Thai Massage: Sacred Body Work (Avery Health Guides) [Paperback]

Ananda Apfelbaum (Author)

Book Description

Series: Avery Health Guides | Publication Date: November 27, 2003

A uniquely relaxing yet energizing way to achieve balance and healing.

Traditional Thai massage is a dynamic yet comparatively little-known form of bodywork that combines elements of acupressure, stretching, reflexology, the application of herbal compresses, prayer, and meditation. This therapy has benefits for anyone-young or old, active or inactive, healthy or not. Sometimes called "lazy man's yoga," it stretches the muscles, increases the joints' range of motion, and balances the flow of energy throughout the body to promote healing and well-being.

Thai Massage provides fully illustrated, step-by-step instructions that enable the reader to use this integrative and interactive therapy (with a partner) at home. It also explains the history and philosophy behind the techniques and discusses their connections with Buddhist thought and practice, yoga, Ayurveda, the body's energy lines, and acupressure. It is a complete guide to an ancient practice that benefits body, mind, and spirit.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ananda Apfelbaum is a licensed massage therapist and practitioner and teacher of Thai massage. She is also a writer, documentary photographer, dancer, and musician who has traveled widely in Asia and Europe. She is the founder of the Tibetan Relief Project.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Avery Trade (November 27, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583331689
• ISBN-13: 978-1583331682
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #84,702 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ananda Apfelbaum is a national and international Thai Massage instructor with over 18 years of teaching experience. She is a certified Thai Massage therapist and a New York State licensed massage therapist. Ananda is the author of one of the foremost books on Thai Massage, "Thai Massage, Sacred Bodywork" (Avery of Penguin & Putnam, 2003) and the producer of the instructional DVD, "Thai Massage, Sacred Bodywork," 2003. Ananda has a NYC based private clientele and currently runs Thai Yoga Massage training programs in New York City.

Ananda was the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies' Thai Massage instructor for a decade (1993 - 2003). She then taught the Thai Yoga Massage Training Program at Ashtanga Yoga Shala, NYC from 2002 - 2007. Since 2007, Ananda has been teaching a three level program of Thai massage at the Warshaw Studio, NYC. Ananda has taught courses, classes and workshops at the Bancroft School of Massage Therapy, Worcester, MA, The Breathing Project, NYC, The Yoga Studio, Toronto, Canada, the Body of Truth studio, Kingston, NY, the Academy of Massage Therapy, NJ, the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NYC and the Fujin Center, Kyoto, Japan.

Ananda graduated from the Swedish Institute of New York City in 1989. She then traveled to Thailand, China, and Japan to study Eastern bodywork. In Thailand, she trained with some of Thailand's most influential Thai Massage masters, including the late Ashokananda, the late Chaiyuth Priyasith, Chongkol Settakorn at the Institute of Thai Massage, and master healer and teacher Pichest Boonthumme whose style she now emulates. In 1992 Ananda received certification as a Thai Massage therapist from the Buntautuk Traditional Hospital in Chiangmai, northern Thailand. Ananda created the original manual used by Pichest Boonthumme to teach his students Thai Massage and has often been his teaching assistant.

Ananda also studied Shiatsu at the Ohashi Institute, NYC as well as in Japan at the Kansai Shiatsu Center and the Asahi Cultural Center. She also studied Tuina in China at the Yue-Yang Hospital in Shanghai. Back in the US, Ananda studied reflexology at the Laura Norman & Associates Reflexology Center in New York City.

Ananda has been featured for her Thai Massage work in Time Magazine and on Canadian television in Toronto Tonight, Toronto Today, and Toronto Life.

Ananda has been a professional dancer and an award-winning photographer. She received a BA in dance from the renowned Kalakshetra College of Fine Arts, Madras, India and was awarded scholarships three times from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) for advanced training in Odissi (a style of Indian temple dance). Ananda performed Odissi in India, Europe, and the US. Ananda later received a grant from the American Institute for Indian Studies, Chicago to photographically document Odissi dance. Ananda also was awarded a grant from the Lyman Fund to photograph Tibetans. Her photography has been on exhibit at the India International Center, the American Embassy, Lalit Kala Akademi and the Omega Institute. In 1999, her Tibetan photographs were published, as a calendar and card-line called, "In the Heart of Prayer," by Amber Lotus Publishing Company, San Francisco.

Ananda is also the founder and director of the Tibetan Relief Project, Inc. (TRP), a non-profit organization established in 1997 to help destitute Tibetans with education and medical care. Her project has helped many Tibetans in India, Nepal and Tibet. Ananda created an educational slide show on Tibet to raise awareness of the Tibetan situation. She has received teachings from HH the Dalai Lama.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best Thai massage book on the market!, April 16, 2005

By 

Jonas Westring - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Thai Massage: Sacred Body Work (Avery Health Guides) (Paperback)

With Thai Massage, Ananda Apfelbaum has made an important contribution by capturing this sacred healing art with clarity and precision. It presents a comprehensive overview followed by a clearly illustrated, complete, full-body Thai sequence. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in experiencing
the tremendous benefits and joy of this ancient practice.

Jonas Westring
shantaya.org

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Essential Guide to Thai Yoga Massage, January 18, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Thai Massage: Sacred Body Work (Avery Health Guides) (Paperback)

Ananda Apfelbaum has clearly spent years studying and practicing all forms of massage, and in particular, Thai Yoga Massage. She has taken the knowledge she gained through her studies with master healer Pichest Boonthumme and made it clear and accessible for experienced therapists and newcomers alike.

The book is an excellent reference guide. Firstly, it explains in detail the origins of Thai Massage and its connection with Buddhism. Then, fully illustrated with clear photographs, it gives step by step, detailed instructions for sitting, supine and side line positions. Ananda has taken great care to elaborate on the anatomy and physiology of the human body as a foundation for learning and understanding the lines and pressure points unique to Thai Massage.

Well written and full of excellent photographs, this book is like a mini workhshop in itself. It is an essential read for people looking for a complete guide to Thai Yoga Massage or for those looking to add to their collection of health and wellness resources.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars learning thai yoga massage, April 29, 2005

By 

justine mercedes - See all my reviews

This review is from: Thai Massage: Sacred Body Work (Avery Health Guides) (Paperback)

Before I began my journey with Thai Yoga massage I looked at a number of books on the market. When I found this book I knew it was the right one for me. The text is easy to read and understand and the illustrations are clear. Miss. Apfelbaum is someone who is able to articulate a bodywork treatment that is complex, beautiful and above all healing. I would advise anyone who wishes to learn Thai Yoga massage to use this book as a tool. She also has a website, a video (that is great for when practicing at home) and does workshops.