Things You'll Need:
- Large, soft exercise mat
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Step 1
Practice Thai massage on the floor, as it is traditionally practiced. In order to protect and support your client's body as well as your own it is important that you use a large, soft exercise mat. The mat should be large enough that you can freely move around all sides of your client's body without leaving the mat.
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Step 2
Begin the leg stretch with your client face up on the mat. Rest on your knees on one side of their body and place your hands under your client's knee. Pick up the leg and allow the lower leg to rest on top of your forearms as you support the knee and cross the leg over your bent knees. Bring the leg past your knees as far as possible and rest the leg on the ground.
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Step 3
Watch the client's opposite leg and if it moves, extend your own leg and hold the sole of their foot with the top of your own. Be careful with the Thai massage leg stretch, as not all people are as flexible as others. Open the leg only as far as is comfortable for the client.
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Step 4
Grasp the ankle of the client's open leg and gently stretch up until you just begin to feel resistance, and then release. Wait a moment and then stretch again, a bit further this time, and then release. Finally, stretch the leg one more time as far as possible and hold.
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Step 5
Hold the knee with your outside hand, with the leg still in it's furthest stretch position. Use your inside hand to press your palm very gently into the inner thigh, beginning at the knee and working up towards the groin area. Repeat the pressure massage two or three times before releasing the leg and performing the Thai massage leg stretch on the opposite side.
