Traditional Thai massage therapy, assisted movement and a therapeutic approach tailored to you

Thai Yoga Therapy combines traditional Thai massage techniques with deep tissue and muscle work, assisted stretching, range-of-motion movement and mobility.

It is an individual treatment, shaped around your body and what you need on the day rather than a set massage routine.

Sessions combine treatment on a specialist massage chair with treatment on a comfortable padded floor mat. Using both allows me to work in different ways and choose the techniques and positions that are most useful for you.

My experience as a Yoga Therapist also informs how I work. Where appropriate, we can incorporate active movement, breathing practices and relaxation alongside the Thai massage treatment.

You remain fully clothed throughout.

Initial consultation: 75 minutes – £85
Follow-up sessions: 60 minutes – £67.50

Book a free 20-minute discovery call

What is Thai Yoga Therapy?

Thai Yoga Therapy has its roots in traditional Thai massage, which combines pressure and compression with stretching and movement.

It is quite different from lying on a massage table and receiving a standard massage sequence.

I use my hands, thumbs, knuckles, elbows and knees, as well as traditional Thai massage tools where appropriate, to work with muscles, areas of tension and movement through the body.

Your treatment may include:

• Deep tissue work
• Compression
• Acupressure
• Muscle release
• Trigger point massage
• Focused pressure using traditional Thai massage tools
• Range-of-motion movements
• Assisted stretching
• Rhythmic movement
• Mobility work

I may also use traditional balms for focused work on areas such as the neck, arms, hands or feet.

The techniques, pressure and intensity aren't predetermined. They are selected and adapted according to what you need.

What Happens During a Session?

Although no two treatments will be exactly the same, your session will usually move through several stages.

Assessment

We'll start by checking in with how you are feeling, how your body is moving and whether there are particular areas that need attention.

This gives me a starting point for the treatment rather than simply following the same routine each time you visit.

Preparing the Body

We'll begin by warming and preparing the body for movement and deeper work.

This might include broader compression, rhythmic techniques and gentle range-of-motion movements, gradually introducing pressure and movement before progressing to more focused techniques.

Treatment on the Massage Chair

At least half of the treatment will usually take place on a specialist massage chair.

The chair provides a supported position from which I can work with different areas of the body using Thai massage techniques. This can include compression, acupressure, deep tissue work, muscle and trigger point release and more focused pressure.

I may work using my hands, thumbs, knuckles and elbows, or use traditional Thai massage tools where they allow more precise work.

Treatment on the Padded Mat

We'll then use a comfortable padded treatment mat on the floor, rather than simply a yoga mat.

Working on the mat gives us more freedom to move the body and use different Thai massage techniques and positions. This is where we might incorporate more assisted stretching, compression and range-of-motion movements alongside focused muscle work.

Using the chair and mat together allows me to draw on the strengths of both rather than limiting the treatment to one position or approach.

Relaxation and Breathing

Where appropriate, we'll finish on the mat with a short period of relaxation or a breathing practice.

After the more physical elements of the treatment, this creates some time for the body to settle before you get up and return to the rest of your day.

Massage and Movement Together

One of the things I particularly value about Thai massage is the relationship between massage and movement.

Rather than looking only at an individual muscle or area of tension, we can also explore how the body moves.

For example, I might use deep tissue or trigger point techniques around an area before taking a joint through its comfortable range of motion. We might use compression alongside movement, or follow muscle release with an assisted stretch.

Sometimes we might then explore a movement that you do yourself.

My Yoga Therapy training gives me another set of skills to draw upon, so where it would be useful we can incorporate active mobility, movement or breathing practices into the session.

This means the treatment can move between Thai massage techniques, muscle release, assisted movement and active movement according to what is most appropriate for you.

Is Thai Yoga Therapy a Relaxation Massage?

No. Although you may find parts of it very relaxing, this isn't primarily a relaxation treatment.

Thai Yoga Therapy can be strong and physically focused.

Deep tissue work, compression, acupressure, trigger point massage and assisted stretching can sometimes feel intense or uncomfortable. Focused work may be applied using my hands, thumbs, knuckles, elbows or knees, or with traditional Thai massage tools.

But pain isn't the objective, and more pressure doesn't automatically mean a more effective treatment.

We'll communicate throughout. Pressure, intensity, position and technique can all be adapted according to how your body responds.

And strong treatment and relaxation aren't necessarily opposites.

The rhythm of Thai massage, repeated compression and assisted movement can be surprisingly settling. Some people become deeply relaxed during parts of a treatment and occasionally even fall asleep.

Who is Thai Yoga Therapy For?

Thai Yoga Therapy could be a good choice if you:

• Experience muscular tension or areas that feel particularly tight
• Feel stiff or restricted in your movement
• Enjoy deeper or more focused massage techniques
• Would like massage combined with stretching and movement
• Want to explore or maintain your mobility
• Prefer a treatment tailored to you rather than a standard massage routine
• Find some movements easier when they are supported or assisted
• Are interested in an approach that looks at massage and movement together

You don't need to be flexible, fit or experienced in yoga.

And you don't need to arrive with a particular diagnosis or problem. We start with what you're experiencing and what you would like from the session.

Thai Yoga Therapy or Yoga Therapy?

There is some crossover between the two, but the emphasis is different.

Yoga Therapy: you do more of the moving

Yoga Therapy is primarily an active approach.

We might use adapted yoga, somatic movement, mobility, breathing practices and relaxation, developing practices to support your individual needs.

I may incorporate some Thai massage techniques where they are useful, but they aren't normally the main focus.

Thai Yoga Therapy: I do more of the moving with you

Thai massage techniques are central to the treatment.

There is a much greater emphasis on deep tissue and muscle work, compression, acupressure, trigger point massage, assisted stretching and range-of-motion movement.

My Yoga Therapy experience still informs the way I work and means that, where appropriate, we can also incorporate active movement, mobility, breathing or relaxation.

There isn't a rigid dividing line between the two. Having experience in both allows me to adapt the balance to the person in front of me.

My Approach and Training

My original Thai massage training was with Natasha de Grunwald and the London Institute of Thai Yoga Massage.

The training went far beyond learning a sequence of massage techniques. It explored anatomy, muscles and fascia, range of motion, assisted stretching, Thai massage techniques, traditional Thai medical theory, movement, practitioner skills, ethics and the history and lineage of Thai massage.

I trained to work using the palms, thumbs, knuckles, forearms, elbows, knees and feet and in techniques including compression, deeper muscle and fascial work, stretching and range of motion.

An important part of my training was learning how to select and combine techniques rather than simply following the same sequence for every person.

I completed extensive case-study practice as part of my training and subsequently undertook additional training in traditional Thai herbal compresses, balms and liniments.

Since then, I have trained and worked as a Yoga Therapist and developed further experience in somatic movement, adaptive yoga and working with people with a wide range of bodies and movement needs.

I continue to develop my Thai massage skills through further professional training, including specialist massage-chair techniques.

Thai Yoga Therapy brings these different strands of my training and experience together.

Your First Appointment

Your first appointment lasts 75 minutes, giving us additional time to talk before we begin your treatment.

We'll discuss your health, movement, what has brought you to see me and anything you particularly want us to explore.

We'll then move through the treatment, usually beginning by preparing and warming the body before working on the massage chair and padded mat and finishing with relaxation or breathing where appropriate.

Initial consultation – 75 minutes

£85

Follow-up sessions – 60 minutes

£67.50

Thai Yoga Therapy is priced in the same way as my Yoga Therapy sessions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I wear?

Thai Yoga Therapy is fully clothed.

Wear comfortable clothes that allow you to move easily, such as leggings, jogging bottoms or other soft, flexible clothing. You don't need to wear yoga clothes.

Traditional balms may occasionally be used on smaller areas such as the neck, arms, hands or feet. I'll discuss this with you before using them, particularly if you have sensitive skin or allergies.

Do I need to be flexible?

No.

Assisted stretching and range-of-motion movements are adapted to your body. We're not trying to achieve a particular yoga position or see how far you can stretch.

We start with the body you have today.

Does Thai Yoga Therapy hurt?

Some techniques can feel intense, particularly deeper muscle work, compression, trigger point massage or focused work around an area of tension.

Pain isn't the aim and more pressure isn't automatically better.

We'll communicate throughout the treatment and can change the pressure, position or technique whenever necessary.

Do I have to get onto the floor?

The padded treatment mat is normally part of the session, so you will usually spend some time on the floor.

If getting down to or up from the floor is difficult for you, please let me know. We can discuss your mobility and how the treatment can be adapted.

Is it a massage?

Thai massage techniques are central to the treatment, but Thai Yoga Therapy isn't a conventional massage.

The treatment combines Thai massage techniques with compression, assisted stretching, range-of-motion movement and mobility. My Yoga Therapy experience also means we can incorporate active movement, breathing or relaxation where these would be useful.

You remain fully clothed and treatment takes place on a specialist massage chair and padded floor mat rather than a conventional massage table.

Not Sure Whether Thai Yoga Therapy is Right for You?

You don't need to decide whether you need Thai Yoga Therapy or Yoga Therapy before getting in touch.

If you're looking for a treatment with a stronger emphasis on Thai massage techniques, deep tissue and muscle work, assisted stretching and movement, Thai Yoga Therapy is likely to be the better starting point.

If you're primarily interested in developing movement, breathing and other practices that you can use independently, Yoga Therapy may be more appropriate.

For some people, the most useful approach will sit somewhere between the two.

Book a free 20-minute discovery call and we can talk about what you're looking for.

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