THAI WELLNESS MIND AND BODY NURTURING

Posted on 06/28/2016 | About Thailand

Thailand has an ethereal effect on me. Even before my body surrenders to the warm and skilled hands of a Thai therapist my mind has drifted off to another world of peace and tranquility. Career demands, deadlines, worldly stresses are relegated to the deep recesses of my mind. Perhaps it’s the Buddhist culture that permeates Thai society or their gentle and service oriented nature to please which I find generates an immediate sense of calm. I was about to discover that calmness both in various spa therapies and an unlikely source – elephants.

Wat Po, (www.watpomassage.com) a royal monastery and temple complex where the Grand Palace is situated is a focal point in Thailand. Learn about the Buddhist culture, its colourful history and yes even massage therapy here. It is the site of the famous Reclining Buddha (known as Phra Buddha Saiyas).
The Reclining Buddha built from brick and stucco and 46 meters in length and 15 meters in height, is lacquered and gilded. Within this stunning and ornate complex is the Wat Po Thai Traditional Medical School. Therapists from around the world come to Wat Po for training in Thai massage as well as other disciplines like child and infant massage, reflexology and advanced massage techniques.
LEARN OR JUST RELAX
Tourists and visitors to Thailand though can take courses as short as one day or take a 5-day general Thai massage course 9,500 Baht ($350) or a 5-day foot massage course (about $275). After taking the course I’m sure you will be the most popular person with your partner, family and friends!
Not interested in learning? Tourists can also simply lie back and relax (that’s exactly what I did) and let the expert Wat Po therapists do all the work and you can just enjoy a massage. Don’t expect the bells and whistles of a luxury spa here – just basic non-descript treatment rooms but you are guaranteed well-trained staff. It’ really inexpensive – far less than you would pay back in Canada.
I recommend a Thai massage with lots of pulling and stretching after a long flight to Thailand. The collection of knots in my back were kneaded and loosened – it wasn’t as relaxing and I winced a few times as the therapist dug in his elbows to those stubborn knots and pressure points. Massage therapy can hurt sometimes.
GETTING SLEEPY
Our press group was treated to very soothing foot massages at Harnn Heritage Spa . It just opened up a new spa in Central World in downtown Bangkok, a massive shopping emporium. My fellow female journalists in the group flashed their beautifully painted toenails as we sat down next to one another in a bank of comfy sleep-inducing chairs. I flashed back my dark discoloured big toes.
There is something about foot treatments or maybe it was jet lag but soon my body totally surrendered to the therapist’s soothing touches on my feet. I had fallen asleep – that was except my stadium projection level snoring vocal chords. The ladies did not appreciate my snorting symphony.
NATURE CALLS
Anantara is no stranger to luxury or spas with numerous resorts in Asia, Africa and the Gulf countries. On this recent trip I experienced their Riverside property conveniently situated on the banks of Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River. This resort is an oasis tucked away in bustling Bangkok. The bustling however stops as soon as you enter their spa with well-appointed rooms and couples’ suites. One of the things that I find welcoming at most Thailand spas is they always wash your feet – it’s an ideal way to calm the body and mind – plus it feels good.
Anantara has a number of properties throughout Thailand but for those looking for something that combines open-air relaxation, scenic vistas, and some wildlife then visit Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort (www.anantara.com) on the outskirts of Chiang Rai in northern Thailand.
Built on a ridge, from my spacious suite and balcony I could the neighbouring countries of Laos and Myanmar as the Mekong and Ruak rivers converge. Not too many resorts I know can offer up a three country view!
It’s an upscale resort without pretentiousness but with a down home atmosphere. Saddle up to the bar and the bartender won’t question your clothing make but where you are from and making sure you are enjoying yourself.
My therapy begins here cooling off with a Singha beer at the outdoor pool. Soon enough though my massage itch starts and I make a beeline to the Anantara Spa. This boutique spa has five treatment rooms with three couples' suites each with a steam bath. One of their signature treatments is the Poo Loey massage, an ingredient seen as sacred by Thai’s traditional healers to treat stiff, tense and aching muscles and joints.
One of the big attractions of this resort is an on-site elephant camp. Guests have an opportunity to learn about the important history of elephants (in the logging industry, ceremonies) but more importantly the efforts being made to preserve elephants and their habitat. You can take part in mahout training as well. They take conservation seriously here but with a healthy dose of fun.
Even though there weren’t hands manipulating my body one of the most “therapeutic” treatments for both my mind and body I had in Thailand was a walk with the two elephants – unchained and walking free through fields and forest. Our press group had a leisurely 4 km walk with the elephants by our side. Walking as equals. During our journey we had a stop at a creek where the two elephants and mahouts played innocently in the refreshing waters.
Walking with these elephants made life for me at that moment seem in perfect balance. Walking side by side – human and animal connecting to one another.
Therapy can come in many shapes and forms. This time massage therapy took a back seat to animal therapy. Thailand can provide all kinds.
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