A form of Thai Yoga Massage that focuses on the three Ayurvedic body types • Explains how to determine a person’s Ayurvedic body type and provides hands-on techniques for working with them • Brings the practices presented in Thai Yoga Massage to a new customized level of therapeutic healing The traditional healing arts of Ayurveda and Thai Yoga Massage have a deep and integrated relationship that provides an unparalleled modality for restoring body, mind, and spirit. Although it originated in India, over the centuries Ayurveda has been assimilated into the predominant Thai culture and has evolved into a distinctive folk medicine. With the growing popularity of Ayurveda and Thai Yoga Massage, there is a renewed interest in reuniting these practices into a powerful therapeutic alliance. Thai Yoga Therapy for Your Body Type bridges the practice of Thai Yoga Massage with its ancient Ayurvedic roots to offer a complete and holistic healing modality. The authors first explain in detail the fundamental principles of Ayurveda and then recommend daily practices for each of the three main body types of vata, pitta, and kapha. Practitioners learn how to customize their work with the appropriate massage approach, recommended yoga asanas, breathing techniques, and diet and lifestyle tips. More than 50 illustrated, full-body Thai Yoga Massage postures are presented as well as a massage flow for each body type. The authors indicate the Ayurvedic benefits of each posture and detail any precautions that should be followed in this dynamic practice of transformative healing. "I found this book to be well-written, easy to understand and follow, and of interest to those practitioners who may wish to expand their practice, as well as those individuals wishing to become a client of a Thai Yoga pratitioner." ― Bonnie Cehovet, Angelfire, Aug 2006 Thai Yoga Therapy for Your Body Type presents a thorough and practical exploration of this healing practice. It is highly recommended for all consumer health information collections, particularly those with a focus on complementary and alternative medicine. ― Susan Murray, Consumer Health Information Service, Toronto Reference Library, Toronto, Canada HEALTH / BODYWORK Thai Yoga Massage is a dynamic bodywork therapy in which the practitioner guides the recipient through a series of yoga postures while palming and thumbing along the body's energy lines and pressure points. Together these actions result in a treatment that relieves muscular tension, improves circulation, boosts the immune system, and balnaces the body energetically. This unique transformative healing system, which is growing in popularity in the Western world, originated in the temples of Thailand many centuries ago as a blend of yoga, Ayurveda, and martial arts. In Thai Yoga Therapy for Your Body Type, Kam Thye Chow, one of the foremost practitioners of Thai Yoga Massage and the author of the book and DVD Thai Yoga Massage, and coauthor Emily Moody show how to tailor the practice to the individual needs of each recipient through the application of Ayurvedic principles. The three basic body types described by Ayurveda--vata, pitta, and kapha--each have different physical attributes and energetic needs that respond differently to each Thai Yoga Massage posture. Practitioners learn the Ayurvedic benefits of each posture as well as breathing techniques, diet and lifestyle tips, and the precautions that should be followed to adapt their massage approach to best meet the needs of their clients. More than 50 illustrated, full-body Thai Yoga Massage postures are presented as well as a complete massage flow for each body type. KAM THYE CHOW, author of Thai Yoga Massage and Tai Chi Chuan: Mindfulness in Motion, is the founder and director of the Lotus Palm School in Montreal. EMILY MOODY is an Ayurvedic educator, yoga instructor, and teacher for the Lotus Palm School and has worked closely with Kam Thye since 1999. Kam Thye Chow, author of Thai Yoga Massage and Tai Chi Chuan: Mindfulness in Motion , is the founder and director of the Lotus Palm School in Montreal. Emily Moody is an Ayurvedic educator, yoga teacher, and teacher for the Lotus Palm School and has worked closely with Kam Thye since 1999. from Chapter 3 Customizing a Massage According to Ayurvedic Principles Once you have determined the main Ayurvedic dosha of a recipient, you are ready to design your Thai Yoga Massage according to the individual needs of each client. The first key to integrating Ayurveda into a Thai Yoga Massage practice are the main massage approaches that correspond to each doshic type. According to Vedic philosophy, there are three forces of nature within the universe that are present within all matter and are responsible for all creation. These three subtle qualities, or gunas , are known as sattva , rajas , and tamas . Sattva is understood to be the most subtle of the three and is defined as harmony, light, and intelligenc