What’s New at Osmosis? T’ui Na
This active style of Meridian Massage releases deeply held tension. Combining rocking, compression, stretching and joint mobilization, T’ui Na clears blockages, revitalizes your energy, and opens the joints for great ease in movement. This massage leaves you feeling both relaxed and energized.
T’ui Na Origins
The Chinese have taught us that tension or pain in the body is the physical manifestation of blocked or stagnant Chi. Developed over 5,000 years ago in China, T’ui Na is an ancient form of Meridian massage, aimed at increasing the flow of Chi through the channels, clearing blocked energy, thus decreasing pain and increasing ease of movement.
Emphasis in this massage is on opening the joints, the “gateways” through which Chi can flow from one body area to another. T’ui Na is an active style of massage mobilizing your joints, stretching muscles and Meridians, and energizing your Chi flow.
To understand T’ui Na, you must first understand the premise on which this massage was developed. The Chinese medical model understands the human being to have 3 aspects:
- The Yang aspect of one’s being, the physical body, which manifests as activity or movement in the world.
- The Yin aspect, the Chi or bioelectrical aspect of the body.
- The refined product of the Yin and Yang relationship, which is the mental and spiritual body.
In T’ui Na, all 3 aspects of a person’s being are addressed, nourishing health on every level.
Understanding Chi
To many Westerners, Chi may be a difficult concept to grasp. Because it is invisible, people often wonder what it is or if it even exists. Ancient China knew little about the science of electricity. Electromagnetic science has been a field of growing knowledge in the West, in recent decades. Both Eastern and Western practitioners of Chinese medicine and massage have recognized that this energy referred to as “Chi” is the same thing as what today’s science calls “bioelectricity.” Dr. Robert Becker has done important research in the field of bioelectricity. It is understood now that the human body is constructed of many different electrically conductive materials and that it forms a living electromagnetic field and circuit. The body’s bioelectrical energy, Chi, is not only responsible for maintaining life, but also for repairing it. It is the healing force when tissues of the physical body are damaged or body systems are limited.
Many Healing Benefits of T’ui Na
The Chinese understand that Chi circulates throughout the body through 12 organ Meridians, each of which connect to a different organ system of the body. Through T’ui Na Massage, Chi or energy flow to the internal organs is increased helping to heal tissues that may be weak, strengthening our organ functioning.
T’ui Na takes massage from the level of relaxation to the next level: deepening health and well being. T’ui Na recharges the batteries of life.
It not only clears tension, promoting ease in the body and life, it also builds Chi, bringing increased energy to the tissues and organ systems of the body. And as the Chi body (Yin) nourishes the physical body (Yang), we begin to feel more balance between the Yin and Yang aspects of being. There is a sweet sense of well-being that emerges from this feeling of balance. This feeling of well-being penetrates the physical, emotional and spiritual realms. This is the deepest healing that any spa service can offer.
Raizelah Bayen is the Spa Services Manager at Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary. She has 25 years in the field of massage, 15 years as a massage and yoga instructor, and is additionally certified in acupressure, herbology and aromatherapy. Her teaching specialties include Eastern Massage Modalities and Acupressure, Body Mechanics for Bodyworkers, and Integrative Wellness workshops, weaving herbs, aromatherapy, self-massage and yoga into a cohesive themed workshop, such as the one above. If you are interested in hosting a workshop, please contact Raizelah at raizelah@osmosis.com. For more information, connect with Raizelah Bayen on LinkedIn.
Please contact raizelah@osmosis.com for information on upcoming trainings in T’ui Na, Shiatsu, Thai Massage, Foot Reflexology, and Body Mechanics for Bodyworkers scheduled in Sebastopol, California. Or book Raizelah for an on-site training in your massage school or spa in T’ui Na, Shiatsu, Thai Massage, Foot Reflexology or Body Mechanics for Bodyworkers.
