Business developments: Thai massage and soup
Thai massage therapy
Hera Livingston has set up a Thai yoga massage clinic at the House of Health and Well-being at 127 Commercial Street, Takaka.
Hera has been practicing this style of massage for 10 years and praises its benefits as relaxing and as strengthening. Traditional Thai yoga massage is an ancient form of therapeutic healing that combines acupressure, energy balancing, stretching and applied yoga exercises. Originating in India, it was taken to Thailand over 2000 years ago by Ayurvedic doctors and Buddhist monks.
“This type of therapy is an ideal complement to yoga and other physical training, and is nicknamed ‘lazy man’s yoga’ because it is like doing a yoga session without actually doing anything. The stretches are given to you,” said Hera. “It is a full body holistic workout that covers the physical body, the energy body and the psychic or emotional bodies.”
During the two-hour massage, the therapist uses hands, feet, elbows and knees to apply pressure along the energy lines of the body, combined with gentle stretching and assisted yoga postures. The clients should wear loose-fitting and comfortable clothing.
Hera moved from Motueka to the Bay three months ago. She said there has already been a lot of interest in the Thai yoga massage, which she says can relieve headaches, lower back problems, sciatica, neck tension and emotional stress.
Hera, who has studied in New Zealand and Thailand, is a registered therapist with the Thai Yoga Massage Association of New Zealand and a qualified yoga teacher. She can be contacted on 525 8633.
Ina Holst
