Thai massage began to develop 2,500 years ago in India. It is based on the ancient Indian teachings of Ayurveda and yoga, with influences from traditional Chinese medicine and its system of meridians. In the old texts, Thai massage is called Nuad Thai Pean Boran. Today it is an integral part of the country’s traditional medicine and culture.
Thailand has many farm workers who do hard physical labour all day long. Their muscles are tense and sore, so they pass on the massage skills they learned from their own parents to their children. In this way, Thai massage is handed down orally from generation to generation. Every region of Thailand has its own unique massage style. When people from different regions meet, they exchange their techniques. In this way, the technique has also evolved through influences from other countries such as China, India, Burma and Tibet.
Its founder is said to be a North Indian physician named Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha (also spelled Shivaga Komarpaj or Jivaka Kommarabhacca) — a contemporary of the Buddha and personal physician to King Bimbisara of Magadha more than 2,500 years ago. Kumar Bhaccha is known as a friend of the Buddha and physician to the Buddhist monastic community. He is mentioned in the Pali Canon, the ancient scriptures of Buddhism.
This is why Ayurveda and herbal medicine, alongside medicinal steam baths and massage, are part of what many massage practices in Thailand offer. To this day, Kumar Bhaccha is respected and revered by many as the “Father of Medicine” or “Father Doctor”. Pujas (devotions) are held in his memory, during which a text in Pali is recited:
“Om Namo Jivaka” — We honour the compassionate Jivaka through exemplary conduct.
Our massages at Baan Thai are performed with the expertise of the renowned Thai temple school “Wat Pho” in Bangkok — the most important training centre for traditional Thai massage. In this way, we bring a tradition thousands of years old to the heart of Bern.
Please note: the massages offered are not medical treatments, even though they are beneficial to health. In case of acute or chronic illness, or after injuries or operations, please consult your doctor beforehand and tell your masseuse about any existing conditions.