What would travel be without a few small massages, lying on a benchtop, with 4 hands (at least) that remind you of how good it is to relax. A pleasure so enjoyable that it is often difficult to wait for the next stay to repeat the experience.
1. Ayurvedic massages
Ayurveda has a rich history in the Hindu culture and it translates the science of life, which considers the human body as a part of the universe, itself composed of the 5 elements: water, fire, air, ether, and earth. These are supposed to combine to form the dosha whose balance in each of us determines our nature on the physical level, but also spiritual and emotional. So basically, if you're in a bad mood, then you need an Indian massage session, like the abhyanga, which mixes wraps, palpations, and tonic pressures, and which is supposed to detoxify the body and improve nervous tension. If your morale is low, opt for a so-called kansu foot massage, performed with very hot oil.
2. Chinese massages
Do you see roughly what Chinese acupuncture looks like? Well the Tui na, it's the same except that we replace the needles with the fingers, the hand, and the elbows. This type of deep massage applies as much to the muscles, the joints, as the organs. It aims to harmonize the circulation of energies and blood through your body. Especially these big hot suckers taped to the homo-plates for long minutes without you being able to move.
3. Nuad Boran Thai massages
We warn you right away, these massages have nothing to do with those usually practiced on Thai beaches or in the district of Khao San in Bangkok. We are talking about an ancestral technique, which would have been codified by the personal doctor of Buddha. It is a massage performed using the fingers, palm, elbows, forearms, and even feet depending on the place to be massaged. Normally, the whole body should go through it, from head to toe and on all 4 sides (on the back, stomach, and both sides). Result: Nuad Boran eliminates tensions and blockages, drives away fatigue, and is even used in Thai hospitals to treat certain diseases, by strengthening the immune defenses of patients. Count between 1 hour and 3 hours of massage anyway.
4. Japanese shiatsu (or Amma) massages
It is still a story of energy circulation in the body, inherited from Indian tradition and put in Japanese sauce from the 7th century. Shiatsu consists of pressure exerted mainly with the thumbs and elbows and all the points of imbalance located along the acupuncture meridians. Shiatsu stimulates blood circulation, treats stress problems, digestive and gynecological dysfunctions, and even rheumatism
5. Californian massages
These are undoubtedly the most commonly practiced massages in the West since the 1980s. They are more or less invigorating according to the wishes of the patient and the sadism of the practitioner, but in general, they are known to be quite soft. Californian massages consist of fluid movements carried out all over the body starting from the back, the back of the legs, then the feet, the front of the body going up towards the stomach, the arms, then the neck, and the face. Usually, you end the session with super oily hair because of the massage oil used.
6. Swedish massages
This technique of effleurage, kneading, friction, percussion, and vibration, when performed in a specific order, creates effects similar to those obtained by gymnastics. Besides, it is common to use the term Swedish gymnastics, rather than massages. This practice has been inspired by the concepts of physical education of the Nordic peoples, mixed with fencing movements and massages practiced in the Greco-Roman era.
7. Balinese massages
Bali is not known for its incredible scenic beauties, but also its amazing massage therapy. When done correctly, Bali massage therapy is super effective at working energy points and relaxing muscle tension, circulating blood, draining the body, and relaxing the mind. The massage takes place in two stages. The first oil-free aimed at relieving body tension (strong pressure, stretching, friction), and the other with oil constituting strictly speaking the "massage" part.
8. Korean massages
Are you a bit stressed and having trouble letting go? A Korean massage session should relax you. On the other hand, you have to like the jerks. Without being seismic, these vibrations at the level of the joints allow on paper the body to relax and the mind to stop worrying. And if you let go a little tear during the session, it is not by thinking about the bill that you are going to have to pay, but because your body is saying thank you.
9. Hawaiian or Lomi-Lomi massages
To begin with, know that it is a shamanic massage and that you must therefore be at least receptive to the concept of natural energies. In Hawaiian, Lomi means to massage, rub, squeeze, knead, to stroke. And the more the word is repeated, the more intense the massage will be. During the session, the practitioner mainly uses his fists and forearms before going on to stretching.
10. Kashmiri massages
This Indian technique is a bit special because it is mainly practiced in pairs without the presence of a practitioner. And for good reason, Kashmiri massages are based on Tantrism, particularly known to boost sexuality by bringing the male and female poles together. The technique is similar to Japanese shiatsu, as it stimulates the energy points where the different layers of the body such as bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and blood vessels intersect.