoutsideoftheleg,usingalternatehands.Tobeginwithholdthefootinyourrighthandandturnthefoottowardsthemidlinesothatthelateralsideofthelegismorevisible,anduseyourleft hand to spread the cream on the outside of the leg. Then changehands,sothatyouareholdingthefootwithyourlefthandandspreadingthecreamwithyourrighthand.

67~ThumbSlidetheSenLinesontheOutsideoftheLegSenLine–Sahatsarangsi/Thawari,Ittha/Pingkala,Kalathari.

Howto…

Turnthefoottowardsthemidlineandholdthefootwithyourrighthand.Using the thumb of your left hand just under the lateral ankle. ThumbslideupSenIttha/Pingkala,behindtheankleandalongbelowthefibulatothetopofthefibula.Asyouthumbslideupthislinerockforwards.AtthetopofthislineslidethethumbmediallytothelateraledgeofthetibiaandslidedownSenSahatsarangsi/Thawari,alongthelateraledgeofthe tibia to thehollowat the topof the foot.Asyou thumbslidedownthislinerockbackwards.Donottrytopresswithanyforceasyouslidedownthisline.NowthumbslideupSenKalathari.Placethethumbofyourlefthandjustabovethelateralankleandthenthumbslideupthelowerlegjustabovethefibula,tothetopofthefibula.Rockforwardsasyouslideupthislineand then rockbackwardsasyouslidedownSenSahatsarangsi/Thawariasbefore.Repeat this technique of sliding up Sen Ittha/Pingkala, down Sen

Sahatsarangsi/Thawari, up Sen Kalathari, and down Sahatsarangsi/Thawaribetweenthreetofivetimes.Then thumbslidewith alternate thumbsupSenSahatsarangsi/Thawari,fromthehollowatthetopofthefoot,alongthelateraledgeofthetibia,tothetopofthetibia.

68~ApplyCreamtotheInsideoftheLegSenLine–Kalathari,Sahatsarangsi/Thawari.

Howto…

Warmsomecreaminyourhandsandapplythecreamasbefore,butthistimetotheinsideofthelowerleg.Tobeginwithholdthefootinyourlefthandandturnthefootoutwardssothatthemedialsideofthelegismorevisible.Thenchangehands,sothat you are holding the foot with your right hand and spreading thecreamwithyourlefthand.

69~ThumbSlidetheSenLinesontheInsideoftheLegSenLine–Sahatsarangsi/Thawari,Kalathari.

Howto…

Turnthefootlaterallyandholdthefootinyourlefthand.Usingyourrightthumb,thumbslideuptheinsideofthelowerlegalongSen Kalathari. Starting between the medial ankle and the Achillestendon,upoverthemedialheadofthecalfmuscle.Then slide the thumb slightly laterally and down Sen Sahatsarangsi/ThawarialongthemedialedgeoftheTibia.Rock forwards as you thumb slide upSenKalathari and backwards asyou slide down Sen Sahatsarangsi/Thawari. Repeat this three to fivetimes.Then thumb slide with alternate thumbs up along Sen Sahatsarangsi/Thawarifromjustbehindthemedialanklealongthemedialedgeofthetibiatothetopofthetibia.

70~ApplyCreamtotheKnee(mediallytolaterally)SenLine–Kalathari,Ittha/Pingkala,Sahatsarangsi/Thawari.

Howto…

Continueholdingthefootwithyourlefthand.Dipyourrightthumbinthecreamandapplythecreamtotheareaabovetheknee,towardsthemidline.Yourrightthumbnowcirclesaroundthekneegoingupthemedialedgeofthekneeanddownthelateraledgeoftheknee.Yourthumbhoweverdoesnotstayincontactwiththelegfortheentirecircle.Insteadthethumbisonlyincontactwiththelegaroundtheuppermedialquarteraroundtheknee.Ifyouimagineaclockontheknee,youwilljuststrokearoundtheknee,between9and12o’clock.Bydoing this circularmovement youwill create a nicer rhythm to themove, and be able to continue rocking your body forwards andbackwardsasyouwork.Repeatthis10times.

71~ApplyCreamtotheKnee(laterallytomedially)SenLine–Kalathari,Sahatsarangsi/Thawari.

Howto…

Nowchangehandssothatyouareholdingthefoottowardsthemidlinewithyourrighthand.Use your left thumb this time, and using the same technique thumbstrokearoundthekneefrombetween3and12o’clock.Repeat10times.

72~ThumbSpiralDowntheOutsideoftheLegSenLine–Kalathari,Ittha/Pingkala,Sahatsarangsi/Thawari.Howto…

Continuewithyourleftthumbandspiraldownthelateraledgeoftheleg.Thepreviousmove should flow into thismove so that your left thumbcontinuestocircledowntheoutsideoftheleg.

Yourthumbremainsincontactwiththelegforthecompletespiral.Thespiralgoes inananti-clockwisedirectionso thatyouarepushingupasyouspiraldowntheleg.Makesureyourspiralislargeenoughtocoverall3outsidelines.Whenyouhavespiralleddowntotheankle,thumbspiralgentlyaroundtheankleandthenslidethethumbupSenIttha/Pingkalathenrepeatthespiraldowntheoutsideoftheleg.Repeatthistechnique5times.

73~ThumbSpiralDowntheInsideoftheLegSenLine–Kalathari,Sahatsarangsi/Thawari.Howto…

Changehandsandrepeat thesametechniqueontheinsideofthelegtocoverthe2insidelines.Hold the foot inyour lefthand,and turn the footoutwards so thatyoucanseetheinsideofthelegmoreeasily.

Spiraldownthe2insideleglinesasforthepreviousmove,sothatyouarepushingupasyouspiraldown.Repeat5times.

74~BendtheLeg,supporttheFoot,andMassagetheKneeSenLine–Sahatsarangsi/Thawari.

Howto…

Placethepalmofyourrighthandagainstthesoleofthefoot.Placeyourlefthandunderneaththeknee.Nowpushagainst thesoleof thefoot,andasyoudohelp the legbendwithyourlefthandbyslightlyliftingbehindtheknee.Continue to push the foot and bend the leg until the leg is bent to 90degrees.Thefootshouldnowrestflatonthechair.As you bend the leg like this use more effort in pushing the foot asopposedtoliftingtheknee,otherwiseitwillbehardwork.Support the foot, so that the leg stays where it is, without your clienthavingtouseanyeffort.Place both thumbs at the front of the knee, either side of the patellatendon.Youshouldfeel2softpointshere.Gentlypressandrubhereinsmallcircularmovements.

75~FingerSlideDowntheBackoftheLegSenLine–Sumana.

Howto…

Withonehandsupportingthefoot,slidetheotherhandfromthefrontoftheankleupthelowerlegtotheknee.Nowslideyourhandbehindthekneeand,usingthepadsofyourfingers,slide your fingers down the centre of the back of the lower leg to theankle.Changehandsandrepeatsothatonehandisalwayssupportingthefoot.Asyouslideyourhanduptheleg,rockyourbodyforwardsand,asyouslideyourhanddownthebackoftheleg,rockyourbodybackwardstocreatesomepressure.YouareworkingSenSumanahere.Youshouldfeelthatyouareworkingbetweenthe2calfmusclesatthebackoftheleg.Youmayneedtoapplymorecreamtothelegforthismoveandbeawareof the pressure that you apply as this can be sensitive particularly halfwaydowntheleg.Repeat5times.

76~SpiralKnucklebothSidesoftheLegSenLine–Kalathari,Ittha/Pingkala,Sahatsarangsi/Thawari.

Howto…

Supportthefootsothatthelegremainsatrest.Placethethumbsofbothhandsonthefrontofthelowerleg,andgentlyclench all of your fingers. So that the knuckles of the right hand aretouchingthemuscle to theoutsideof the lower legandtheknucklesofthelefthandaretouchingthemuscletotheinsideofthelowerleg.Using the distal knuckles of all the fingers of both hands, spiral theknucklesawayfromyou,downwardsandthenbackanduptowardsyou.Continuethisspirallingmovementallthewaydowntheleg.Returntothetopofthelowerlegandrepeat5times.

77~TwisttheCalfLaterallySenLine–Kalathari,Ittha/Pingkala,Sahatsarangsi/Thawari,Sumana.

Howto…

Supportthelegwithyourlefthand,anduseyourrighthandaroundtheoutsideofthelowerlegtodrawthecalfmuscletowardsyou.Usethepadsofthefingersofyourrighthand,betweenthecalfmuscles,alongthecentrelineofthebackofthelowerleg.Startneartothekneeandworkyourwaydowntotheankle.Leanyourbodybackwardsasyouperformthis techniqueanddrawthecalfmusclearoundtheoutsideofthelowerlegSenSahatsarangsi/Thawari can alsobeworkedwith the thumbofyourrighthandasyouperformthistechnique.TryplacingyourthumbalongSen Sahatsarangsi/Thawari (along the lateral edge of the tibia orshinbone) and asyou leanback turnyourwrist towards themidline sothatyourthumbpressesintoSenSahatsarangsi/Thawariasyoudrawthecalfmusclearoundtheoutsideofthelowerleg.Thisthumbpresswillnotalwaysbepossiblewithbiglegsorlittlehands.Repeat3–5times.

78~SlideupandKnuckleSlideDowntheOutsideoftheLeg

SenLine–Kalathari,Ittha/Pingkala,Sahatsarangsi/Thawari.

Howto…

Gentlyplacethelegbackdownbysupportingthekneeasyoulowerthelegandbygentlypullingthefoottowardsyou.

Whenthelegisplacedbackdownuseyourlefthandtoturnandholdthefootgentlytowardsthemidline.Withtheheelofyourrighthand(theareaonthepalmofthehandnexttothewrist)slideuptheoutsideofthelowerlegfromjustabovetheankletobelowtheknee.Make sure you are not pressing onto bone as you do this, slide on themusclebetweentheTibiaandFibula.Atthetopofthissofttissueneartothekneemakeafistwithyourrighthandandslidebackdownthelowerleg,coveringthesameareawiththesecondknuckleofallfingers.Repeatthis5times.

79~SlideupandKnuckleSlideDowntheInsideoftheLegSenLine–Kalathari,Ittha/Pingkala,Sahatsarangsi/Thawari.

Howto…

Turnthefootandtheleglaterallyandholdthefootwithyourrighthand.Withtheheelofyourlefthand(theareaonthepalmofthehandnexttothewrist)slideuptheinsideofthelowerlegfromjustabovetheankleto

belowtheknee.Makesureyouarenotpressingontoboneasyoudothis,slideonthecalfmusclebelowtheTibia.Atthetopofthissofttissueneartotheknee,makeafistwithyourlefthandandslidebackdownthelowerleg,coveringthesamearea,withthesecondknuckleofallfingers.Repeatthis5times.

80~ThumbSlidetheSenLinesontheOutsideoftheLegSenLine–Sahatsarangsi/Thawari,Ittha/Pingkala,Kalathari.

Howto…

Turnthefoottowardsthemidlineandholdthefootwithyourrighthand.Using the thumb of your left hand just under the lateral ankle. ThumbslideupSenIttha/Pingkala,behindtheankleandalongbelowthefibulatothetopofthefibula.AsyouThumbslideupthislinerockforwards.AtthetopofthislineslidethethumbmediallytothelateraledgeofthetibiaandslidedownSenSahatsarangsi/Thawari,alongthelateraledgeofthe tibia to thehollowat the topof the foot.Asyou thumbslidedownthislinerockbackwards.Donottrytopresswithanyforceasyouslidedownthisline.NowthumbslideupSenKalathari.Placethethumbofyourlefthandjustabovethelateralankleandthenthumbslideupthelowerlegjustabovethefibula,tothetopofthefibula.RockforwardsasyouslideupthislineandthenrockbackwardsasyouslidedownSenSahatsarangsi/Thawariasbefore.Repeat this technique of sliding up Sen Ittha/Pingkla, down

Sahatsarangsi/Thawari, up Sen Kalathari and back down SenSahatsarangsi/Thawaribetweenthreetofivetimes.Then thumb slide with alternate thumbs up along SenSahatsarangsi/Thawari,fromthehollowatthetopofthefoot,alongthelateraledgeofthetibia,tothetopofthetibia.

81~ThumbSlidetheSenLinesontheInsideoftheLegSenLine–Sahatsarangsi/Thawari,Kalathari.

Howto…

Turnthefootlaterallyandholdthefootinyourlefthand.Usingyourrightthumb,thumbslideuptheinsideofthelowerlegalongSen Kalathari. Starting between the medial ankle and the Achillestendon,upoverthemedialheadofthecalfmuscle.Then slide the thumb laterally slightly, and slide the thumb down SenSahatsarangsi/Thawariontheinsideoftheleg.Rock forwards as you thumb slide upSenKalathari and backwards asyou slide down Sen Sahatsarangsi/Thawari. Repeat this three to fivetimes.Then thumb slide with alternate thumbs up along Sen Sahatsarangsi/Thawarifromjustbehindthemedialanklealongthemedialedgeofthetibiatothetopofthetibia.

PercussionsontheLegsandFeet

82~StrokeOfftheCalfandAchillesSenLine–Sumana.

Howto…

Reachwithyourrighthand,halfwayalongthelowerleg.Hold the back of the lower leg in your right hand and stroke in onemovementdownthelowerlegandofftheheel.Nowrepeatwithyourlefthand.Youshouldfeelwarmthonthebackofthelegasyoudothis.Repeatthis10times.Thistechniquecanalsobeperformedstandingupsothatthelegisliftedoffthecouch.Ifyouperformthe techniquestandingupyouwilldrop the leg into thereadyandwaitingotherhandasyoustrokeofftheheel.Asyoucatchtheleginyourotherhandyoucan“cup”thelegbymeetingthelegwithacuppedhandandgentleslap.This technique takes a little practice, but becomes quicker and morefluid.

83~PummeltheBackoftheLowerLegSenLine–Sumana.

Howto…

Ifyouwerestandingforthelastmovesitbackdown.Rest your left elbow on the couch, so that your left palm is facingupwards,ratherlikeawaiterholdingatray.Supportthefootinthislefthandsothatthelegisliftedoffofthecouch.Makea loosefistwithyourrighthandandpummel thebackof the legwiththelittlefingeredgeofyourloosefistWorkallaroundthebackofthelowerlegwiththistechnique.

84~PummeltheSoleoftheFootSenLine–Kalathari.

Howto…

Bringthelegbackdowntorestonthecouchandwhilststillsupportingthefootinyourlefthandpummelorbackhand(asbefore)thesoleofthefoot.Restrictthismovetothesoleofthefoot,betweentheheelandtheballsofthetoes.

85~PummeltheOutsideoftheLegSenLine–Sahatsarangsi/Thawari,Ittha/Pingkala,Kalathari.

Howto…

Turnthefoottowardsthemidlineandholdthefootwithyourlefthand.Make a loose fistwith your right hand and pummel the outside of thelowerlegbetweenthetibiaandfibula.Workupand thenbackdownmakingsure thatyoustaybetween the2bones,andnotonthem.Repeat3times.

86~PummeltheInsideoftheLegSenLine–Kalathari,Sahatsarangsi/Thawari.Howto…

Turnthefootlaterallyandholdthefootwithyourrighthand.MakealoosefistwithyourlefthandandpummeltheinsideofthelowerlegbelowtheTibia.

WorkupandthenbackdownmakingsurethatyoustaybelowtheTibia.Repeat3times.

87~ThumbCircletheAnkleSenLine–Ittha/Pingkala,Sahatsarangsi/Thawari.

Howto…

PlacethefingersofbothhandsunderneaththeAchillestendonandheelofthefootandrestyourrightthumbontheoutsideoftheankleandyourleftthumbontheinsideoftheankle.Nowworkthethumbsinahalfmoonshapearoundtheinsideandoutsideoftheankle.Start near to thehollowat the front of the footwithboth thumbs.Therightthumbneartothelateraledgeandtheleftthumbneartothemedialedge.Slidethethumbsapartsothat theystrokedownnext tothefrontof themedialandlateralankleasyourockyourbodybackwards.Thenslidethethumbsupbehindthemedialandlateralankleasyourockyourbodyforwards.Now slide back down behind the ankle and then back up to near thehollow.Repeatthis10times,rememberingtorockyourbodyasyoumoveyourthumbs.

WrappingtheFeet

88~WraptheFootandtheLegSenLine–Sumana,Kalathari,Ittha/Pingkala,Sahatsarangsi/Thawari.Howto…

It now becomes important that the towels were set up correctly at thestart.Makesure that the leg is restingdownthecentre lineof the towel,andthatthetopofthetowelislevelwiththetopofthelowerlegneartotheknee.Thisshouldgiveyousomefreetoweltowrapthefootwith.

Step1:Holdthe2cornersofthebottomofthetowelandliftthetowelsothatthetowelisflatagainstthesoleofthefoot.

Step2:Drapethebottomofthetoweloverthetoesontothetopofthefootortheleg(dependingontheleglength).

Step3:Bringthemedialcornerofthetoweltothelateraledgeofthetibia,andholdthetowelflatagainstthetopofthefootwithyourlefthand.

Step 4:There should nowbe a fold at the lateral edge of the towel.Hold thecornerofthisfoldwithyourrighthand,andfoldthelateraledgeofthetowelbackoverthetopofthefootandtuckitbetweenthemedialedgeofthetowelandthemedialfoldofthetowelsoittucksbackunderthemedialarchofthefoot.

Step5:Pullgentlywithyour lefthandonthemedialedgeof the towelasyoutuckthetowelfurtherunderthemedialarchofthefoot.Thisshouldwrapthefootquitetightly.

Nowwraptheleg.Step1:Hold themedialedgeof towelwithbothhands,your righthandaboutmidwayalongtheedgeandyourlefthandneartothetopofthetowelattheknee.

Step2:Draw themedialedgeof the towel further towards themidline so thatthere is hardly any towel left showing laterally, and there is enough towelshowingmediallytowraparoundthewholeleg.

Becarefulnottopullthetoweldown,keepitlongsothatthereisstilltowelneartotheknee

Step3:Bringthemedialedgeofthetoweloverthelegandthetopofthefoot.

Step4:Trytokeepthetoweltightagainst thelegasyoucontinuetobringtheedgeofthetowelbackunderthelowerlegandreturnittothemedialsideofthelowerleg.

Step5:Pullthecornerofthetoweltotightenthetowelaroundtheleg.Step 6: Fold the top of the towel down over this corner to hold the towel inplace.

Nowunwrapthetowelandtryagain!Thistakesafewgoestogetthehangof,butitfeelsgreatwhenthetoweliswrappedniceandtightly.

NowrepeatforotherlegfromtheOpeningSequence.

Whenyouhavecompletedthefirstthreesectionsonbothlegscontinueontotheclosingsection.

TheClosingSequence

Both legs should nowbewrapped up having been thoroughlymassaged.Thissectionisthebeginningoftheendofthemassage.ItbeginsbyworkingthelegsthroughthewrapsandinvolvessomegentlestretchesthatcontinuetoopentheSenlineswhilstalsoawakeningyourpartner.

WorkingThroughtheWrapsWorking through thewraps gives an entirely different feeling to themassage.The techniques are all presses as opposed to sliding techniques and give afeelingsimilar toaTraditionalThaiMassage.Theemphasis isonworking theSen Lines here, however Reflex points are also worked, but much moregenerally.Thetechniquesaresimilartoprevioustechniques,butitismuchhardertobe

surewhereyouareworkingwhenworkingthroughthewrapssopayattentiontothelandmarkssuchasthebonesasthesewillbeeasiertofeelthroughthewraps.

89~ThumbPresstheCentreLineontheSoleoftheFootSenLine–Sahatsarangsi/Thawari,Kalathari.ReflexPoints–Sexualorgans,insomniapoint,sigmoidcolon(leftfoot),smallintestines,transversecolon,kidney,solarplexus,lung.

Howto…

Placeboth thumbs,oneabove theotherat thecentreof theheelon thebottomofthefoot.Gentlyrestyourfingersonthedorsumofthefoot.Rockforwardsasyou thumbpress into theheelwithboth thumbs,androckbackwardsasyourelease.MovethethumbsslightlyhigherandcontinueuptotheballofthecentretoeRepeatcomingbackdownthecentrelineofthefoot.

Intention

Sahatsarangsi/Thawariistouchedonheretoassistthefunctionofthekneejoint.ThemainworkisonSenKalathariandthereflexpointsitcovers.Theintentionhereisalastpushofenergyfromthefeetupthroughthebody.

90~ThumbPressSenKalatharionTopoftheFootSenLine–Kalathari.Reflex Points – Lymph nodes (chest), chest, labyrinth (inner ear), ribs,diaphragm,larynxtracheaandvocalchords,hipjoint.

Howto…

Holdthefootinbothhandswithyourthumbsonthetopofthefootandyourfingersonthesoleofthefoot.Starting in the channels between the first knuckle of the toes. Thumbpressalong2of thechannelsbetweenthemetatarsalsof thefoot to thedepressionorhollowinfrontoftheankle,andthenbacktobetweenthefirstknuckleofthetoes.Thumbpress2channelsatatime.Nowrepeatforthenext2channels.Thefifthchannelrunsfromlateraledgeofthelittletoetothehollowinfront of the ankle. Thumb press this channel from the toe up to thehollowandthenbacktothetoe.

Intention

The working of Sen Kalathari in this and the two followingtechniques is intended to steady your client emotionally andphysicallysteadytheheartbeatandbreathing,whilstencouragingtheenergyflowupthroughthebody.

91~ThumbPresstheSenKalathariontheOutsideoftheLegSenLine–Kalathari.

Howto…

Turnthefoottowardsthemidlineandholdwithyourrighthand.Usingthethumbofyourlefthand,thumbpressupSenKalathari.Placethethumbofyourlefthandjustabovethelateralankleandthenthumbpressupthelowerlegjustabovethefibula,tothetopofthefibulaandthen back down. Each time you thumb press along this line rockforwards.Pressat5or6pointsalongthisline.

92~ThumbPressSenKalathariontheInsideoftheLegSenLine–Kalathari.

Howto…

Turnthefootlaterallyandholdinyourlefthand.Usingyourrightthumb,thumbpressupandthenbackdowntheinsideofthelowerlegalongtheSenKalathari.StartingbetweenthemedialankleandtheAchillestendon,upoverthemedialheadofthecalfmuscle.Rockforwardseachtimeyouthumbpress.

93~RotatetheFootSen Line – Sumana, Kalathari, Ittha/Pingkala, Sahatsarangsi/ Thawari (nonedirectly).

Howto…

Holdthefootinyourrighthandsothattheheelofyourhandisagainsttheballsofthetoesandthefingersareoverthetoestouchingthetopofthefoot.Supporttheheelofthefootwithyourlefthand.Rotatethefootusingtheentirerangeofmovementat theanklejoint,5timesonewayandthen5timestheotherway.Itfeelsnicewiththismoveifyouholdthetoestightlyinyourhands.

Intention

ToopenalloftheSenLinesrunningthroughtheanklejoint.

94~TwisttheFootandStretchtheLegLaterallySenLine–allbutnotdirectly.

Howto…

Continuesupportingtheheelinyourlefthand.With your right hand reach around the top of the foot from the lateraledge to themedial arch, so thatyour fingerscangrasp themedial archandyourhandcoversthetopofthefoot.Startingnearest the ankle, bendyourwrist so that it presses the lateraledgeofthefootmediallyandyourfingerspullthemedialarchofthefootlaterally.Rockbackwardsasyoudothisandgentlystretchthewholeleg.Leanforwardsasyoureleasethestretch,moveyourhandfurtherupthetop of the foot towards the toes and repeat the stretch as you leanbackwards.Nowmove your hand back down and repeat the stretch from the firstposition.Repeatthissequencethreetimes.

Intention

ToopentheSenlinesontheinsideoftheleg,bymobilisingthejointsoftheankle,kneeandhip.

95~TwisttheFootandStretchtheLegMediallySenLine–allbutnotdirectly.

Howto…

Nowsupporttheheelinyourrighthand.Withyourlefthandreacharoundthetopofthefootfromthemedialarchto the lateral edge, so that your fingers can grasp the lateral edge andyourhandcoversthetopofthefoot.Startingnearest theankle,bendyourwrist so that itpresses themedialarchofthefootlaterallyandyourfingerspullthelateraledgeofthefootmedially. Rock backwards as you do this and gently stretch thewholeleg.Leanforwardsasyoureleasethestretch,moveyourhandfurtherupthetop of the foot towards the toes, and repeat the stretch as you leanbackwards.Nowmove your hand back down and repeat the stretch from the firstposition.Repeatthissequencethreetimes.

Intention

ToopentheSenlinesontheoutsideoftheleg,bymobilisingthejointsoftheankle,kneeandhip.

96~UnwraptheFootandDrapetheTowelovertheLegHowto…

Tounwrapthe legandfoot,startbyunfolding the topof the towelandthenasyoucontinue tounwrap the towelwipe the toweldown the legandfoottoremoveanyremainingcream.Thendrapethetoweloverthefoot.Donotfoldthetoweljustdrapeittocoverthefootandasmuchofthelegthatitwillcover.

Intention

Toremoveanyremainingexcessoilonthelegandfoot.

Repeatfrom89ontheotherlegandthencontinueontonumber97whereyouwillworkbothfeettogether

StretchingtheFeet

Thissectioncontinueswithsomemorestretchesperformedonbothlegsat thesame time,which are intended tomobilise the joints and elongatemuscles toopentheenergylinesthroughthejointsandsofttissues.

97~PresstheToesUpSenLine–allbutnotdirectly.Howto…

Holdtheleftfootinyourrighthandwiththeheelofthehandagainsttheballsofthetoesandthefingersoverthetoestouchingthetopofthefoot.Holdtherightfootinthesamewaywithyourlefthand.Presstheballsofthefootinthedirectionofthelegsbyleaningforwardswithyourbody.

Hold the stretch briefly and then release the stretch as you leanbackwards.Keepholdingontothefeet.Repeatthisstretch3times.

Intention

ThisstretchspecificallyopensSenSumanaalongthebackofthelegs,andalsoSenIttha/PingkalabehindtheFibula.

98~PresstheToesDownSenLine–allbutnotdirectly.

Howto…

Placeyourhandson the topof the feet, righthandon left footand lefthandonrightfoot.Startwiththehandsatthetopofthedorsumneartowherethefootjoinstheleg.Press the feet downwards causing the feet to plantar flex by leaningforwards.Releasethisstretchbyleaningbackwards.Move your hands down the dorsum of the foot to the middle of thedorsumandrepeatthestretch.Moveyourhandsdowntoneartothetoesandrepeatthestretch.Nowmoveyourhandsbackup to themiddleof thedorsumandrepeatthestretchandagainatthestartingpoint.

Intention

This stretch specifically opens Sen Sahatsarangsi/Thawari andSenKalathari.

99~CrossStretchtheFeetSenLine–allbutnotdirectly.

Howto…

Press the left footmedially as far as itwill comfortablygoandhold itthere.Presstherightmediallyaswellsothatthemedialarchoftherightfootrestsonthedorsumoftheleftfoot.Holdtherightfootwithbothhandssothattheleftfootstayswhereitis.Pressdowngently3 timescreatingastretchalongthelateralankleandlaterallowerleg.Uncross thefeetand thenagaincross thefeet in thesamemannerwithrightfootundertheleftfootthistime,andgentlypress3times.

Intention

ThisstretchisspecifictoSenKalathariontheoutsideoftheleg.

100~PulltheToesSenLine–Kalathari.

Howto…

Startingwiththelittletoeoftheleftfootandworkingalongthetoestothelittletoeoftherightfoot.Holdthetoenear tothebaseof thetoebetweenthumbandfirstfinger,again,asifyouwerepassingacardtosomeone.Gentlyliftthetoeupwards,whichmaylifttheentirefootslightly.Ifthereisapoppingsoundinoneormoreofthejointsofthetoelowerthefoot.If there isnopopping sound, continue togentlybut firmlypull the toetowardsyouandthenplacethefootbackdown.Whether there is a popping sound or not continue to the next toe andrepeatthismovementonceforeachtoe.

NB:Ifyouoryourpartnerfindthispoppingsensationuncomfortableeitherskipthistechniqueorreplacewithamoregentlestretchofeachtoe.

Intention

To stretch the toes and release energy through the joints of thetoes.

AwakeningtheFeetandLegs

Thissectionbeginswithsometechniquesonandabovethekneestoencouragetheenergyfurtherupthebody,andthenmovesbackdowntothefootforsomebrisktechniquestoawakenthefeetandlegs,andmaybeyourpartner.

101~WarmYourHandsandCovertheKneesSenLine–Sahatsarangsi/Thawari.Howto…

Placeyourhandstogetherinthewelcomingpostureandthengentlyrubthehandstogetherinacircularmotioncreatingalotofheatinthehands.

Nowplace your hands gently on the knees. The right hand on the leftkneeandthelefthandontherightknee.Thiswarmthonthekneesfeelsgreatonanareaofthebodythatlacksincirculation.

Intention

Towarmthekneeandencourageenergytoflowpasttheknee.

102~PalmCircletheKneesSenLine–Sahatsarangsi/Thawari.

Howto…

Keepyourhandsonthekneesandgentlycircleyourhandsonthekneessothatyoupressgentlyupandthenoutandbackdown.

Intention

Towarm theknee furtherandencourageenergy to flowaroundandpasttheknee.

103~ThumbPress3PointsontheThighSenLine–Sahatsarangsi/Thawari.

Howto…

Placeyourthumbsonthecentrelineofthethigh,justabovetheknee,sothat theright thumbison the left legand the left thumbison therightleg.Yourfingersshouldberestinggentlyontheoutsideofthethighs.Leanforwardsandpresswiththepadsofthethumbsintothethighs.Move your thumb up 1 thumb length along the centre line and thumbpressagain.Moveyourthumbupanotherthumblengthandpressforathirdtime.Moveyour thumbsbackdownandpressagainonthesecondpointandthendownagaintothefirstpoint.

Intention

Toencourageenergyflowfromthekneeupwards.

104~FingerCircleBehindtheKneesSenLine–Sumana.

Howto…

Slideyourfingersunderthebackofthekneesandcircletheskinthere.Usingallofthefingersgentlypressagainstthesoftskinthereandcirclethefingersofbothhandsdownandtowardsyouandthenoutandup.Asyoucirclethehandsdon’tlet thefingersslideovertheskin,insteadmovetheskinwiththefingertips.Repeatthiscircle5–10times.

Intention

This technique assistswithLymphatic drainage in the Poplitealareabehindthekneeandencouragestheenergytoflowpasttheknee.

105~PalmPresstheOutsideoftheLowerLegSenLine–Kalathari,Sahatsarangsi/Thawari.

Howto…

Usetheheelofyourhandstopressdownthelateraledgeofbothlegs.Placetheheelof thehandsat thetopof thelowerleg,alongthelateraledgeoftheleg,betweenthelateraledgeofthetibiaandthefibula.Presswiththeheelofthehandbybendingatthewristasyoupressalongthelateraledgeoftheleg.Movedownthelegtowardstheankleandrepeatthepress.Continueallthewaydowntothebottomofthelowerleg.

Intention

Thelasttechniquebeforereturningtothefeet,andthelastpushofenergyalongtheSenLinesofthelegs.

106~ThumbCircletheOutsideandInsideoftheAnkleSen Line – Kalathari and Ittha/Pingkala (laterally) Sahatsarangsi/ Thawari(medially).

Howto…

Turntheleftfootmediallyandholditwithyourrighthand.Use the thumbofyour lefthand tocircle around the lateral ankle.Thefingers of your left hand should be resting on the foot and pointingtowardsoronthemedialankle.Circlethethumballthewayaroundtheankleabout10times.Thistechniqueisquitebriskanddoesnotneedmuchpressure.Nowturnthefootlaterallyandholdwithyourlefthand.Useyourrighthandtocirclethemedialankle.

Intention

Thisbrisktechniquebeginstowarmsandreawakenthefoot.

107~ThumbSlidetheMedialArchoftheFootSenLine–Sumana.ReflexPoints–Spine.

Howto…

Placeyourleftthumbneartheheelalongthemedialarchofthefootandslidethethumbalongthemedialarch.Use a slight flickingmotion so that the thumb slides off of themedialarch,andthenmovethethumbupalongthemedialarchslightlynearerthetoesandrepeattheflickingmotion.Continuealongthemedialarchofthefootandrepeat3times.

Intention

Astimulatingtechniquetoawakenthefootandthespine,andtosendenergyfromthefootupthroughthebody.

108~ThumbStrokeandStretchtheToesSenLine–Kalathari.

Howto…

Bring the foot back to the centre position and use the thumb of bothhandstostrokethetoesback.If you start with your right thumb gently stroke one of the toes awayfromyousothatthetoegetsagentlestretchandstroke.As you stroke off the toewith your right thumb, begin on another toewith your left thumb, and repeat until all the toes have been gentlystretchedandstrokedafewtimes.

Intention

Agentlestretchofeachtoewhichencouragestheflowofenergyandcirculationtotheextremitiesandbeginstoawakenthesensesandthebrain.

109~SlapandStroketheDorsumoftheFootSenLine–Kalathari.

Howto…

Usingallthefingersofbothhandsslapandstrokethedorsumofthefootinacircularmotion.Placethefingersofyourrighthandonthedorsumofthefoot,andstrokeoffthetoestowardsyou.As your right hand strokes off the toes, gently slap the top of the footwith your left hand, and then stroke off the foot towards the toeswithyourlefthand.Asyourlefthandstrokesoffthetoes,yourrighthandgentlyslapsthetopofthefootandcontinuestostrokeoffthefoot.Continuethiscircularmotion.Thisisaverybrisktechniquewhenyougetthehangofit.

Intention

Averystimulatingtechniquetoawakenyourpartner!

Nowrepeat106-109ontheotherfootbeforefinishingthemassagewith110.

110~CuptheOutsideofBothLegsSenLine–Kalathari,Sahatsarangsi/Thawari.

Howto…

Placeyourhandsinthewelcomeorprayerposition,butopenthepalmsofthehandsslightly,sothatthefingertipsandthumbsarestilltogether,aswellastheheelofthehand,butthereisnowspacebetweenthehands.If you move your hands apart now and then clap them together youshouldhearacuppingsoundasopposedtoaclappingsound.Starting near to the ankle on the lateral edge of both the lower legs,betweenthetibiaandfibula.Cupupanddownthelateraledgeofbothlegssimultaneously.Trytomakethismoreofacupthanaslap.Bringyourhandstogetherinrespectforyourclientandtosignifytheendofthemassage.

Intention

Thislasttechniqueencouragestheflowofenergyupthroughthebodyandalsomakessureyourpartnerisawake.

ToFinish…

AThaiFootMassagewillalwaysendas itbegan,withyourhands together inthe prayer position, but unlike the prayer at the start of themassagewhich isperformedinhonourofDoctorJivakaKhumarabhacca,thisprayerisdirectedatyour partner.Often nowords are said, but youmay repeat the last line of theTraditionalprayer.

Na-ANa-WaRokhaPayatiVina-Santi

Weprayfortheonewhomwetouch,thattheywillbehappy

andthatanyillnesswillbereleasedfromthem.It is important togiveyourpartner time to relaxafteramassage. Ifyouare

usinga recliner chair allow them to rest in the chair for a fewminutesbeforebringingthechairintoanuprightposition.Allowyourpartnertimetorestintheuprightpositionforfewmoreminutesandbringthemsomethingtodrink,either

aherbaltea,orwateriscustomary.Thismayormaynotbeanappropriatetimetogetsomefeedback,butatleast

trytoarrangetheirnextmassagebeforeparting.SomeNotesonShorteningtheMassageThe Thai Foot Massage sequence that you have just practised is verycomprehensive and includes all of the techniques. At some point you willprobablywant to shorten the treatment, and it is up to you how you do this,howeverIhavesomesuggestionsthatmayhelp.For a one hour treatment, complete all four sections, leaving out a few

techniquesfromeachsection,buttrytoworkallofthepointswiththestick.Foratreatmentofhalfanhourorless,leaveoutthesticksectioncompletely

andperformjustafewtechniquesfromtheclosingsequence.

Bibliography

Apfelbaum,Ananda.ThaiMassage:SacredBodywork.NewYork:Avery,2004Brust, Harald (Asokananda). The Art of Traditional Thai Massage. Bangkok:EditionsDuangKamol,1990

Brust,Harald(Asokananda)andChowKamThye.TheArtofTraditionalThaiMassageEnergyLineCharts.Bangkok:EditionsDuangKamol,1995

Chokevivat, Vichai and Anchalee Chuthaputti. The Role of Thai TraditionalMedicineinHealthPromotion.Bangkok:DepartmentfortheDevelopmentofThai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Ministry of Public Health,Thailand,2005

Frawley, David, Subhash Ranade and Avinash Lele. Ayurveda and MarmaTherapy:EnergyPointsinYogicHealing.TwinLakes,WI:LotusPress,2003

Issel, Christine. Reflexology: Art, Science & History. Sacramento, CA: NewFrontierPublishing,1990

Salguero, C. Pierce. Encyclopedia of Thai Massage. Findhorn, Scotland:FindhornPress,2004

Salguero, C. Pierce. Thai Massage Workbook. Findhorn, Scotland: FindhornPress,2007

Setthakorn, Chongkol. Ancient Massage of Thailand. Chiang Mai, Thailand:SangNgernPrinting,1992

Wilson,Tananan.NerveTouchMassage.ChiangMai,Thailand,2003

Resources

ForprofessionaltraininginThaiFootMassagewithSimonPiersGall,andotherformsofTraditionalMassagecontact:TheLondonSchoolofTraditionalMassagewww.lstm.cominfo@lstm.com

To find a practitioner near you contact the Association of Thai MassageTherapists:www.atmt.orginfo@atmt.org

MattGall,coverdesigner:

Webdesigntogardendesigncontact:www.thirdwavemusic.cominfo@thirdwavemusic.com

Nickffrench,photographer:

Professionalphotographicservices:www.nickffrenchphotos.co.uk

RelatedtitlesfromFindhornPressbyC.PierceSalguero:AThaiHerbalEncyclopediaofThaiMassageThaiMassageWorkbookTheSpiritualHealingofTraditionalThailand

AboutTheAuthor

SimonGallisaholistictherapistandteacherofTraditionalThaiMassage,inallitsmanyaspects.Followingan inspirational study trip toThailandhe foundedthe London School of TraditionalMassage (previously the London School ofThaiMassage)inordertopromoteThaiMassageintheUK.Simonnowteachesinternationally,tointerestedtherapistsandhasalsohelped

manyWesternspasintegrateTraditionalThaiMassageintotheirtreatments.HehastrainedthroughoutThailand,atmanyschoolsandwithmanyteachers,

andlearntTraditionalThaiMassagefromsomeofthefewremainingMastersofthispractice.Simon is also a trained yoga teacher and specialises in theTraditionalThai

form,knownasThaiYoghaorRuesiDutton.

WhenSimonisnottravellingorstudyingheteachesandpracticesfromThePaulaLloydTherapyCentreinSELondonandfromhishomeinKent.

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