23
back” lifestyle of the north), so that the therapist’s pressure could be more evenly, smoothly and effectively delivered and felt by the receiver. Sintorn reduced the amount of detailed point work being done (to avoid repetitive stress injuries to overused fingers and thumbs), in favor of broader but deeper work with palms, forearms, elbows, knees, and feet. Positions in which the therapist could completely relax and let body weight and leverage alone do the work (sitting, leaning, or standing) were given preference over movements requiring active exertion of force of energy. The result was a highly effective, relaxing and therapeutic treatment (even more so than the Southern Style from Wat Pho), with an almost unlimited number of variations and options that provided even the smallest of therapists with the ability to deliver a very powerful, deep and effective Thai massage, regardless of how big or stiff the receiver might be. Ajahn Sintorn’s changes to the Southern Style were highly successful, and began to attract the attention of non-Thai people from around the world. Soon Sintorn’s students and staff, in turn, began opening their own Northern Style schools in Chiang Mai and the surrounding area, adopting and following what they had studied and learned from Ajahn Sintorn at Old Medicine Hospital. The Northern Style grew and expanded throughout Chiang Mai and the north and is now practiced and taught in spas and schools throughout Thailand and around the world.
Today, Old Medicine carries on the Shivagakomarpaj lineage and continues to teach the Northern Style as originally developed by Ajahn Sintorn (now side-by-side with many spin-off schools and teachers who also honor and follow Old Medicine Hospital’s sequences and approach with little if any variation). All Northern Style traditional Thai massage schools' teachings, sequences and approach can be traced back, especially at the beginning/foundational level, to the pioneering work of Ajahan Sintorn, who we recognize and honor as the “father” or “founder” of the Northern Style. Today, the Northern Style from Old Medicine (Chiang Mai), is recognized and stands side-by-side with the Southern Style from Wat Pho (Bangkok) as its own form and style of traditional Thai massage. The Northern Style’s roots are grounded in Wat Pho’s original teachings and the ancient energy line theory of yoga from India, infused with Ajahn Sintorn continued and ongoing dedication, research, realizations, and contributions to the art of Traditional Thai Massage at Old Medicine Hospital. The best students completing this course will be like Ajahn Sintorn. Even as a scholar and master teacher from Wat Pho, Sintorn always remained a student and continued to learn from many teachers. This is the Art of Traditional Thai Massage.
V.OMH 8/2023
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online