Urban Nirvana: Thai Massage

Guest Post By Shaida K

I am a strong advocate of health & wellness… I try to eat clean, workout regularly and read to keep my mind stimulated. BUT, with a hectic work schedule it’s hard to squeeze in time to relax. So when I was approached by Urban Nirvana to try their Thai Massage, I was intrigued to learn how I could incorporate the not-so-basic massage into my monthly routine as a way to release tension…

When I stepped inside Urban Nirvana I was greeted with a subtle hint of lavender and offered a cup of tea. While a Thai massage is a full-body experience, I filled out a questionnaire to specify the main areas I wanted the practitioner to focus on (which, to be honest, was almost everywhere) and particular spots I wanted them to avoid. Next, I walked into a dimly-lit room where I was given loose-fitting clothes to change into. Following my wardrobe change, the practitioner asked me a few questions and then the fun began: muscle-loosening exercises, deep tissue massages and much-needed stretches that had me bending in ways I didn’t think my body could bend! While my flexibility could use some work, I was extremely relaxed and nearly fell asleep listening to the calming music in the background.

So what makes a Thai massage different from any other massage? It’s unique in that it mixes the art of massage, yoga and acupressure all in one session. It not only helps you relax mentally, but also pushes your body’s limits… personally I found it to be an amazing stretch. Good news for those of you who aren’t flexible; a Thai massage is considered to be “lazy man’s yoga” because the stretching is done for you! My recommendation: release your body and let the practitioners work their magic. The guys at Urban Nirvana know what they’re doing — but don’t just take my word for it…

If you’re tired of traditional massages or just looking for a new experience, I highly recommend visiting Urban Nirvana for a Thai massage! It was my very first experience and I loved it. Oh, and to take your wellness journey a step further, consider attending one of their yoga retreats or workshops. For full list of massage offerings and prices click here.

A few things to note:

• Change of clothes – Urban Nirvana has clean, loose-fitting clothes available for you to change into for your massage.
• Know your body – Try to think about what areas are tense or need work in advance: this will help your practitioner determine the massages and stretches that are best for you.
• Free your mind and loosen up – You will get a more fulfilling, relaxing experience if you release tension in your body.
• Warm shower after – Deep tissue massages can leave you feeling sore the next day: a warm bath or shower will reduce the aches.
• Continue the momentum at home – After your massage at Urban Nirvana, practitioners take the time to let you know if you need to work on your flexibility and/or if they discovered any problem areas. For me, it was all in the hips. Try to do the recommended exercises at home to improve your overall health and well-being. I know I will!

A special thanks to Urban Nirvana for hosting me! All reviews and opinions are entirely my own.